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Biomedical subjects

G B Löwhagen

Publications and source records attributed to G B Löwhagen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Bone marrow depression after azathioprine. New discoveries on an old drug].

Azathioprine, a cytostatic and immunosuppressive drug in use for some 30 years, can give rise to life-threatening neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This may be caused by unexpectedly high concentrations of cytotoxic metabolites due to abnormally slow inactivation of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) by thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and/or xanthine oxidase. Low TPMT activity may be due to genetic polymorphism or interaction with drugs such as salicylic acid derivatives, while xanthine oxidase may be inhibited by allopurinol. High TPMT activity, on the other hand, may hamper cytostatic treatment. Safer and more effective treatment with azathioprine and its metabolite 6-MP becomes possible with new laboratory methods for pharmacotherapy monitoring.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Glycoprotein G of herpes simplex virus type 1: identification of type-specific epitopes by human antibodies.

Serological diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections requires assays based on antigens that expose type-specific determinants. This study was designed to outline the B-cell epitopes of the type-specific glycoprotein G-1 (gG-1) of HSV type 1 (HSV-1), by investigating the reactivity of human anti-gG-1 antibodies, purified from 21 HSV-1-isolation-proven patient sera, to cellulose-bound synthetic peptides spanning the entire gG-1 sequence. The epitope mapping demonstrated that these antibodies bound preferentially to antigenic determinants that localized to regions with a high degree of amino acid similarity to the corresponding glycoprotein in HSV-2, gG-2. In spite of this, the purified anti-gG-1 antibodies were found to be non-reactive to native gG-2 antigen, as well as to overlapping gG-2 peptides, thus supporting the role of gG-1 as a prototype HSV-1 type-specific antigen. One immunodominant region, delimited by amino acids 112-127, reacted with all purified anti-gG-1 antibodies and may be of interest for the further development of a peptide-based HSV-1 type-specific seroassay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

First episodes of genital herpes in a Swedish STD population: a study of epidemiology and transmission by the use of herpes simplex virus (HSV) typing and specific serology.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2) in first episodes of genital herpes. To evaluate the use of HSV specific serology for classifying first episodes of genital herpes and for defining HSV serostatus in the patients' sexual partners. METHODS: 108 consecutive patients with first episodes of genital herpes seen at three STD clinics in Sweden from 1995 to 1999 were included in the study. HSV culture and typing were performed and serum was tested for antibodies against a type common HSV antigen and a type specific HSV-2 antigen, glycoprotein G2 (gG2). A structured interview including questions about sexual behaviour and sexual partners was taken. "Steady" partners were offered a blood test for HSV serology and counselling. RESULTS: Of 108 patients, 11 had a negative HSV culture. Of the 97 who were HSV culture positive, 44% (43/97) were typed as HSV-1 and 56% (54/97) as HSV-2. For 86 of these 97 patients, HSV serology from the initial visit was available. Of 52 primary infections, thus initially seronegative, 64% were HSV-1 infections and of 19 female primary infections 16 (84%) were HSV-1. In 17% the first episode of genital herpes corresponded to the first clinical recurrence of an infection acquired earlier in life. There was a significant correlation between having orogenital sex and being infected with HSV-1 and also a history of labial herpes in the partner. Only 20% of partners of patients with an HSV-2 infection had a history of genital herpes. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of first episodes of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1. In young women with a primary genital infection, HSV-1 is much more frequent than HSV-2. Besides HSV typing, we found specific HSV serology of value for classifying first episodes and for diagnosing a subclinical HSV-2 infection in partners. Anamnestic data supported the suggestion that the orogenital route of transmission was common in genital HSV-1 infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Occurrence and treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium in patients visiting STD clinics in Sweden.

Two hundred and thirty-three men and 85 women visiting STD clinics in western Sweden between April 1997 and March 1998 were examined for Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Three women (3.5%) and 18 men (7%) were positive for M. genitalium. Seventeen (14%) of the 115 men with urethritis were infected but only one of the men was without urethritis. After treatment with tetracyclines for 10 days, one woman and 8 of the 13 men still harboured M. genitalium. M. genitalium-infected men did not have more life-time partners than other men visiting STD clinics. More men positive for M. genitalium gave a history of previous urethritis but the difference was not significant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

PCR detection of Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus from the anal mucosa in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative homosexual men.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the anal and oral mucosa of homosexual men with and without HIV infection and to correlate these findings to CD4+ count and anal cytology. Anal and oral cell samples from 20 HIV-infected and 14 non-infected homosexual men attending the STD clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg were examined for EBV, HSV and HPV by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Proctoscopy was performed in all patients and swabs for cytology were taken. EBV was demonstrated in 32% (6/19) of anal cell samples from the HIV-positive group but in none from 13 HIV-negative men. Asymptomatic shedding of HSV type 2 from the anus was detected in 3 of 19 HIV-positive men, all with low CD4+ counts and abnormal cytology. No patient in the HIV-negative group shed HSV from the anus. HPV was demonstrated in 16 of 17 anal cell samples in the HIV-infected group and in 7 of 13 HIV-negative men. More than one HPV type was detected in 7 HIV-infected men. Five (29%) of 17 HIV-positive patients exhibited abnormal cytology whereas none did so in the HIV-negative group. Those with abnormal cytology all had CD4+ counts below 0.35 and were infected with multiple HPV types including HPV 16/18. In conclusion, our results demonstrate an enhanced expression of HPV as well as EBV from the anus in HTV-infected homosexual men. In this small number of patients EBV was not related to low CD4+ count or to abnormal cytology.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Changes in sexual behaviour focusing on condom use in STD clinic attenders in Göteborg, Sweden, from 1989 to 1994--a questionnaire survey.

During the 4 years from 1989/1990 to 1994 an increase in the use of condoms was registered. A high frequency of condom failures was reported and probably reflects inappropriate use. More efforts should be made to educate people how to use the condom. The impact of alcohol intake as a risk factor for unsafe sex seems to be significant and should also be stressed in educational safer sex programmes. STD patients are a well-motivated group for information about safer sex and condom use. Health workers in STD clinics have an important task in this context.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Demonstration of Epstein-Barr virus DNA and human papillomavirus DNA in acetowhite lesions of the penile skin and the oral mucosa.

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL), thought to be caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), shows similar histological and clinical features to human papillomavirus (HPV)-related acetowhite lesions of the vulva. We thus aimed to investigate the role of both HPV and EBV in men with acetowhite lesions of the penis. HPV but not EBV was significantly associated with penile acetowhite lesions showing koilocytosis compared with normal penile skin (12/20 versus 5/20, P < 0.02). HPV (5/20) and EBV (6/20) was detected in oral mucosa of some of these individuals. These results confirm an aetiological association between HPV and acetowhite penile lesions showing koilocytosis. HPV and EBV carriage in the oral mucosa is relatively common in young sexually active men.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Are acetowhite lesions of the cervix correlated to the presence of Epstein-Barr virus DNA?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with acetowhite lesions of the portio cervix, demonstrating koilocytosis and/or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I-III. The study group comprised 37 women admitted to the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg because of pathological colposcopy or cytology of the portio cervix. Colposcopically, all exhibited acetowhite lesions of the portio cervix. Cells were sampled with a cytobrush for examination for EBV and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a biopsy was taken for histopathology. Biopsies from 5 patients positive for EBV by PCR in cervical cell samples were examined by an in situ hybridization technique for EBER (Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA), RNAs expressed in latent EBV infection. The control group consisted of women attending the Department of Dermato-Venereology at the same hospital for STD check-up. These had a normal cytology and no signs of acetowhiteness of the portio cervix. In the study group, EBV DNA was found in 30% and HPV DNA in 51%. In the control group 57% exhibited EBV DNA and 23% HPV DNA. EBV was not found to be a predictive factor in the development of koilocytosis and/or CIN I-III. HPV was a predictive factor in acetowhite, koilocytotic lesions. No expression of EBER was found in the 5 biopsies examined by in situ hybridization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Human papilloma virus infection among women attending an STD clinic correlated to reason for attending, presence of clinical signs, concomitant infections and abnormal cytology.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) infection correlated to reason for attending an STD clinic, presence of clinical signs of HPV infection, concomitant infection and abnormal cytology. Samples from the cervical canals of 588 consecutive women attending the STD clinic, Department of Dermato-Venereology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, were taken with a Cytobrush for detection of HPV DNA with the dot blot/Southern-blot technique. Visible condylomata, i.e. filiform or papular condylomata, were registered. Acetic acid test and colposcopy were not routinely performed. Cytological examination was performed as well as isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis on Mc Coy's cells and culture on Sabouraud agar for Candida albicans. The prevalence of HPV DNA was 8% (48/588). In the group of 233 women attending because of concern about HPV infection, 94 (40%) had visible signs of HPV infection and 30 (13%) were positive for HPV DNA in the cervix. In 355 women attending for other reasons, such as discharge, pruritus or STD check-up, 4 (1%) had visible signs of HPV infection and 18 (5%) were HPV DNA positive. Of 98 women with visible signs of vulvar/vaginal HPV infection, 33 (34%) were HPV-positive in the cervix with a commercial Southern-blot test. Of 490 patients without visible signs of HPV infection, 15 (3%) were HPV-positive in the cervix. In the group of HPV-positive women a positive culture for Candida was demonstrated in 26% (11/43), Compared to 16% (79/504) of the HPV-negative women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The prevalence of "high-risk" HPV types in penile condyloma-like lesions: correlation between HPV type and morphology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of "high-risk" human papilloma virus (HPV) types in penile condyloma-like lesions and to correlate HPV types with clinical and histological features. DESIGN: The study included 94 male patients with signs of penile HPV infection. From acuminate, papular and macular lesions, specimens were collected for HPV DNA hybridisation, using the dot blot and Southern blot techniques. Biopsy specimens from 51 cases were examined by light microscopy for signs of koilocytosis and dysplasia. SETTING: The STD outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatovenereology of Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. RESULTS: In 79 (90%) of 88 patients HPV DNA was detected by dot blot. Of 51 cases examined by histology 88% disclosed an evident koilocytosis. "High-risk" HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35) were demonstrated in 8% of acuminate, 24% of papular and 56% of macular lesions. In 29% of 51 lesions examined histologically moderate to severe dysplasia was observed. There was a significant correlation between "high-risk" HPV types and dysplasia. CONCLUSION: "High-risk" HPV types are prevalent in papular and especially macular penile condyloma-like lesions. The histological finding of koilocytosis concomitant with dysplasia strongly indicates infection with a "high-risk" HPV type. Although the risk of penile cancer is low, it is from an epidemiological point of view important to diagnose these lesions. Until simple tests for HPV typing are available, biopsy for light microscopy (histology) should be obtained liberally from papular and macular condyloma-like lesions. In atypical cases of balanoposthitis HPV aetiology should also be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Follow-up of men with genital papilloma virus infection. Psychosexual aspects.

Genital papilloma virus infection (GPVI) is in many patients a longlasting, relapsing disease for which no effective treatment is available. This fact and the association between the virus and cancer puts much stress on the afflicted patient. Of 41 men with GPVI interviewed, 17 (40%) reported a negative effect of the disease on their sexual life. Most distressing was the fear of transmitting the disease to their partner. After 18 months, 15 (37%) of the 41 men still exhibited signs of GPVI. In the care of patients with GPVI, more attention needs to be paid to the psychosexual effects of the disease.

Adolescent↗