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Biomedical subjects

H Wenzl

Publications and source records attributed to H Wenzl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Aminosalicylates and steroids in the treatment ot chronic inflammatory bowel diseases--consensus paper of the Working Group for Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases of the OGGH].

5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) and steroids constitute a cornerstone of medical therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Whereas the efficacy of 5-ASA in Crohn's disease (CD) is equivocal, ulcerative colitis (UC) is the main indication for this drug. In UC, 5-ASA is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acute disease and in maintenance of remission. Furthermore, 5-ASA topical therapy is an important treatment option in patients with mild to moderate proctitis and/or left-sided UC and shows additive efficacy to oral therapy. From retrospective data a chemo-preventative activity of long-term 5-ASA therapy in UC is delineated. Steroids are treatment of first choice for moderate to severe cases of CD and UC. Budesonide, a modified steroid with less side effects, plays a major role in the treatment of ileocolonic CD +/- involvement of the right colon and is used as treatment of choice in mild-to-moderate cases. In case of acute, severe disease conventional steroids are superior compared to budesonide and therefore budesonide should only be used after considerable improvement of disease activity. The necessity to apply steroids in a given patient represents a negative prognostic indicator for the course of disease and should incite the early introduction of immunosuppressive therapy in this case. Steroids are only effective as short term therapy of IBD and are to be avoided for maintenance treatment. In all cases of steroid therapy an osteoporosis prophylaxis with calcium and vitamin D is recommended. Topical steroid treatment is less effective in left-sided UC compared to 5-ASA.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗

Improved antigen and nucleic acid detection in a bovine virus diarrhoea eradication program.

A bovine viral diarrhoea/mucosal disease (BVD/MD) control and eradication program was introduced in Lower Austria in 1996, according to the Swedish model. An important risk factor for BVD transmission under local conditions is communal grazing where susceptible pregnant cattle from several herds may be mixed with unrecognised persistently infected (PI) animals. A reliable system for identification of PI animals is therefore essential for BVD eradication and steps were taken to improve a commercially available antigen-capture ELISA (Ag-ELISA) by modifying the method for leukocyte preparation and adjusting the negative cut-off value. A single-tube reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) employing panpestivirus 324/326 primers targeting the 5'-untranslated region of the virus genome was also simplified and used on pooled blood samples to facilitate larger sample throughputs. RT-PCR positive pools were analysed individually to identify infected animals. Seven hundred eighty-six samples were tested by Ag-ELISA according to the instruction manual and 5324 samples with the modified method. All 6110 samples were retested by RT-PCR. The percentage of RT-PCR positive results with doubtful and negative Ag-ELISA samples significantly diminished using the modified method (from 4.71 to 0.82%). Selected BVD viruses were genetically typed by PCR product sequencing; special attention being paid to RT-PCR amplicons from samples which were negative or doubtful by ELISA. However, no correlation was found between the phylogenetic grouping of the viruses and the Ag-ELISA results.

Age Factors↗

Serological cross-sectional study of paratuberculosis in cattle in Austria.

From 1995 to 1997, the prevalence of serum antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. av. ssp. ptbc.)--the causal agent of paratuberculosis (Johne's Disease)--was examined in 11,028 Austrian cattle. Samples from the four oldest cattle on 2757 farms were collected according to a specific sampling schedule for this epidemiological study. District, age and breed of animals were included as variables in this study. For antibody screening against M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis, a modified, commercially available ELISA (ALLIED Monitors, Fayette, USA) was employed. A total of 2253 samples that were found to be positive or questionable were subjected to further testing with a more specific ELISA (Institute of Microbiology and Infectious Animal Diseases). Results of this study were used for statistical analysis. The average prevalence of antibodies to M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis was 1.99% in Austria. The highest prevalence was seen in 6-year-old cattle (2.84%) and Holstein Frisian cattle (3.51%). Sero-positive animals were found on 6.96% of farms tested, and the prevalence was highest in Vorarlberg, followed by Salzburg, the Tyrol, Styria and Carinthia. This study is unique in Europe in the use of an adequate random sampling plan for an investigation of this magnitude.

Age Factors↗

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the serum of gastroenterologists in Austria.

Eighty-eight endoscopists (mean age 41 years, range 29-76 years) and a control group of 100 persons of similar ages were investigated for the prevalence of antibodies (ABs) to Helicobacter pylori, using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to IgG, two semiquantitative ELISAs to IgG and IgA, and a latex test to IgG and IgM antibodies. The prevalence of antibodies to H. pylori in endoscopists was 48% (quantitative ELISA), 56% (semiquantitative ELISA to IgG), 62% (latex test), and 57% by combined evaluation of semiquantitative ELISAS to IgG and IgA. The respective numbers in the control group were 47%, 48%, 48% and 51%. None of the differences was significant. In both groups, endoscopists and controls, there was a significantly higher H. pylori positivity in older subjects compared to younger persons, but there was no difference between the two groups. The prevalence of ABs was independent to the number of endoscopies previously performed, and independent of protective measures taken, such as wearing gloves during the procedures. Antibody titers as measured with quantitative ELISA showed a positive correlation with the length of time the subject had been active as an endoscopist, but no correlation with the total number of endoscopies performed. In conclusion, the prevalence of ABs to H. pylori in endoscopists follows the age-dependent pattern known from the general population. The regular performance of gastrointestinal endoscopies poses no additional risk of infection with H. pylori in Austria.

Adult↗

[Effect of cisapride on clearance of gallstone fragments after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of gallstones].

Stone fragments remaining in the gallbladder are an important problem after ESWL. Cisapride (CIS) improves gallbladder contraction and hence we decided to investigate whether clearance of stone fragments after ESWL for radiolucent gallbladder stones can be increased by cisapride. Six to 15 months (median 12) after ESWL 48 patients with remaining gallstone fragments of less than 5 mm in diameter were randomized either to Group A, who received cisapride 10 mg t.i.d. orally for 3 months in addition to oral litholysis (OLL) with ursodeoxycholic acid 500 mg/day and chenodeoxycholic acid 500 mg/day, or to Group B, who continued solely with OLL. All patients had started OLL within the fortnight-preceding ESWL. Gallbladder contractility, as measured by oral cholecystography with a fatty meal, was intact in all patients prior to ESWL. Maximal diameter and number of fragments were assessed by ultrasound (5 mHz) in different positions of the patient at the beginning of the study and after 3 months. Total clearance of fragments, which includes clearance of all sludge, occurred in only 3 patients, two of whom received only OLL. After 3 months the number of fragments decreased in 6 patients in Group A and in 7 patients in Group B. Three patients stopped taking cisapride before completion of the study, two because of diarrhoea, and one because of dysuria. All symptoms were readily reversible after discontinuing cisapride. In conclusion, cisapride combined with OLL does not enhance clearance of the gallbladder when fragments are still present one year after ESWL.

Administration, Oral↗

Cyclosporin for the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis.

The effect of cyclosporin was evaluated in six patients with severe ulcerative colitis not responding to at least 8 days of standard therapy with intravenous corticosteroids. Cyclosporin (5-7.5 mg/kg/day intravenously) was added while steroid therapy was continued. Five of 6 patients responded after a mean of 7 days and colectomy was not necessary. After 4 weeks three patients achieved clinical remission or had mild symptoms and were weaned from cyclosporin and corticosteroids without exacerbation within the next 7-15 months. Two patients improved and they were put on oral cyclosporin. One of them relapsed after 2 weeks and then responded to high dose corticosteroids. This patient is doing well at 8 months of followup on azathioprine and steroids. One patient stopped oral cyclosporin after 3 months abruptly and then had a relapse. He subsequently improved while refusing any medical therapy. Side effects of cyclosporin occurred in 2 patients but were mild and self limited and did not necessitate discontinuation of the drug. Cyclosporin appears to be effective in a large portion of patients with severe ulcerative colitis who failed to improve on corticosteroids and in whom colectomy would otherwise be considered.

Adult↗

Treatment of anemia in inflammatory bowel disease with recombinant human erythropoietin: results in three patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with anemia. Of 85 patients with IBD, 28 were anemic and had an inadequately low plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration. Three patients with a long-standing history of IBD and refractory chronic anemia (hemoglobin values < 10 g/dL, plasma EPO concentrations below 100 mU/mL) were treated with recombinant human EPO, which was administered subcutaneously three times per week at a dose of 200-300 U/kg of body weight. Bone marrow biopsy specimens taken before therapy showed slightly decreased erythropoiesis with a shift of erythroid precursors toward more immature stages. EPO treatment resulted in a marked increase in hemoglobin values in all 3 patients. Bone marrow biopsies after EPO therapy showed quantitatively and qualitatively normal erythropoiesis in all of them. Correction of anemia was followed by improved well-being, and all patients were able to cope much better with their IBD. In all three patients, there was an increase in body weight and their Karnofsky index improved. After a complete workup and exclusion of any other cause for anemia, erythropoietin treatment, although expensive, should be considered in patients with IBD and refractory anemia.

Anemia, Refractory↗

[Kala-azar acquired in Croatia].

Six weeks after his return from a two-week vacation in Croatia a 52 year-old janitor from Graz complained of loss of appetite, fever, headache, and a 9-kg weight loss. The spleen was enlarged to 16cm as measured by sonography. Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia, a prolonged prothrombin time and elevation of serum LDH concentration. While repeated bone marrow biopsy showed no signs of leishmaniasis, high antibody titers against leishmania antigen led to the diagnosis of kala-azar. The indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (1:128) and a haemagglutination-inhibition test (1:512) showed diagnostic elevations of titers. Therapy with pentostam led to prompt defervescence and resulted in a full recovery of the patient. After six weeks a marked decrease of antibody titers in the haemagglutination-inhibition test (1:16) could be observed. Leishmaniasis has to be considered in patients with fever of unknown origin who return from Mediterranean countries. Despite a negative bone marrow biopsy a diagnosis is possible on the basis of serological tests. This is important because effective therapy is available as illustrated by this patient and because of the fact that the disease runs a lethal course if the diagnosis is missed.

Animals↗

[Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in giant stones in the common bile duct--a case report].

A huge common bile duct stone of 6 to 3 cm in diameter in a 64 year old lady was approached by ESWL, after endoscopic therapy such as mechanical lithotripsy and removal with the Dormia basket had failed because of the extraordinary size of this stone. A surgical therapy was not possible because of pronounced vascular and cardiopulmonary risk, so ESWL was applied to this patient. The stone was fragmented in two sessions of ESWL under sonographic targeting and the fragments were removed endoscopically. After one month one fragment still remained in the common bile duct, which then was removed also endoscopically. Two months later the ERC showed a stone-free common bile duct. This case demonstrates, that even common bile duct stones of extraordinary size can be removed by combining ESWL with endoscopic techniques. Following the trend to minimally invasive therapy, sonography should be preferred over XRay in diagnosis before ESWL as well as during ESWL.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

[Traumatic cartilage damage of the knee joint].

Thirty-five traumatic lesions to cartilage were recorded, together with other injuries, from 225 arthroscopic examinations in two years. Most of the lesions (20) were located at the femoral condyle. The patella was involved in eight cases. However, if the patellar surface was related to the surface of the femoral condyles, the former was just as strongly affected by traumatic effects as the latter. No unambiguous localisation was possible in six cases, most of them smaller cartilage abrasions. Optional therapy proved to be applicable via the arthroscope in seven cases, while small incisions in the form of mini-arthrotomy were necessary in five cases. Arthrotomy was performed on 21 patients, and no therapeutic action at all was required in two cases. Complications included one transient soft-tissue infection and haemarthrosis of one patients who had to be punctured. Following very short-time immobilisation in plaster cast, the use of forearm walking supports was considered appropriate for short-term weight relief. A weight-relieving orthotic device with dynamic partial-loading facility was fitted for longer-term weight relief.

Aprotinin↗

[So-called nephrogenic adenoma (adenomatous metaplasia). A rare tumorous adenopapillary lesion of the urothelium in the urinary bladder in a 6-year-old boy following injury].

A 6-year-old boy developed an extensive adenopapillary proliferation of the urothelium of the urinary bladder--a nephrogenic adenoma (adenomatous metaplasia)--2 years after he had been injured in an accident, which was followed by operation and medical treatment. Histologically this lesion is characteristic. Like other epithelial tumors of the urinary tract, it is very rarely found in children. A dysontogenetic or metaplastic pathogenesis has been suggested. Once more is known about them, adenomas may be diagnosed more often. The clinical picture and therapy are briefly discussed and a review of the literature is given.

Adenoma↗

Animal experiments on the safety pharmacology of lofexidine.

These experiments were carried out to supplement the pharmacodynamic profile of 2[1-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)-ethyl]-2-imidazoline hydrochloride (lofexidine, Lofetensin and Loxacor), a potent hypotensive imidazoline derivative with a central mode of action. Effects indicative of a central sedative action were seen in various experiments on mice and rats. However, comparative studies with clonidine, particularly those involving the interaction with hexobarbital, the effect on motor coordination on a rotating rod, the effect on body temperature and other experiments, indicated that lofexidine had a 10 to 100 fold less sedative effect than clonidine, depending on the test and the route of administration. In rats there was a dose-related, diuretic and saluretic effect. This effect was not seen in dogs. In rabbits and guinea pigs, lofexidine exhibited local anaesthetic effects and its potency and duration of action were comparable to those of the reference compounds (tetracaine or mepivacaine). Lofexidine did not modify gastric secretion in rats. On the other hand, it inhibited chemically induced (phenylbutazone) and stress-induced (swimming) gastric ulcer formation in rats. Antiinflammatory and analgesic activities in rats and mice were, at most, very weak. Lofexidine increased blood glucose levels of normoglycaemic rats; clonidine is known to have the same effect. In order to investigate the possibility of combining lofexidine with a diuretic drug for the treatment of hypertension, the interaction with hydrochlorothiazide was studied in some experiments. The results obtained from these experiments showed that there was no adverse effect and the diuretic and saluretic effects of hydrochlorothiazide were not impaired. No findings militated against the use of lofexidine as an antihypertensive drug. It is likely that lofexidine, in contrast to clonidine, has less marked central sedative effects.

Aggression↗

[Pre- and postoperative clearance studies in the individual kidneys in juvenile kidney surgery].

In 1978 43 patients have been operated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Krankenhaus München-Schwabing, because of recurrent urinary-tract infections with ureterovesical reflux or obstructive urinary-tract diseases. In all patients a split whole body clearance-study with a method modified after the method of Mühle with 131J-Hippuran was carried out pre- or postoperatively, respectively. In 78,5% of these cases the clearance-results were corresponding to the results of x-ray examination; 6 of the remaining patients had a worse clearance result and 3 had a better result than the x-ray findings would have suggested.

Child↗