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Biomedical subjects

G M de Jong

Publications and source records attributed to G M de Jong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunosuppression should be stopped in patients with renal allograft failure.

Patients returning to haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis after a failed kidney transplantation sometimes have a renal allograft left in situ for some urine production. Low-dose immunosuppressive medication is often continued in such patients. To evaluate the morbidity and mortality between patients in time periods with (group A) or without (group B) low-dose maintenance immunosuppression, the present study was initiated. In a multi-centre cohort study we analysed data from patient files, which showed failure after at least 3 months graft function between 10 August 1972 and 4 April 1996, including 197 kidney transplantations. A total of 1.7 versus 0.51 infections per patient year was found in groups A and B, respectively (odds ratio [OR]: 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5-4.5). There was an increased mortality in group A compared to group B (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8-6.3), both from infectious disease (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.0), and cardiovascular disease (OR 4.9, 95% CI: 1.8-13.5). Continuation of immunosuppressive medication did not lead to fewer rejections (defined as a painful, tender graft and/or haematuria and/or low-grade non-infectious fever). Transplantectomy-related morbidity and mortality were acceptable. The increase in morbidity and mortality associated with low-dose maintenance immunosuppression argues in favour of stopping these medicaments when failed renal allograft patients return to dialysis.

Adult↗

Implementing a stress management training: comparative trainer effectiveness.

Participants who were recruited from various organizations were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 stress management training (SMT) conditions or an assessment-only control group. The groups in the 1st SMT condition were led by external clinical psychologists. The groups in the 2nd SMT condition were led by individuals who held posts within the organizations involved, referred to as paraprofessionals. Results show favorable effects of the SMT program both in the short term as well as at 6-month follow-up. Results showed no serious differences in effectiveness between trainers. It is argued that, to be effective, the SMT program does not necessarily have to be given by clinical psychologists only but may instead be given by individuals from other professional orientations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Improved bacteriological surveillance of haemodialysis fluids: a comparison between Tryptic soy agar and Reasoner's 2A media.

BACKGROUND: Accurate microbiological surveillance in haemodialysis centres is important as end-stage renal patients can suffer from pyrogenic reactions due to bacterial contamination of dialysis fluids. To evaluate the microbiological quality of haemodialysis fluids, special nutrient-poor culture techniques are necessary. Although the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) recommends Tryptic soy agar (TSA) as the standard agar, several studies have resulted in a general preference for Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar, as it appeared to be more sensitive in demonstrating contamination of typical haemodialysis associated bacteria. In the Netherlands TSA is still used for culturing dialysate, while dialysis water is cultured on R2A. Therefore, the aims of our study were to evaluate bacterial yields of dialysis fluids on both media, and to qualify their use in routine microbiological monitoring within our haemodialysis centre. METHODS: Between April 1995 and March 1996, 229 samples of pre-treated and final purified dialysis water, and samples of dialysates were collected. The specimens were aseptically taken from the tap, various points of the reverse osmosis (RO) water-treatment system, and the effluent tubes of 32 bicarbonate haemodialysis machines. Samples of 0.1 ml were inoculated in duplicate on spread plates with TSA and R2A agars. After 10 days of incubation at 25+/-2 degrees C, the numbers of colonies were quantified. The ranges of spread were taken 0-100 and 0-200 colony-forming units per milliliter (c.f.u./ml). RESULTS: The R2A agar had significantly higher colony counts than TSA agar for both dialysis water and dialysates. Considering 100 c.f.u./ml as the upper allowable bacterial limit for all dialysis fluids, microbiological non-compliance (bacterial growth) would be missed in 16% when using only TSA media (TSA < or =100 c.f.u./ml and R2A >100 c.f.u./ml), while this was 3% when using only R2A (TSA >100 c.f.u./ml and R2A < or =100 c.f.u./ml, P<0.0001). Considering 200 c.f.u./ml as the upper limit, non-compliance would have been missed in 10% when using only TSA (TSA < or =200 c.f.u./ml and R2A >200 c.f.u./ml), and 2% when using R2A (TSA > 200 c.f.u./ml and R2A < or =200 c.f.u./ml, P = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Microbiological surveillance of haemodialysis fluids, including pre-treated dialysis water samples collected from RO treatment systems, can be performed more precisely with R2A media than TSA, when incubated at 25+/-2 degrees C for 10 days.

Agar↗

Mannitol-induced acute renal failure.

Mannitol is widely used because of its osmotic diuretic action and its presumed antioxidant properties. In pre-existent renal dysfunction, however, mannitol may accumulate leading to potentially deleterious effects. We describe a 71-year-old woman with moderate chronic renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy who developed acute anuric renal failure after mannitol administration for post-traumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy. After haemodialysis symptoms of acute renal failure rapidly disappeared with recovery of pre-existent renal function. Daily measurement of the osmolal gap as a simple and accurate way of monitoring patients receiving mannitol infusion is emphasized. A rapid increase in the osmolar gap should prompt adjustment of the dose or even discontinuation of mannitol, especially in the case of pre-existent risk factors.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

The Survey of Recent Life Experiences: a psychometric evaluation.

Hitherto, various critics have claimed that the most commonly used measure for daily hassles is confounded with psychological well-being in both content and format. In order to circumvent such contamination, the Survey of Recent Life Experiences (SRLE) was developed by Kohn and MacDonald (1992). In the present study, the SRLE was psychometrically evaluated within a general sample of the Dutch population. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that, with the exception of one item, the original six-factor structure was strongly replicated. For five of six factors, internal consistency reliabilities proved satisfactory. It is argued that the rather low internal consistency reliability of the sixth factor may be improved if additional items are subjoined. In addition, yielded relationships between the SRLE and other variables were in accordance with previous research. It is therefore argued that the results are in support of cross-cultural construct validity of the SRLE. Future use within other Western European societies is recommended.

Adult↗

Folic acid treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in dialysis patients.

We measured fasting total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in 10 chronic hemodialysis (HD) and 10 chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Mean (+/- SEM) Hcy was 55.7 +/- 10.1 and 50.5 +/- 14.3 mumol/l, respectively (normal range 6-19 mumol/l). Hemodialysis treatment lowered Hcy by about 30%. Daytime Hcy concentrations were stable in the PD patients. Six weeks of treatment with folic acid (FA) significantly lowered Hcy in HD and PD patients to 24.0 +/- 1.8 and 21.0 +/- 3.6 mumol/l, respectively. After withdrawal, Hcy rose slowly, in parallel with the gradually decreasing plasma FA concentrations, which were greatly elevated during treatment. Chronic treatment with FA of another group of patients showed a similar effect on Hcy. Preliminary results of oral methionine loading in chronic dialysis patients were compatible with delayed homocysteine metabolism via the transsulfuration pathway. Further studies on the optimal treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic dialysis patients are needed.

Adult↗

Decreased frequency of HLA-DR13DR6 in Wegener's granulomatosis.

The pathogenesis of Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis and idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is still unclear; in vitro data support both humoral and cellular autoimmune mechanisms. An association of Wegener's granulomatosis with HLA antigens has been described, with conflicting results concerning the antigens involved. We have performed serological HLA typing of patients at two different laboratories within the Netherlands (N = 118 and N = 106,N respectively). A significant decrease in the frequency of HLA-DR13DR6 was present in both patient groups in comparison to controls (chi 2 = 21.9; corrected P value < 0.004 for both groups together). There were no differences in the distribution of HLA-antigens between patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis, between cANCA (cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) and pANCA (perinuclear ANCA, anti-MPO) positive patients, and between patients with and without relapsing disease.

Aged↗

[Neonatal withdrawal symptoms following the use of clomipramine during pregnancy].

The case is described of a neonate who suffered from withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours after birth as a result of the use of clomipramine by the mother during pregnancy. The symptoms consisted of increased irritability, alternating hyper- en hypotonia, hyperreflexia, cyanosis and hypothermia. He was treated with clonazepam with good result. Prescription of clomipramine during pregnancy should be restricted to specific cases and the doses should be kept as low as possible. Because the symptoms are withdrawal symptoms, phenobarbital should not be used as treatment, as it increases drug metabolism by the liver causing an even faster decrease of plasma concentrations of clomipramine. Clonazepam is the drug of choice.

Adult↗

[Tropical malaria and sickle-cell anemia: a tropical surprise].

A case of a very sick 2.5-year-old, Ghanese boy with fever, who fell in coma in the emergency room, is described. He was diagnosed as having blackwater fever (BWF) on clinical grounds. He also had a sickle cell anaemia. A short review of BWF is given and we discuss possible causes of the anaemia in this case. The anaemia in sickle cell anaemia is described and it appears that malaria tropica can lead to a severe hemolytic sickle cell crises. We discuss the combination of sickle cell anaemia and malaria tropica.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

[A patient with fever and pain in the extremities].

During holidays in Suriname a six year old boy fell ill with high fever, general malaise, pain in the extremities and abdomen and vomiting. Because of a tentative diagnosis of acute rheumatism or bacterial enteritis amoxicillin and salicylates were started. After his return to the Netherlands an increased ESR and impaired renal and hepatic functions were found. The history revealed contact with sewage water. Further analysis established the diagnosis of Leptospirosis. This comparatively rare clinical entity, seldom mentioned in paediatric literature, is discussed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗