Nonhealing perianal ulcer.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Knispel.
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BACKGROUND: With the increasing incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and immunosuppressive therapy, the incidence of syphilis has been increasing. Given the fact that the above conditions may mask or obscure the usual clinical signs and symptoms of syphilis, a means of enhanced detection is essential. AIMS METHODS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether an immunoperoxidase method using an antibody against treponemes would increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis in biopsies of patients with secondary syphilis. This was compared to serology and silver stain in cases of known syphilis. RESULTS: Immunoperoxidase for treponemes was at least as sensitive (9/10) as pathology (9/10), and more sensitive than conventional silver stain (6/10) or serology (7/10). CONCLUSIONS: In those equivocal cases of secondary syphilis, where confirmation is essential, immunoperoxidase for treponemes may be a useful adjunct.
BACKGROUND: In the development of an antimelanoma vaccine, a critical factor is the identification of antigens that induce a strong immune response in humans and that are expressed by melanoma cells in vivo. The aim of this study was to identify candidate antigens for such vaccine. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with surgically resected melanomas (American Joint Commission on Cancer [AJCC] stage III) were immunized with a polyvalent vaccine containing multiple melanoma antigens. Antimelanoma antibodies generated in the patients' sera were used as probes to identify the melanoma antigens that are immunogenic in humans and that are expressed on the tumor tissue in vivo. Such responses were determined by an immunoblotting assay that employed an antigen source prepared from membrane fractions of freshly excised melanoma tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine treatment stimulated antibody responses in 35 (51%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 39%-63%) of 69 sequentially enrolled patients. The antibodies were directed to one or more antigens with molecular masses of 45, 59, 68, 79, 89, 95, and/or 110 kd. The most immunogenic antigens were p110 and p68, which induced responses in 33% (95% CI = 22%-44%) and 25% (95% CI = 15%-35%) of patients, respectively. Both antigens were commonly expressed on different melanomas, but they were absent on autologous normal tissue and on an unrelated allogeneic tumor. All the above antigens are attractive candidates for vaccine construction.
The incidence of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) in West Germany was determined using a novel method which is applicable to other autosomal recessively inherited diseases. Questionnaires were sent to all pediatric departments (answer rate 189/276, 68%), schools for the blind (39/46, 85%), and neuropathological institutes (15/22, 68%). Diagnoses were accepted only when based on firm clinical and/or electron microscopic criteria; 207 such identified patients were sorted according to year of birth. Plotting the cumulative number of new cases per year against the year of birth resulted in a slightly S-shaped curve. Before the year 1962, the curve is relatively flat, probably due to inefficient case registration. Between 1968 and 1977, the slope of the curve is constant--a steep, nearly straight line. Thereafter the curve flattens out again, likely due to inefficient registration of young, still undiagnosed patients. We interpret the central segment of the curve, which is continuously straight over a period of 10 years and corresponds to 92 patients, as a period in which efficient registration of new cases occurred. The number of live births being 7,211,543 during the same period, the NCL incidence is calculated to be 1.28 per 100,000 live births (0.71 for juvenile NCL and 0.46 for late infantile NCL).
In a period of five years a general medical prevention of postoperative venous thromboembolic disease was tested in major gynaecological operations, in patients undergoing radium insertions for gynaecological cancer and in patients with caesarean section. Preoperatively was the beginning of the daily therapy with Dihydroergotamine (DHE) and every four days the therapy with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASS). The results of 2,346 therapy-cycles with medical prevention of thromboembolic disease in 2,280 patients are reported. Risks of thromboembolic disease were in 63% of the gynaecologic patients (mean age 52.4 +/- 8.9 years) and in 34% of the obstetrical patients (mean age 24.6 +/- 5.1 years). Postoperative bleeding complications occurred in 12 cases (0.5%) and the number of reoperations was lower than 1 0/00). Postoperative thromboembolic complications were found clinically and radiologically in 0.3% of the patients. Letal embolism of the lung happened in 2 patients (0.9 0/00). A general medical prevention of thromboembolic disease with DHE and ASS can be recommended because of the low rate of postoperative bleeding complications and of the reduced rate of postoperative thromboembolic disease. A prevention of thromboembolic disease by individual dosage of heparin must be considered in patients at high risk for thromboembolic disease.
Sulprostone in different doses and application forms (25, 50 or 100 micrograms extra-amnionic; 500 micrograms or 3 times 500 micrograms every 4 hours intramuscularly) was given to perform termination of pregnancy between 7th and 12th week. The dose of 500 micrograms three times given was most effectiveness, but there were the most side effects, too. The dose of 500 micrograms Sulproston was accompanied by less side effects and the therapeutic success was sufficient. The extra-amnionic application was effective also in all used dosages.
The development and trial of a model care program carried out by psychologists in close collaboration with oncologists aimed at the comprehensive in- and off-ward care of children with cancer and their families is reported. A structured psychosocial anamnesis in interview-form ("Aufnahmebogen") and an information list ("Checkliste") are used shortly after diagnosis to identify problems and to systematically inform on psychosocial support schemes. The procedure allows a comprehensive, early and preventative psychosocial care. An evaluation of 646 carefully documented contacts was carried out according to the criteria: number of contacts, initiator, person contacted, reason for contact and function of the psychologist. Various prerequisites important for the integration of psychologists into the oncological team are specified and discussed.
We report on 3 cases of male late-adolescent/young-adult osteogenic sarcoma patients who refused complete chemical therapy according to the treatment plan "COSS 80". They all originated from disturbed family situations. Characteristic was their early independence and autonomy, dominance tendency, low level of self control, and high level of sociability. Primary motivation for refusal was the experienced intolerability of the chemotherapeutical side-effects and extreme fear of medical procedures (e.g. injections).
The ratio of estrogen excretion in urine (milligrams per 24 h) divided by creatinine (grams per 24 h) was determined in 571 specimens of 307 pregnant women and compared with total estrogen determinations. Use of estrogen-creatinine ratio reduced the daily variations of total estrogen values by one third resulting in a mean curve with less standard deviation.
98 children with cancer and 7 children with other serious hematologic or oncologic illnesses and their families are counselled by psychologists in close teamwork with pediatric oncologists within the framework of a clinical pilot study in 1982. The problems and questions of interest posed on the psychologists in 646 such contacts are classified and presented according to frequency of problems and contacts. The resulting large number and variety of concerns demonstrates that in addition to the direct illness- and treatment-related coping strategies (52 %) and related social/economic questions (30 %), a considerable portion of the problems can be classified within the realm of the clinical psychologist: behavioral disorders (37 %), family problems (33 %), late effects (26 %).