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J Somani

Publications and source records attributed to J Somani.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Retrospective study of the hepatic safety profile of patients concomitantly treated with caspofungin and cyclosporin A.

BACKGROUND: Mild, transient alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations were seen in Phase I studies of caspofungin and cyclosporin A (CsA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review at four sites to characterize the hepatic safety in patients receiving > or =1 day of both drugs over a 20-month period. Investigators assessed reasons for discontinuing concomitant therapy and the presence/etiology of any hepatotoxicity. RESULTS: Forty patients receiving concomitant therapy for 1-290 days (median 17.5 days) were identified. Although common, liver enzyme abnormalities were frequently attributed to other comorbidities or medications. ALT and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevations occurred in 14 patients (35%). Five had AST elevations at least possibly related to caspofungin/CsA, but none were >3.6 times the normal upper limit. No ALT elevations were related to caspofungin/CsA. Two of 4 patients had discontinuation of therapy because of hepatotoxicity possibly related to caspofungin/CsA. No serious adverse events occurred because of caspofungin. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not suggest a significant risk of clinically relevant hepatotoxicity with concomitant caspofungin/CsA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Acanthamoeba castellani encephalitis following partially mismatched related donor peripheral stem cell transplantation.

We describe a case of Acanthamoeba encephalitis in a 45-year-old Caucasian male with acute myelogenous leukemia, who was 140 days status post partially mismatched related donor peripheral blood stem cell transplant. The patient had been transplanted with a highly T-cell-depleted graft, and was not taking any immunosuppressive drugs, and had no history of graft-versus-host disease. He complained of nausea, vomiting, and occasional episodes of confusion; he also had a chronic cough since transplantation. Physical examination was unremarkable except for orthostatic hypotension. Neurologic examination was within normal limits. Laboratory values including electrolytes, white blood cells and platelet counts were normal. Computed tomographic scan of the brain showed a pansinusitis and a hyperdense lesion along the corona radiata suggestive of a fungal abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal areas with mass effect in the posterior fossa and parietal and occipital lobes. The patient had worsening respiratory failure and died three days after admission. At autopsy, specific immunofluorescent staining identified Acanthamoeba castellani in the brain and lungs.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMed2000

Multiple drug-resistant Chlamydia trachomatis associated with clinical treatment failure.

In vitro susceptibility testing and genotyping were done on urogenital isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis from 3 patients, 2 of whom showed evidence of clinical treatment failure with azithromycin and one of whom was the wife of a patient. All 3 isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance to doxycycline, azithromycin, and ofloxacin at concentrations >4.0 microg/mL. Recurrent disease due to relapsing infection with the same resistant isolate was documented on the basis of identical genotypes of both organisms. This first report of clinically significant multidrug-resistant C. trachomatis causing relapsing or persistent infection may portend an emerging problem to clinicians and public health officials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Reimmunization after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients are severely immunocompromised during the immediate posttransplant period, and the risk for common and opportunistic infections may persist for many months. The role of reimmunization for these patients, however, remains unsettled. We briefly review current concepts regarding the recapitulation of immunity from the totipotential hematopoietic stem cells in the donor marrow. The fact that various components of the new immune system mature at different rates can have clinical consequences with regard to specific infections. Most previously immunized patients become antibody seronegative within a few months after allogeneic marrow transplantation. Adoptive transfer of specific antibody-producing cells from the donor to the recipient has been demonstrated in small clinical trials, and is augmented when both donor and recipient are vaccinated. Passive transfer of immunity is more easily achieved to recall antigens than to neoantigens. Primary immunization requires prolonged antigenic stimulation and mature T-cell function or help from natural killer cells. Most healthy patients generate adequate antibody titers to vaccinations that are given 12 months after transplantation, but the presence of chronic graft-versus-host disease can diminish the response. Currently available vaccines have been evaluated in marrow transplant patients. Protein antigens such as tetanus and diphtheria toxoids are more immunogenic than polysaccharide antigens such as pneumococcal vaccine. The new polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines, such as the Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, also appear more immunogenic. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine has been used successfully. Relatively few data are available about hepatitis B or influenza vaccines. The literature supports the use of standard vaccines in allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients. However, more data on the optimal methods and timing of immunization are needed. We present guidelines for a reimmunization schedule.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed1992

Diagnostic accuracy of three clinical case definitions for advanced HIV disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of three clinical case definitions for advanced HIV disease: the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition, and the original and revised Caracas case definitions. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A clinic for patients with all stages of HIV infection at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, [correction of Bethesda] Maryland, USA, a tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and twenty-four HIV-positive adults who underwent initial evaluation between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1990. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A score for each definition was assigned based on initial evaluation. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) staging criteria, and results were correlated with total CD4 cell counts. RESULTS: The sensitivities of the WHO, and the original and revised Caracas definitions were 40, 67, and 60%, respectively, using CDC disease stage IV as a positive standard. Specificities were between 99 and 100%, using CDC stage II-III disease as a negative standard. Mean CD4 cell counts for patients with positive scores were 184, 160, and 158 x 10(6)/l, respectively, compared to 191 x 10(6)/l for CDC stage IV patients. Sensitivity was lower when the positive standard was expanded to include all patients with CD4 cell counts less than 200 x 10(6)/l. CONCLUSIONS: In our study population, case definitions were specific, but only moderately sensitive for advanced HIV disease. Prospective studies should be conducted in diverse geographic regions, using lymphocyte or CD4 cell counts when possible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗