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Biomedical subjects

I Filthuth

Publications and source records attributed to I Filthuth.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Aerosolized rhDNase in cystic fibrosis: effect on leucocyte proteases in sputum.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), large amounts of free leucocyte proteases are present in bronchial secretions, contributing to progressive lung damage. Recombinant, human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) is a new therapeutic agent that decreases sputum viscosity. However, deoxyribonuclease has been shown, in vitro, to release cationic enzymes from complexes with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The present study was conducted to assess this effect in vivo. Free human leucocyte elastase (HLE), human leucocyte cathepsin G (HCG), total chemotactic activity, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined in sputum from eight patients before, during and after rhDNase treatment. After 15 days of treatment, HLE activity increased by 81+/-44% (NS), and HCG by 189+/-70% (p<0.05). One week after stopping a 4-6 months treatment, HLE activity decreased by 35+/-18% (p<0.05), and HCG by 43+/-11% (p<0.05). Sputum bacterial density, chemotactic activity, and IL-8 concentration did not change. Thus, treatment with rhDNase can indeed increase the activity of HLE and HCG in the bronchial secretions of CF patients, and this effect is still detectable after several months of treatment. If this can be shown to be clinically relevant, combination therapy of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease with protease inhibitors should be considered as an approach to the problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Penicilliosis marneffei infection in AIDS.

Penicillium marneffei infection has emerged as a new potential indicator disease for AIDS in Southeast Asia. We report two additional cases of P. marneffei infection in patients infected with HIV who had traveled to endemic areas and review the mucocutaneous features of previously reported cases. Our two patients had many of the typical features associated with invasive infection: fever, weight loss, anemia, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as skin manifestations such as papular molluscum contagiosum-like lesions and oral lesions. Knowledge of cutaneous signs is important for prompt diagnosis of P. marneffei infection and institution of life-saving therapy with antifungal agents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis as a powerful epidemiologic tool in yeast infections.

To examine the longitudinal and cross-sectional patterns of yeast colonization in critically ill patients using genotypic characteristics defined by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) gel electrophoresis, 322 clinical isolates of Candida species were prospectively collected from 29 critically ill patients under routine surveillance over a 6-month period. All isolates, recovered from multiple anatomic sites and from the same sites on different days, were characterized by several identification methods (germ tube test), phenotyping (API system), and genotyping (electrophoretic karyotyping). Electrophoretic karyotype (EK) was determined using pulsed field electrophoresis with the CHEF technique. We used a karyotyping system for Candida albicans (EK code) that facilitated intraspecies delineation. C. albicans colonized 83% of the 29 patients. Candida sp. strains isolated from an individual patient had an identical EK pattern, even when isolated from different body sites, and remained the same over a prolonged period, up to 140 days. EK delineated not only the different Candida species, but also different strains of C. albicans. Strains of C. albicans isolated from different patients were distinguished using the EK pattern, but not API system. Minor variations in EK pattern could be demonstrated in a minority of strains recovered from four patients and were interpreted as chromosomal rearrangements between parent strains. Severe candidal infections, including eight episodes of fungemia, occurred in 11 of 29 patients (38%). All patients had been previously colonized with strains with identical EK patterns. Infection occurred a mean of 25 days after initial surveillance cultures grew yeast. No horizontal transmission could be demonstrated during the study period. In conclusion, EK is a reproducible, stable marker allowing inter-, as well as, intraspecies Candida strain delineation. EK strain delineation is a useful tool in candidal epidemiologic and pathogenic studies. Yeast colonization with the same strain preceded infection in critically ill patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Intraocular listeriosis].

Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis is an uncommon localization. Its evolution is usually complicated by disabling functional visual loss. We report a case occurring in a peculiar epidemiological context. Early diagnosis by paracentesis allowed consequent antibiotic therapy. The evolution has been dramatically favorable. Early treatment allowed an excellent functional recovery when compared to the reported cases of the literature.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1983

Bacteriological study of amniotic fluid during labor.

Amniotic fluid from 207 women in labor was analysed at the time of artificial rupture of membranes or by amniocentesis. The following organisms were identified in concentrations of more than 1 000/ml: Staphylococcus aureus (1), Propionibacterium (1), E. coli (1), group B Streptococci (3), Lactobacilli (16). The 6 patient-carriers of pathogens became infected as did 4 of their babies. Leukocyte counts and LDH levels performed on amniotic fluid did not correlate with the appearance of symptoms of infection. Quantitative bacteriology of amniotic fluid seems to be of value in identifying patients at high risk of developing endometritis and/or neonatal sepsis.

Amniotic Fluid↗