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Biomedical subjects

L I Lutwick

Publications and source records attributed to L I Lutwick.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Retropharyngeal space infections in a community hospital.

The emergency physician often has to deal with infectious disease emergencies. The authors have seen four cases of retropharyngeal infection of potentially life-threatening severity in less than 1 year, all were admitted through the emergency department (ED). Reporting these cases is important to increase awareness among emergency physicians of this classic disease entity. The characteristics of the patients are discussed including initial diagnostic approaches and the use of computed tomography (CT) scanning of the neck and mediastinum. One case of retropharyngeal space infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis serotype W-135 is described. This is the first such reported case. The recommendations are that, in the absence of overt focal infection, a non-surgical approach to the treatment of these patients is indicated. This should include suitable neck roentgenograms, CT scanning, and high-dose, intravenous, beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Technique for drawing blood for cultures: is changing needles truly necessary?

After drawing blood for culture, medical students and house officers are often taught to change needles before inoculating the culture media. Data to support this practice have been scarce. We obtained simultaneous blood cultures on 75 hospital patients using two techniques: changing needles (C) or not changing needles (NC) before inoculating the cultures. Positive cultures judged to be contaminants were obtained in 4/75 patients in the NC group (5.3%) and in 1/75 patients in the C group (1.3%). This difference was not statistically significant. The practice of changing needles after drawing blood for culture may not be necessary, thus reducing the risk of needlestick injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Vancomycin treatment for enterococcal meningitis.

Although clinical disease due to enterococcus is common, there has been only limited experience in the treatment of central nervous system infections by this pathogen. In particular, there have been few reports regarding the treatment of such infections in the penicillin-allergic individual. We present two cases of meningitis due to enterococci, including one case with a brain abscess, in patients with strong histories of penicillin sensitivity. We treated these patients with vancomycin hydrochloride and an aminoglycoside. Vancomycin with an aminoglycoside seems to be a reasonable treatment for enterococcal central nervous system infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sinusitis caused by Legionella pneumophila in a patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and Legionella pneumophila infection of the maxillary sinus is described. The organism was identified by direct immunofluorescence staining of sinus tissue. Because the Legionella species are intracellular pathogens, it is not surprising that this patient with a cellular immune defect was infected. However, no other site of Legionella infection was found. This appears to be the first reported case of upper respiratory tract infection by a Legionella species.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

The transmission of hepatitis B by renal transplantation.

A case of a renal transplant is reported with hepatitis B infection acquired directly from the cadaveric kidney of a previously unrecognized hepatitis B carrier. In retrospect, the recipient's serum became reactive for the virus 6 days postoperatively which was not recognized for ten weeks thereby placing at risk for secondary transmission almost 100 health care deliverers. Of interest, the other kidney from the same donor caused only antibody conversion in its recipient. This kidney was mechanically perfused prior to implantation while the infected recipient's transplant was cold stored.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Specificity of hepatitis B virus affinity for human hepatic tissue.

Using radiolabeled purified hepatitis B surface antigen and human liver slices, the affinity of hepatitis B virus to its host organ was evaluated. Saturable adsorption of the 125I-HBs Ag complex to liver was demonstrated over both time and complex concentration which could be blocked by excess unlabeled antigen. The specific binding was not found using human pancreas, lung, or kidney tissue. Correspondingly, no specific binding could be found for murine liver but it could be demonstrated with woodchuck liver. The woodchuck is a natural host for one of the newly described hepatitis B-like viruses which is antigenically cross-reactive with the B virus.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1980

Kluyveromyces fragilis as an opportunistic fungal pathogen in man.

An immunosuppressed cardiac transplant patient with pulmonary infection due to the yeast Kluyveromyces fragilis is described. Isolation of this fungus from human sources is rarely reported, and previous reports of human infection are unavailable in the modern literature. The organism is poorly pathogenic even in immunocompromised hosts. In vitro susceptibility studies with several strains presented here indicate inhibition by 5-fluorocytosine and miconazole, and borderline susceptibility to amphotericin B. The patient was treated with amphotericin B, and recovered without sequelae.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1979

Relation between aflatoxin, hepatitis-B virus, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

A new role is postulated for aflatoxin in the production of hepatocellular carcinoma. Rather than acting as a primary carcinogen, as it seems to do in animals, it is suggested that aflatoxin suppresses cell-mediated immunity. This effect on the immune system would allow the hepatitis-B virus, highly endemic in certain populations, to maintain itself more easily in the liver, to produce more chronic infection and cirrhosis, and in the long term to lead to a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aflatoxins↗