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Biomedical subjects

G Favez

Publications and source records attributed to G Favez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Aspiration of solid food particles into lungs of patients with gastroesophageal reflux and chronic bronchial disease.

The existence of a relationship between upper digestive tract impairment and respiratory disturbance is generally accepted. The aim of this study was to determine whether pulmonary aspiration, documented by labeled meal and lung scans, could be a contributory factor. Thirty-two patients with chronic respiratory complaints (19 men, 13 women, mean age: 57.8 yr), 29 of whom had an FEV1 below 80 percent of predicted values, and 13 healthy subjects (six men, seven women, mean age 50.9 yr) took part in a prospective study. Scintiscans showed gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in 27 patients (84 percent) and in five control subjects (38 percent). Lung contamination was ascertained in 24 patients (75 percent) and in two control subjects (15 percent) (p less than 0.001) 15 hours after a labeled solid meal. Vegetal fibers were found in sputum smears after mouth rinsing the day after ingestion of 8.5 g wheat bran in 72 percent of patients and in 77 percent of control subjects. Although two associated phenomena are not necessarily causally related, pulmonary aspiration documented by pulmonary scintigraphy did significantly correlate with gastroesophageal reflux, suggesting that aspiration resulting from reflux may perpetuate, if not initiate, chronic bronchial disease.

Bronchial Diseases↗
PubMed1986

[Impact of atmospheric pollution on the lung].

Longitudinal studies on the effects of atmospheric pollutants on the respiratory system have yielded conflicting conclusions. Socio-economic situation, cigarette smoking and chronic diseases must be taken in account in this multifactorial problem. Nevertheless, evidence has been accumulating that exposure brings a consistent rise in the frequency of chest conditions. Although current levels of pollution are apparently tolerable, unusual weather variations may result in a disquieting situation with ultimately increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Limit levels of pollutant concentration have to be respected since air quality standards adequately protect against adverse health effects, at least in high risk populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Gastroesophageal reflux and nocturnal broncho-aspiration in chronic bronchopathies].

Although the relationship between chronic bronchopathies and gastro-esophageal reflux is known, the existence and role of nocturnal broncho-aspiration is controversial. 32 patients with chronic bronchopathy and 13 controls without digestive or respiratory symptoms were studied. Nocturnal broncho-aspiration was diagnosed by the demonstration of vegetable fibers in the morning expectorate and by the presence of radioactive pulmonary foci 15 hours following an isotopic meal. Vegetable fibers were found with equal frequency in both groups. On the other hand, positive pulmonary scintigraphy, reflecting nocturnal broncho-aspiration, was observed in 24 of the 32 patients (75%) and only in 2 of the 13 controls (15%) (p less than 0.001). Thus, broncho-aspiration is a frequent occurrence in chronic bronchopathies.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Catamnestic study of 20 cases of cryptogenic hemoptysis. Average of 5 1/2-year follow-ups].

A report is presented on 20 patients with cryptogenetic hemoptysis. The following investigations are necessary and sufficient for diagnosis: history, physical examination, chest roentgenogram in posteroanterior and lateral projection, fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bacterial and cytologic analysis of bronchial brushing material, and determination of coagulation factors. Further explorations can be regarded as unnecessary since the above program discloses the cause of hemoptysis in more than 90% of cases. The prognosis of cryptogenetic hemoptysis was good in the 20 cases studied, which were followed up for 1 to 12 (mean 5.5) years.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Priorities among antitubercular measures: epidemiologic arguments].

A patient with positive smear tuberculosis infects approximately 50% of his domestic contacts; post-primary morbidity may reach 10% of the cases infected under the age of 24 years. Infection rate among professional and social contacts is low and the morbidity much lower. Smear-positive tuberculous patients develop the disease in a few months, therefore indiscriminate case finding is not effective in disclosing patients before they are infectious. Smear-negative, culture-positive patients do not play a role as far as epidemiology is concerned. Prognostic significance of tuberculin conversion depends upon the duration and closeness of the contact with the infectious patient, and chemoprophylaxis of infected contacts reduces post-primary morbidity. Chemotherapy of smear-positive patients suppresses infectiousness in a few weeks, where it lasted for several months previously. Therefore hospitalization of treated patients does not afford additional protection to contacts, and disinfection is superfluous. In a country where tuberculosis prevalence is low, the influence of BCG vaccination in decreasing morbidity can hardly be demonstrated. The three main antituberculous measures remain case-finding of smear-positive patients, identification of infected domestic contacts, and their treatment.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Invasive isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis. Case report].

Case report on a 57-year-old man who died in progressive respiratory distress with bilateral infiltrates. Sarcoidosis was suspected because of the presence of non-caseating epitheloid granulomas in transbronchial lung biopsies and the elevation of circulating antibodies directed against Kveim antigen. Temperature rose progressively one month after starting steroid treatment. Broad spectrum antibiotics were given without success. Autopsy showed invasive isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Cryptococcosis↗
PubMed1982

A controlled trial of individually-adapted short-course chemotherapy versus two-year scheme in original treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Report after a five-year follow-up.

Patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were allocated at random into two groups for a three-phase regimen in original course chemotherapy. The first group was given rifampicin (RMP) plus isoniazid (INH) plus ethambutol until sensitivity tests were completed, then RMP plus INH until culture conversion, thereafter INH alone for four months. The second group received the same drugs until obtaining culture conversion, thereafter IHN alone for a period lasting two years after onset of chemotherapy. One hundred sixty-eight patients were available for the final assessment after a five-year follow-up after culture conversion. Two bacteriologic relapses occurred among the two-year scheme patients, none in the short-course patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Significance of circulating antibodies directed against the Kveim suspension demonstrated in patients with sarcoidosis.

A hemagglutination test using coated sheep erythrocytes was devised for quantifying circulating antibodies directed against an extract of sarcoid spleen (K veim suspension). Out of 361 patients with respiratory sarcoidosis, the titres for 336 were less than 1:1,280. In 335 patients with various disorders the titres were less than 1:1,280 in 29. In 151 healthy controls the titres were never found to be less than 1:160. The circulating antibodies seemed to react specifically with antigenic determinant(s) contained in the K veim suspension and belonged primarily to the IgM class.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1981

[Immunology of sarcoidosis].

The sarcoid granulomas and the preceding mononuclear infiltration are composed of immunologically activated cells. Hyperactivity of circulating B cells and the frequent impairment of cell-mediated hypersensitivity could be due to an imbalance between T cell sub-populations. Kveim-Siltzbach test positivity and demonstration of circulating antibodies specifically directed against a sarcoid spleen extract suggest that this extract could have antigenic properties. Cell populations yielded by broncho-alveolar lavage in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis or with respiratory sarcoidosis are closely related. It is conceivable that sarcoidosis could result from some inhaled agent(s) which induce a self-perpetuating immunologic response of indeterminate duration. The relevance of immunological studies on sarcoidosis for medical practice is summarized.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗