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J R Lambertucci

Publications and source records attributed to J R Lambertucci.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Pulmonary manifestations in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni.

The clinical and radiological pulmonary manifestations in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni were studied in thirty previously healthy individuals who were simultaneously infected. The findings were compared with those concerning a control group and related to possible pathogenetic factors. The respiratory manifestations were of light or of moderate intensity, the dry cough being the most common symptom. The significant radiological alterations were: thickening of bronchial walls and beaded micronodulation, predominantly localized in the lower pulmonary fields. It was observed significant association between wheezing and IgE levels, estimated by the area of immediate intradermal reaction, as well as between the number of blood eosinophils and the occurrence of radiological changes. Moreover, there was correlation between the worm burden and the presence of wheezing, thoracic pain and beaded micronodulation. Thus, the clinical and radiological pulmonary manifestations described are significant part of the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni and present the worm burden, eosinophilia and levels of IgE as probable pathogenetic factors.

Adolescent↗

Salmonella-S. mansoni association in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Two young men with Salmonella bacteraemia, active schistosomiasis and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are reported. The clinical presentation comprised nonspecific signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, malaise, weight loss, diarrhoea, prolonged fever, and hepatosplenomegaly. In one patient, liver biopsy showed poorly formed granulomata around Schistosoma mansoni eggs and hepatitis. Treatment of schistosomiasis alone induced consistent clinical improvement with eventual cure of both Salmonella and S. mansoni infections. Recognition of the Salmonella-S. mansoni association in patients with AIDS is important because treatment of schistosomiasis makes a difference, improving the prognosis of this otherwise, recurrent, potentially fatal bacteraemia.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Visceral larva migrans and tropical pyomyositis: a case report.

We report a case of tropical pyomyositis in a boy who presented with a severe febrile illness associated with diffuse erythema, and swelling in many areas of the body which revealed on operation extensive necrotic areas of various muscles that required repeated débridement. The patient gave a history of contact with dogs, and an ELISA test for Toxocara canis was positive. He also presented eosinophilia and high serum IgE levels. Staphylococcus aureus was the sole bacteria isolated from the muscles affected. We suggest that tropical pyomyositis may be caused by the presence of migrating larvae of this or other parasites in the muscles. The immunologic and structural alterations caused by the larvae, in the presence of concomitant bacteremia, would favour seeding of the bacteria and the development of pyomyositis.

Adolescent↗

Fever of undetermined origin in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Brazil: report on 55 cases.

The medical records of patients with AIDS admitted to a general hospital in Brazil from 1989 to 1997 were reviewed retrospectively with the aim at defining the frequency and etiology of fever of undetermined origin (FUO) in HIV-infected patients of a tropical country and to evaluate the usefulness of the main diagnostic procedures. 188 (58.4%) out of 322 patients reported fever at admission to hospital and 55 (17.1%) had FUO. Those with FUO had a mean CD4+ cell count of 98/ml. A cause of fever was identified for 45 patients (81.8%). Tuberculosis (32.7%), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (10.9%), and Mycobacterium avium complex (9.1%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Other infectious diseases are also of note, such as cryptococcal meningitis (5.5%), sinusitis (3.6%), Salmonella-S. mansoni association (3.6%), disseminated histoplasmosis (3.6%), neurosyphilis (1.8%), and isosporiasis (1.8%). Four patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (7.3%). We conclude that an initial aggressive diagnostic approach should be always considered because biopsies (lymph node, liver and bone marrow) produced the highest yield in the diagnosis of FUO and the majority of the diagnosed diseases are treatable. The association of diseases is common and have contributed to delay the final diagnosis of FUO in most cases. In our study area the routine request of hemocultures for Salmonella infection and the investigation of cryptococcal antigen in the serum should be considered.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Pyogenic abscesses and parasitic diseases.

Parasitic diseases which during their course in the host switch the immune system from a T helper 1 to a T helper 2 response may be detrimental to the host, contributing to granuloma formation, eosinophilia, hyper-IgE, and increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections. Patients and animals with acute schistosomiasis and hyper-IgE in their serum develop pyogenic liver abscess in the presence of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The Salmonella-S. mansoni association has also been well documented. The association of tropical pyomyositis (pyogenic muscle abscess) and pyogenic liver abscess with Toxocara infection has recently been described in the same context. In tropical countries that may be an interesting explanation for the great morbidity of bacterial diseases. If the association of parasitic infections and pyogenic abscesses and/or fungal diseases are confirmed, there will be a strong case in favor of universal treatment for parasitic diseases to prevent or decrease the morbidity of superinfection with bacteria and fungi.

Adolescent↗

[Chronic pulmonary form of schistosomiasis mansoni. Clinico-radiologic evaluation].

One hundred and fifteen patients with schistosomiasis mansoni were studied: 31 with a normal chest x-rays and no signs of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and 84 with x-rays compatible with cardiopulmonary abnormalities (73 without symptoms and 11 with symptoms of PH). The chronic pulmonary form (CPF) without pulmonary hypertension is frequent and benign. There was no association between the CPF and the hepatosplenic form (HEF), nor with age, sex or patient origin. Pulmonary hilum alterations were the most common x-ray findings, followed by parenchymatous abnormalities (micronodules). The CPF was associated with a low to medium worm burden. The incidence of CPF with pulmonary hypertension is low but usually related to significant heart abnormalities. It is more common in patients over 12 years, with the HEF of the disease and has no correlation with sex, race or place of birth. Chest x-ray alterations are seen with similar frequency both in parenchymatous and hilar regions.

Adolescent↗

[The Queixadinha Project: morbidity and control of schistosomiasis in an endemic area in the northeast of Minas Gerais, Brazil].

In an endemic area for schistosomiasis in the northeast of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil 516 individuals have been submitted to clinical and laboratory examination, ultrasonography of the abdomen and dopplerecocardiography in order to define the morbidity of schistosomiasis before and after treatment. A high prevalence of schistosomiasis (66.3%) and of severe disease (9.5% with palpable spleens) were recorded. Ultrasonography classified liver periportal fibrosis as light (19.4%), moderate (27.6%) and intense (6.8%), and 46.0% presented no periportal fibrosis. Twenty one out of the 53 individuals (39.6%) with palpable spleens did not present liver fibrosis on ultrasound. Periportal lymph nodes were described in 33.8% of the population and anti-KLH antibodies were found in the serum of 40.7%. Urinary alterations compatible with the glomerulopathy of schistosomiasis were observed in 4.5% of the population, and 11.7% of the individuals examined by dopplerecocardiography had pulmonary hypertension. Twelve months after treatment for schistosomiasis the prevalence of the disease dropped from 66.3% to 25.0%. In Queixadinha, a profile of the morbidity of schistosomiasis has just been established.

Adolescent↗

[Schistosomiasis and viral hepatitides: a review].

The papers published on the association of schistosomiasis with viral hepatitis (B, C and D) are reviewed. The shortcomings of each work are pointed out and suggestions are forwarded to try and direct the investigations on this probable interaction.

Animals↗

[The association between human toxocariasis and pyogenic abscesses].

The association between hepatic abscesses and schistosomiasis mansoni was confirmed by clinical and experimental studies. Other parasites may cause systemic immunologic changes and local structural alterations in the affected organs that can facilitate the seeding of these areas by bacteria. Tropical pyomyositis, pyogenic liver and renal abscesses are frequent diseases in tropical areas. The visceral larva migrans syndrome is caused by the presence, in the human body, of larvae of worms that have other animals as their definitive host, most commonly being caused by Toxocara canis. The larvae migrate to various body organs leading to many inflammatory reactions in the form of granuloma and tissue necrosis. In this review we discuss the possible host-parasite-bacteria interactions that would favour the formation of abscesses in the organs involved by the larva of T. canis and present preliminary results of a clinical and experimental study undertaken during the last four years to define the role of this parasite in the pathogenesis of the abscesses.

Abscess↗

[Dengue: a new approach].

Previous definition of classic dengue, with or without bleeding, and of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) that may evolve without bleeding and with or without dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are reviewed here. The classical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of dengue, although useful in the past, nowadays breeds confusion and adds a burden to the physician's task of decision-making regarding the treatment of patients with severe forms of the disease. The classification of dengue proposed in this paper, and summarized in a diagram, incorporates new concepts about sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This new approach, in our view, is a useful guide to initial evaluation and treatment of the disease. It also approximates the dengue syndrome to other protocols and medical procedures routinely used in intensive care units, making it easier to be followed by the health personnel working in areas subject to epidemic bursts.

Dengue↗