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Biomedical subjects

J Rodrigues

Publications and source records attributed to J Rodrigues.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Awareness & knowledge of AIDS & HIV risk among women attending STD clinics in Pune, India.

The present study attempts to understand the awareness, knowledge and risk to HIV/AIDS among two groups of women: one reporting sex-work (FSW) and second reporting other work (FOW) from two clinics in Pune. The patients are screened for HIV and enrolled in the study. This paper includes 711 women covered between May 1993 and April 1995, 409 FSW and 302 FOW women, who differed by several characteristics. The FSW are older, less educated, unmarried, staying away from home, speak Kannada with 60 per cent using condoms for preventing pregnancy. FOW are ever-married women and among Family Planning method users only 7 per cent used condoms and 84 per cent had tubal ligation. At enrollment 47 per cent FSW and 14 per cent FOW were HIV positive with less than one third of all the women reporting AIDS knowledge. Among the knowledgeable women, 82 per cent understood the sexual route, half knew of transmission by blood and a third understood the vertical route of transmission; 77 per cent FSW and 48 per cent FOW knew that condom was protective. FSW reporting consistent condom use in past three months had greater knowledge of AIDS transmission, were more likely to have used condoms as contraceptive or had tubal ligation and less likely to have history of STD. This suggests the HIV/AIDS awareness and educational programs are having a limited effect specially among the married women who do not perceive of the risk of STD/HIV from their spouses and requires urgent preventive measures through innovative approaches that focus on female controlled methods. It is of critical importance that family planning and STD/HIV programs be integrated.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Clonal structure and virulence factors in strains of Escherichia coli of the classic serogroup O55.

Virulence properties and genetic variation as determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis were studied in 70 strains of Escherichia coli 055, a common serogroup of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), a major cause of infantile diarrhea in developing countries. Nearly 40% of the strains were originally isolated in Brazil and represented serotypes 055:H6, 055:H7, and 055:H51 and nonmotile (055:H-) strains. The analysis of electrophoretic variants of 20 enzymes defined seven distinct electrophoretic types (ETs). ET 1 was represented by 41% of the strains, including strains which usually hybridized with DNA probes for the intimin gene (eaeA), the EPEC adherence plasmid (EAF), and the gene for the pilin subunit of the bundle-forming pilus (bfpA). The ET 1 strains were also typically serotype 055:H6, displayed localized adherence (LA) in tissue culture assays, and were positive in the fluorescent-actin staining test for intimate cell adherence. These same characteristics were observed in the closely related ETs 2 to 4, which clustered in the same branch as ET 1. No known virulence marker could be identified in ET 6. ET 5 included 23 strains, all of which carried the eaeA gene but otherwise displayed a striking array of distinct virulence traits. This ET was represented by 055:H7 strains with phenotypes as diverse as the simultaneous expression of LA and diffuse adherence and the ability to form a newly described adherence pattern, called LA-like adherence. The results suggest that ET 5 marks a special pathogenic clone with a propensity to acquire virulence factors which may facilitate the emergence of new pathogenic strains.

Brazil↗
PubMed1995

The AIDS epidemic in India: a new method for estimating current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence rates.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence rates in India were estimated using a new method that accounts for follow-up bias. Follow-up bias arises in epidemiologic cohort studies when the incidence rate among individuals who do and do not return for follow-up are different. The new method combines data on the prevalence of p24 antigenemia among all those initially screened together with the longitudinal follow-up data on the subset of patients who returned for follow-up. Using these methods, the current HIV incidence rate among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Pune, India, was 18.6% per year. It was found that follow-up bias can cause significant underestimation in HIV incidence rates, perhaps by as much as 60%. These incidence estimates, together with other HIV seroprevalence studies, suggest the HIV epidemic in India is growing rapidly.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Glutathione metabolism in newborns: evidence for glutathione deficiency in plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lymphocytes in prematures.

Respiratory distress in premature newborns is associated with deficiency of surfactant in the bronchoalveolar lining fluid; this may be influenced by a local deficiency of antioxidants. Severe L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine-induced depletion of glutathione (GSH, a major antioxidant) in rodents is associated with lung type 2 cell lamellar body damage and decreased concentrations in lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of phosphatidyl choline (a major component of surfactant). At birth, prematurely born newborns (30-34 weeks) had lower peripheral venous plasma GSH concentrations than term (> 36 weeks) babies; these levels decreased further with increasing prematurity (< 27 weeks, with respiratory distress). On day 2, the peripheral venous plasma GSH concentrations reached a nadir, and the lowest levels were found in the most premature newborns. Lymphocyte GSH concentrations were lowest on day 2 and day 7, and in prematures (< 27 weeks, with respiratory distress) remained below adult lymphocyte GSH levels for at least 4 weeks. At birth, prematures (< 27 weeks, with respiratory distress) had a central plasma arterio-venous (A-V) GSH gradient across the lung (an estimate of lung uptake of GSH) of 0.72 +/- 0.15 (mean +/- SD) mumol/L; on day 2, the A-V gradient did not change significantly (0.49 +/- 0.09 mumol/L). At birth, these prematures had markedly decreased BALF GSH concentrations (compared with adult levels), and they were not significantly changed during the first 4 weeks of life. These results suggest that GSH deficiency is present in prematures and that it increases with the degree of prematurity. At birth, GSH deficiency will compromise the lungs' defense against oxidative stress injury. Oxidative stress is likely to increase if hyperoxic treatment is given for respiratory distress in these infants.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1992

Nonresolving pneumonia in steroid-treated patients with obstructive lung disease.

PURPOSE: To review autopsy-proven cases of opportunistic pneumonia and determine how many of these patients had received corticosteroid therapy for obstructive lung disease in order to define whether this therapy was the major risk factor predisposing to infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All autopsies performed at Winthrop-University Hospital over a 5-year period were reviewed, and 30 cases of opportunistic pneumonia were identified. In eight of 30 cases, corticosteroid therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the only identifiable risk factor for opportunistic infection. The other 22 patients had other well-defined risk factors for infection. Chart review of the eight patients with COPD was undertaken to define the clinical features of their infections. RESULTS: All eight patients had a progressive multilobar pneumonia that failed to resolve, either clinically or radiographically, despite the use of multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics. In four cases, the infection was community-acquired, while in the other four cases, it was nosocomial in origin. Despite the presence of a nonresolving pneumonia, opportunistic infection was generally not considered as a diagnostic possibility, with only one case being correctly diagnosed antemortem. Autopsy examination documented Aspergillus species as being responsible for six episodes of pneumonia, Candida albicans accounting for one episode, and cytomegalovirus accounting for one episode. CONCLUSION: Based on this experience, it is clear that corticosteroid therapy of COPD can lead to opportunistic pulmonary infection, in or out of the hospital. This diagnosis should be considered when patients receiving this therapy develop a pneumonia that fails to respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence, biotypes, plasmid profile and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolated from wild and domestic animals from northeast Portugal.

The incidence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in wild and producing animals has been studied to evaluate their importance as potential reservoirs of campylobacter infection. These organisms were isolated from: 59 chicken (60.2%), 65 swine (59.1%), 31 black rats (57.4%), 61 sparrows (45.5%), 21 ducks (40.5%), 32 cows (19.5%) and 27 sheep (15.3%). Biotypes, plasmid and resistance profiles were studied in order to characterize the isolates. Biotypes I and II of C. jejuni were predominant in all reservoirs except swine, where C. coli I was more frequent. Plasmid prevalence was higher in strains isolated from swine (53.8%) and rats (45.5%). The size of the plasmids ranged from 1.3 to 82 MDa. A 2.3 MDa plasmid was the most frequent, detected in all the reservoirs except ducks. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 5.5% of the strains were resistant to ampicillin, 5.5% to tetracycline, 12.6% to erythromycin and 23.5% to streptomycin. Resistance to erythromycin (26.2%) and to streptomycin (58.4%) was particularly high in isolates from swine. Tetracycline resistance was encoded by a 33 or a 41 MDa plasmid and transferred by conjugation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

AIDS-the Indian scene.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Serum beta 2 microglobulin levels in HIV seropositive persons.

As beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) has been found to be elevated in immunological disorders and also in HIV infection, its levels were studied in 475 HIV seropositive, asymptomatic persons; 101 HIV seronegative persons from high risk groups for HIV and 99 healthy controls. The B2M levels in asymptomatic HIV seropositives are found to be significantly higher than healthy controls (1.0 mg/1 to 2.7 mg/1, P less than 0.001) and HIV seronegatives from high risk groups (1.1 mg/1 to 2.7 mg/1, P less than 0.001). Two hundred and thirty four (49.26%) seropositives showed increased levels of serum B2M. Thus, quantitative analysis of B2M may be useful as an early nonspecific marker of HIV infection and immune dysfunction. The prognostic value of B2M was assessed in a follow up study of 54 HIV seropositives in a 2 yr period. Within this period, B2M levels were found to be significantly increased in these subjects (1.2 mg/1 to 4.6 mg/1, P less than 0.001). Three of the subjects who showed high increase in the B2M levels, progressed to AIDS-related condition, whereas one progressed to persistent generalised lymphadenopathy. Thus, the rising levels of B2M appears to correlate well with disease progression.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1992

Pneumonia complicating pregnancy.

Although pregnancy is infrequently complicated by pneumonia, lung infection by bacteria, viruses, and fungi can pose serious maternal and fetal hazards. Pneumonia may lead to preterm labor and certain infecting agents, most notably the HIV virus, can cross the placenta and lead to neonatal infection. There is some evidence that the incidence of pneumonia in pregnancy may be increasing among certain populations. In addition, infections caused by viruses (varicella and influenza) and fungal agents, ordinarily controlled by cell-mediated immunity, may be more virulent to pregnant women, thereby adding to maternal mortality. Beyond the influence of these pregnancy-induced changes in immunity, there are certain physiologic changes in pregnancy that make it more difficult for the pregnant woman to sustain any type of respiratory infectious insult. Certain types of pneumonias, particularly influenza and aspiration, may be avoided if patients at risk are identified and existing strategies for prevention are applied. When the pregnant women is treated for lung infection, the safety of antimicrobial agents must be considered, and therapy may differ from that used in the nonpregnant patient.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1992

HIV-2 antibodies in serum samples from Maharashtra state.

Two hundred serum samples were tested to detect the presence of HIV-2 infection in Maharashtra state. The serum samples were derived from various groups including those with high risk behaviour for HIV infection. All samples were tested by three combined HIV-1 and HIV-2 ELISA kits. The reactivity was confirmed by LiaTek HIV 1+2 immunoblot. The study confirmed that HIV-2 infection exists in Maharashtra, as 14 samples showed antibodies to HIV-2 and 14 showed antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Antibodies to HIV-2 or HIV-1 and HIV-2 were detected mainly in persons with high risk behaviour.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Circulating immune complexes in healthy, HIV-antibody positive subjects.

The components of the circulating immune complexes (CICs) were characterised in asymptomatic HIV seropositive individuals. Forty four of 214 individuals (20.56%) showed the presence of CICs. Specific HIV anti-HIV CICs were detected in 33 of them (75%). The isotypic specificity of antibodies found to these CICs was measured. IgG and IgA immunoglobulin classes were detected in CICs.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1988

Urban hospital cesarean section delivery rates in Paraíba State, Brazil, 1977-81.

Paraíba State, Brazil is one of the poorest areas in that country; many of the hospitals are not high quality and medical training is not comparable to that of developed countries. Nevertheless, the rate of cesarean section delivery in urban hospitals has risen from 19.0 per cent in 1977 to 28.5 in 1981. Despite the larger volume of obstetric services in government hospitals, these hospitals had lower cesarean section rates than private hospitals, both profit and non-profit.

Brazil↗
PubMed1983

Surgical treatment of endomyocardial fibrosis.

Thirty patients with endomyocardial fibrosis were submitted to endocardial decortication and atrioventricular valve replacement between December, 1977, and October, 1981. There were 26 female and four male patients, ranging in age from 14 to 48 years (mean 32). Thirteen patients had biventricular disease, 14 had the right-sided form, and three had endomyocardial fibrosis confined to the left ventricle. All were in Functional Class III or IV (New York Heart Association classification). The hospital mortality was 20% (six cases). Among the survivors (mean follow-up 13 months), 23 of 24 were improved clinically. Postoperative hemodynamic and angiographic studies were performed in 15 patients. Two (6.6%) have definitive atrioventricular heart block. There were five (16.6%) late deaths. Operation for endomyocardial fibrosis should be considered a palliative procedure. Possible limitations include the need for a valve prosthesis, cardiac conduction disturbances secondary to endocardiectomy of the right ventricle, and the possibility of recurrence of the endocardial fibrosis. However, at present, operation seems to be the treatment of choice for this condition because (1) endomyocardial fibrosis is characterized by a grave prognosis and medical therapy is ineffective; (2) endomyocardial fibrosis is a disease in which only the heart is affected, lesions in other organs being the result of passive congestion; (3) systolic performance of the heart is usually only slightly depressed; and (4) the surgical procedure is easily performed, so that the mortality is acceptable.

Adolescent↗