PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F T Black

Publications and source records attributed to F T Black.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Pregnant women's knowledge about HIV and AIDS].

This investigation is based upon information from 820 pregnant women who replied to a questionnaire about AIDS during the period 17.4.1989-14.7.1989. The questions included sources of information, knowledge about routes of infection and risk groups and the extent of spread of infection and disease in the population. 95% agreed to participate. Knowledge had been obtained primarily via the electronic media, while the health services had limited significance. The employment of sources of information depended on age and occupation. Apart from knowledge about the risk involved in breast feeding, the women were, in general, well informed about routes of infection. Knowledge about risk groups and the current extent of spread of infection was, on the the other hand, deficient. Defective knowledge was concentrated in groups which may be characterized by age (less than 24 years) and occupation (trained and untrained workers and the group of "other occupations"). Information obtained from health staff was connected with better knowledge about the extent of spread of infection. The majority of women desired routine information about AIDS in connection with antenatal control. Prophylactic measures should be based, among other things, on knowledge about development in the knowledge in the population and its employment of sources of information, so that specific information may be directed to certain groups of the population by using the most frequently employed and most effective routes of information. The knowledge of population groups, the attitudes and behaviour should be followed continuously.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[Pneumocystitis carinii pneumonia in adult patients with AIDS].

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia continues to be the commonest opportunistic infection seen in AIDS patients. Early diagnosis and treatment have caused the one-year survival in AIDS-patients with PCP to increase steadily. However, PCP is still the cause of death in 25% of the AIDS-patients. Secondary prophylaxis with pentamidine-isethionate inhalations has reduced the risk of PCP relapse considerably. The risk of PCP is markedly increased at CD4-cell counts below 200 mio/l. Therefore, inhalations of pentamidine twice monthly, as a primary prophylaxis against PCP, can be recommended in HIV-positive patients with CD4-cell counts below this level.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Knowledge of AIDS and of transmission risks of HIV infection in a group of homosexual people. A questionnaire study].

A questionnaire investigation among 430 homosexual persons all of whom were members of an organization for homosexuals was completed by 144 (33%). These replies showed that they knew about HIV infection, risk behaviour and "safe sex". Their knowledge about the signs of HIV infection and AIDS was, however, more limited. The replies were compared with an age-matched group of the male population. The results of the investigation provide reasons to suppose that the information campaigns have been of value but information to prevent spread of infection is still necessary. In addition, further information is necessary about the subjective signs of HIV-infection so that persons in whom these signs develop may be offered the best possible treatment as early as possible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[A group of homosexuals change their sex habits after information about AIDS. A questionnaire survey].

A questionnaire investigation to which 144 homosexual persons replied anonomously revealed alterations in the sexual habits after information about AIDS. Significant reduction in the annual number of partners and significantly fewer employ the more dangerous sexual practices which now occur particularly in more permanent partnerships are among the alterations started. An unchanged number still employ active anal and orogenital coitus. Employment of condoms has increased significantly, particularly in anal coitus and "casual" partners (from 3% to 82%). The majority accept the use of condoms and state that they employ more "safe sex" than prior to information about AIDS. 12% stated that they had sex with both sexes and the possibility of spread of infection from homosexual to heterosexual groups is present. The intensive informative work from the homosexuals own organisation and from public health authorities appear to have had some effect but further information and influencing are necessary if the spread of HIV infection is to be stopped.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Roxithromycin in the treatment of pneumonia.

An open multicentre study of the efficacy and side effects of roxithromycin, a new macrolide antibiotic, in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia was undertaken. The diagnosis was verified by transtracheal aspiration. Fifty-three patients were studied. In the 49 patients evaluable the clinical efficacy rate was 92% (95% confidence limits 84-100%). Only by measurement of the fall in serum C-reactive protein was it possible to detect a difference in response between pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The drug was well tolerated clinically and laboratory abnormalities included transient eosinophilia and elevated liver enzymes in two patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) on short-term cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Although an optimal dose-regimen has still not been established, the antiviral drug 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine is known to improve the clinical condition of patients suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex. The drug effect has mainly been assessed in terms of survival time and/or immunological parameters. One of the most prominent immunological features associated with immunodeficiency virus infection is a persistant hypergammaglobulinaemia due to in vivo polyclonal B-lymphocyte activation. In vitro this is reflected by a hyporesponsiveness of peripheral blood B-lymphocytes to mitogen and antigen induced activation. The present paper deals with the in vitro impact of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine on the immunoglobulin secretion in short-term cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Twenty-four human immunodeficiency virus antibody positive (seropositive) and 24 antibody negative (seronegative) individuals were studied. In addition, T- and B-cell proliferation and the distribution of cell surface markers were determined in 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine-supplemented cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes from eight seronegative subjects. At concentrations similar to those reported in clinical trials, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine was found to suppress the mitogen and antigen induced proliferation of T-cells from seronegative subjects. In contrast, B-cell proliferation and the distribution of membrane markers appeared to be unaffected by the drug. Furthermore, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine did not alter the in vivo immunoglobulin secretion capacity in autologous or allogeneic cultures of lymphocytes from seropositive subjects. In human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals the number of unactivated, circulating B-cells is significantly reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Beta-2-microglobulin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with infections of the central nervous system.

Beta-2-microglobulin was determined in 147 patients admitted to hospital because of suspicion of CNS disease. Patients with meningism were chosen as control group. The concentration of beta-2-microglobulin in the spinal fluid of control patients was correlated with age. Reference values for 0-40 years were 0.34-1.58 mg/l. Above 40 years of age the values were 0.46-3.14 mg/l. CSF beta-2-microglobulin levels of patients with meningism, aseptic and bacterial meningitis overlap too much to be relevant in distinguishing between these entities. Five patients with herpes simplex encephalitis had markedly elevated levels ranging from 4.4 to 9.0 mg/l. Ten patients with herpes zoster-associated encephalitis had values from 1.1 to 6.1 mg/l. In the patient groups with CNS infections, the ratio of serum to spinal fluid beta-2-microglobulin was significantly more frequently less than 1 as compared with the meningism group, indicating intrathecal production of the protein. Further studies on the clinical relevance of CSF beta-2-microglobulin in the diagnosis of encephalitis seem warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Lymphocyte immunoglobulin secretion during short-term treatment with cephalosporins in vivo and in vitro: effects on plaque-forming cell response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The influence of 4 cephalosporins on the plaque-forming cell (PFC) generation in mitogen-activated cultures of human lymphocytes (PBL) was assessed. In vitro, suprapharmacological concentrations of the drug resulted in a decreased PFC response, while pharmacological concentrations did not influence the generation of PFC. Cells exposed to drugs for 24 h in vivo and propagated in autologous serum in vitro showed a decreased PFC response.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Prevalence of Legionnaires' disease in pneumonia patients admitted to a Danish department of infectious diseases.

During a 14-month study period, 92 patients admitted to the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases with pneumonia were investigated to determine the prevalence and severity of Legionnaires' disease (LD). The diagnosis of LD was based on positive serology. Antibodies to 10 different legionella antigens--Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-6, Fluoribacter (Legionella) bozemanae, F. dumoffii, F. gormanii, and Tatlockia (Legionella) micdadei--were measured by the microagglutination (MA) and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques. LD was diagnosed in 22 patients showing a 4-fold or greater rise of MA titers. 10 patients showed a 4-fold or greater rise of IFA titer, 2 had standing high titer. One patient died. Legionella infection was the second most common cause of pneumonia. However, in half of the cases legionella infection occurred concomitantly with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, or viral infections. All 22 LD cases were sporadic. LD had been contracted abroad by 6 patients. Two of the legionella pneumonias were hospital-acquired. Half of the LD patients were older than 60 years. The majority of cases occurred during the winter months. Neither clinical chemistry parameters nor clinical features could distinguish LD from other types of pneumonia.

Adolescent↗