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Biomedical subjects

H M Goodyear

Publications and source records attributed to H M Goodyear.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Problem based learning in a junior doctor teaching programme.

BACKGROUND: Problem based learning (PBL) is used increasingly in undergraduate medical education, but there are few postgraduate medical studies. AIM: To compare SHO learning outcomes for a PBL course with a traditional didactic course. METHODS: As part of their protected teaching programme, 14 senior house officers (SHOs) were taught about paediatric dermatology using a traditional didactic course. Six months later, the new SHOs received a PBL course including small group teaching and a study guide. Both the traditional and the PBL group were assessed using multiple choice questions (MCQs), an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and pre- and post-course self-assessment sheets. SHOs completed course evaluation sheets. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in learning outcome between the traditional and PBL courses as assessed by the MCQs, OSCE, and self-assessment sheets. The PBL course was well appreciated by SHOs who liked variety in the teaching programme. CONCLUSIONS: The PBL and traditional course had equivalent learning outcomes. PBL adds variety to junior doctor protected teaching programmes and can be a useful tool for doctors working shift patterns.

Curriculum↗

Growth of herpes simplex type 1 on skin explants of atopic eczema.

In a novel approach to looking at why some children with atopic eczema are susceptible to cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, this study evaluates the hypothesis that HSV replicates more easily on eczematous than normal skin. Growth of HSV on eczematous skin explants was compared with growth on explants from three control groups (psoriasis, Darier's disease and normal skin) over a 2-day period. Growth of HSV was significantly less on normal skin than in atopic eczema, psoriasis and Darier's disease. Virus replicated more quickly, and grew to higher titre within 24h, in eczematous and psoriatic explants than in normal skin. A defect in skin barrier function and host defence factors including local cytokine secretion are discussed as possible mechanisms in causing the increased susceptibility of children with atopic eczema to HSV infection.

Adolescent↗

Immunological studies of herpes simplex virus infection in children with atopic eczema.

This study examines the role of immune defence mechanisms in herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in atopic eczema and whether impairment of these mechanisms explains the susceptibility of some children with atopic eczema to cutaneous HSV infections. Ten children with eczema herpeticum and 13 with atopic eczema and recurrent HSV infection affecting multiple skin sites were studied, together with relevant control groups. In all children with atopic eczema, in vitro lymphoproliferation in response to stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) was significantly decreased and natural killer (NK) cells (CD16 + 56) were reduced compared with non-atopic controls. IL-2 receptors, a marker for lymphocyte activation, were decreased during the acute phase of eczema herpeticum, and for 1 month thereafter. A positive stimulation index (> 3) to HSV antigen, and high HSV IgG antibody titres measured by ELISA, Western blotting and neutralization assay, were seen in children with eczema herpeticum by 6 weeks, and also in children with atopic eczema and recurrent HSV infections. No evidence of an HSV-specific immune defect (either cell-mediated or humoral) was found in atopic eczema. Impairment of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema was suggested by the reduced response to Con A. It is likely that reduced numbers of circulating NK cells and a decrease in IL-2 receptors during early eczema herpeticum contribute to the susceptibility of children with atopic eczema to cutaneous HSV infections.

Acute Disease↗

Can admission notes be improved by using preprinted assessment sheets?

Inpatient medical notes often fail to record important details of patient history and findings on clinical examination. To overcome problems with content and legibility of notes we introduced preprinted notes for the admission of children to this hospital. The quality of the information recorded for 100 children whose admissions were clerked with the preprinted notes was compared with that recorded for 100 whose admissions were recorded with the traditional notes. All case notes were selected randomly and retrospectively from traditional notes written from April to October 1993 and from preprinted notes written from October 1993 to April 1994. The quality of information was assessed according to the presence or absence of 25 agreed core clinical details and the number of words per clerking. In admissions recorded with the preprinted notes the mean number of core clinical details present was significantly higher than those recorded with traditional notes (24.0 v 17.6, p < 0.00001). Admissions recorded with the preprinted notes were also significantly shorter (mean 144 words v 184 words, p < 0.0001). The authors conclude that information about children admitted to hospital is both more complete and more succinct when recorded using preprinted admission sheets.

Admitting Department, Hospital↗

Rapid diagnosis of cutaneous herpes simplex infections using specific monoclonal antibodies.

One hundred children with suspected herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and 20 controls were studied to compare a rapid immunofluorescence (RIF) test for detection and typing of HSV from smears of lesions with standard viral culture. The RIF test was evaluated for ease of use and speed of diagnosis. RIF and/or culture were positive in 64% of patients. All infections diagnosed by RIF and culture were HSV type 1. In 92% of patients RIF and culture results were in concordance. In 57 cases, RIF and cultures were positive for HSV infection and in 35 cases RIF and cultures were negative for HSV infection. Three patients had inadequate samples for RIF and five children had positive RIF but were culture negative. All controls had negative results both by RIF test and culture. The RIF test demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The RIF test was type specific, easy to perform and gave diagnosis of HSV infections within an hour of taking the clinical specimen. This study suggests the RIF test is as good, if not more sensitive, in the diagnosis of HSV infections as standard viral culture and has the advantage of speed of diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Skin microflora of atopic eczema in first time hospital attenders.

The bacterial flora of the skin was assessed quantitatively in 50 children with eczema, aged 6 months to 14 years, referred to the hospital for the first time. Twenty nonatopic controls with an unrelated non-infective disorder were also studied. Cotton-tipped swabs and contact agar discs were taken from the worst affected area of eczema and from an uninvolved site in patients and from the forearm in controls. Swabs were also taken from the nose, axilla and groin in all children. Bacterial colonization of the skin was consistently more common and greater in amount from patients compared with controls. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated from patients only; from the worst affected area of eczema in 74% of patients and from an uninvolved skin site in 30% of patients. Quantitative assessment showed that the density of colonization was proportional to the severity of eczema. The most common S. aureus phage group was group II accounting for 32% of strains. Resistance to penicillin was present in 88% of strains and to two or more antibiotics in 38% of strains. No relationship was noted between the pattern of resistance and phage group.

Adolescent↗

Mycobacterial infection in an inner city children's hospital.

Childhood tuberculosis is perceived by many as a disease of the past. Experience in a children's hospital serving a deprived population suggested that tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections were not declining in clinical practice. Fifty three tuberculous and 11 atypical mycobacterial infections were identified between 1978 and 1992. There was no decline in tuberculosis and nine of the 11 atypical infections occurred in the last five years. Altogether 40% of cases of tuberculosis were in non-Asian children; 32% had arrived in the UK or visited family overseas in the previous year; and 38% had a history of tuberculosis contact, usually a close adult relative. Nationally, the previous decline in tuberculosis in all ages has reversed. In the local health districts in London's east end, childhood tuberculosis has also stopped declining and seems to be increasing. It is regrettable that BCG vaccination has been abolished by some districts in the UK, against current recommendations. Childhood tuberculosis is still common in the practice described here, including among children who do not fall into conventionally recognised high risk groups. Inner city dwellers and junior doctors are both highly mobile populations, adding to the risk that paediatricians, particularly those in training, may encounter tuberculosis with little or no previous experience of the condition.

Adolescent↗

Acute infectious erythemas in children: a clinico-microbiological study.

One-hundred children with an acute illness comprising fever and widespread erythematous rash were prospectively studied to determine whether clinical presentations are helpful in defining the causative agent and to identify the most appropriate microbiological specimens. An infectious agent was identified in 65 children; 72% were viruses, 20% were bacteria, 5% were Mycoplasma pneumoniae and in 3% both viruses and bacteria were detected. The most common infectious agents were picornaviruses, an atypical presentation of measles and Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus. Different patterns of rash occurred with each of these infections. The clinical presentation of a child with an acute febrile illness and rash was unhelpful in defining the causative agent. Routine management should include a throat swab for bacterial investigation and in selected cases a blood sample for IgM viral titres.

Acute Disease↗

Childhood pemphigus foliaceus.

We describe a girl who presented at the age of 12 years with a blistering eruption on the lower limbs. One week later, numerous new bullae and blisters were present. Skin biopsy for histology and immunofluorescent studies established the diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus.

Azathioprine↗

Faecal incontinence due to perianal cellulitis.

A 4-year-old boy presented with a 6-week history of painful defaecation and faecal incontinence due to streptococcal perianal cellulitis. After treatment with a 10-day course of oral penicillin his symptoms had fully resolved. Early diagnosis and treatment of this under-recognised condition is essential.

Anus Diseases↗

Atopic eczema, hyponatraemia, and hypoalbuminaemia.

We describe an infant with atopic eczema, treated with homoeopathic medicines, who presented with erythema and limb oedema. Concentrations of urinary and plasma sodium and plasma albumin were low. On conventional treatment he made a satisfactory recovery.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗