PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Swinne

Publications and source records attributed to D Swinne.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Evaluation of the cryptococcal antigen test as a diagnostic tool of AIDS-associated cryptococcosis in Rwanda.

To evaluate the latex test, two different retrospective studies were undertaken. A positive culture for Cr. neoformans was used as the golden standard of active cryptococcal infection. 439 sera selected at random sent to the NSP laboratory for screening of HIV antibody were tested as well as--71 CSF from patients with meningeal symptoms sent to the laboratory of the Centre Hospitalier de Kigali. In total, two discrepancies were found: two CSF samples from ancient cases of cryptococcosis under treatment were positive with the latex test and negative by culture. If it stands to reason that the antigen test cannot differentiate between active and inactive cryptococcal diseases, the persistence of small amounts of soluble antigens in a CSF implies that the patient must remain under surveillance, a relapse being very frequent in AIDS patients. As a conclusion, the latex test is a fast, easy to perform and quite reliable test for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

AIDS-associated cryptococcosis in Bujumbura, Burundi: an epidemiological study.

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from domestic dust in 54% of houses occupied or recently occupied by AIDS+ cryptococcosis patients and in 20% of control houses randomly chosen in Bujumbura, Burundi. It was not isolated from wards of similar patients in the University Hospital. This seems to prove that patients could not contaminate their own environment and that the presence of C. neoformans var. neoformans had another origin. In 40% of the cases, patients admitted contact with pigeons in the city and pigeon coops are frequently positive. We are convinced that the pigeon coops of the city play a part in the contamination of HIV+/AIDS patients; however, some patients denied any contact with pigeons and in these cases, the only possible source of contamination identified thus far is domestic dust, although the origin of the yeast remains unknown.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from houses of AIDS-associated cryptococcosis patients in Bujumbura (Burundi).

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, which is responsible for AIDS-associated cryptococcosis in Bujumbura, was isolated in the domestic environment of seven out of 20 patients with AIDS-associated cryptococcosis. The findings prove that in his own domestic environment, the HIV-positive patient in central Africa is frequently exposed to the yeast and these observations lead us to insist on the suitability of carrying out a systematic survey by means of soluble antigens-sensitized latex in every HIV-positive patient. This also proves the importance of a follow-up of the 'cured' patients who easily can be recontaminated after their return home.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Isolation of Onychocola canadensis from four cases of onychomycosis in Belgium.

Onychocola canadensis can cause onychomycosis of the toenails. Thirty-two cases have been described up to now. We report on the isolation of Onychocola canadensis from four patients with onychomycosis who acquired their infection in Belgium. Direct examination was positive. Onychocola canadensis was isolated in pure culture. According to the previously published cases, the patients affected were elderly and the preferential site of infection was the big toenail. In contrast to previous reports, we found a predominance in males. Treatment was started in all patients. Two out of the three patients about whom information was available, did not improve after treatment.

Aged↗

[Contribution to the study of Trichosporon cutaneum (de Beurman, Gougerot et Vaucher), Ota (1926) (author's transl)].

The pathogenicity is studied in vitro and in vivo. White piedra is obtained in vitro on hair applying a technic described by Vanbrueseghem (1949) for the study of dermatophytes. Concerning the in vivo study: retrocultures of the kidneys, the lungs, the brain and the liver of white mice inoculated with T. cutaneum (50,000 cells) by the intravenous route were all positive.

Adult↗