PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Joly

Publications and source records attributed to J Joly.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Potable water as a cause of sporadic cases of community-acquired legionnaires' disease.

BACKGROUND: The environmental sources of sporadic, community-acquired legionnaires' disease are largely unknown, and culturing of water sources after identification of a case is currently not recommended. We conducted a prospective study of sporadic cases of community-acquired legionnaires' disease to determine whether the environmental reservoirs could be identified. METHODS: We cultured samples of potable water obtained from sources to which each of 20 patients with culture-confirmed, community-acquired legionnaires' disease had been exposed during the two weeks before the onset of symptoms. Monoclonal-antibody subtyping and restriction-endonuclease analysis were performed on the legionella isolates recovered from both the patients and the associated environmental cultures. RESULTS: For 8 of the 20 patients, isolates of Legionella pneumophila with identical subtypes were identified in cultures from both the patient and the potable water to which the patient had been exposed. The environmental reservoirs linked to the infections were the water supplies of two private residences, two nursing homes, two hospital outpatient clinics, and an industrial plant. CONCLUSIONS: Potable-water supplies that harbor L. pneumophila are an important source of community-acquired legionnaires' disease. Future studies should include attempts to identify the environmental sources of this infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A nonsteroidal follicular factor is involved in maturation process of Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Xenopus laevis postvitellogenic ovarian follicles release into conditioned medium nonsteroidal factor(s) that potentiate progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. The molecular weight of this factor is between 1000 and 10,000 Da. The potentiating activity is suppressed when follicles are incubated with cyanoketone to inhibit steroidogenesis, suggesting that the secretion of the potentiating factor can be modulated in vitro. These results indicate that the steroid-independent pathway in vitro, previously reported in oocytes exposed to insulin or IGF-1 to induce meiotic resumption, may be of physiological importance.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Sexual steroids in Salamandra salamandra (L.) during ontogeny.

In order to investigate the ontogeny of steroid secretions during the juvenile phase, sexual steroids were extracted and assayed after chromatographic separation in the gonads and plasma of male and female salamanders Salamandra salamandra L. at three characteristic postlarval stages. All specimens were collected in the wild. The immature stage is characterized, in the female, by high dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5 alpha-androstandiol levels, low progesterone concentration, and an absence of testosterone in the ovary. Just before sexual maturity a regular increase in plasma levels of estradiol and testosterone was observed. In the male, progesterone and DHT are at a relatively high level in the testis of the immature stage but concentrations decrease in subadults. In young adults, concentrations of progesterone are greater than they are in the immature animals. Sexual maturity is characterized by a large increase in testicular and plasma testosterone as well as a relative decrease in DHT, 5 alpha-diols, and estrone. The progesterone liberated into the plasma was negligible. Diols seem to play an important part in the ontogeny of sexual function.

Androstane-3,17-diol↗
PubMed1991

Control of endemic nosocomial legionnaires' disease by using sterile potable water for high risk patients.

In a setting where potable water is contaminated with Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, we performed two case control studies. The first case control study consisted of 17 cases of nosocomial Legionnaires' disease (LD) and 33 control (the patients who were admitted to the ward where the case was admitted immediately before and after the case) subjects. Cases had a higher mortality rate 65% vs 12% (P less than 0.004); were more likely to have received assisted ventilation (P less than 0.00001); to have nasogastric tubes (P less than 0.0004) and to be receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy (P less than 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, sterile water was used to flush nasogastric tubes and to dilute nasogastric feeds. Only 3 cases of nosocomial LD occurred during the next year compared with 12 the previous year (P less than 0.0001). Nine cases subsequently occurred and formed the basis for the second case-control study. Eighteen control subjects were those patients admitted to the same unit where the case developed LD, immediately before and after the case. The mortality rate for the cases was 89% vs 6% for controls (P less than 0.00003). The only other significant difference was that cases were more likely to be receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy 89% vs 39% (less than 0.01). We hypothesized that microaspiration of contaminated potable water by immunocompromised patients was a risk factor for nosocomial Legionnaires' disease. From 17 March 1989 onwards such patients were given only sterile potable water. Only two cases of nosocomial LD occurred from June 1989 to September 1990 and both occurred on units where the sterile water policy was not in effect. We conclude that aspiration of contaminated potable water is a possible route for acquisition of nosocomial LD in our hospital and that provision of sterile potable water to high risk patients (those who are receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs; organ transplant recipients or hospitalized in an intensive care unit) should be mandatory.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1990

Incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers.

Athlete's foot is a dermatophytic infection frequently found in adults. This disease is, in some cases, asymptomatic. In order to evaluate the incidence of subclinical infection, we obtained 300 toe-web samples from the fourth interdigital space of 150 regular swimmers. More over, 66 specimens from the pool area were analysed. The method used was the carpet technique described by Mariat et al. (10). The fungal isolates were identified according to standard methods. A list of epidemiological data was completed for every swimmer. In our results, 22 swimmers had positive cultures (15%), 8 of these cases had no lesions (36%). They included 7 infections with Trichophyton mentagrophytes (87.5%) and one with T. rubrum (12.5%). We observed one case with a dual infection. Only one sample from the inanimate environment was positive. This study showed a significant incidence of occult athlete's foot in swimmers. To control this endemic problem, adequate preventive measures must be taken.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Interest of biotyping Candida albicans in chronic vulvovaginitis.

Chronic vulvovaginitis due to Candida albicans is a major clinical problem for the physician. Although new antifungal drugs are now available, the therapeutic approach of this disease remains disappointing. The aims of this study were two-fold. First, we wanted to evaluate the reliability of a single sampling performed by most clinicians in verifying if the yeast infects the entire genital mucosa or a preferential site and, second, to biotype the strains recovered in order to see if more than one strain are responsible for the infection. We found, in 18 patients suffering from vaginal candidosis, that the entire genital mucosa was infected by the yeast and the strain recovered from the different genital sites in a single patient was the same in 100% of the cases. Only 1.4% of the samples were negative. In addition, we biotyped the strains obtained from the gastrointestinal tract of these patients to evaluate this site as a potential source of infection. We obtained gastrointestinal tract samples for 15 of the 18 patients and we could identify C. albicans in 100% of the cases. Furthermore, 73.3% of the patients harboured the same strains of C. albicans in the gastrointestinal tract as in the vagina.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of cutaneous candidosis in guinea pigs: effect of zinc oxide on the antifungal efficacy of nystatin.

This article describes the in vivo evaluation of a new topical preparation (Zincostatin) indicated for Candida albicans infected diaper rash. In order to study the influence of the 20% zinc oxide (W/W) (a protectant) on the anti-candidal efficacy of the 100,000 U/g of nystatin found in the ointment, groups of guinea pigs received different treatments with or without local occlusion. Zinc oxide, nystatin, or the combination of both were applied, in the ointment base, on the backs of the animals inoculated with a fresh strain of Candida albicans. Macroscopic and microbiological evaluation of the skin lesions were assessed at regular intervals during 21 days. While the two treatments containing nystatin were more effective than zinc oxide alone, the latter agent did not decrease the efficacy of the antifungal drug in combination therapy. Also, zinc oxide seemed to afford some protection against local maceration induced by occlusion, which increased the severity of the infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of molecular methods for subtyping patients and epidemiologically linked environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila.

We used the molecular techniques of monoclonal antibody typing, plasmid analysis, and outer membrane protein profiling to subtype 159 patients' and environmental (water distribution system) isolates of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 from 18 institutions. The ability of these techniques to match patients' and epidemiologically linked environmental isolates from outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease at seven institutions was also compared. Two different panels of monoclonal antibodies (I and II) identified nine subtypes (one new disease-causing subtype) and six subtypes, respectively. The Bellingham 1 subtype type was the most common among environmental isolates, and the Philadelphia 1 subtype predominated among patients' isolates from all institutions except the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The source of an isolate (patient vs. environment) and its monoclonal antibody subtype were significantly associated (P less than .01). With use of the molecular techniques tested, the subtypes of patients' isolates were identical to those of epidemiologically linked environmental isolates from the same hospital.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Immunologic diversity among serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila urinary antigens demonstrated by monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

We tested urine specimens from 222 patients with serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila pneumonia in two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) which used different monoclonal antibodies (A and B) as detector antibodies. Of 171 specimens which contained enough antigen to be detected in the ELISAs, 169 reacted in only one of the two assays. A total of 25 patients whose infections were acquired in any of three Indianapolis hospitals excreted antigen reactive with monoclonal antibody B, but 18 patients who were treated for infections acquired elsewhere reacted with monoclonal antibody A. The urinary antigen ELISA reactivity patterns correlated with the reactivity patterns of L. pneumophila isolates when a separate panel of seven monoclonal antibodies was used. The isolate patterns, in turn, correlated well with environmental isolate patterns from two of the hospitals with nosocomial cases. We conclude that at least two different epitopes exist on the antigen molecules in urine from patients with serogroup 1 L. pneumophila pneumonia and that the subtyping of urinary antigens can be useful epidemiologically.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Medulloadrenal secretion and peripheral sympathomimetic receptors in familial dysautonomia].

A case of familial dysautonomia in a 30-year old woman with severe postural hypotension is reported. A study of adrenal medulla secretion showed that it was inadapted to the fall in blood pressure, with no increase in dopamine secretion. Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia had no effect on adrenal medulla secretion. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate were studied after administration of alpha- and beta-adrenergic drugs combined with fludrocortisone. The increase observed in blood pressure and heart rate suggests that peripheral catecholamine receptors are present in dysautonomic patients. The best treatment of postural hypotension in these patients seems to be a dihydroergotamine-fludrocortisone combination.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for Leydig cell tumours in adult men revealed by gynaecomastia.

Gynaecomastia caused by Leydig cell tumours (LCT) in adult men may appear a long time before clinical evidence of testicular swelling. To evaluate the diagnostic criteria for LCT, hormonal status was studied in 14 cases and compared with results of a control group (CG) and 10 men with idiopathic gynaecomastia (IG). The mean plasma T level was significantly (P less than 0.005) lower in LCT (16.7 +/- 1.7 SEM nmol/l) than in CG (23.0 +/- 1.3 nmol/l). However, individual plasma T levels were in the normal range in 9/14 LCT. The mean plasma E2 level was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in LCT (204.9 +/- 27.6 pmol/l) than in CG (87.9 +/- 7.7 pmol/l). However, individual plasma E2 levels were in the normal range in 5/14 LCT. In LCT, neither means of basal gonadotrophin levels nor the gonadotrophin responses to LHRH were different from CG. The mean of the plasma T responses to hCG did not differ between LTC, CG and IG. However the mean of E2 peak responses appeared significantly (P less than 0.005) higher in LCT (735.3 +/- 103.4 pmol/l) than in CG (420.5 +/- 40.4 pmol/l). The mean of the E2 peak responses was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in IG (196.5 +/- 33.4 pmol/l) than in CG. Likewise the mean of plasma E2 levels, measured on day three following hCG administration, remained significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in LCT (662 +/- 94 pmol/l) than either in CG (228 +/- 14 pmol/l) or in IG (158 +/- 25 pmol/l). On day 3 following hCG administration, there was no overlap in individual plasma E2 levels between either LCT and CG or LCT and IG. In all LCT, plasma beta-hCG levels were in the normal range. A testicular echogram, performed in 12 LCT, confirmed the presence of a palpable tumour in 10 and revealed an occult tumour in two cases. We conclude that normal plasma beta-hCG levels, a prolonged plasma E2 response to hCG and testicular echogram appear to be the best criteria for early diagnosis of LCT responsible for gynaecomastia in adult men.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Hashimoto's thyroiditis with intra-thyroid production of a monoclonal antithyroglobulin autoantibody].

A 46-year old man had an Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The disease was particular by the voluminous goiter, associated with pressure symptoms and by the presence of a monoclonal Ig.G Kappa. Because of a possibly associated lymphoma of the thyroid, a total thyroidectomy was performed. Post-operative course showed a rapid and total disappearance of monoclonal Ig.G and antithyroglobulin autoantibodies. There was no pathological feature of thyroid malignancy. We could show that the monoclonal Ig.G bore an antithyroglobulin activity and that this monoclonal antithyroglobulin autoantibody was produced with in the thyroid. This case demonstrate that a monoclonal proliferation can arise from autoreactive B lymphocytes infiltrating the thyroid during Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Such a mechanism could explain, in some cases, the well-known association between lymphomas of the thyroid and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1979

A study of 666 strains of Candida albicans: correlation between serotype and susceptibility to 5-fluorocytosine.

The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and the serotypes were determined for 666 strains of Candida albicans isolated from white patients in Canada. Of these strains, 495 (74.3%) were serotype A and 71 (25.7%) were serotype B. Resistance to 5-FC (MIC, greater than or equal to 25 microgram/ml) was observed in 11.3% of the serotype A strains and in 49.7% of the strains of serotype B. Most specimens were from the urogenital and respiratory tracts. The results showed the difference between the distribution of the two serotypes of C. albicans in North America and that in Europe. Serotyping of C. albicans strains by indirect immunofluorescence is a rapid means of predicting the de novo sensitivity of this year to 5-FC. The specificity of this technique for the isolated strains was approximately 79%.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Myxedema heart].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Heart Diseases↗