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Biomedical subjects

G Orlando

Publications and source records attributed to G Orlando.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

The clinicopathological significance of cytomegalovirus inclusions demonstrated by endocervical biopsy.

A healthy 20 yr old woman presented for evaluation following a cervical smear which showed viral effects typical of human papilloma virus. Colposcopy showed changes of cervicitis with the main finding on histologic examination of biopsy material being an acute and chronic cervicitis associated with typical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Viral identification was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining, in situ hybridization and electron microscopy. The patient was lost to follow up for 18 mths. Following this, a repeat colposcopy again showed inflammation, with cervicitis, mild dysplasia and CMV inclusions on biopsy. Full immunological work-up, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) study, was performed and was normal. Only 11 other cases of endocervical biopsies with histological evidence of CMV inclusions were found in the literature, although the reported rate of detection of genital CMV in women on culture is 4-12%. In the 9 cases where information was available, endocervical inflammation was present. One patient was on immunosuppressive medication for systemic lupus erythematosus and another was found to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (17% of total). These cases demonstrate that although histologic examination is an insensitive marker for CMV within the cervix, its presence may signify immunodeficiency and so immunological assessment of a patient with this finding is advisable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Kaposi's sarcoma and AIDS: frequency of gastrointestinal involvement and its effect on survival. A prospective study in a heterogeneous population.

The frequency and distribution of gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma were prospectively investigated in 33 consecutive AIDS patients with heterogeneous risk factors and established skin or lymph-node disease. The influence of visceral involvement and degree of immunosuppression at the time of diagnosis on patient survival was also evaluated. Gastrointestinal lesions were found in 17 cases (51%): 5 patients (15%) had both upper and lower GI tract involvement, 8 patients (24%) had only gastroduodenal lesions, and 4 (12%) only lower tract disease. No difference in the frequency of visceral involvement was found between the two major risk groups (homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers). The degree of immunosuppression at diagnosis was the major determinant of survival, whereas gastrointestinal involvement did not in itself significantly influence patient survival. Morbidity from enteric Kaposi's sarcoma was quite low, 80% of these lesions being clinically silent during the follow-up period.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[The radiological pictures of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV+ patients].

Mycobacterial infections can be found in 10% of AIDS patients. Seventy cases with HIV+ infection were examined: they exhibited clear alterations of the chest and contemporaneous isolation and identification of mycobacteria. Primary tuberculosis is the most frequent manifestation in these patients. Alveolar parenchymal mono/bilateral infiltrates are the radiographic patterns of this pulmonary condition; they usually present without excavation (45.7%). Hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes are usually associated, and no pleural effusions. The main problem is the differential diagnosis with pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, especially the form involving lung apices. A correlation has been observed between the blood level of T-lymphocytes and their subsets (CD4 level) and the radiographic patterns of tuberculosis in AIDS patients. In fact, pleural effusion is frequent in patients with CD4 less than 200, while miliary nodules and cavitations are more frequent in the cases with CD4 greater than 200.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

[Diverticulitis of the right colon. Description of our experience].

Two cases of diverticultis of the right colon are described which received surgical treatment. These lesions often simulate acute appendicitis and thus represent a intraoperative surprise Differential diagnosis using a neoblastic mass is often impossible. The paper stresses the importance of surgical treatment which in general terms is the same as the treatment of the diverticular mass of the left colon. In cases where it is difficult to decide between a phlogostic and neoblastic pathology, it is advised that a right hemicolectomy should be performed in line with criteria for oncological requirements.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Treatment of acute cholecystitis and its complications].

Forty cases of acute cholecystitis and its complications have been reviewed. Examination of the literature and a study of the personal series leads to a discussion on the need or otherwise for early surgery, particularly in those patients in whom a more unfavourable course for the clinical picture can be objectively presumed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Tumor markers in the early diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms].

Radioimmunological techniques were used to assay tumour markers in order to identify neoplasms in patients with thyroid nodules at the earliest possible stage. In the 7 patients with differentiated thyroid tumours, the marker findings were within normal limits. On the basis of these results it is concluded that at the present time these markers are of no value for the early diagnosis of thyroid tumours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Assessment of left ventricular filling in patients with systemic hypertension. A Doppler echocardiographic study.

To assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with hypertension, a Doppler echocardiographic study of transmitral blood flow (TBF) was performed in 46 hypertensive patients (H), 18 without (H1) and 28 with (H2) left ventricular hypertrophy and in 25 age-matched normal subjects (N). All patients showed normal systolic function. The following indices of Doppler TBF were measured: peak flow velocity during early filling (Evel), atrial systole (Avel) and their ratio (E/Avel); area under early filling phase (Earea), area under atrial systole (Aarea), expressed as a percentage of total diastolic area and their ratio (E/Aarea); deceleration half-time (DHT) of early filling phase. When compared with N, H1 and H2 showed significant reductions in early filling indices and an increase in atrial contribution parameters. (Evel = 0.62 +/- 0.1(N), 0.52 +/- 0.1(H1) P less than 0.01, 0.44 +/- 0.1(H2) P less than 0.001; Earea = 56 +/- 5(N), 48 +/- 5(H1) P less than 0.001, 43 +/- 6(H2) P less than 0.001; Avel = 0.49 +/- 0.1(N), 0.59 +/- 0.1(H1) P less than 0.01, 0.69 +/- 0.14(H2) P less than 0.001; Aarea = 26 +/- 5(N), 41 +/- 4(H1) P less than 0.001, 47 +/- 7(H2) P less than 0.001). Also DHT was significantly prolonged, compared with N (80 +/- 12 msec), in H1 (90 +/- 12 msec, P less than 0.01) and H2 (105 +/- 20 msec, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Endorphins are related to pain perception in coronary artery disease.

Plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after exercise in 25 patients with coronary artery disease. Eighteen patients were men and 7 were women; age range was 36 to 75 years (mean 60). All patients had angina pectoris, a positive treadmill test response or positive exercise radionuclide findings. The mean preexercise plasma endorphin level was 4.9 +/- 3.0 pmol/liter (range 0.7 to 13.5). The mean postexercise plasma endorphin level of 6.6 +/- 4.6 mol/liter (range 0 to 19.5) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05). A significant positive correlation was seen between postexercise endorphin levels and time to onset of angina (r = 0.4, p = 0.03). There were negative correlations between postexercise endorphin levels and occurrence (r = -0.4, p = 0.04) and duration of angina (r = -0.4, p = 0.05). No association was found for maximal heart rate-blood pressure product, workload, time to ST-segment depression or stress ejection fraction. A positive correlation was found between rest left ventricular ejection fraction and postexercise endorphin levels (r = 0.5, p = 0.02). In conclusion, in patients with exercise-induced myocardial ischemia, plasma beta-endorphin levels are increased after exercise; postexercise endorphin levels are related to timing and occurrence (presence or absence) of angina; and endorphins may alter the perception of pain caused by myocardial ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Asymptomatic parasitic infections in renal transplant recipients and in haemodialysis patients.

One hundred and sixty-seven clinically asymptomatic renal transplant recipients and 119 patients on chronic haemodialysis were studied for the presence of intestinal parasites and for the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Intestinal parasitic infections were more frequently found in transplant recipients than in haemodialysis patients and in controls. Among transplant recipients, the prevalence rate of T. gondii antibodies at high titres was significantly increased, but in these subjects the positivity rate of specific IgM assays was reduced. This seems to indicate a greater occurrence of asymptomatic reactivated infections. Our findings suggest that parasitologic surveys of immunosuppressed patients should be periodically performed also in temperate climates, in order to prevent the possibility of disseminated infections.

Adult↗