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Biomedical subjects

H J Schaad

Publications and source records attributed to H J Schaad.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Fever and inflammatory parameters--useful diagnostic tools].

A febrile reaction may be due to an infection, an inflammatory process, a neoplastic disease or an immune reaction. The usual biologic markers do not allow an immediate diagnosis on the origin of the fever, they only give hints on the importance of the inflammatory reaction. Taking a good history, exact monitoring of the temperature and basic laboratory values often allow a diagnosis without further extensive investigations.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed2001

Group A streptococcus clones causing repeated epidemics and endemic disease in intravenous drug users.

Clones of Group A streptococcus (GAS) may spread epidemically and may be associated with enhanced virulence. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, together with bacterial isolates, of 79 patients with GAS infection in the Berne region between January 1993 and February 1997 were analysed retrospectively. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, most strains (71%) were found to belong to one of 12 clones. Clonal strains caused significantly more frequent skin abscesses and more severe invasive disease than non-clonal strains. The largest clone (M serotype 1) occurred endemically in non-IVDU patients and caused severe disease in most. Three clones occurred almost exclusively among IVDUs: an M serotype 11 was associated with severe, endemic disease; the other 2 clones, both of M serotype 25, caused epidemics of needle abscesses. Epidemic and endemic spread of GAS clones among IVDUs may be more frequent than previously assumed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Hemoperitoneum--how to proceed?].

This case report presents a patient with liver cirrhosis and hematoperitoneum. In about 5-15% of all patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites a hematoperitoneum is present. In most cases such intraperitoneal bleedings are asymptomatic and will be diagnosed only by diagnostic paracentesis of the ascites. Aside from rupture of intrahepatic tumors as origin of hemorrhagia or spontaneous bleeding out of varices other possible causes are discussed such as carcinomatosis of the peritoneum, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and perforation of vessels due to diagnostic puncture. For a correct and complete diagnostic work-up it is important to gain as much ascites as possible and perform all relevant analyses including biochemical, cytological and hematological ones on the ascites. The incidence of iatrogenic bleeding due to punction of ascites and the therapeutic consequences of hematoperitoneum are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

[Otogenic meningitis].

We present three patients with otogenic meningitis, whose illness varied in extent and clinical course. Meningitis and otitis media are associated in 19-22% of all meningitis-patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the predominant microorganism with hemophilus influenzae being the second most important. We discuss the importance and problems of spinal puncture, early CT-scan as well as further, more extensive and sophisticated examinations to exclude late complications or predisposing factors. We emphasize an early start of antibiotic treatment, which should not be delayed for diagnostic reasons. With the appearance of highly penicillin-resistant pneumococci antibiotic therapy may become more difficult in the future, but for the moment pneumococcal infections in Switzerland can initially still be treated with cephalosporins or high dose penicillin. The use of steroids, although of unproven efficacy, may be considered in some cases. An otolaryngologist should initially be consulted for diagnostic reasons as well as for possibly indicated early surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Erythema and fever after diclofenac i.m].

We describe a patient with a streptococcal myositis/fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome following an intramuscular injection with diclofenac. A patient complaining of sore throat and headaches for two days and fever up to 38.5 degrees C for one day consulted her family physician. 75 mg of diclofenac were injected intramuscularly for symptomatic treatment. On the next day massive pain at the injection site and a generalized erythema occurs and fever up to 38.5 degrees C persists. She is admitted to the local hospital for suspected abscess formation. Despite rapid antibiotic treatment a septic shock develops. The patient is transferred to a tertiary care hospital. An extensive debridement is performed and the antibiotic regimen changed to high dose penicillin and clindamycin. The association of life threatening diseases due to Group A streptococci and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is well documented by several case reports. We believe there is no longer any need for intramuscular injections of NSAID. The rare but severe complications preclude further use of the intramuscular dosage in view of the availability of oral alternatives.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Familial transmission of a serious disease--producing group A streptococcus clone: case reports and review.

Invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) infections are emerging diseases; however, person-to-person transmission of invasive GAS producing life-threatening infection has been observed rarely. We report a small intrafamilial cluster of life-threatening GAS infections. A previously healthy 47-year-old father developed necrotizing fasciitis of the neck. Two days later, his 16-year-old daughter developed streptococcal angina, pneumonia, and pleural empyema. Both patients had signs of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed that the M6 strains of GAS isolated from the father and daughter had identical patterns. Cases of person-to-person transmission of invasive GAS infection reported in the literature are also reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Pharmacokinetics and safety of a single dose of stavudine (d4T) in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

This open-label study enrolled five subjects with biopsy-proven cirrhosis and moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification grade B or C) and five age- and gender-matched controls. All subjects received a single 40-mg oral dose of stavudine (d4T). Stavudine pharmacokinetics in subjects with hepatic impairment were similar to those in age- and gender-matched control subjects and were not substantially different from those previously observed in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Based on these findings, stavudine use does not require modification of the dose or dosing interval for patients with liver disease.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Caffeine demethylation measured by breath analysis in experimental liver injury in the rat.

To assess the effects of experimental liver injury on caffeine metabolism, 1 muCi/kg b.w. of [3-methyl 14C]-caffeine (together with 5 mg/kg b.w. of the cold compound) was injected i.p. to four different experimental groups and respective controls of unanesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Exhaled 14CO2 was completely collected during 4 h and peak exhalation rate and fraction of dose recovered were calculated. 1/3 hepatectomy affected 14CO2 exhalation to a limited extent, decreasing solely peak exhalation rate (p < 0.05 compared to sham-operated controls). 2/3 hepatectomy, on the other hand, resulted in significant reduction (p < 0.01) in both peak exhalation rate (by 59%) and fraction of dose recovered (by 47%), that were proportionate to the loss of liver mass (59%). End-to-side portocaval shunt led to the well-documented hepatic "atrophy", liver weight being diminished on average to 50% within 2 weeks of surgery; however, reductions in peak exhalation rate (by 75%) and fraction of dose recovered (by 64%) were even more pronounced. Finally, 48 h bile duct ligation was equivalent to "functional 2/3 hepatectomy", peak exhalation rate (by 65%) and fraction of dose recovered (by 56%) being markedly diminished despite increased liver weight. These results indicate that 14CO2 exhalation curves following administration of specifically labelled caffeine are quantitative indicators of acute or chronic loss of functioning liver mass. In addition, the 3-demethylation pathway appears to be particularly sensitive to the inhibitory effects of cholestasis on microsomal function.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Sense and nonsense in infection prevention following organ transplantation].

Incidence and severity of infectious complications in solid-organ transplant recipients depend on the epidemiological exposure of the patients to infectious agents and the degree of immunosuppression. The timetable for the occurrence of infections reflects this interaction: up to one month after transplantation, patients suffer from infections related to the surgical procedure. Prevention is provided by careful surgical technique and perioperative antibiotics. One to six months after transplantation is the critical period for severe opportunistic infections: herpes viruses, fungi, mycobacteria and protozoal infections. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are by far the most important source of morbidity and mortality. Various preventive strategies for CMV disease are critically reviewed; at present, pre-emptive therapy is our choice. Finally, we discuss prophylaxis of specific infections due to toxoplasma, P. carinii and M. tuberculosis. The value of local experiences (epidemiological exposures of patients, immunosuppressive regimes and antirejection therapy) for the choice of preventive strategies cannot be overemphasized.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1994

Comparative efficacies of imipenem, oxacillin and vancomycin for therapy of chronic foreign body infection due to methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The efficacies of imipenem when directed against methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus were compared with those of oxacillin and vancomycin in a subcutaneous rat model, using chronically infected tissue cages. At three weeks after inoculation, stable chronic infections were established with average bacterial counts exceeding 10(6) cfu/mL tissue cage fluid for both strains. Intraperitoneal administration (twice a day for 7 days) of imipenem (80 mg/kg) or oxacillin (200 mg/kg) produced peak levels of 23 or 45 mg/L and through levels of < 0.1 and 5.7 mg/L, respectively. The therapeutic regimens of either imipenem (P < 0.001) or oxacillin (P < 0.02) administered for 7 days led to significant reductions in bacterial counts in the tissue cage fluids of animals chronically infected with MSSA. In contrast, imipenem was not effective against chronic MRSA tissue cage infections, despite the relatively low MIC of the infecting strain and the use of high dose (120 mg/kg) therapy. In-vitro susceptibility testings of MRSA performed before and after imipenem therapy demonstrated the emergence of a highly resistant subpopulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Teicoplanin alone or combined with rifampin compared with vancomycin for prophylaxis and treatment of experimental foreign body infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The prophylactic and therapeutic activities of teicoplanin were evaluated in two different experimental models of foreign body infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In a guinea pig model of prophylaxis, subcutaneously implanted tissue cages were infected at a > 90% rate by 10(2) CFU of MRSA in control animals. A single dose of 30 mg of teicoplanin per kg of body weight administered intraperitoneally 6 h before bacterial challenge was as effective as vancomycin in preventing experimental infection in tissue cages injected with either 10(2), 10(3), or 10(4) CFU of MRSA. In a rat model evaluating the therapy of chronic tissue cage infection caused by MRSA, the efficacy of a 7-day high-dose (30 mg/kg once daily) regimen of teicoplanin was compared with that of vancomycin (50 mg/kg twice daily). Whereas high levels of teicoplanin were found in tissue cage fluid, continuously exceeding its MBC for MRSA by 8- to 16-fold, no significant reduction in the viable counts of MRSA occurred during therapy. In contrast, either vancomycin alone or a combined regimen of high-dose teicoplanin plus rifampin (25 mg/kg twice daily) could significantly decrease the viable counts in tissue cage fluids. Whereas the bacteria recovered from tissue cage fluids during therapy showed no evidence of teicoplanin resistance, they failed to be killed even by high levels of this antimicrobial agent. The altered susceptibility of in vivo growing bacteria to teicoplanin killing might in part explain the defective activity of this antimicrobial agent when used as monotherapy against chronic S. aureus infections. These data may indicate the need for a combined regimen of teicoplanin with other agents such as rifampin to optimize the therapy of severe staphylococcal infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microsomal liver function declines steadily after kidney grafting: a three to five year follow-up.

We have previously shown that the functioning hepatocyte mass (galactose elimination capacity, GEC) and microsomal liver functions (non-renal clearances of unbound prednisolone and cyclosporin A) are impaired in renal allograft recipients (N = 28) one month and one year after successful transplantation. To assess the natural history of these hepatic functional derangements, we reinvestigated 21 patients with stable renal function three to five years following grafting. GEC remained with 6.07 +/- 0.86 mg/min x kg significantly (P less than 0.001) below that in healthy controls (7.52 +/- 0.78 mg/min x kg), but did not significantly change during follow-up (5.93 +/- 0.96 and 6.26 +/- 0.94 mg/min x kg at 1 year and 1 month, respectively). In contrast, the non-renal clearance of unbound prednisolone declined steadily during follow-up averaging 4.98 +/- 0.71 ml/min x kg at three to five (compared to 5.83 +/- 1.51 and 6.80 +/- 1.73 ml/min x kg at one year and one month, respectively). These values were lower (P less than 0.01) than those observed in healthy control subjects (7.56 +/- 1.59 ml/min x kg). The total body clearance of cyclosporin A decreased similarly with time averaging 4.5 +/- 1.2 ml/min x kg at three to five years (compared to 4.9 +/- 1.2 and 5.9 +/- 2.1 ml/min x kg at 1 year and 1 month, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Impaired liver function in stable renal allograft recipients.

Hepatic failure as a cause of death is increased in stable renal allograft recipients when compared with patients on dialysis. In order to assess the magnitude and the natural history of the hepatic functional derangement, the kinetics of xenobiotics which are metabolized by cytosolic (galactose) or microsomal (prednisolone, cyclosporine A) enzymes were determined in 28 consecutive stable kidney transplant patients 1 month and 1 year after transplantation. Renal transplant patients had a decreased mean (+/- S.D.) galactose elimination capacity at 1 month (6.26 +/- 0.94 mg per min x kg) and at 1 year (5.93 +/- 0.96 mg per min x kg), when compared with a different group of 28 healthy control subjects (7.52 +/- 0.78 mg per min x kg, p less than 0.001) and a decreased total body clearance of prednisolone at 1 month (2.13 +/- 0.34 ml per min x kg vs. 2.71 +/- 0.43 ml per min x kg in controls, p less than 0.001), which further decreased over the following year to 1.76 +/- 0.32 ml per min x kg (p less than 0.001). The clearance of cyclosporine A declined significantly during the first year of successful transplantation (5.9 +/- 2.1 ml per min x kg vs. 4.9 +/- 1.2 ml per min x kg, p less than 0.05). In conclusion, a substantial proportion of stable renal transplant recipients have decreased cytosolic and microsomal liver functions despite the absence of clinical and laboratory evidence of significant liver disease.

Cyclosporins↗
PubMed1984

Pharmacokinetic interaction of contraceptive steroids with prednisone and prednisolone.

The oestrogenic component of oral contraceptives affects the activity of liver enzymes and the concentrations of plasma proteins implicated in steroid metabolism and transport. The present study was designed to determine these effects on the kinetics of prednisone and prednisolone. After an oral dose of prednisone, women on oral contraceptive steroids (n = 10) had higher mean (+/- SD) area under the plasma concentration versus time curves of total (428 +/- 67 micrograms/ml/min vs 188 +/- 28 micrograms/ml/min, p less than 0.001) and unbound prednisolone (64 +/- 10 micrograms/ml/min vs 41 +/- 10 micrograms/ml/min, p less than 0.001) than women not taking oral contraceptive steroids (n = 10). The differences were attributable to a lower non-renal clearance of prednisolone and to a higher apparent systemic availability of the drug in contraceptive users than in the controls. The affinity of albumin and transcortin for prednisolone was lower in women on oral contraceptives than in controls (p less than 0.001). Thus, altered kinetics and protein binding may account for the known increase in glucocorticoid efficacy by oestrogens.

Adult↗