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D Stürchler

Publications and source records attributed to D Stürchler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Thiabendazole vs. albendazole in treatment of toxocariasis: a clinical trial.

Between 1986 and 1988, 34 patients (age range six to 83 years) with visceral or ocular larva migrans were randomly assigned to a five-day treatment with thiabendazole 2 x 25 mg kg-1 day-1 (15 patients) or albendazole 2 x 5 mg kg-1 day-1 (19 patients). On the fifth treatment day, six patients (40%) in the thiabendazole group and 11 patients (58%) in the albendazole group showed excellent or good drug tolerability. Efficacy of treatment was assessed after 30 weeks (range six to 56 weeks). In the thiabendazole group, median eosinophilia remained at 14% and four patients (27%) were clinically cured. In the albendazole group, the median eosinophilia decreased from 10 to 3.5% and six patients (32%) were clinically cured. We recommend albendazole for treatment of visceral and ocular larva migrans with a minimum dose of 10 mg kg-1 daily for five days.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Assessment in humans of a synthetic peptide-based vaccine against the sporozoite stage of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

Eleven volunteers were injected with an anti-malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) sporozoite vaccine candidate consisting of a synthetic peptide, Ac-Cys-(NANP)3, coupled to tetanus toxoid (TT) and adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. Two of the volunteers had no previously known exposure to TT. Eight volunteers made detectable antipeptide, anticircumsporozoite protein or antisporozoite antibodies, whose titers increased after multiple injections in four individuals. The maximum antisporozoite titer obtained in an immunofluorescence assay was 1280. In those individuals who produced antipeptide antibody, the overall correlation between IgG anti-Ac-Cys-(NANP)3 antibody in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and IgG antisporozoite reactivity in immunofluorescence was highly significant. However, the fine specificity of antibody varied among volunteers with two individuals producing mostly antipeptide antibody. Anti-TT antibody responses increased in all volunteers with the exception of that person who had the highest pretrial anti-TT titer; this individual was one of the two pre-TT-immunized volunteers who failed to produce anti-Ac-Cys-(NANP)3 or sporozoite antibody. For the two non-TT preimmunized volunteers, one produced an antisporozoite fluorescence titer of 320; the other made no detectable antibody against either Ac-Cys-(NANP)3 or sporozoites during a primary response. For the three volunteers monitored, after the first injection, significant T cell proliferative responses to (NANP)3 were observed, which increased up to 4 wk after immunization, when a second injection was given. Responsiveness then declined to background levels and did not reappear after further immunizations. In contrast, a marked TT-specific proliferation was observed for the duration of the study.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Congenital toxoplasmosis in Switzerland. Seroprevalence, risk factors and recommendations for prevention].

In 10,000 cord blood samples from the region of Basel (representing approximately equal to 42% of all live births of 1983 to 1985) anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were determined by agglutination and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) tests. 47.3% were seronegative. 2.8% (n = 283) exhibited high titers in IFA (greater than 300 IU/ml) suggestive of acute or persistent infection. Questionnaires on potential risk factors were sent to 280 mothers with high antibody titers ("cases"), and to 279 randomised seronegative mothers (controls); 388 questionnaires (75.3%) were returned. Compared to controls, infections in cases were significantly associated with farm work, flower production, or food industry, consumption of lamb meat or improperly heated beefsteak, cat ownership. Risks of infection were significantly reduced when meat was kept in the deep freezer, or by consumption of chicken (probably as a surrogate for lamb and beef meat). Cases had significantly lower average serum concentrations of beta-carotene and tocopherol than controls, while average retinol and cholesterol levels were comparable in both groups. The 283 cord blood samples from the cases were subjected to 4 serological tests for specific IgM and 41 samples were reactive in greater than or equal to 1 test. 35 of the 41 children were reinvestigated greater than or equal to 6 months after delivery. In 8 children specific IgM persisted. Review of delivery charts confirmed that all 8 were asymptomatic at the time of delivery. Also on follow-up clinical examinations were normal. The incidence of congenital, latent toxoplasmosis in the area is thus estimated to nearly 1/1000 live births. These data will be used to promote preventive measures in pregnant women.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1987

Parasitic diseases of the small intestinal tract.

The epidemiology, clinical aspects, and treatment of human intestinal infections with Giardia, Cryptosporidium, coccidia and Strongyloides in industrialized countries are reviewed. In well-nourished and immunocompetent persons, inapparent infections or mild, transitory gastrointestinal upsets caused by these parasites are quite common. Some patients develop severe symptoms, such as profuse diarrhoea, dehydration, stool irregularities for weeks or months followed by weight loss and malabsorption of fat, vitamins and iron. In patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment or with lymphotropic viral infections, Cryptosporidium and Strongyloides can cause life-threatening or debilitating disease. By autoinfection or external reinfection these parasites can persist in the intestine for years. Clinicians should consider such infections in immigrants, travellers and former servicemen, even long after their stay in endemic areas, and also in the handicapped and children in day-care centres.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Parasitic infections in Yakima Indians.

Two hundred and five Yakima Indians (age range: one to 66 years) were examined for parasitic infections, and various environmental exposures to infection. A questionnaire was completed by each participant and an anal swab, blood specimens and a single faecal sample were obtained. Eight of 181 swabs (4.4%) contained eggs of Enterobius vermicularis. Of 89 faecal specimens submitted, 12 (13.5%) and 1 (1.1%) respectively contained Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium. Sera were screened for antibodies to Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus and Toxoplasma gondii, utilizing enzyme immunoassay, indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and indirect fluorescent antibody tests respectively. Toxocara seroprevalence was 31% (38/123). Seven of 39 (18%) sera were reactive to E. granulosus antigen in the IHA test, but none was positive for arc 5 antigen in the double immunodiffusion test. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 20% (23/114).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

A longitudinal study on relations of retinol with parasitic infections and the immune response in children of Kikwawila village, Tanzania.

From 1982 to 1984 170 children of Kikwawila village (Kilombero district, Tanzania) were followed for nutritional (anthropometric measures, hematocrit, serum retinol, prealbumin, and zinc concentrations), parasitological (malaria parasitemia, urinary schistosomiasis, intestinal parasites) and immunological characteristics. Between 2.9% and 12.4% had serum retinol levels less than 100 micrograms/l which indicate deficiency. Retinol concentrations were correlated with age, hematocrits, prealbumin levels and mid upperarm circumferences. The latter correlation may be useful in nutritional surveys and primary health care programs for the identification of populations at risk of retinol deficiency. No association was found between average retinol levels and the presence of parasites, with the exception of malaria. Retinol levels were inversely correlated with malaria parasitemia in 1982, and directly correlated with antibody titers to synthetic sporozoite peptide in 1984. Since retinol, malaria parasitemia, and antisporozoite antibodies increased with age, confounding by age could not be excluded. Six months after administration of ornidazole in a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg, a significant effect on the prevalence of Giardia lamblia was found. Following treatment, average retinol levels were increased in persons with confirmed G. lamblia infections, but not in uninfected or untreated controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Leucopenia and abnormal liver function in travellers on malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Of 2887 travellers between the years 1984-1985, 451 on prophylactic antimalarials were studied retrospectively for adverse haematological or hepatic drug reactions and compared to 296 drug non-users. Travellers using amodiaquine, chloroquine, or pyrimethamine for less than 10 weeks had significantly lower total leucocyte counts than non-users. This was due to diminution of lymphocytes, not neutrophils. Travellers using amodiaquine for less than 10 weeks also had significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGPT) levels than non-users. Amodiaquine was associated with a 3.1-times increased risk (95% confidence limits 1.8-5.4) of abnormal SGPT values. We consider toxic products, including metabolites of amodiaquine, the most likely cause of amodiaquine-related hepatotoxicity in travellers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Epidemiological aspects of toxocariasis in Switzerland].

In the regions of Basel, Jura and Zürich (Switzerland) 765 blood donors completed a questionnaire with respect to symptoms, animal contacts and occupation, and their sera were tested for antibodies to tissue helminths in ELISA. 5.1%, 3.3% and 6.5% exhibited antibodies solely to the respective antigens of Toxocara canis, Fasciola hepatica, and Echinococcus granulosus. Combined seroreactions were mainly observed between F. hepatica and E. granulosus antigens. Reactivity to T. canis antigen was associated with animal contacts at work, as well as contacts with cattle and sheep but not dogs or cats. Toxocara antibodies were found in all age groups. Their prevalence varied markedly by region.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Intestinal parasitoses].

While intestinal parasites are infrequent causes of acute diarrhea, investigations in travellers, children, homosexuals and immunocompromised persons who have had diarrhea for more than 2-4 weeks should include stool analyses for intestinal parasites. Intestinal helminthiases are treated with pyrantel pamoate, mebendazole, thiabendazole, albendazole, praziquantel or niclosamide. For treatment of intestinal protozoa, ornidazole (or other benzimidazoles), diloxanide furoate and co-trimoxazole are drugs of first choice; at present spiramycin is recommended for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in AIDS patients. When infections or symptoms persist after treatment, re-infection or immunodeficiency should be considered.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Reproductive history and intrapartum fever.

Washington State Birth Registry data of the years 1980-1982 of 803 women with intrapartum fever, who gave birth to a singleton, and of 1,714 control women without such diagnosis selected at random from the child-bearing population were studied for risk factors and maternal and neonatal outcome variables. Cases were significantly more often less than 21 years old, nonwhite, unmarried, nulligravid, and nulliparous than controls, and had significantly shorter gestational ages and longer birth intervals. The risk of intrapartum fever was higher in nulliparous than in nulligravid women [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.0 and 2.3, respectively]. This risk difference led to the discovery of increased fetal and perinatal losses prior to the pregnancy under study: cases lost 160 of 390 (41%) previous pregnancies while controls lost 142 of 1,180 (12%; OR = 5.1; p less than 0.001). In a matched analysis, spontaneous abortions (less than 20 weeks gestation) immediately preceding the pregnancy under study were found to increase the risk of intrapartum fever by 2.7 times.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1985

Retinol deficiency and Dipetalonema viteae infection in the hamster.

Following chronic retinol (vitamin A) deprivation leading to exhaustion of liver vitamin A reserves below 50 I.U. per liver hamsters were fed diets either deficient in ("Rd":250 I.U.A./kg in experiment I, 1000 I.U.A/kg in experiment II) or enriched with retinol ("Rw":10000 I.U.A/kg in experiment I and II). After 4 weeks some of the animals (36 in experiment I, 30 in II) were infected with 150 3rd-stage larvae of D. viteae, while clean animals were kept as controls. The retinol status, the immune response (indirect fluorescent antibody test: IFAT) and parasitological parameters were examined up to 8 (experiment I) and 12 weeks (experiment II) post infection (p.i.). Rd hamsters had levelling off of weight gain or weight loss, severely deficient retinol levels in serum and liver, and high mortality. Weight gain was less in infected than in uninfected hamsters, and the capacity of infected Rw animals to restore liver retinol was significantly lower than that of uninfected Rw animals. IFAT titres were similar in Rd and in Rw animals, but microfilaraemia was significantly enhanced at 8 and 10.5 weeks p.i. in Rd hamsters. While the number of worms recovered from Rd and Rw hamsters was similar, there was a significant increase in the ratio of female to male worms in Rd hamsters. Rd hamsters in experiment I produced 3.3 times the worm mass per 100 g body-weight than Rw hamsters. Also, the average mass per female worm was significantly higher in Rd than Rw in hamsters, and this parameter was negatively correlated with the liver retinol concentration in experiment I(r = -0.89). Retinol deficiency has a marked effect on growth and fertility of D. viteae in hamsters.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Malaria prophylaxis in travellers: the current position.

Malaria prevention is a main challenge for physicians, nurses, health officers and tour operators. The attack rate of malaria in travellers is 1-10/10,000 departures, and the case fatality rate of imported malaria is around 0.5/100. Travellers should be informed about the risk they are going to take, how to protect against mosquito bites, about the antimalarials they will have to take and what to do when a malaria breakthrough should occur. The 4-aminoquinolines (chloroquine, amodiaquine) remain the drug of choice for the prevention of Plasmodium vivax and of sensitive P. falciparum infections. The problem is to find an effective and safe drug combination for travellers to areas where P. falciparum is either resistant to chloroquine, to Fansidar (the combination of pyrimethamine plus sulfadoxine) or to both. These travellers will probably best be protected by an individually tailored drug combination, which includes amodiaquine or mefloquine as baseline drugs, and a supplementation with Fansidar, Maloprim (the combination of pyrimethamine with dapsone), paludrine or an antibiotic.

Africa↗
PubMed1983

The influence of schistosomiasis on the serum concentrations of retinol and retinol binding protein of a rural population in Liberia.

121 persons from rural areas of central Liberia were examined for possible interactions between helminthic infections and the retinol (vitamin A) and retinol binding protein (= RBP) status. About 2/3 of this mainly adult population had retinol and RBP serum concentrations less than or equal to 400 micrograms/l and less than or equal to 40 micrograms/ml, respectively. Only one person had a serum retinol concentration less than 100 micrograms/l which is critical for the appearance of xerophthalmia. The retinol and RBP concentrations showed a linear, positive correlation. 19 parasitologically helminth free individuals had mean serum retinol and RBP concentrations of 414 micrograms/l and 43 micrograms/ml, respectively, while the corresponding values of 20 individuals with schistosomiasis as the only helminthic infection were 339 micrograms/l and 35 micrograms/ml. 65 other persons with mixed intestinal and/or tissue helminthiases, and 9 persons with pure Onchocerca volvulus infection exhibited intermediate mean concentrations. 32 persons without serological evidence of helminthic infections had higher serum concentrations of retinol and RBP than 32 individuals in whose sera at least one raised antibody titer was found in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with 3 different helminthic test antigens. In addition to age, sex and pregnancy schistosomiasis might be a further risk factor of latent retinol and RBP deficiency among adults and teenagers living in a schistosomiasis endemic area.

Adolescent↗