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Biomedical subjects

D Alba

Publications and source records attributed to D Alba.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Relationship of basal and postprandial intraduodenal bile acid concentrations and plasma cholecystokinin levels with abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis has been related to an increase in plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) levels. The aim of the study was to disclose the relation of the altered response with the low intraduodenal bile acids levels found in these patients. Twenty patients with chronic pancreatitis were classified into groups I (n = 11) and II (n = 9) according to the presence or absence of pain. Intraduodenal trypsin and bile acids concentrations and plasma CCK levels were measured before and 30, 60, and 90 min after a test meal. Comparisons between values in both groups were carried out. Correlation of intraduodenal trypsin and bile acids with plasma CCK was analyzed. Patients with pain exhibited significantly lower intraduodenal trypsin levels at 30 and 90 min and lower basal and postprandial intraduodenal bile acids levels than patients without pain. In patients with pain, basal and postprandial plasma CCK levels were significantly higher than in patients without pain. A negative correlation was demonstrated between intraduodenal bile acids and plasma CCK. In patients with chronic pancreatitis and pain, a reduction in intraduodenal postprandial trypsin and basal and postprandial bile acids concentrations, as well as an increase in basal and postprandial plasma CCK levels, was encountered. A negative correlation between intraduodenal bile acids and plasma CCK concentrations was detected that may be implicated in the pathogenesis of pain.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1997

[Viridans streptococci isolated from cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical significance of 9 cases].

Viridans streptococci (VS) are often isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, the significance of such isolates is poorly understood. In the present study we carry out a retrospective analysis of 9 patients in whom VS were isolated from CSF during a 1-year period at La Paz Hospital. Two patients (22.2%) had meningitis diagnosed through clinical, laboratory and bacteriologic findings. Both patients had predisposition diseases (previous difficult spinal tap, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt). The other isolations were considered as contaminants. Three patients (33.3%) with no VS meningitis had other different serious disease (sepsis without bacteriologic confirmation). VS are isolated with relative frequency from CSF, although they cause meningitis in less than one-quarter of the cases (those who have a predisposition disease). In the other cases, VS are isolated as contaminants of CSF and other disease should be search as cause of patient symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Isolated laryngeal candidiasis. Description of 2 cases and review of the literature].

Infection of the larynx by Candida is rare and usually accompanies lung or disseminated candidiasis. The incidence of isolated laryngeal candidiasis (ILC) is low, although it may be underestimated. We describe 2 patients with ILC confirmed during autopsy: a 45-years-old male with pulmonary fibrosis and a 4-years-old girl with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Hoarseness and dysphagia are the most common symptoms of ILC. The most effective diagnostic technique is laryngoscopy with specimen culture and/or histopathology. Specimens usually show whitish plaques on the larynx. Most ILC patients have some associated disease and/or predisposing factors, with frequent antibiotic treatment prior to the advent of candidiasis. Intravenous amphotericin B provides the most effective therapy, although other antimycotics are also useful. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy curtail the disease and can prevent systemic dissemination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis associated with influenza virus].

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis can occur after viral influenza infection. It is described a previously healthy 58-year-old man with influenza virus infection who later suffered pulmonary aspergillosis. His response to amphotericin B was successful. The seven similar cases reported in the literature are revised and some common features established. Early antifungal therapy should be administered to any patient with previous flu illness presenting bilateral pulmonary infiltrates without response to antibiotics, if Aspergillus is isolated from the respiratory secretions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Necropsy series].

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe infection which is usually diagnosed at postmortem examination. This infection occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients, although it has also been reported in immunocompetent patients. Clinical records from patients diagnosed with IPA in our institution from 1983 to 1992 were retrospectively studied to analyse clinical and therapeutical characteristics of IPA. Sixteen episodes of IPA were recorded, all of them but one from necrotic specimens. A total of 18.7% of patients were immunocompetent, one patient had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and the remaining patients had a classical immunosuppression. Fever and dyspnea were noted in all patients; hemoptysis was recorded in 12.5% of patients. The predominant radiological pattern was a bilateral alveolar infiltrate (75%). Diagnosis was made at postmortem examination in 15 cases (93.7%), and a clinical premortem suspicion was obtained only in 25% of patients. IPA can occur in immunocompetent patients more frequently than considered until now. The suspicion index for IPA is low, even in immunosuppressed patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Neurologic manifestations of Whipple disease].

Pure neurologic Whipple's disease (WD) may be suspected by same clinical data (dementia-ophthalmoplegia-myoclonus triad, oculomasticatory myorhythmia) with support of MRI. Diagnosis is confirmed by intestinal and/or brain biopsy. Early recognition is critical in a disease that can lead to irreversible neurologic sequelae and that can potentially be cured. Despite therapy, relapses in patients with WD are common, being neurologic recurrence the most frequent and serious. Antibiotics that do not cross the blood-brain barrier are not adequate initial therapy for WD, because they predispose to neurologic relapse. Patients with WD should be treated for one year with antibiotics that cross the blood-brain barrier (such as parenteral penicillin+streptomycin, followed by oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). CNS relapse is usually resistant to therapy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Sero-ascitic gradient of albumin: usefulness and diagnostic limitations].

The serum-ascites albumin (SAA) gradient has been defined as the serum albumin concentration minus the ascitic fluid albumin concentration. The SAA gradient is superior to the exudate-transudate concept to classify ascites, being a exact portal hypertension (PH) marker. An elevated SAA gradient (1.1 g/L or greater) correlates with PH, whereas a low gradient indicates no PH. The SAA gradient correlates well with PH in cirrhotic patients. It is also of particular utility to differentiate between congestive heart failure and malignant ascites without liver metastases (both of them with elevated ascites fluid proteins -AFP-). However, a low SAA gradient do not differentiate between tuberculous and malignant ascites. Consequently, there are still need for tests a cytology, culture for mycobacteria or ascites fluid polymorphonuclear cell count in some cases. The level of AFP, apart from the exudate-transudate concept, has some value for certain cases (a low level of AFP implicates a high risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis). The SAA gradient should replace the AFP concentration as the initial test to classify ascites.

Albumins↗