PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J A Jacobs

Publications and source records attributed to J A Jacobs.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Relationship between enzymatic markers of pulmonary cell damage and cellular profile: a study in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

It has been suggested that alterations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) reflect pathologic changes in the lung. Cytoplasmatic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and LDH isoenzymes are recognized indicators of cell damage or death. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relation between the enzyme activity and the cell types present in BALF. Therefore, BALF samples obtained from patients with various pulmonary disorders were studied. Out of these samples a group with mainly polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs; n = 15; Group I) and another with mainly alveolar macrophages (AMs; n = 10; Group II) were selected. Additionally, the value of analysis of lysed cells in BALF for assessment of LDH-isoenzyme patterns was examined. The cell-free fraction of BALF of Group II showed lower LDH and ALP activity compared to Group I. The LDH-isoenzyme pattern also differed, with the LDH3/LDH5 ratios being lower in all BALF samples with predominantly PMNs than in BALF samples with predominantly AMs. Lysis of the cells present in the BALF samples by sonication prior to LDH-isoenzyme analysis provided no additional information beyond that found by analysis of the cell-free BALF. In conclusion, determination of enzyme activity appears to be useful in monitoring pulmonary inflammation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

Does the cellular bronchoalveolar lavage fluid profile reflect the severity of sarcoidosis?

The aim of this study was to assess whether the cellular bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile, particularly the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), is associated with disease severity of sarcoidosis and its usefulness in determining remission. Twenty-six nonsmoking outpatients with sarcoidosis were included in this study. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to the absolute number of PMNs in BALF: < or =0.2x10(4) cells x mL(-1) (group 1; n = 15) and >0.2x10(4) cells x mL(-1) (group 2; n = 11). The radiographic stage, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings, 67Ga lung uptake as well as lung function tests differed significantly between group 1 and 2. Follow-up revealed that 14 (93.3%) patients of group 1 compared to four (36.4%) of group 2 recovered spontaneously without the help of corticosteroids. In contrast, no differences were found in the number of lymphocytes in BALF nor in the serum angiotensin converting enzyme (sACE) level between both groups. The number of PMNs, the transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TL,CO), the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and one of the HRCT subscores discriminated between patients with different disease progression. Of these parameters the PMNs appeared to be the only one which differentiated patients who demonstrated remission and those who deteriorated. In conclusion, these results indicate that the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid distinguish between sarcoidosis patients who demonstrated remission and those having a more severe course of the disease. Whether polymorphonuclear neutrophils may be considered as markers of disease activity and/or prognosis in sarcoidosis needs further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A nucleotide-specific polymerase chain reaction assay to differentiate rabies virus biotypes in South Africa.

Antigenic and nucleotide sequence analyses have shown that two distinct biotypes of rabies virus are circulating in South Africa. One of these typically infects members of the family Canidae, while the other comprises a heterogeneous group of apparently indigenous viruses, infecting members of the Viverridae family. In recent times, it has become evident that a considerable amount of cross-infection may occur and the manifestation of viverrid rabies in non-viverrid animals in particular appears to have become more commonplace. Consequently, the need to rapidly distinguish between rabies virus biotypes has become increasingly important in efforts to monitor the epidemiology of rabies in the southern African region. In this study, a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to distinguish between these two groups of rabies viruses. Consensus oligonucleotides were used to amplify the cytoplasmic domain of the rabies virus glycoprotein and the adjacent intergenic region. The resultant amplicon was subsequently used as template in second round heminested PCR in the presence of type-specific primers, thereby successfully generating amplicons of characteristic size for each biotype.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pulmonary infiltration associated with myelodysplasia.

Four case histories are reported in which the initial signs and symptoms were those of pulmonary infiltration and in which subsequently a diagnosis of myelodysplasia was made. The analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid--demonstrating predominantly neutrophils and lymphocytes, and, occasionally blast cells as well as plasma cells--indicated that the pulmonary infiltration was related to the myelodysplastic process. As no other causes of pulmonary infiltration could be found, it seems that a pulmonary infiltrate can be the presenting symptom of a myelodysplastic syndrome. Although pleuropulmonary infiltrates most often are caused by infections, these cases illustrate that myelodysplasia related infiltrates should also be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Respiratory effects of organic solvent exposure.

Organic solvents are widely used in industrial processes and found in many common household products. Exposures to solvents are common in both idustrialized and industrializing countries. While organic solvents exposure is well known to produce central nervous system toxicity, hepatic, renal and dermatologic injury, the respiratory effects of solvent exposure are poorly documented. Several recent population-based epidemiologic studies have found an independent association of occupational solvent exposure with respiratory symptoms, impaired pulmonary function or respiratory disease, but interpretation of these studies is limited by self-reported exposure data. Animal studies have demonstrated adverse effects in both the conducting and the respiratory airways, although often at very high exposure levels. Human chamber studies have most consistently reported irritation of the eyes, nose and throat without evidence of airway hyper-responsiveness. Case series have observed obstructive and restrictive effects in patients with high level inhalational exposures to solvents, particularly formaldehyde, but occupational epidemiologic studies have not consistently demonstrated changes in pulmonary function. Finally, mortality studied have not found increased mortality rates from respiratory disease in occupations associated with solvent use. In general, solvents have been demonstrated to cause mucosal irritation of the eyes and upper airways, but studies of pulmonary impairment following exposure have been limited and inconsistent. Solvent-mediated respiratory toxicity is biologically plausible, but further research is needed to better characterize exposures and to elucidate the specific mechanisms associated with injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

In-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the "Streptococcus milleri' group (Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus intermedius).

A collection of 423 clinical "Streptococcus milleri' strains was speciated and tested for susceptibilities to twelve antibiotics. Only 1.4% of the strains were of intermediate susceptibility to penicillin. None of the strains exhibited high-level resistance to gentamicin. Strains resistant to erythromycin, roxithromycin and clindamycin were found with a frequency of 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.4% respectively. Doxycycline resistance was found in 5.7% of the strains and occurred most frequently in Streptococcus anginosus. All the strains were susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and teicoplanin. The results of this study do not indicate changing antibiotic resistance in strains of the "S. milleri' group, but local differences in antibiotic susceptibilities may occur.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Rapid species identification of "Streptococcus milleri" strains by line blot hybridization: identification of a distinct 16S rRNA population closely related to Streptococcus constellatus.

A collection of 399 "Streptococcus milleri" strains were identified to the species level by the use of a line blot assay. Their PCR-amplified partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were hybridized with species-specific 5'-biotinylated oligonucleotide probes homologous to the bp 213 to 231 regions of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the type strains Streptococcus anginosus ATCC 33397, Streptococcus constellatus ATCC 27823, and Streptococcus intermedius ATCC 27335. The hybridization results were compared with the reference phenotypic identification method data (R. A. Whiley, H. Fraser, J. M. Hardie, and D. Beighton, J. Clin. Microbiol. 28:1497-1501, 1990). Most strains (357 of 399 [89.5%]) reacted unambiguously with only one probe. However, 42 of the 399 strains (10.5%) reacted with both the S. constellatus- and S. intermedius-specific probes; 41 of them were phenotypically identified as S. constellatus. These dually reactive strains hybridized with a 5'-biotinylated probe based on the bp 213 to 231 region of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of one of two species. Analysis of the 5' ends of the 16S rRNA gene sequences (487 bp) demonstrated that the dually reactive strains represent a distinct rRNA population sharing 98.1% sequence similarity with S. constellatus. Phenotypic consistency between the dually reactive strains and the S. constellatus strains was not demonstrated. Line blot hybridization proved to be a simple and inexpensive method to screen large numbers of strains for genetic relatedness, and it allowed the detection of a distinct 16S rRNA type within the "S. milleri" group.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1996

BAL fluid LDH activity and LDH isoenzyme pattern in lipoid pneumonia caused by an intravenous injection of lamp oil.

A 30 year old man developed lipoid pneumonia after an injection of lamp oil. In addition to "foamy" alveolar macrophages, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis showed an increased number of neutrophils. Moreover, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase activities were elevated. The increase seen in LDH activity both in serum and BAL fluid was accompanied by shifts in the isoenzyme pattern in similar directions for both fluids. These findings suggest a pulmonary source for the temporary serum as well as BAL fluid LDH increase. This case indicates the usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis as a probe to detect pulmonary injury caused by a pneumotoxicant and, probably, to monitor recovery or deterioration.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Hydrolytic enzymes of Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus intermedius in relation to infection.

A collection of 518 'Streptococcus milleri' strains was tested for the presence of hydrolytic enzymes, and the results were related to the clinical significance of the strains. Ribonuclease activity was equally distributed among the three species while hyaluronidase activity was linked to Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus constellatus. Both enzymes were not significantly associated with infection-related strains. Deoxyribonuclease and chondroitin sulfatase activity tended to be present more frequently in Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus constellatus and was associated with infection-related strains (p < 0.001).

Chondroitin Sulfates↗
PubMed1995

Study of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus isolated in a hospital ward using phenotypic characterization.

Thirty-one isolates of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus were cultured from the blood (n = 6), throat (n = 23) and sputum (n = 2) of 18 hospitalized patients, 13 of whom were neutropaneic and five of whom were non-neutropaneic. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, performed by means of a broth microdilution method, showed that the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin were > or = 4 mg/l for the isolates collected from neutropaenic patients. All these patients received ciprofloxacin as part of their prophylactic regimen. In contrast, the MICs for four of five isolates collected from non-neutropaenic patients, none of whom were receiving ciprofloxacin, were < or = 2 mg/l. In addition, 14 of the 31 isolates were cultured from seven neutropaenic patients, admitted to the same ward over a 12-week period. To evaluate possible cross-acquisition of strains between patients, cluster analysis of all 31 isolates was performed using phenotypic characteristics, MIC values and acid production from carbohydrates (API 50 CH). Overall, 22 isolate clusters were distinguished. In five of 18 patients, two or more isolates were cultured which belonged to different clusters. In only one patient, identical isolates were cultured from blood and from the throat. All six isolates of cluster 7 were cultured within the aforementioned 12-week period from three neutropaenic patients. These data support the possibility of cross-acquisition of strains between patients although its frequency seems to be low.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

Viridans streptococci isolated from the bloodstream. Relevance of species identification.

Over a 4-year-period, 104 isolates belonging to the viridans streptococci were recovered from the blood and identified to the species according to Beighton and co-workers. Streptococcus oralis was the species most frequently recovered from patients in the hematology unit [29 of 39 (74%)]. Streptococcus mitis ranked second [seven of 39 (18%)]. Both species were associated with oromucositis. Isolates presently identified as S. oralis are mainly those previously identified as S. mitis or Streptococcus sanguis II. Streptococcus milleri was most frequently isolated in the patients from the general hospital population [28 of 65 (43%) isolates]: Streptococcus anginosus (n = 20), Streptococcus constellatus (n = 4), and Streptococcus intermedius (n = 4). In 14 episodes from the general hospital population, clinical significance was judged questionable. From this part of the laboratory, clinical significance could not be predicted from the number of blood cultures grown, nor from the delay of growth detection. The Rapid ID 32 Strep system agreed well with the identifications according to the scheme of Beighton et al., whereas the API 20 Strep system did not.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus intermedius. Clinical relevance, hemolytic and serologic characteristics.

A collection of 518 "Streptococcus milleri" isolates recovered from clinical specimens was identified to the species level according to recently established criteria. Streptococcus anginosus was the most frequently isolated species (59.3%), followed by S constellatus (30.3%) and S intermedius (10.4%). One third (34%) of all isolates were beta-hemolytic. The majority of S anginosus isolates were nonhemolytic, carried Lancefield group F, or were nongroupable. Most of the S constellatus isolates were beta-hemolytic, as well as 16.6% of S intermedius strains. Streptococcus anginosus was recovered more often from the genital and urinary tracts and S constellatus was recovered from the thorax. Streptococcus intermedius was mostly found in the head and neck area, but was also isolated from the abdomen and the skin, bone, and soft tissue. Streptococcus intermedius and nonhemolytic isolates were recovered most often from abscess-related specimens.

Adolescent↗