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Biomedical subjects

H S Kristensen

Publications and source records attributed to H S Kristensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Epstein-Barr virus in exfoliated cells from the postnasal space. Viral detection by polymerase chain reaction is not a useful means of screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in high-risk populations.

There is a high incidence of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NCP) in certain populations, including Greenland Eskimos. The cancer appears to have a causal association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is regularly found in NPC epithelial cells. With the aim of developing a method of screening or facilitating early diagnosis of NPC, we used the polymerase chain reaction to examine exfoliated nasopharyngeal cells for EBV in 54 Greenland and 17 white Danish subjects, none of whom was suspected of having NPC. EBV DNA was found in 81% of Greenland and 35% of Danish subjects. These findings support the concept of EBV infection leading in most cases to a chronic carrier state. It is concluded that EBV detection in nasopharyngeal cells is not at present a suitable method for identification of individuals at increased risk of developing NPC.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Loss of erythrocyte complement receptors (CR1; CD35) in patients with acute episodes of septicaemia or bacterial meningitis.

14 patients with septicaemia or bacterial meningitis were examined for serum levels of erythrocyte complement receptors CR1 (C3b/C4b; CD35) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) by a polyethylene glycol precipitation complement consumption method, and concentrations of complement C3d split products in plasma by intermediate gel rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The CR1 receptor levels were significantly lower on day 7-8 after admission than on day 1-2 (p = 0.01), and than the levels 3-4 months later (p = 0.002). Both the levels of IC in serum and the C3d concentrations were significantly higher on day 7-8 than 3-4 months later (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004). The mechanism behind a temporary decreased expression of CR1 in patients with acute episodes of septicaemia or purulent meningitis is not fully known, and further investigations are needed to clarify whether this reduction in erythrocyte CR1 causes an impaired disposal of IC in patients with infections.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in adults. Sixteen consecutive cases 1973-1982.

16 adult patients with Listeria monocytogenes meningitis were reviewed to see whether clinical features or initial laboratory findings could discriminate between these patients and patients with purulent meningitis of other causes. Six patients suffered from known predisposing diseases and 4 were alcoholics. The initial clinical picture was indistinguishable from meningitis of other causes. Microscopy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was negative in all cases but 2 where gram-positive rods were seen. CSF cytology and biochemistry could not discriminate from other causes of purulent meningitis although a low leucocyte content and a low percentage of neutrophils were often present. All L. monocytogenes strains isolated were sensitive to ampicillin and aminoglycosides whereas susceptibility to other antibiotics was low or varying. In adult patients suffering from purulent meningitis initial therapy should include ampicillin until an etiological diagnosis is established. The same is true in some cases of febrile encephalopathy with low content of neutrophils in CSF, especially when the glucose content is low.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Sequelae from bacterial meningitis and their relation to the clinical condition during acute illness, based on 667 questionnaire returns. Part II of a three part series.

During the years 1966-1976, 875 patients with bacterial meningitis were treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. In late 1979 and early 1980 a survey by questionnaire was conducted among survivors concerning the impact of the disease. Replies were received from 667 patients (96.4 per cent). The most common complaints after meningitis were headache (32 per cent) inability to concentrate (31 per cent), altered working capability (33 per cent) and loss of memory (24 per cent). Approximately 20 per cent suffered from impaired hearing, visual disturbances and dizziness. Five per cent had convulsions. Each questionnaire was evaluated for sequelae, and when present these were rated as mild, medium or severe. One-third of the patients had sequelae and in 6 per cent these were severe. Sequelae were most commonly associated with drowsiness, coma, agitation and confusion on admission to hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Eight hundred and seventy-five cases of bacterial meningitis. Part I of a three-part series: clinical data, prognosis, and the role of specialised hospital departments.

Between 1966 and 1976, 875 patients with bacterial meningitis were treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet. Among 495 patients admitted directly to the department, fatality rates were 0.4 per cent for meningococcal infections (including septicaemia), 3.7 per cent for haemophilus meningitis and 8.7 per cent for pneumococcal meningitis. The total fatality rate for directly admitted patients was 3.8 per cent, and 4.0 per cent had sequelae on discharge. Patients transferred from other hospitals often had complications, and their fatality rate (20.1 per cent) was markedly higher than that for directly admitted patients, but not significantly higher than that for patients treated elsewhere in Denmark (17.6 per cent). The low fatality at a specialised unit may reflect an open and swift admission procedure and the preparedness of staff familiar with the management of meningitis. During the first five years after discharge, the relative death risk was increased among meningitis patients but later declined to that found in the general population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

875 cases of bacterial meningitis: diagnostic procedures and the impact of preadmission antibiotic therapy. Part III of a three-part series.

Data on the bacteriological findings, diagnostic measures and clinical course of 875 patients with bacterial meningitis are presented. Findings from the medical records and from a follow-up questionnaire survey of 667 of these cases revealed no significant difference between patients treated with antibiotics before admission (pretreated) and those who were not treated before admission (non-pretreated) with respect to clinical condition on admission, mortality and late sequelae. Pretreatment was, however, associated with a longer duration of symptoms. Apart from cases due to Neisseria meningitidis, there were no significant differences in diagnostic findings between pretreated and non-pretreated cases. In the group of pretreated meningococcal patients, however, positive blood cultures, pleiocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positive cultures from sites other than blood and CSF were less frequent than in the non-pretreated cases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1975

Artificial hyperventilation during 21 years in three cases of complete respiratory paralysis.

Three patients with paralytic poliomyelitis have been ventilated via tracheostomy with uncuffed silver cannula for 21 years, with high tidal volumes of atmospheric air (8.3, 7.2, and 5.4 ml/kg b.wt.), at a frequency of 20, passive expiration, and without periodic hyperinflation. No pulmonary complications were seen during the whole of this period. The total compliance was significantly decreased. The pulmonary physiological shunt relative to the total pulmonary blood flow (Qs/Qt) was slightly increased. PaO2 was nevertheless normal, probably due to a high alveolar PO2 caused by the hyperventilation. The physiological dead space realtive to the tidal volume (VD/VT) was within the noraml range, but VD was high in one case. Two of the patients disclosed an extremely low CO2 production and a PaCO2 averaging 12 mmHg, with small fluctuations during a 24-hour study. This profound respiratory alkalosis was only partly compensated in the arterial blood (pH: 7.54 and 7.50), suggesting a new state of acid-base equilibrium. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate was significantly increased to about 4 mmol/l, but the patients revealed no signs of impaired cerebral function. A reduction of the degree of hypocapnia by the use of a mechanical dead space is recommended.

Adult↗