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G Loytved

Publications and source records attributed to G Loytved.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Interferon-gamma assays -- description and assessment of a new tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis].

Up to now the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was based solely on the tuberculin skin test. However, this method offers neither 100 % sensitivity nor -- and this is in particular due to its cross-reactivity with BCG and environmental mycobacteria -- a 100 % specificity. The demand in Germany for a more reliable in vitro test is currently enhanced by the change from the multipuncture test to the intradermal (Mendel-Mantoux) test and by the uncertainty resulting from the ceased production of the tuberculin previously used in Germany. The manufacturers of immunologic test methods such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (ELISA assay) and the T SPOT-TB Test (ELISPOT assay), which are based on the Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production of sensitized T lymphocytes, offer their products as possible alternatives. This article explains the function of the IFN-gamma tests and gives an overview of the most recent data, possible indications and the open scientific questions to be investigated by future clinical studies. Although the new test methods have the potential to eventually prevail as an additional helpful diagnostic tool, the authors consider a complete replacement of the tuberculin skin test as premature. The IFN-gamma tests may, however, prove already now to be a useful additional diagnostic method.

Cross Reactions↗
PubMed2006

[Christmas seals].

Christmas seals, i. e., special stamps used to decorate or seal Christmas and New Year's mail, were created by the Danish post office clerk E. Holboell. The proceeds from the sale of the stickers were meant to alleviate the suffering of children sick with tuberculosis. The first Christmas seal, showing a portrait of Queen Louise of Denmark, was issued on December 10, 1904. The demand at the post office was enormous. The funds raised exceeded all expectations and made it possible to finance the construction of a sanatorium for tuberculosis children. The idea of Christmas seals spread quickly around the world and ended up being copied in 130 countries. At the beginning of the 20 (th) century, the small stamp with the red double-barred cross became a banner for the crusade against tuberculosis. For many patients, it also represented a symbol of hope for recovery even though this hope, given the cure rates of a sanatorium treatment, only became a reality for a few. Worldwide, Christmas seals were and are colourful and imaginatively designed, mostly with Christmas symbols or motives relating to the fight against tuberculosis. The funds raised through the sale of the seals initially helped to build hospitals and were later also used to screen persons at risk for tuberculosis, to improve housing conditions of patients and for other measures of support. With the decrease of tuberculosis, some organisations discontinued fundraising through Christmas seals while others widened their intended purpose and supported, for example, the prevention of and research on lung diseases. In Germany, Christmas seals are closely connected with the German Central Committee against Tuberculosis. Today the "Kuratorium Tuberkulose in der Welt" is the only organisation in this country that still raises funds by this means. The funds are mostly used to assist developing countries with a high burden of tuberculosis.

Art↗
PubMed2005

[The Tuberculosis Rapid Assay from DiaVita - No Alternative to the Tuberculin Skin Test].

New methods for diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) and/or latent tuberculosis infection have been offered increasingly during recent years, also in Germany. The Tuberculosis Rapid Assay ('Tuberkulose Schnelltest [TB-ST]') from DiaVita is a serologic test method aiming to detect, within a few minutes, tuberculosis-specific antibodies in whole blood or serum of tuberculosis patients. Due to a lack of data, it is, however, hardly possible to assess this test on a scientific basis. With a relatively high specificity (according to DiaVita over 95 %) but inadequate sensitivity (approximately 60 - 80 %), particularly in paucibacillary types of TB, we consider this method of limited value for routine testing. If active TB is strongly suspected, a positive test result may corroborate the tentative diagnosis, whereas a negative test result is not helpful for differential diagnosis considering the great number of false-negative test results to be expected. The greatest value of the test seems to be in bacteriologically confirmed TB, in which however there may be no need for additional diagnostics. The test has not been evaluated, and in our opinion is probably unsuitable for detecting latent TB infection. Data is also lacking for a number of patient groups in urgent need of a reliable alternative to the tuberculin skin test (e. g., immunocompromised patients, children). It is not clear whether this method will find a place in routine TB diagnostics. We therefore cannot recommend this test as a routine diagnostic tool for TB at present.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2004

[Recommendations for personal respiratory protection in tuberculosis].

These recommendations of the German Central Committee against Tuberculosis give an overview of the current scientific knowledge on the tuberculosis risk of health service employees and on the risk of infection in individual areas of work. The efficacy of face masks and their benefit in tuberculosis control is discussed. There are no reliable data on the efficacy of face masks in preventing infection with M. tuberculosis, nor can such data be expected in the near future, due to the complex interaction of infection-preventing measures. As rapid case finding, isolation, and immediate, effective treatment of infected patients already greatly diminish the risk of transmission, we consider face masks to be of limited use in reducing this risk. However, they may be beneficial in certain areas of work and in certain situations, particularly in the presence of elevated aerosol concentrations. The benefit of face masks depends largely on their correct application. The choice of a particular type of mask requires knowledge of the current epidemiological situation, and a competent assessment of the risk in the area of work for which it is chosen, taking into account the closeness of contact with potentially infectious tuberculosis patients.

Germany↗
PubMed2004

[Latent tuberculosis infection: recommendations for preventive therapy in adults in Germany].

The immunologic mechanisms of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection are complex and hitherto not completely understood. The lifelong risk of an immunocompetent individual of developing active TB after infection with M. tuberculosis is 5-10 % and highest during the first two years after infection. Various factors may considerably increase the risk of developing active TB, e. g., immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive medication. However, the development of active TB may be avoided by preventive chemotherapy, the therapy of choice being isoniazid over a 9-month period. Alternative treatment regimens may be indicated in special cases, but it must be borne in mind that the efficacy of these regimens has not been studied sufficiently while they seem to be less well tolerated than isoniazid monotherapy. The tuberculin skin test is still the only sufficiently documented method to detect latent infection with M. tuberculosis which is also suitable for routine application. This test today should be performed exclusively as described by Mendel and Mantoux. Its sensitivity and specificity depend on the prevalence of tuberculosis infection. It should therefore be restricted to individuals at increased risk of latent TB infection. When interpreting the tuberculin skin test, it is necessary to know whether an individual belongs to one of the defined risk groups or has an elevated risk of developing active TB. Among the risk groups are individuals who may have been infected recently with M. tuberculosis (contacts of contagious TB patients) or in whom other factors increase their risk of developing active TB. The indication for chemotherapy for latent TB infection must be based on a careful individual risk-benefit analysis and, besides patient compliance, requires full information of the patient and careful monitoring during therapy. Before initiating treatment, active TB must always be excluded by the proven methods.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Tuberculosis control in lower Franconia 1995 - 2001. Case-finding and treatment outcome].

BACKGROUND: How useful is active case-finding for the controlling of tuberculosis (TB) in Lower Franconia? What treatment outcome is being achieved and which factors reduce this success? METHODS: All 867 TB cases reported to the public health departments in Lower Franconia between 1995 and 2001 were used as anonymous data for a prospective study. RESULTS: Average age, gender, country of origin and rates of bacterial resistance of the patients coincided to a large degree with the data of the DZK study. The percentage of resettlers from the former Soviet Union with TB was, however, almost double. Therapeutic success was reached in approx. 79 % of the contagious TB and thus surpassed the rates of published investigations slightly. A negative impact upon the treatment outcome was caused by the following circumstances: A number of asylum seekers disappeared into illegality before the treatment was completed; certain TB-patients stopped taking the medication after surgical removal of the focus; only half of the sick persons who died of the disease were diagnosed when still alive. CONCLUSION: Active TB case-finding is useful mainly among asylum seekers and resettlers. An improvement of the treatment outcome in Lower Franconia is desirable but appears to be only possible within strict limits.

Female↗
PubMed1983

Clinical efficiency of neobiphyllineR-studies on lung function and serum levels after rectal application of a combination of methyl-xanthines.

In a group of 12 patients suffering from reversible airways obstruction, lung function data and serum levels were studied before and after rectal application of a combination of methyl-xanthines (400 mh theophylline, 600 mg diprophylline, 600 mg proxyphylline). The follow-up over a period of 10 hours showed an immediate bronchodilator effect of the mixture within 30 minutes to 1 hour; bronchodilation was still detectable after an interval of 10 hours. The improvement in lung function correlated with the serum levels. No side effects were noted after rectal administration of the drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Comparison of the bronchodilatatory efficacy of oral methylxanthines (author's transl)].

Two tablets of aminophylline (each 350 mg) or of a mixture (75 mg theophylline, 112,5 mg diprophylline, 112,5 mg proxyphylline per tablet) were given to 12 patients with reversible air-flow obstruction and their effects on lung function, blood pressure and pulse rate were surveyed for eight hours as an intra-individual randomized cross-over experiment. A three-day wash-out period was allowed between the studies on each patient. Statistical evaluation of the data shows that, on the average, the bronchodilator effects were comparable. Unwanted side-effects were seen in three patients after aminophylline. There were none after the mixture.

Airway Obstruction↗