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Biomedical subjects

L Blum

Publications and source records attributed to L Blum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Pneumococcal cellulitis in an immunocompetent adult.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare cause of cellulitis that develops mainly in patients with underlying chronic disease or those immunocompromised by drug or alcohol abuse. We report here a case of pneumococcal cellulitis in an immunocompetent patient.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Congenital toxoplasmosis from an HIV-infected woman as a result of reactivation.

Congenital toxoplasmosis usually results from acquired infection in non-immune pregnant women. However, severely HIV-infected women with a latent Toxoplasma infection can transmit the parasite as a result of reactivation. We report a case of toxoplasmic reactivation in an HIV-infected woman with moderate immunosuppression resulting in a severe congenital toxoplasmosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Detection of DNA hybridization by ABEI electrochemiluminescence in DNA-chip compatible assembly.

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of a luminol derivate (ABEI) generated both by a carbon electrode and a polypyrrole-coated carbon electrode was examined. It was found that the polypyrrole film (ppy) did not inhibit the ECL. After that, ABEI anchored on a single stranded DNA target (ODNt) has been used for the ECL detection of the hybridization between a complementary single stranded DNA probe (ODNp) covalently linked to a polypyrrole support and the ODNt. The ECL detection has been performed using a DNA sensor having a low surface concentration of ODNp probes, constituted of a polypyrrole copolymer electrosynthesized from a pyrrole-ODNp/pyrrole monomer ratio of 1/20,000.

Electrochemistry↗
PubMed2005

Seronegative secondary syphilis in an HIV-infected patient.

Recently, increased rates of syphilis among gay men have been observed in American and European cities. It is important to establish the diagnosis because syphilis facilitates HIV transmission during the primary and secondary stages when sores are open on the skin. However the diagnosis can present a dilemma as negative reactions to serological tests may be observed in AIDS patients. We report here such a case in which the diagnosis was established on dark field examination.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Acinetobacter baumanii folliculitis in a patient with AIDS.

Gram-negative folliculitis usually involves the face and develops in patients with acne or rosacea during long-term antibiotic therapy. Numerous pathogens have been found, but not, until now, Acinetobacter baumanii which has previously been recognized as an important cause of nosocomial infections and hospital outbreaks. We report here a case of A. baumanii folliculitis of the face, neck, arms and upper part of trunk in a patient with AIDS responding to intravenous treatment with ticarcillin-clavulanic acid. The bacterium was not found on healthy skin and the source of the infection remained unknown.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2005

Myelofibrosis in a patient with pachydermoperiostosis.

Pachydermoperiostosis (idiopathic or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy) is a rare condition of unknown origin involving the skin and the skeleton, with an autosomal dominant transmission. We report a case of anaemia in a patient with pachydermoperiostosis indicating myelofibrosis, and review the literature and the pathogenetic mechanisms.

Acitretin↗
PubMed2004

[Percutaneous sclerotherapy for the treatment of soft-tissue venous malformations: a retrospective study of 68 patients].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous sclerotherapy for the treatment of venous malformations (VMs) with regards to cosmetic and functional outcome as a function of their size and to review the complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed between January 1997 and January 2002 on 68 patients (45 females and 23 males) ranging in age from 3 to 60 Years at the CHRU of Tours. RESULTS: Percutaneous sclerotherapy was a very effective treatment for small and medium-size VMs, for which the aim was to achieve cure. Aetoxisclerol and Ethibloc are the sclerosing agents used. They were associated with minimal side effects and no major complication. For larger lesions, the treatment was more complex and combined stronger and also more dangerous agents like absolute ethanol and Histoacryl. The aim was then a decrease of cosmetic and functional problems. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous sclerotherapy with Aetoxisclerol, Ethibloc, absolute ethanol or Histoacryl, either alone or before surgery, is a safe and effective method of managing soft-tIssue venous malformations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Gastric necrosis from acute dilatation without underlying psychiatric disorder].

Acute gastric dilatation with necrosis is a rare and severe complication associated with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and psychogenic polyphagia. The Authors report an unusual case without underlying psychiatric context. Gastric necrosis was suspected based on imaging findings (plain radiograph and computed tomography). The detection of these imaging signs in an appropriate clinical setting, even without underlying psychiatric context, is important to avoid any delay in diagnosis and reduce mortality.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2003

Human herpesvirus 8-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

We retrospectively reviewed 5 cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HL) associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) reactivation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. All patients had clinical and biological features characteristic of HL. Pulmonary symptoms were present in all patients and were frequently life threatening. The mean number of HL episodes was 6. Four patients had HL-associated Kaposi sarcoma, and 3 had multicentric Castleman disease. The mean CD4 cell count was 200 cells/mm(3). HIV loads were stable in all patients. All patients had high levels of HHV-8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during attacks, and a significant increase in this parameter before the attacks was seen in 3 patients. Although 2 patients died of HL, 3 are still alive and receiving etoposide therapy (mean follow-up, 3 years). HHV-8-related HL is associated with life-threatening symptoms and biological HHV-8 reactivation, and it may be controlled in the long term by etoposide therapy combined with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2002

Mycobacterium xenopi pulmonary infection in an HIV infected patient under highly active antiretroviral treatment.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is responsible for a striking reduction in AIDS related morbidity and mortality by partly restoring immune function. However, HAART can also precipitate the development of clinically apparent opportunistic infections in patients with latent infections. We report a case of an HIV infected patient who developed granulomatous nodular and cavitatory lesions of the lungs due to Mycobacterium xenopi as a manifestation of the immune restoration syndrome.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Virologic and immunologic parameters that predict clinical response of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The purpose of the work was to assess the predictive value of biologic factors on the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy on AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Twenty-six AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma patients who started therapy with protease inhibitors were investigated. No baseline chemotherapy was associated with less severe initial clinical status. Median follow-up was 652 d. The main outcome measures were as follows: best Kaposi's sarcoma clinical response; Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesviral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (non-detectable if less than 100 copies per microg); human immunodeficiency viral charge in plasma (non-detectable if less than 200 copies per ml); and CD4 lymphocyte count. Time to undetectable Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesviral load, time to undetectable human immunodeficiency viral charge, and time to CD4 >or= 150 per microl were also recorded over time, from 2 mo measurements. Patients were staged according to the AIDS Clinical Trials Group-based tumor, immune, systemic staging system criteria. At baseline, Kaposi's sarcoma was progressive for 25 (96%) of the 26 enrolled patients. Complete or partial response to highly active antiretroviral therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy was achieved in 22 patients (85%). Median time to clinical response was estimated at 251 d. Clinical response was faster in patients without chemotherapy at baseline (p = 0.003) as well as in patients not previously treated with reverse transcriptase inhibitors (p = 0.0012). Using univariable analyses, predictive factors of clinical response were undetectable Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesviremia (p = 0.013), undetectable human immunodeficiency viremia (p = 0.03), and relative variation of CD4 lymphocytes (p = 0.004). Using multivariable analysis, undetectable Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesviremia (p = 0.009) and relative variation of CD4 (p = 0.005) were independently selected as having a predictive value for clinical response. Occurrence of nondetection of either Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or human immunodeficiency virus was not associated with baseline CD4 value. Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus quantitative viral charge is an independent predictive factor of the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy on AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma. Our results support immune reconstitution as a mechanism of response of Kaposi's sarcoma to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Mycobacterium xenopi pulmonary infection in an HIV infected patient under highly active antiretroviral treatment.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is responsible for a striking reduction in AIDS related morbidity and mortality by partly restoring immune function. However, HAART can also precipitate the development of clinically apparent opportunistic infections in patients with latent infections. We report a case of an HIV infected patient who developed granulomatous nodular and cavitatory lesions of the lungs due to Mycobacterium xenopi as a manifestation of the immune restoration syndrome.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗