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Biomedical subjects

E Galanakis

Publications and source records attributed to E Galanakis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comparative effects of ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem on the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of mice by Candida albicans.

We evaluated the effect of three carbapenems on gut colonization of mice by Candida albicans. A total of 150 Crl:CD1 (ICR) BR mice were fed chow containing C. albicans or regular chow. Both groups were subsequently treated either with one carbapenem or with normal saline for 10 days. Stool cultures to determine colonization by C. albicans were performed immediately before, at the end, and one week after the end of treatment. Candida-colonized mice that received carbapenems had substantially higher C. albicans concentrations than control animals fed C. albicans, especially if they received ertapenem. Mice fed regular chow and treated with the study antibiotics or saline did not have Candida in their stools. Candida was not detected in the internal organs of any group of mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in twins: same genes or same environments?

The aetiology of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) remains obscure. Cases in twins, usually monozygotic, have been sporadically reported as evidence for the genetic origin of the disease. We present a case of IHPS in a pair of dizygotic male twins together with a review of the literature, focusing on the question of whether the twin cases actually support a genetic or an acquired nature of IHPS.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗
PubMed2004

Quantitative ultrasound measurements in children and adolescents with: type 1 diabetes.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate bone status at the radius and phalanx in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes by using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements. Thirty pediatric patients, 16 male and 14 female, with type 1 diabetes of duration of 5 to 177 months and mean (+/- SD) age 11.3 +/- 4.6 years were studied. QUS measurements were carried out using the Sunlight Omnisense 7000 S device. Speed of sound (SOS) was measured at the radius and tibia. Diabetic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) measurements. Male and female patients with type 1 diabetes did not have significantly different SOS or HbA(1c) values. SOS Z-scores at both the radius and tibia were negatively associated with duration of disease ( r = -0 41 and r = -0.37 for the radius and tibia respectively, P < 0.05 for both correlations). Seven of 15 patients with duration of disease of >6 years had diminished SOS, defined as Z-score of <-1, at either the radius or tibia. SOS measurements at the radius showed moderate correlation with SOS at the tibia ( r = 0.58, P < 0.00 l). There was no correlation between SOS and HbA(1c). In conclusion, SOS Z-scores at both the radius and tibia show a significant negative correlation with duration of insulin-dependent diabetes in children. No relation was found between SOS and metabolic control of young diabetic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Bloodstream infections in patients with solid tumors: associated factors, microbial spectrum and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Although patients with malignant diseases are at increased risk for bloodstream infections (BSIs), limited data are available for those with solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The etiology, clinical features and outcome of BSIs were retrospectively studied in patients with solid tumors treated at the Department of Medical Oncology at the University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece, from November 1995 through June 2000. RESULTS: A total of 157 episodes of BSIs was identified among 137 patients over the study period. The majority of the episodes (128; 82%) occurred in non-neutropenic patients. 80 of 157 (51%) of the episodes were healthcare-associated, 35% (55 of 157) were nosocomial and 14% (22 of 157) were community acquired. A single pathogen was isolated in 86% of the episodes. A total of 184 pathogens was isolated (51% gram-negative rods, 44% gram-positive cocci, 3% anaerobes and 3% fungi), while the portal of entry was identified in 104 of 157 (66%) of the episodes. The site of the primary tumor or the metastases were the source of BSI in 39 of 104 (37.5%) of the episodes with an identified source. The overall infectious mortality was 20% and was significantly higher when the initial empirical antibiotic therapy was inappropriate (39%; p < 0.001) and in the presence of shock (63%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BSIs in patients with solid tumors are frequently healthcare associated and in a large percentage the portal of entry can be identified. Neutropenia is not as common as in patients with hematologic malignancies. Inappropriate initial empirical antibiotic therapy and shock are clinical factors associated with worse outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Four-year experience of use of the Cobas Amplicor system for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens in Greece.

To evaluate the experience of a clinical microbiology laboratory with a DNA amplification assay for routine detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (Roche Diagnostics Systems, USA) was performed on 7,722 respiratory and 1,451 nonrespiratory specimens collected from 3,321 patients. The results were compared with those of culture in conventional Lowenstein-Jensen medium, culture in the MB/BacT system (Organon Teknika, France), and clinical investigations. A total of 240 of the 254 respiratory specimens culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were also positive in the PCR assay. Of the 7,300 culture-negative specimens, 45 (0.6%) were positive in the PCR. After detailed interpretation, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the PCR assay were 84.5, 99.8, 94.1, and 99.4%, respectively, for respiratory specimens. The PCR assay was more sensitive for smear-positive respiratory specimens (97.1%) than for smear-negative respiratory specimens (48.6%). Of the 18 culture-positive (smear-negative) nonrespiratory specimens, 9 were positive in the PCR. None of the 1,384 culture-negative nonrespiratory specimens were positive in the PCR. The inhibition rates detected by the internal control of the test were 2.2% for respiratory specimens and 3.4% for nonrespiratory specimens. After resolving the discrepancies, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the PCR assay were 82.5, 99.8, 94.3, and 99.4%, respectively, when compared to the results of diagnostic culture. In conclusion, the use of the Cobas Amplicor MTB-PCR assay might enable clinical microbiology laboratories with considerable previous experience in molecular biology testing to perform PCR and confirm tuberculosis infection immediately, leading to improved patient management.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2003

Epidemiology of childhood type I diabetes in Crete, 1990-2001.

AIM: To study the epidemiological patterns of childhood-onset type I diabetes in Crete, Greece. METHODS: The incidence (new cases per 100,000 per year) from 1990 to 2001 was determined in the population of Crete < or = 14 y of age. RESULTS: A total of 89 cases was ascertained. The standardized annual incidence rate was 6.1 per 100,000 population [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.9-7.5]. Incidence rates were higher in children 10-14 y of age, boys and residents of urban areas (6.8, 6.7 and 6.6 per 100,000, respectively). Incidence rates were higher [relative risk (RR) 1.46, 95% CI 0.956-2.24] during the 6 y period 1996-2001 (7.2, 95% CI 5.4-9.4) than during the 6 y period 1990-1995 (4.9, 95% CI 3.4-6.9). This increase was more prominent in residents of urban areas and 10-14-y-old children. CONCLUSIONS: Although an increase was noted during the period 1990-2001, the childhood type I diabetes incidence rates in Crete remain among the lowest both in Europe and in the Mediterranean islands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Interleukin-3 and interleukin-4 in childhood brucellosis.

BACKGROUND: The Th1/Th2 cytokine balance seems to be involved in the susceptibility or resistance to Brucella infection, however the precise role of interleukins in human brucellosis has not been thoroughly explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum levels of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Quantikines, R&D Systems) in five children hospitalized for brucellosis and in a control group comprising ten children who were residents of the same area. RESULT: IL-4 levels were significantly increased during both the acute phase (p = 0.0036) and convalescence (p = 0.026) as compared to controls. IL-3 levels were mildly increased during the acute phase (p = 0.026) without any significant difference noted during convalescence (p = 0.271) as compared to controls. Both IL-3 and IL-4 levels were neither related to hemoglobin values, nor to red and white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-4 levels are increased in hospitalized children with symptomatic brucellosis, a finding suggestive of a Th2 response leading to severe infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Rickettsia typhi infection in childhood.

UNLABELLED: Rickettsia typhi infection (murine typhus) is generally underdiagnosed in childhood, as clinical presentations are often non-specific. We present the manifestations in nine children hospitalized in the Department of Paediatrics of the University Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, over a 3-y period from 1998 to 2000. Titres > 1:400 for IgM and >1:960 for IgG and/or a fourfold increase in a second sample were considered strongly suggestive of acute infection. Children presented with prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Five children presented with a rash. Unusual manifestations included aseptic meningitis and Kawasaki-like presentation. Laboratory findings included anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Three children were treated with appropriate antibiotic regimens and all nine had a complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Rickettsia typhi infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children residing in or returning from Southern Europe countries who present with prolonged fever, rash and lymphadenopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

PFAPA syndrome in children evaluated for tonsillectomy.

Among 40 children undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent pharyngitis, 15 (37.5%) had presented preoperatively with complaints compatible with PFAPA syndrome. All 15 had had periodic fever every three to four weeks and pharyngitis; 12 (80%) had cervical adenitis and five (33%) aphthous stomatitis. All children had been well between episodes and showed a dramatic postoperative improvement. PFAPA syndrome is not uncommon among children having tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is curative in most of these patients.

Child↗
PubMed2001

Invasive Salmonella virchow infection in childhood.

Salmonella virchow is generally considered to be one of the less invasive non-typhoidal Salmonellae species; however, several invasive cases have previously been reported. We report 3 cases of otherwise healthy children with S. virchow bacteraemia, monoarthritis and prevertebral abscess, only 1 of whom had previously had gastroenteritis. All 3 children responded to antibiotic regimens consisting of cefotaxime for 10 d, ceftriaxone for 3 weeks and ceftriaxone plus clindamycin for 4 weeks, respectively. In conclusion, S. virchow may be a more invasive serotype in immunocompetent children and present with a wider spectrum of manifestations than considered previously.

Cefotaxime↗
PubMed2001

Mucus plugging as a cause of acute lobar overdistension.

Acute lobar overdistension in children is usually indicative of foreign body aspiration, especially when a history of a choking episode is recalled. An unusual presentation of asthma as recurrent overdistension of the left lung in a toddler is described. The child had undergone two consecutive negative bronchoscopies with a presumptive diagnosis of foreign body aspiration; however, it was only the antiasthmatic treatment that resulted in an excellent outcome.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Facial nerve palsy associated with Rickettsia conorii infection.

Facial nerve palsy has been occasionally attributed to infectious agents, but Rickettsiae species have not been documented as causative agents. We report two adolescent girls with facial nerve palsy and serological evidence of R conorii infection. These cases indicate that rickettsioses should be included among the causes of facial nerve palsy, particularly in endemic areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Transverse myelitis associated with herpes simplex virus infection.

The case of an otherwise healthy 6-year-old boy with symptoms and signs of acute transverse myelitis is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. An episode of gingivostomatitis had preceded, and serology indicated herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. The child recovered gradually, and no relapses were noted during a 30-month follow-up period.

Child↗