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Biomedical subjects

H Mantouvalos

Publications and source records attributed to H Mantouvalos.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin given immediately after delivery to women with anaemia.

OBJECTIVE: Anaemia is a common problem during pregnancy and the puerperium. This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of giving recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to anaemic women during the puerperium. METHOD: Thirty-seven women received a single dose of EPO (20 000 IU intravenously) immediately after delivery. A control population (n = 37) matched according to age and haemoglobin concentration was evaluated. All women received oral iron supplementation for 40 days after delivery. Haemoglobin concentrations were measured 4 and 40 days after delivery. Blood transfusions were given depending on clinical condition and haemoglobin level. RESULTS: Patients treated with EPO had a significantly higher mean haemoglobin concentration than control patients at days 4 and 40. No women in the EPO group required a transfusion, compared with six in the control group. No side-effects and fewer anaemia-related symptoms were observed during EPO treatment. CONCLUSION: EPO given at delivery is effective in decreasing the need for blood transfusion and the incidence of problems associated with anaemia during the puerperium.

Adult↗

Increased resistance to activated protein C and factor V Leiden in recurrent abortions. Review of other hypercoagulability factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hereditary and acquired hemostatic abnormalities associated with recurrent spontaneous early (first-trimester) abortions. METHOD: A group of 56 Greek women with two or more unexplained primary spontaneous abortions, and a reference group of 148 women without a history of recurrent abortions, were screened for hypercoagulability. A randomly selected population of first-trimester pregnant women was also chosen for factor V Leiden genetic screening. RESULTS: A total of 21% of the women with recurrent abortions, compared with 12% of the reference group, showed increased activated protein C resistance. Fourteen per cent had positive lupus anticoagulant, compared with 11.5% of the reference group. For the rest of the parameters, there was no difference between the two groups. Of 22 women studied for factor V Leiden, one was homozygous and one was heterozygous. Results were compared using Fisher's exact test and two-tailed Student's t tests. CONCLUSIONS: Increased activated protein C resistance appears to be an important factor in women with recurrent abortions. These data indicate the need for routine investigation of activated protein C resistance in women with recurrent abortions.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Treatment of recurrent genital herpes with interferon alpha-2alpha.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of parenteral administration of interferon alpha-2alpha in the treatment of recurrent herpes genitalis. A total of 97 patients (66 males, 31 females, mean age 34.86 +/-16.74 years), who had at least five recurrences of genital herpes during the previous 12 months, participated in a prospective open study on the effects of treatment with interferon alpha-2alpha (Roferon-A; Roche). The patients were treated with interferon alpha-2alpha (3 x 10(6) IU) by subcutaneous injection, three times weekly for 4 weeks, and the same schedule was repeated after 3 and 6 months. All patients were asymptomatic at the start of the study. After initiation of treatment, all patients reported to the clinic every 3 months for 2 years (the males were submitted to peoscopy and the females to Pap test and colposcopy) at the time of their recurrences. Comparison was made of the number of recurrences, duration of lesions, duration and severity of pain, and itching and burning. Prophylactic administration of interferon alpha-2alpha prevented recurrences of genital herpes virus infection in 51 patients (20 males and 31 females). Interferon administration shortened the healing time from 8.5 days before treatment to 2.5 days after treatment (p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the number of recurrences during the study period, from 7.46 before treatment to 2.64 after treatment (p < 0.001). On the basis of the overall efficacy and adverse effects, this regimen may be of value in the routine treatment of recurrent herpes.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) with interferon alpha-2a, CO2 laser (vaporization) and 5-fluorouracil 5% (5-FU).

This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of CO2 laser (vaporization), 5-FU topical application and Interferon (IFN alpha-2a) parenterally in the therapy of penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). From March 1986 to September 1991, 1,372 men, sexual partners of women with condylomata accuminata or flat or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), were submitted to peoscopy, of 1,019 men who presented with various lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)-confirmed histologically-208 were treated for PIN. The best treatment modalities irrespective of grade of lesion were found to be the combination of 5-FU plus CO2 laser vaporisation plus IFN alpha-2a (high dose) (96.15%), the combination of 5-FU plus CO2 laser vaporization (87.09%) and the combination of CO2 laser vaporization plus IFN alpha-2a (high dose) (80%). It is concluded that IFN alpha-2a (low dose) can be used as first line treatment in combination with 5-FU in patients with PIN II and as an adjuvant treatment (high dose) in patients with recurrent PIN I and PIN III.

Administration, Topical↗

Treatment of men with flat (FC) or acuminata (CA) condylomata with interferon alpha-2a.

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of CO2 laser vaporization, 5-fluorouracil 5% (5-FU) topical application and Interferon alpha-2a (IFA alpha-2a) in the treatment of C.A. or F.C. of the male genital tract. From March 1986 to September 1991, 1372 men, sexual partners of women with F.C. or C.A. or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, were submitted to peoscopy. One thousand and nineteen (74.27%) men presented with various penile lesions caused by HPV (histologically confirmed); of these 505 were treated for C.A. or F.C. or a combination of F.C. and C.A. The best treatment modalities, irrespective of the kind of lesion, were found to be the combination of 5-FU plus IFN alpha-2a (high dose) (98.27%), the combination of CO2 laser vaporization plus 5-FU plus IFN alpha-2a (high dose) (93.93%) and the combination of CO2 laser vaporization plus 5-FU (87.23%). In conclusion we believe that IFN alpha-2a can be used with excellent results as first line treatment in combination with CO2 laser vaporization or/plus 5-FU in patients with C.A. or F.C. or combined condylomata.

Administration, Topical↗

Comparative study of systemic interferon alfa-2a plus isotretinoin versus isotretinoin in the treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum in men.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isotretinoin versus interferon alfa-2a plus isotretinoin in the treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum in 86 men. METHODS: Men were randomly assigned to group A (n = 42) who received isotretinoin 1 mg/kg orally daily until remission was achieved, but not more than 3 months, or to group B (n = 44) who received interferon alfa-2a 3 x 10(5) IU subcutaneously three times weekly until remission was achieved, but not more than 8 weeks, plus isotretinoin in the same dosage as in group A. RESULTS: The reduced duration of treatment to achieve remission was statistically significant in group B (2.18 versus 2.5 months; P < 0.01) and the recurrence rate was less in group B (4 of 44 versus 16 of 42; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are encouraging and demonstrated that the combination of isotretinoin plus interferon alfa-2a achieves higher remission rates and a shorter duration of treatment than isotretinoin alone.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of urethral condylomata acuminata or flat condylomata with interferon-alpha 2a.

The effectiveness of intraurethral 5-fluorouracil and systemic administration of interferon-alpha 2a in the therapy of condylomata acuminata or flat condylomata of the urethra is assessed. From March 1986 to September 1991, 1,372 male sexual partners of women with condylomata acuminata, flat condylomata or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia underwent urethroscopy and brush cytological examination of the urethra. Of these men 305 (22.23%) had intraepithelial human papillomavirus (confirmed cytologically) and 284 were treated. The best treatment modalities, regardless of the type of lesion, were the combinations of 5-fluorouracil plus high (95.34%) and low (70.58%) dose interferon-alpha 2a. Interferon-alpha 2a can be used as first line treatment with 5-fluorouracil cream in patients with intraurethral condylomata acuminata or flat condylomata.

Condylomata Acuminata↗

Correlation between histopathologic features and estrogen receptor status in primary breast cancer.

Relationships between certain histopathologic features of tumor specimens and estrogen receptor (ER) status were investigated. Lobular and ductal carcinomas were found to be richer in ER than other histologic types. Well differentiated carcinomas were more often hormone receptor positive than poorly differentiated tumors. Lymphocytic and plasmatocytic infiltration in and around the tumor as well as elastosis also appeared to be related positively to ER status.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Sex hormones in women on hemodialysis.

The pituitary-ovarian axis was studied in 12 women with a creatinine clearance of less than 5 ml/min per 17 m2, established on regular hemodialysis for at least 12 months. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels were found to be slightly lower than normal, luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma concentration generally elevated, while progesterone and estradiol values were extremely low. The major reproductive consequence of chronic renal failure in women on hemodialysis is a severe impairment in ovulatory function.

Adolescent↗