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Biomedical subjects

F Gschnait

Publications and source records attributed to F Gschnait.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Detection of causal agents of AIDS using polymerase chain reaction and chemiluminescence measurement].

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows the detection of minimal amounts of DNA segments, and thus is used for the laboratory diagnosis of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In the present study a solution hybridization assay using acridinium ester-labelled probes was applied for detection of amplified HIV-1 DNA segments. Amplification was achieved by 30 cycles of the polymerase chain reaction using SK38/SK39 primers specific for a constant region of the HIV-1 gag region. Amplified products were hybridized with acridinium phenyl ester-labelled probes and measured by chemiluminescence. All of 163 blood samples obtained from HIV-infected patients (CDC II-CDC IV) were reactive, while autoradiography with a 32P-labelled SK19 probe only detected 146 patients (89.5%). The combination of PCR with chemiluminescence avoids the use of radioactive material and is sensitive and quick, allowing the "PCR results" to be reported on the same day.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1991

[Successful use of isotretinoin in type Zumbusch generalized pustular psoriasis following recovered etretinate-induced hepatitis].

Administration of etretinate in a 29-year-old female patient suffering from severe pustular psoriasis caused a dramatic increase in liver enzymes. Liver biopsy revealed changes characteristic for drug-induced hepatitis. After normalization of liver parameters following withdrawal of etretinate, isotretinoin was administered during a severe pustular relapse. In contrast to etretinate, isotretinoin was well tolerated and resulted in a good therapeutic response. Thus, isotretinoin can be considered as an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for pustular psoriasis even after the occurrence of etretinate-induced hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[A simple test for the monitoring of plasma anti-XA activity of patients following subcutaneous administration of enoxaparin].

Since low molecular weight heparin is used for the prevention of thromboembolism, the coagulation laboratories are in need of a simple, reliable and practicable test for factor Xa inhibition in order to monitor the effect of low molecular heparin in plasma. Effects of subcutaneous administration of 20 mg or 40 mg enoxaparin were studied in blood samples drawn from 20 patients before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injection. Thrombin time, aPTT, Heptest and the anti-Xa activity (amidolytic assay) were measured. Subcutaneous administration of 20 mg or 40 mg enoxaparin was followed by a barely significant (p less than 0.05) rise in aPTT (only at the higher dosage) and thrombin time four hours after injection. Heptest and amidolytic assay (S-2222) correlated well and significant (p less than 0.01) increases, with maximum values 4 hours after injection, were seen after administration of 20 mg as well as of 40 mg enoxaparin. Higher mean values were achieved after injection of 40 mg than 20 mg enoxaparin. We believe the Heptest to be a quick and easily performed test, giving results which agree well with those of the amidolytic anti-Xa activity reference method.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Selected aspects of syphilis serology].

The relative incidence of latent syphilis, which can only be detected by serological techniques, has continued to increase. As a matter of routine, we use the TPHA test for screening, the FTA-Abs test for confirmation, and the IgM tests to control the therapeutic outcome. Nowadays, neurosyphilis can definitely be detected by serologic procedures, such as the TPHA index.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Ulcerating elastofibroma dorsi.

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare, benign tumor in elderly persons that usually occurs in the subscapular region. It represents a degenerative pseudoneoplastic process that resembles a malignant neoplasm. We report a patient with an elastofibroma dorsi of unusual size that ulcerated. This is a rare if not unique finding in elastofibroma dorsi.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Serology of HIV infection].

Serological testing aimed at the detection of antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is now performed throughout the world to screen stored blood for transfusion, for the diagnosis of HIV infection and of AIDS, and to determine the prognosis of AIDS patients. The present report, based on 258,090 serum samples screened for HIV antibodies, gives an overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of both modern screening methods and confirmation tests for HIV1 and HIV2, the demonstration of serological antigen and IgM, and HIV serology of the cerebrospinal fluid. Knowledge of HIV serology appears to be important for any physician, and in particular for the dermatologist, since HIV infection (like syphilis) can cause a variety of dermatological manifestations mimicking other dermatoses.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

[Apocrine chromhidrosis].

Apocrine chromhidrosis is an extremely rare and impressive skin disorder. Primarily after emotional stress patients complain of coloured sweat secretion (black, green, blue or yellow). The deposition of lipofuscin in the apocrine glands may be the cause of this disease, the different colours of sweat being due to various oxidation stages of lipofuscin. We report two patients, one with blue and one with green axillae; the clinical features, histopathology, differential diagnosis, and pathogenesis of apocrine chromhidrosis are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Plasmapheresis in light urticaria. A rational therapy concept in cases with a proven serum factor].

Plasmapheresis represents a new and powerful treatment for solar urticaria and has been performed in a couple of patients so far. Since therapeutic responses have been observed exclusively in cases exhibiting a pathogenetically important serum factor, plasmapheresis seems to work specifically by elimination of this photoallergen. It is easy to demonstrate a serum factor by in vitro irradiation of the patient's serum and subsequent autologous reinjection into the skin, inducing the generation of wheals. In contrast to transfer tests, this method does not bear the risk of HIV infection. In view of the extreme difficulty in administering conventional therapy for solar urticaria, the present encouraging results suggest that plasmapheresis should be considered in patients who show a serum factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Systemic mastocytosis].

Systemic mastocytosis associated with urticaria pigmentosa seems to be strikingly more common than previously assumed. The diagnosis can be established by the investigation of bone marrow sections, whereas bone marrow smears are less reliable. Some mediators are produced by the enhanced number of mast cells; telemethyl imidazole acetic acid is the most suitable mediator to calculate the size of the mast cell pool. Investigations like this might offer an alternative to the examination of bone marrow sections in future.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1988

[AIDS diagnosis: virus detection, antibody detection, diagnostic and prognostic significance of the findings].

AIDS serology is of worldwide importance for the diagnosis of HIV-infection and AIDS, for conducting epidemiological studies, for the control of blood donations and blood products and for the determination of infectivity and prognosis in AIDS patients. In future serological methods may be of importance for the management of anti-HIV-therapy. Screening methods, such as ELISA and hemagglutination assays and confirmatory tests (Western blot and immunofluorescence) nowadays offer clear cut and reliable results. Discussions on the "AIDS-tests" in the past have not been free from emotions; from the medical standpoint, however, it is for sure that the affected patient should know about his infection, in order to protect himself as well as others. The physician must know the HIV-status of his patient, in case major diagnostic or therapeutic measures, such as operations are to be performed or drugs are going to be prescribed, which may influence the immune system. The present paper describes the AIDS serologic methods based upon 197.956 tests performed in our laboratories, HIV-IgM-diagnostic methods, HIV-status in the cerebrospinal fluid and the serologic diagnosis of HIV 2-infection are discussed. In future the serologic control and the serologic prognosis parameters will gain major importance for monitoring AIDS-patients before and under treatment. This paper describes the methods (virus specific antibody tests; tests for the demonstration of immune system activation; immunstatus) which might be used for this purpose.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1988

[Serology in HIV infection: comparison of indirect immunofluorescence, Western blot and enzyme immunoassay].

145.990 sera obtained from AIDS-risks groups, hospitalized patients, blood donors etc. were tested for the presence of antibodies against the AIDS-Virus (HIV:Human Immunodeficiency Virus). All sera were submitted to ELISA screening. Sera with positive and questionable results were submitted to two independent confirmatory tests (Western Blot and immunofluorescence). In case of discordant confirmatory tests sera were additionally tested with the Abbott anti-HIV envelope/anti HIV core ELISA. The results of the present study demonstrate: 1. HIV serology has been definitely improved during the last year due to the development of high quality reagents. 2. Provided skilled and trained personnel the combined use of HIV confirmatory tests (Western Blot and immunofluorescence) does not give false negative or false positive results. 3. The results of both confirmatory assays may not always be interpretable ("problem sera"); this occurs more often with the Western Blot technique than with immunofluorescence. 4. Discrepant results in confirmatory tests necessitate the evaluation of many additional tests as possible. Such persons or patient should be further controlled serologically and clinically. 5. Checking the "problem sera" for antibodies against HTLV I gave only one single positive result in a Japanese.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[Hypereosinophilic dermatitis (Nir-Westfried). A variant in the spectrum of the hypereosinophilia syndrome].

Hypereosinophilic dermatitis represents a clinically distinct disorder in the spectrum of eosinophilic dermatoses. Its major clinical symptoms include pruriginous papular skin eruptions associated with blood eosinophilia. Histological examination reveals a diffuse, dense infiltration with eosinophils. We discuss the clinical picture, differential diagnosis, and therapy in the light of two cases.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Bullous pemphigoid after radiation therapy.

Electron beam therapy applied to a lymph node metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma was followed by the development of histologically and immunologically typical bullous pemphigoid, the lesions being initially strictly confined to the irradiation area. This observation suggests that the bullous pemphigoid antigen may be altered or unmasked by electron beam radiotherapy, leading subsequently to the production of autoantibodies. The disease in this case effectively responded to the administration of tetracycline and niacinamide, a therapeutic regimen described recently.

Aged↗