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Biomedical subjects

H R Turner

Publications and source records attributed to H R Turner.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Endemic blastomycosis in Mississippi: epidemiological and clinical studies.

In order to clarify the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of endemic blastomycosis, we reviewed the charts of 326 culture and/or histologically proven cases of blastomycosis in Mississippi from 1979 to 1988. Cases were dispersed throughout the state, but counties in central and south-central Mississippi reported 63% of all blastomycosis cases. The average annual incidence rate was 1.3 cases per 100,000 population. The majority of cases were in men (male to female ratio 1.7:1), and most patients were aged in their third through seventh decades (82%). Outdoor occupations were noted for only 28.9% of cases. Cases occurred throughout the year with no significant seasonal peak. Although 55% saw a physician within 7 days of onset of illness, 29% presented after 1 month. Despite early presentation, diagnosis was often delayed for more than 1 month (43.3%). Single organs were involved in 82.8% of cases. For all cases, organ systems involved included lungs (91.4%), skin (18.1%), bone (4.3%), genitourinary system (1.8%), and central nervous system (1.2%). The presence of skin or bone disease was associated with multiorgan involvement. Thirty-three patients died (11.5%), 6 of whom received no therapy. Patients who died were significantly older than those who survived. A successful outcome without relapse was noted in 86.5% of amphotericin B-treated patients and in 81.7% of ketoconazole-treated patients. The relapse rate for ketoconazole-treated patients was higher than for amphotericin B-treated patients (14% and 3.9% respectively).

Adolescent↗

Nocardial infections in renal transplant recipients.

Upon review of the English literature and the patients at our hospital, we identified 94 renal transplant recipients with nocardiosis. These patients were further evaluated and compared to nonrenal transplant patients with nocardiosis. We found that these patients were similar in presentation, course, and therapeutic outcome to non-transplant patients. Survival was related to underlying disease, site of infection, rapidity with which the diagnosis was made and, especially, the inclusion of a sulfa compound in the antimicrobial regimen. Transplant centers with high rates of Nocardia infection should consider trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for at least the first year after transplantation.

Adult↗

Clonorchiasis: an update.

The ability of Clonorchis sinensis to cause severe hepatobiliary disease is illustrated by the case we have reported, in which biliary obstruction and hepatic fibrosis resulted from the pathologic process associated with chronic clonorchiasis. Immunodiagnostic tests are currently limited, and diagnosis, as illustrated by our case, relies on identification of the fluke, usually as the adult or egg stage in clinical specimens. Praziquantel has revolutionized therapy of this disease, but surgical drainage may be necessary to relieve biliary obstruction. Physicians caring for emigrants or travelers from the Clonorchis endemic belt need to be aware of the manifestations of clonorchiasis to enhance diagnosis and therapy.

Aged↗

Cutaneous blastomycosis as a complication of transthoracic needle aspiration.

A patient with an ill defined density in the left upper lobe underwent transthoracic needle aspiration. A diagnosis of Blastomyces dermatitidis was made from the aspiration. The patient later returned with a cutaneous ulcer at the site of needle aspiration. B dermatitidis was subsequently recovered from the skin lesion.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Branhamella catarrhalis endocarditis in a patient receiving hemodialysis.

While Branhamella catarrhalis is now recognized as an important pathogen, this is only the fifth reported case of endocarditis caused by it. The production of beta-lactamase by many strains and its resistance to vancomycin and clindamycin complicate the choice of antibiotic therapy.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗

Specificity of siderophore receptors in membrane vesicles of Bacillus megaterium.

Membrane vesicles of Bacillus megaterium strains SK11 and Ard1 bound the ferrischizokinen and ferriferrioxamine B siderhores (iron transport cofactors). An approximately equimolar uptake of both labels of [3H, 59Fe]ferrischizokinen indicated binding of the intact chelate. Binding reached equilibrium in 2 to 5 min, was temperature independent, and was unaltered by the addition of several energy sources. A 91% dissociation of bound [Fe]ferrischizokinen was achieved in 60 s by the addition of excess ferrischizokinen. Ferriaerobactin, a siderophore which is structurally related to ferrischizokinen, caused no detectable release of bound [59Fe]ferrischizokinen. Of several other ferrigydroxamates tested, only ferriferrichrome A achieved the release (11%) of [Fe]ferrischizokinen. Rapid dissociation (92%) of bound [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B by the addition of ferriferrioxamine B was observed, and a 67% release of [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B was caused by ferriA2265, its structural relative. Ferrischizokinen, ferriferrichrome A, and ferrirhodotorulic acid produced a 6, 25, and 29% dissociation, respectively, of [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B; ferriaerobactin caused no dissociation. [59Fe]ferriaerobactin was bound by the membranes, but its dissociation was not effected by unlabeled ferriaerobactin, suggesting no specific receptors for this chelate. The respective binding affinity constants and maximal binding capacities of membrane vesicles of strain SK11 were 2 x 10(7) M-1 and 280 pmol per mg of protein for ferrischizokinen and 7 x 10(7) M-1 and 37 pmol per mg of protein for ferriferrioxamine B. These values in strain Ard1 were, respectively, 1.4 x 10(7) M-1 and 186 pmol per mg of protein for ferrischizokinen and 11 x 10(7) M-1 and 23 pmol per mg of protein for ferriferrioxamine B. Separate, specific binding sites (receptors) for ferrischizokinen and ferriferrioxamine B exist on the vesicles. The ferrischizokinen receptors have a lower affinity but a higher binding capacity (eightfold) than that shown by the ferriferrioxamine B receptor. These receptors may be components of independent transport systems.

Bacillus megaterium↗