PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

J L Lejonc

Publications and source records attributed to J L Lejonc.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Münchhausen syndrome].

Münchhausen's syndrome is characterized by fictitious illnesses associated with hospital peregrination, pseudologia fantastica with a mythomanic discourse that includes strongly structured medical elements, passivity and dependance at examinations, and aggressiveness. The whole picture is so typical that the syndrome can easily be recognized. Cases of Münchhausen's syndrome by proxy (Meadow's syndrome) have been reported during the last few years; the condition concerns children suffering from diseases which are entirely due to their parents and can be compared with the battered child syndrome. In terms of nosology, among pathomimias Münchhausen's syndrome figures as a borderline state. Since it is impossible to establish positive relations with these patients, treatment fails in almost every case.

Adolescent

Randomized trial of albendazole versus tiabendazole plus flubendazole during an outbreak of human trichinellosis.

To determine the therapeutic usefulness of benzimidazoles in trichinellosis, 117 patients from a single outbreak were treated either with albendazole alone (N = 59) or with a regimen including tiabendazole followed by flubendazole (N = 58). The criteria of disease activity were evaluated at days 1, 7, 15, and 45. No difference was found between the two groups with regard to the evolution of myalgia, fever, fatigue, new clinical manifestations, or laboratory and serologic data. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated. In all, 30 patients of the albendazole group and 29 of the tiabendazole-flubendazole group were reevaluated 16 months later. Serology was negative in 70% of the albendazole-treated patients vs 34.5% of the tiabendazole-flubendazole-treated patients (P less than 0.01). The muscle biopsy examination of nine patients suggested less parasitic infection in the albendazole group. In conclusion, no difference was noted during the early therapeutic responses to the drugs used, but albendazole might be more effective than the other regimen in treating residual larval infestation estimated 16 months after the onset of the disease.

Adult

Suicide attempts in hypo-oestrogenic phases of the menstrual cycle.

The phase of the menstrual cycle in women who had attempted suicide was determined by structured interview. 108 young women were investigated within 24 h of the attempt. Patients were grouped according to menstrual week and whether they used oral contraception (OC) (n = 73) or not (n = 35). In OC non-users suicide attempts were associated with low plasma oestradiol: they tended to happen during the first week of the menstrual cycle (42%) and after the fourth week (12%). Frequency of suicide attempts did not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle in OC users. In OC non-users, low oestradiol production may predispose to depression and attempted suicide.

Adult

Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome as a cause of hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas.

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas were found in a 35-yr-old man who developed fever, myalgias, rash, eosinophilia, and abnormal liver function tests 4 wk after the beginning of allopurinol treatment. All clinical and biochemical abnormalities spontaneously resolved within 6 wk after cessation of therapy. There was no evidence for Q fever or Hodgkin's disease, which are the recognized causes of hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas. It is suggested that allopurinol hypersensitivity might be an additional cause of these peculiar granulomas.

Adult

Peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with almitrine dimesylate.

Sensory peripheral neuropathy developed in 5 patients treated with almitrine dimesylate, 60-100 mg/day. Onset was insidious, beginning symmetrically in the legs with stocking sensory loss and loss of ankle-jerks. Cerebrospinal fluid protein levels were slightly increased and there was electrophysiological and histological evidence of distal axonopathy. The interval between the first dose of almitrine dimesylate and onset of symptoms ranged from 2 to 4 months in 4 patients. All patients had noted a recent weight loss of 4-15 kg which may have resulted in release of previously bound drug.

Aged

Left innominate vein stenosis as a late complication of central vein catheterization.

A patient was seen for acute exercise-induced left superior limb swelling. Phlebography disclosed left innominate vein stenosis and the lack of subclavian vein thrombosis. Ten months earlier, the patient underwent repeated and prolonged central vein catheterization procedures. No other cause of central vein stenosis was evidenced. Emphasis is placed on the symptomatic presenting event, the very late discovery, and the site of stenosis.

Brachiocephalic Veins

Acquired von Willebrand's syndrome with IgM inhibitor against von Willebrand's factor.

This report describes a patient without evident underlying disease, in whom an acquired von Willebrand's syndrome was discovered before surgery. Coagulation abnormalities included a borderline bleeding time, a low retention of platelets on glass beads, decreased levels of factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIIIAHF), factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIAg), and ristocetin-induced agglutination cofactor (VIIIVWF). After cryoprecipitate infusion the patient did not have the expected rise and there was no secondary increment in VIIIAHF. The patient was treated with prednisone for three weeks without significant improvement in the laboratory findings. Spontaneous resolution was observed long after this therapy. The haemostatic abnormalities were attributable to the presence of an inhibitor directed against VIIIVWF. The inhibitor was found in the IgM fraction. Its autoimmune nature is probable although we failed to demonstrate any inhibitory effect of Fab obtained from the patient's purified IgM. Despite the lack of inhibitory effect against VIIIAHF and VIIIAg, the low levels of all three activities of the factor VIII complex could be explained by the short half-life of immune complexes between factor VIII and the inhibitor.

Aged

The cellular distribution of erythrocyte and normoblast A1 and A antigens in normal and preleukemic states. An immunoelectron microscopy study.

A1 and A alloantigens were visualized on human erythrocytes and normoblasts by immunoelectron microscopy using peroxidase-coupled antibodies. Specimens were obtained from patients with preleukemia and associated antigen weakening, and from individuals with normal antigen values. Cells were fixed by glutaraldehyde and subsequently reacted with antibodies.

ABO Blood-Group System

Surface features of cells in human lymphoproliferative disorders. An immunoelectron microscopy study.

Peroxidase conjugated antibodies were applied to cell suspensions in order to detect surface associated immunoglobulins. Cell suspensions were fixed prior to incubation with reagents, a procedure avoiding membrane alterations induced by antibodies to surface component. By immunoelectron microscopy an identification of B lymphocytes could be made with simultaneous observation of their surface architecture. Basic findings were that normal circulating human B lymphocytes had a villous surface. This relationship was not confirmed however by examinating samples from various B and T cell proliferations establishing that surface morphology is not sufficient to categorize cells in disease. Specimens from hairy cell leukemia were also examined. Despite salient surface characteristics as revealed by the present method, the categorization of cells remains unclear.

B-Lymphocytes

[Heterogeneity of the cellular distribution of erythrocytic A antigens. Ultramicroscopic study].

A and A1 antigens have been detected on cells of the human erythrocyte series by immunoelectron microscopy. These antigens have been revealed by an indirect method involving various anti-A and anti-A1 antibodies (allo, auto, hetero-antibodies) and peroxidase-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. Immunologic labelling has been carried out with erythrocyte or bone marrow cell suspensions which were fixed prior to incubation with reagents. Cells from various A phenotypes were examined. A and A1 antigens were visualized on maturing normoblasts, at every developmental stage. In addition cell to cell variations of the surface labelling of erythrocytes was found in normal phenotypes, suggesting the existence of several populations of cells according to antigenic load.

ABO Blood-Group System