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Biomedical subjects

E Mylonakis

Publications and source records attributed to E Mylonakis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

BK virus in solid organ transplant recipients: an emerging syndrome.

BK virus is a human polyomavirus associated with a range of clinical presentations from asymptomatic viruria with pyuria to ureteral ulceration with ureteral stenosis in renal transplant patients or hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients. Infection of renal allografts has been associated with diminished graft function in some individuals. Fortunately, however, the majority of patients with BK virus infections are asymptomatic. The type, duration, and intensity of immunosuppression are major contributors to susceptibility to the activation of BK virus infection. Histopathology is required for the demonstration of renal parenchymal involvement; urine cytology and viral polymerase chain reaction methods are useful adjunctive diagnostic tools. Current, treatment of immunosuppressed patients with polyomavirus viruria is largely supportive and directed toward minimizing immunosuppression. Improved diagnostic tools and antiviral therapies are needed for polyomavirus infections.

BK Virus↗
PubMed2001

A simple model host for identifying Gram-positive virulence factors.

We demonstrate the use of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a facile and inexpensive model host for several Gram-positive human bacterial pathogens. Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, but not Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, or Streptococcus pyogenes, kill adult C. elegans. Focusing our studies on the enterococcal species, we found that both E. faecalis and E. faecium kill C. elegans eggs and hatchlings, although only E. faecalis kills the adults. In the case of adults, a low inoculum of E. faecalis grows to a high titer in the C. elegans intestine, resulting in a persistent infection that cannot be eradicated by prolonged feeding on E. faecium. Interestingly, a high titer of E. faecium also accumulates in the nematode gut, but does not affect the longevity of the worms. Two E. faecalis virulence-related factors that play an important role in mammalian models of infection, fsr, a putative quorum-sensing system, and cytolysin, are also important for nematode killing. We exploit the apparent parallels between Gram-positive infection in simple and more complex organisms by using the nematode to identify an E. faecalis virulence factor, ScrB, which is relevant to mammalian pathogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Diagnosis and treatment of androgen deficiency in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men and women.

Androgen deficiency is a common endocrine abnormality among men and women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Low testosterone concentrations are associated with lower CD4 cell count, advanced stage of illness, medication use, and weight loss. Signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. The most useful laboratory indicator is the serum bioavailable (free) testosterone concentration. A number of different testosterone preparations for treatment of androgen deficiency in HIV-infected men now exist. Administration of im testosterone significantly increases weight and lean body mass, energy, quality of life, and depression scores in HIV-infected men with low testosterone levels. Newer transdermal and gel preparations provide more-consistent steady-state dosing but are not as well tested, and sufficient testosterone concentrations may not be achieved with their use. Androgen deficiency is also common among HIV-infected women. Preliminary studies suggest that use of physiological testosterone administration, to achieve testosterone levels within the normal range, is of benefit in HIV-infected women, but further studies are necessary to define the therapeutic role of androgen therapy in this population.

Androgens↗
PubMed2001

When to suspect and how to monitor babesiosis.

In the past decade, cases of babesiosis in humans have been reported with increasing frequency, especially in the northeastern United States. Babesia microti (in the United States) and bovine strains (in Europe) cause most infections in humans. Most cases are tick-borne, although cases of transfusion-associated and transplacental/perinatal transmission have also been reported. Factors associated with more severe disease include advanced age, previous splenectomy and immunodeficient states. Symptoms include high fever, chills, diaphoresis, weakness, anorexia and headache. Later in the course of the illness, the patient may develop jaundice. Congestive heart failure, renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome are the most common complications. Therapy using the combination of quinine sulfate and clindamycin was the most commonly used treatment; however, atovaquone suspension plus azithromycin was recently reported an equally effective and less toxic therapy. Exchange transfusion, together with antibabesial chemotherapy, may be necessary in critically ill patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Clostridium difficile--Associated diarrhea: A review.

Clostridium difficile causes 300 000 to 3 000 000 cases of diarrhea and colitis in the United States every year. Antibiotics most frequently associated with the infection are clindamycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins, but all antibiotics may predispose patients to C difficile infection. The clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic colonization to mild diarrhea to severe debilitating disease, with high fever, severe abdominal pain, paralytic ileus, colonic dilation (or megacolon), or even perforation. The most sensitive and specific test available for diagnosis of C difficile infection is a tissue culture assay for the cytotoxicity of toxin B. However, this test takes 1 to 3 days to complete and requires tissue culture facilities. Detection of C difficile toxin by means of enzyme-linked immunoassay is more rapid and inexpensive. A minority of patients may require more than 1 stool assay to detect toxin. Oral metronidazole or oral vancomycin hydrochloride for 10 to 14 days are equally effective at resolving clinical symptoms; oral metronidazole is preferred in most cases because of lowered cost and less selective pressure for vancomycin-resistant organisms. Approximately 15% of patients experience relapse after initial therapy and require retreatment, sometimes with an extended, tapering regimen. Immunity appears to be incomplete and predominantly mediated by serum IgG to toxin A. Measures for preventing the spread of the pathogen, appropriate diagnostic testing, and treatment may avert morbidity and mortality due to C difficile-associated diarrhea.

Clostridioides difficile↗
PubMed2001

Plasma viral load testing in the management of HIV infection.

The polymerase chain reaction assay, branched DNA assay and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assay quantitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels. Plasma viral load (PVL) testing has become a cornerstone of HIV disease management. Initiation of antiretroviral drug therapy is usually recommended when the PVL is 10,000 to 30,000 copies per mL or when CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts are less than 350 to 500 per mm3 (0.35 to 0.50 x 10(9) per L). PVL levels usually show a 1- to 2-log reduction within four to six weeks after therapy is started. The goal is no detectable virus in 16 to 24 weeks. Periodic monitoring of PVL is important to promptly identify treatment failure. When feasible, the same assay should be used for serial PVL testing in the individual patient. At least two PVL measurements usually should be performed before antiretroviral drug therapy is initiated or changed. PVL testing may be helpful in the rare instance of indeterminate HIV antibody testing, especially in a patient with recent infection.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2001

How does pouch construction for a final diagnosis of Crohn's disease compare with ileoproctostomy for established Crohn's proctocolitis?

PURPOSE: There is a difference of opinion concerning the role of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in Crohn's disease, even in the absence of small-bowel or perianal disease. One view is that ileal pouch-anal anastomosis should never be entertained, the other is that ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, like ileoproctostomy, can be justified sometimes, because it allows young people a period of stoma-free life. The aim of this study was to examine the outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and to contrast it with ileoproctostomy in patients with Crohn's disease without small-bowel or perianal disease. METHODS: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was performed in 23 patients with Crohn's disease (12 of whom had evidence of Crohn's disease at the time of operation and 11 who were eventually found to have Crohn's disease as a result of complications) and ileoproctostomy in 35. Patients were matched for age, gender, follow-up, and medication, but all ileoproctostomy cases had relative rectal sparing. Thus, the groups were not comparable and the reasons for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and ileoproctostomy were therefore quite different. RESULTS: The outcome in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at a mean follow-up of 10.2 years was pouch excision, 11 (47.8 percent); proximal stoma, 1 (4.3 percent; patient preference); average small-bowel resection, 65 cm; persistent perineal sinus, 8 of 11 having pouch excision (73 percent); and mean time in hospital, 37 (range, 8-108) days. Of those in circuit having ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (n = 12), 24-hour bowel frequency was 6, with no incontinence or urgency, but 6 (50 percent) were on medication. When ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was done for Crohn's disease in the resection specimen, only 4 of 12 (33 percent) were excised compared with 7 of 11 (64 percent) in whom the diagnosis was made as a result of complications. The outcome in ileoproctostomy at a mean follow-up of 10.9 years was rectal excision in 3 (8 percent), proximal stoma in 1 (3 percent), average small-bowel resection was 15 cm, persistent perineal sinus in 1 (3 percent), and time in hospital was 21 (range, 8-36) days. Of those in circuit (n = 32), 24-hour bowel frequency was 5, 2 had incontinence, 3 had urgency, and 12 (36 percent) were taking medication. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the overall outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is inferior to that of ileoproctostomy, especially if Crohn's disease was diagnosed as a result of complications. Nevertheless, the functional results of those with a successful outcome are comparable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Omentoplasty for persistent perineal sinus after proctectomy for Crohn's disease.

Persistent perineal sinus is a common and serious cause of morbidity after proctectomy for Crohn's disease. Recently we have performed excision and omentoplasty on 6 patients with persistent perineal sinus. The perineal sinus was completely excised and communication was established with the pelvis. In 4 patients, the left gastroepiploic vessels were divided close to their origins and in 2 other patients the right gastroepiploic vessels were divided. The omentum was brought down to the perineum and it was lightly sutured to the perineal skin. After a median follow-up of 28 months, the perineal sinus had healed in 5 patients. In 1 patient the omentum became necrotic and infected 1 month after omentoplasty, and this patient still has a complex sinus. Although the number of patients is small, omentoplasty may be an effective procedure for the treatment of persistent perineal sinus after proctectomy for Crohn's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis associated with oxacillin.

A 67-year-old man who was treated with oxacillin for one week because of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, developed renal failure and diffuse, symmetric, palpable purpuric lesions on his feet. Necrotic blisters were noted on his fingers. Skin biopsies showed findings diagnostic of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Oxacillin was discontinued and patient was treated with corticosteroids. The rash disappeared after three weeks and renal function returned to normal. Leucocytoclastic vasculitis presents as palpable purpura of the lower extremities often accompanied by abdominal pain, arthralgia, and renal involvement. Etiologic factors or associated disorders include infections, medications, collagen vascular disease and neoplasia. However, in half of the cases no etiologic factor is identified. Usually it is a self-limited disorder, but corticosteroid therapy may be needed in life-threatening cases since early treatment with corticosteroids in severe cases can prevent complications. Oxacillin should be included among the drugs that can cause leucocytoclastic vasculitis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Life table analysis of hernia following end colostomy construction.

OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term hernia rate and risk factors after end colostomy construction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 86 patients with a permanent end colostomy constructed over 5 years were examined and interviewed. There were 35 men and the mean age was 56.5 (28-87) years. Risk factors which were analysed included emergency operation, age over 60 years, obesity, steroids, cancer, infection at the stoma site, smoking and chronic obstructive airways disease. RESULTS: Para-colostomy hernia occurred in 12/86 cases (13.9%). The cumulative recurrence rose with duration of follow up. Overall 10/45 patients (22%) over 60 years developed hernia vs. 2/41 patients (4.8%) less than 60 years (P=0.02). There were no other risk factors that correlated with para-colostomy hernia. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the incidence of colostomy related hernia increases with follow up and is significantly higher in patients over the age of 60. Other risk factors, particularly obesity and coexisting cardiorespiratory disease, have no impact.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Quality of life of patients after surgical treatment of anal fistula; the role of anal manometry.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the quality of life of patients after surgical treatment of anal fistula and to investigate whether anal manometry (AM) can guide the choice of the proper surgical intervention in these patients in order to protect the sphincter mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with anal fistula (AF) were studied prospectively (78 men; mean age 45 years; range 11-78). Cleveland Incontinence Score (CIS) was record pre-operatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively for each patient in order to specify their quality of life (QOL) before and after the surgical treatment. Also, anal manometry (AM) was performed pre-operatively and 1 month postoperatively. The pre-operative anal pressures and the type of fistula determined the kind of the surgical treatment. 55 patients had an intersphincteric fistula, 42 trans-sphincteric and 3 suprasphincteric. 65 patients underwent laying open of the fistulous track, 7 fistulectomy and 28 were treated by seton fistulotomy. RESULTS: Three patients had defective gas control and 6 reported some degree of soiling. 3 patients developed recurrent fistula. CIS was significantly impaired (P=0.02) at the first postoperative month in these patients who were treated for trans-sphincteric fistula by fistulotomy; AM revealed significant decrease of anal pressures in these patients (resting and squeeze; P=0.007 and 0.0001 respectively); CIS and AM in the remaining cases revealed no significant deterioration of QOL and fall of anal pressures respectively. CIS was normal in the vast majority of patients at 3-months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: QOL of patients after surgical treatment of AF is unalterable on the understanding that the AF is simple and the treatment is not associated by incontinence or recurrence. Pre-operative AM is important regarding the choice of the proper surgical procedure.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis: an update for the clinician.

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis is a small vessel inflammatory disease mediated mostly by deposition of immune complexes. Infections, medications, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and diseases associated with immune complexes have been accused in the pathogenesis. Cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis presents as palpable purpura most often localized in the lower extremities, often accompanied by abdominal pain, arthralgia and renal involvement. The clinical diagnosis of leucocytoclastic vasculitis is confirmed histopathologically by skin biopsy. In order to determine the cause of the disease, depending on the patient's history, complete blood cell count, blood cultures, cryoglobulins, serum protein electrophoresis, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and autoantibodies to neutrophilic cytoplasmic antigens and complement should be checked. Once the diagnosis of leucocytoclastic vasculitis is made, emphasis should be on the search for an etiological factor and the identification of the involved organs. If possible, the underlying cause should be treated or removed, for example discontinuation of drugs. The prognosis depends on the disease that has the cutaneous leucocytoclastic angiitis as a component, as well as the severity of internal organ involvement. For example, a patient with cutaneous leucocytoclastic angiitis and moderate nephritis as component of Henoch-Schonlein purpura has a much better prognosis than a patient with these same findings as a component of Wegener's granulomatosis. Only if physicians recognize and report severe reactions to regulatory authorities and manufacturers, new drugs associated with a risk of such reactions can be identified.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2000

Laboratory testing for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus: established and novel approaches.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western blot are the primary tests for the diagnosis and confirmation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The ELISA, an inexpensive screening test for antibodies to HIV-1, is both sensitive and specific. The HIV-1 Western blot is a reliable confirmatory test following a repeatedly reactive ELISA. False-positive HIV-1 results with this sequence of tests are extremely rare but can occur, and test results that are inconsistent with clinical or other laboratory information should be questioned, repeated, or supplemented. The US Food and Drug Administration has also approved rapid and more accessible testing methods. Oral mucosal transudate and urine testing are noninvasive testing methods; rapid and home sample collection kits offer easier access to testing.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Central nervous system aspergillosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Report of 6 cases and review.

Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is a relatively uncommon complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We describe 6 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed CNS aspergillosis, and we review a total of 33 cases of CNS aspergillosis among HIV-infected individuals that were diagnosed by histology and/or culture. All patients were diagnosed with advanced HIV infection. Major risk factors for the disease included neutropenia and corticosteroid use. The most common presenting symptoms were nonspecific neurologic manifestations including headache, cranial or somatic nerve weakness or paresthesia, altered mental status, and seizures. The most common sites of additional Aspergillus involvement were the lungs, sinuses, ears, and orbits, while in one-fourth of the cases CNS was the only site of Aspergillus infection. The final diagnosis of CNS aspergillosis was made on autopsy in more than half the cases, and medical treatment of CNS aspergillosis was unsuccessful in all cases. CNS aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected patients who present with nonspecific neurologic symptoms and signs. If we take into account the much higher prevalence of invasive aspergillosis of the lungs, the findings in the present report suggest that CNS aspergillosis in HIV-infected individuals occurs more often as a result of direct extension from the sinuses, orbits, and ears than through hematogenous spread from the lungs. Physicians should be aware that the CNS might be the only site of Aspergillus involvement and include CNS aspergillosis in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected patients presenting with focal neurologic signs and symptoms, especially when the head CT reveals hypodense lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Two surgical procedures for strictures at Finney strictureplasty for small bowel Crohn's disease.

In patients with Crohn's disease, long small bowel strictures are sometimes treated by a Finney strictureplasty. Strictures at an entrance and exit of a previous Finney strictureplasty are associated with severe obstructive symptoms and sometimes blind loop syndrome. Those strictures are difficult to manage. We herein introduce two different surgical procedures: one is a continuous T-shaped strictureplasty and the other is anastomosis between the Finney pouch and the divided small bowel. Both procedures immediately relieved obstructive symptoms and required no major resection of the bowel. After a 2-year follow-up, there has been no recurrence at the previous Finney strictureplasty.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗