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J Potel

Publications and source records attributed to J Potel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Wound erysipelas following appendectomy caused by group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae).

BACKGROUND: Case description of a patient who developed erysipelas of the surgical wound following appendectomy for acute appendicitis, and literature review of invasive group B streptococcal infections. METHODS: A 65-year-old man with perforated appendicitis underwent urgent appendectomy and drainage. Antibiotic prophylaxis with tobramycin (100 mg) and metronidazole (500 mg) was administered. At surgery, a phlegmon was identified with free perforation of the appendix and purulent peritoneal fluid. Appendectomy, irrigation with 0.9% NaCl solution, and drainage with a Silastic closed-suction drain was performed. A literature search in all languages was performed using MEDLINE, using the search terms surgical site infection, wound infection, group B streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae, necrotizing fasciitis, and postoperative infection. RESULTS: Erysipelas of the surgical wound developed on the fourth postoperative day. Intravenous penicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were administered empirically. Culture of the wound drainage identified Streptococcus agalactiae and a few colonies of Escherichia coli. The broad-spectrum antibiotic was discontinued, and a 10-day course of penicillin was completed. CONCLUSIONS: Erysipelas of the surgical wound is unusual, and infection with group B streptococci is rare compared with infection by group A streptococci. Streptococcus agalactiae is recognized to be increasingly virulent, with an increasing predilection for bacteremic infections in healthy hosts. Although Streptococcus agalactiae remains highly susceptible to antimicrobial agents effective against gram-positive cocci, the changing epidemiology and potentially invasive nature of these infections should have clinicians alert to the possibility of infection caused by group B streptococci.

Aged↗

[Not Available].

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Communicable Diseases↗

[The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in fecal samples of pigeons].

Listeria spp. were isolated from faeces samples from 12 (3.4%) of 350 pigeons examined. Three isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes (1x serovar 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4ab), eight isolates were L. innocua (2x serovar 6a, 6x serovar 6b), and two isolates L. seeligeri (serovar 6b). One fecal sample yielded a mixed culture of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. The results indicate that pigeons are not important in the epidemiology of listeriosis in man and animals.

Animals↗

[Studies on the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in fecal samples of domestic and companion animals].

Listeria (L.) monocytogenes was isolated from 33.3% fecal samples of 138 cattle (29 strains serovar 1/2b, 10 strains serovar 1/2a, 7 strains serovar 4ab), from 8% fecal samples of 100 hens (5 strains serovar 1/2b, 1 strain serovar 1/2a, 4ab and 4b each), from 8% fecal samples of 100 sheep (6 strains serovar 1/2a, 1 strain serovar 1/2b and 4ab each), from 5.9% fecal samples of 34 pigs (2 strains serovar 4ab), from 4.8% fecal samples of 400 horses (7 strains serovar 1/2a, 6 strains serovar 1/2b and 4ab each), from 1.3% fecal samples of 300 dogs (3 strains serovar 1/2b, 1 strain serovar 4ab), from 0.9% fecal samples of 350 pigeons (1 strains serovar 1/2a, 1/2b and 4ab each), from 0.4% fecal samples of 275 cats (1 strain serovar 4b) and from 5 respectively 2 fecal samples of 35 tortoises (3 strains serovar 4ab, 2 strains serovar 4b) respectively 5 amphibia (1 strain serovar 4ab and 4e each). Further 36.9% fecal samples of cattle, 15% fecal samples of hens, 6% fecal samples of horses, 5.9% fecal samples of pigs, 5% fecal samples of sheep, 4% fecal samples of dogs, 2.3% fecal samples of pigeons, 3 fecal samples of 35 tortoises and 1 fecal sample of 260 rabbits contained L. innocua. In further 2% fecal samples of hens, in further 1.5% fecal samples of horses and in further 0.6% fecal samples of pigeons was detected L. seeligeri. 3 fecal samples of horses and 1 fecal sample of dogs, lizards and amphibia each contained L. welshimeri, while in 1 fecal sample of tortoises and in 3 fecal samples of 33 lizards L. ivanovii was detected.

Amphibians↗

[Course of listeriosis infection in pregnancy after early therapy].

Due to unspecific symptoms, listeriosis during pregnancy is often not diagnosed until the late stages of the disease. After materno-foetal infection, the usual fate of the unborn child is premature delivery. We present a case, where foetal infection was prevented by early antibiotic treatment.

Adult↗

[Colostomy closure: is it an intervention without risk?].

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether colostomy closure is an operation with a high risk of complications. DESIGN: Retrospective study of colostomy closures in a 14-year period. PARTICIPANTS: 60 patients, averaging 54 years, males in 63%. The main indication for colostomy was colorectal neoplasm (47%), followed by trauma (23%). RESULTS: There were 15 Hartman's procedure reconstructions, 4 reconstructions of colostomy and mucous fistula, and 41 "simple" colostomy closures. The closure was extraperitoneal in 40%, suturing only the anterior colonic wall in 42%. We had 27 postoperative complications in 33% of the patients, without mortality. The average hospital stay was 8 days longer in the group with complications. The complication rate was 29% in the "simple" closure versus 42% in the reconstruction group (this difference was not statistically significant). The statistic analysis (chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests) showed no influence on morbidity of factors such as age, sex, previous disease, age of colostomy, and type and closure technique of colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Colostomy closure has a high rate of postoperative complications (33%). These are minor in almost all cases, without mortality.

Adult↗

[Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in snakes, tortoises, lizards and amphibians raised as pets].

Listeria (L.) spp. were isolated from fecal samples of 9 (30.0%) from 30 tortoises, of 4 (12.1%) from 33 lizards, of 3 (60.0%) from 5 amphibia and of 1 (1.3%) of 76 snakes. All animals were kept as pets. 8 isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes, whereas 4 strains were serovar 4ab (3 tortoises and 1 amphibia), 3 strains serovar 4b (2 tortoises and 1 snake) and 1 strain serovar 4e (1 amphibia). Further 4 isolates were identified as L. ivanovii serovar 5 (3 lizards and 1 tortoise), 3 strains as L. innocua serovar 6b (3 tortoises) and 2 strains as L. welshimeri serovar 6a (1 lizard) respectively serovar 6b (1 amphibia).

Amphibians↗

Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice and anergy.

A prospective study of delayed hypersensitivity response was carried out in jaundiced patients. One hundred and seventy-seven subjects were studied. Fifty-nine were controls and one hundred and eighteen were patients with hepato-pancreato-biliary pathology and biliary tract obstruction. A multitest technique was used to evaluate the delayed hypersensitivity response, classifying the subjects into one of three groups: immunocompetent, relatively anergic and anergic. In the control group 76.3 per cent of the subjects were immunocompetent as opposed to 16.1 per cent of the patients (p less than 0.0001). Twenty-four per cent of the control subjects and eighty-four per cent of the patients presented anergy or relative anergy (p less than 0.0001). Among the patients no difference could be found in the index of anergy between malignant and benign pathology. We have found, moreover, that patients with a mean bilirubin level of 12 mg/dl showed a change in the delayed hypersensitivity response, with development of anergy or relative anergy.

Aged↗

[An experimental evaluation of a splenic autograft in the greater omentum].

This report comprises a study of splenic autotransplantation in omental pouches in rats. Twenty six rats were operated. The spleen (50%) was transplanted after splenectomy in four different fragments. The animals were re-explored after periods between 3 and 5 1/2 months and the splenic implants retrieved for histological examination as well as size and weight evolution. In 25/26 animals a viable spleen was identified. The mean weight of the retrieved spleen fragments was 150 mg versus 525 mg weight of the implanted materials. In no case there was an increase in size of the implanted fragments. Fifty-two of the 104 implanted fragments were retrieved with weight increase in 8.65% of them.

Animals↗

Variations in sensitivity after sectioning the intercostobrachial nerve.

The authors present a prospective study of the variations in sensitivity that appear in the armpit and arm after the intercostobrachial nerve has been sectioned in a modified radical mastectomy. Of a total of 208 patients studied between 1978 and 1987, the intercostobrachial nerve was sectioned in 139 patients, whereas in 30 it remained intact; in 39 patients only peripheral branches of the nerve were sectioned. The patients were examined at regular postoperative intervals in order to evaluate their sensitivity both to touch and to pain in the axilla and arm. Four hundred thirty-three examinations were carried out and the 3 operative groups were assessed accordingly. After the nerve was sectioned, there was increasing anesthesia in the armpit and hypoesthesia on the posterointernal face of the arm, while for the patients in whom the intercostobrachial nerve remained intact, these alterations were less intense and long-lasting. Significant statistical differences between the two groups also exist. In the absence of axillary lymphatic ganglia infiltrated by the tumor, the conservation of the intercostobrachial nerve is recommended.

Arm↗

Anergy in patients with biliary lithiasis.

A prospective study was carried out in 428 subjects (212 controls and 216 patients) to evaluate the delayed cell-mediated immune response preoperatively in patients with biliary lithiasis. The delayed hypersensitivity response was assessed by a Multitest and subjects were classified as immunocompetent, relatively anergic or anergic. Significant differences were found between control subjects and patients with cholelithiasis compared with those with acute cholecystitis (P less than 0.01), non-icteric choledocholithiasis (P less than 0.01) and choledocholithiasis with jaundice (P less than 0.05). There were also differences between patients with icteric and non-icteric choledocholithiasis (P less than 0.02). Seven possible causative factors for anergy were evaluated: a haemoglobin concentration of less than or equal to 12 g/l and a haematocrit of less than or equal to 35 per cent were related to the appearance of anergy and relative anergy in patients with acute cholecystitis. Bilirubin levels greater than or equal to 34 mumol/l were found in 60 per cent of patients with choledocholithiasis and relative anergy and in 80 per cent of those who were anergic (P less than 0.001). These results show a high incidence of failure of the cell-mediated immune response in patients with acute cholecystitis (71 per cent) and icteric choledocholithiasis (82 per cent). In the latter, jaundice appears to be associated with this failure. A close correlation between relatively anergic and anergic state and the development of postoperative septic complications was found.

Adult↗

Long-term tobramycin aerosol therapy in cystic fibrosis.

The long-term efficacy and safety of aminoglycoside aerosol therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization/infection in cystic fibrosis has not been fully investigated. In the present study, 14 patients with cystic fibrosis, ages 8-19 years (mean: 13.3 years), received tobramycin aerosol therapy for a mean duration of 20 months. Eighty milligrams of a tobramycin solution were inhaled twice daily after physiotherapy via a jet nebulizer. After 1 year, weight for height increased significantly by 2.9% of the predicted normal, and the Kraemer clinical score increased by 2.1 points (P less than 0.05). The frequency of hospital admissions decreased from 2.0 to 1.3 per patient, respectively, during the years before and after the study onset. The antibody response to P. aeruginosa elastase, exotoxin A, and alkaline phosphatase showed a reduction in serum titers against one or more enzymes in eight patients. The best long-term results after 12-38 months of treatment were obtained in moderately ill children. No evidence of ototoxicity or renal damage was observed. Although intermittent bacterial resistance occurred in five patients after 10-21 months of tobramycin inhalation, this was not associated with clinical deterioration. The study demonstrates the safety and clinical efficacy of long-term tobramycin aerosol therapy. Double-blind studies with larger patient cohorts are required to determine the value of aminoglycoside inhalation as an adjunct to the established therapeutic regimens.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Cancer of the gallbladder].

A retrospective study was made of cancer of the gallbladder over a 10-year period, during which 874 operations of the biliary tract were performed, 26 for gallbladder neoplasm (2.97%). Of the 26 patients studied, 22 (84.6%) were women, mean age at appearance of the tumor being 63.9 years. In 77% of the patients the time of evolution of the symptoms was less than a year, a men of 3.6 months. The principal symptom was abdominal pain, encountered in 96% of patients, followed by nausea and vomiting (65.4%). Fifty-eight percent of patients had gallstones and 46% had metastases at the time of operation. In 23% of the patients only laparotomy and biopsy could be performed, 42% underwent cholecystectomy and 34% cholecystectomy and drainage of the biliary tract. Of the 26 patients in our study, 24 (92%) had adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

[Secondary and residual choledocholithiasis. Our experience].

A retrospective study was made of 780 patients who underwent surgery of the biliary tract for lithiasis between 1973 and 1984; of them, 110 (14.1%) presented secondary choledocholithiasis and 14, residual choledocholithiasis. The decade of highest incidence of choledocholithiasis was 60 to 70 years; the proportion of women-men was 2:1. The predominant symptom was biliary colic, which occurred in 99% of patients; jaundice appeared in 65% of cases. In 5.6% of patients choledocholithiasis was complicated with suppurative cholangitis. The operation most frequently practiced was choledochotomy with extraction of calculi and closure on a Kehr tube, performed in 50% of patients, followed by transduodenal sphincteropapillotomy in 31% of patients. In 32 patients complications occurred during the immediate postoperative period, representing a morbidity of 22.5% and a mortality of 3.2%. The most frequent complications were of infectious nature.

Adolescent↗

Anergy in patients with gastric cancer.

A prospective study of delayed hypersensitivity was carried out in gastric cancer patients. One hundred and fifty-six subjects were studied. Fifty-nine were controls and ninety-nine patients with gastric neoplasm. A multitest technique was used to evaluate the delayed hypersensitivity response, classifying the subjects into one of three groups: immunocompetent, relatively anergic, and anergic. In the control group, 76% per cent of the subjects were immunocompetent; of the patients, only 43% showed an adequate cell-mediated immune response (p less than 0.001). Fourteen control subjects (24%) and 54 patients (56%) presented with either anergy or relative anergy (p less than 0.001). Of the ninety-four patients that underwent surgery, five (11.9%) of the immunocompetent group developed major postoperative septic complications, as did seven (22%) of the relative anergic and seven (35%) of the anergic patients (immunocompetent vs. anergic, p less than 0.05). Our study indicates a relationship between anergy and postoperative septic complications.

Aged↗

Anergy in jaundiced patients.

A prospective study of delayed hypersensitivity was carried out in jaundiced patients. One hundred and nineteen subjects were studied. Fifty-nine were controls and sixty were patients with pancreatobiliary pathology and biliary tract obstruction. A Multitest technique was used to evaluate the delayed hypersensitivity response, classifying the subject into one of three groups: immunocompetent, relatively anergic and anergic. In the control group, 76 per cent of the subjects were immunocompetent as opposed to 17 per cent of the patients (P less than 0.001). Ten per cent of the control subjects and fifty-five per cent of the patients presented anergy (P less than 0.001). Amongst the patients no difference could be found in the index of anergy between malignant or benign pathology. A greater incidence of postoperative septic complications in anergic and relatively anergic patients was found. Our study indicates a relationship between jaundice and anergy.

Aged↗