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Biomedical subjects

José Ramón Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to José Ramón Blanco.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

[Endocarditis due to Bartonella spp. Three new clinical cases and Spanish literature review].

INTRODUCTION: Infections by Bartonella spp. include a wide spectrum of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, such as culture-negative endocarditis. METHODS: Description of 3 cases of endocarditis due to Bartonella spp. and review of those previously reported in Spain. RESULTS: Including these 3 new cases of endocarditis due to Bartonella spp., a total of 6 cases have been reported in Spain. The median age of the patients was 51.6 years and 83.3% were men. There was history of contact with cats in 66.7%, and 50% were alcoholic. Only one patient had prior valvular disease. There were no clinical manifestations typical to any of the Bartonella species. The aortic valve was the one most commonly affected. In all cases, B. henselae was the agent implicated. The diagnosis was made by serology in 5 cases (83.3%). The outcome was favorable in all patients, although 4 of them (66.7%) required valve replacement. CONCLUSION: Endocarditis due to Bartonella spp. is present in Spain and is likely to be underestimated. We should suspect this pathogen in patients with negative blood cultures and a history of chronic alcoholism, homeless patients, and those who have had contact with cats or who have been bitten by fleas or lice, as well as patients with endocarditis and positive serology against Chlamydia spp.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Prevalence of rickettsia felis-like and Bartonella Spp. in Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis from La Rioja (Northern Spain).

Our aim was to determine the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. in Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis from La Rioja (Spain). A total of 88 specimens were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gltA and ompB genes as targets for Rickettsia spp., and 16S rRNA and ribC genes for Bartonella spp. Rickettsia felis-like (28.4%), Bartonella clarridgeiae (6.8%), and Bartonella henselae (3.4%) were detected in Ctenocephalides spp. Other Bartonella sp. different from B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae could also be present in fleas from La Rioja.

Animals↗

[Diseases produced by Bartonella].

The genus Bartonella is cause of a broad number of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Clinical manifestations depend on the implicated Bartonella sp. and the immunity of the host. Because there is not a universal therapy for this infection, treatment should be chosen individually. Bartonella sp. is responsible of potentially serious clinical pictures (endocarditis, chronic bacteremia, bacillary angiomatosis, Carrion's disease, etc.), so clinical suspicion, a quick diagnosis and an early treatment provide a better resolution.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Rhabdomyolysis of infectious and noninfectious causes.

BACKGROUND: This study was done to determine variables associated with infectious rhabdomyolysis (IRM). METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, rhabdomyolysis (RM) was defined as a fivefold or greater elevation in creatine kinase (CK) levels with a muscle/brain (MB) fraction <5%. Patients with myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident or a recent history of surgery, trauma, or immobilization were excluded. RESULTS: We analyzed 52 cases of RM seen at our institution between 1992 and 2000; IRM was the most frequent cause (31%), most commonly respiratory tract infections (38%). When a microorganism could be identified (50%), it was more often gram-negative (63%). Patients with IRM were elderly and had fever and lower CK levels. Infectious rhabdomyolysis was associated with a higher morbidity but not with a higher risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious rhabdomyolysis is the main cause of RM and must be suspected in elderly patients with fever and low levels of CK.

Acute Kidney Injury↗