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Biomedical subjects

L L Barton

Publications and source records attributed to L L Barton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Suppurative group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections in children.

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) have once again become an important cause of serious suppurative disease in children. A 100% increase in the rate of GABHS bacteremia and an increased frequency in GABHS bacteremia in previously healthy children were observed in 1989 through 1990 compared with 1984 to 1988. Streptococcal isolates were characterized and patient demographic data were tabulated from children hospitalized with GABHS suppurative infections in 1989 through 1990. The differences in clinical manifestations and strains of GABHS were examined in patients with bacteremia, with or without focal site of infection, and in those with focal infections without bacteremia. Bacteremic children were significantly younger and had higher white blood cell counts at admission. No patient had a toxic shock-like syndrome. Although no specific strain was associated with suppurative infections, serum opacity reaction-negative organisms were more frequently associated with focal infections without bacteremia. The data suggest that GABHS may have become more virulent. Physicians should consider GABHS as an important cause of serious suppurative infection in children.

Age Factors

Effects of iron(III) analogs on growth and pseudobactin synthesis in a chromiumtolerant Pseudomonas isolate.

The growth and siderophore production of a fluorescent Pseudomonas species isolated from soil contaminated with chromium was found to be influenced by the presence of trivalent cations. Overproduction of pseudobactin occurred when the isolate was grown in media containing 1 mM Cr(III) under iron-limited conditions but not when Fe(III) was added at 10 microM. Pseudobactin synthesis was derepressed in iron-limited cultures containing 1 mM Sc(III) or Y(III), examples of group III-B elements. We found that Al(III), Ga(III) or In(III), representative metals from group III-A, repressed synthesis of pseudobactin under iron-deficient conditions. Analogs of Fe(III) were found to inhibit growth of the Pseudomonas isolate in iron-limited media and the trivalent metals listed in order of decreasing toxicity were as follows: Ga greater than In greater than Sc greater than Cr greater than Y greater than Al. The inhibition of growth by 1 mM In(III), Sc(III) and Ga(III) was greater during iron-limited growth than in media containing 10 microM Fe(III). These data show that, although the metal analogs of Fe(III) have similar chemical and physical characteristics, the physiological response of the fluorescent pseudomonad when grown in the presence of these metals varied markedly.

Chromium

The influence of preschool pertussis immunization on an epidemic of pertussis.

Between 1988 and 1989 there were 896 reported cases of pertussis in Arizona. Of the 781 investigated cases 55 were identified in children younger than 5 years of age. Thirty-five percent of children between 6 months and 5 years of age were not fully immunized; 3 infants died. Approximately 50% of infected children between 5 and 14 years of age had not received 5 doses of pertussis vaccine. Of the 413 physician respondents to a questionnaire, fully 10% do not administer pertussis vaccine to preschool children because of parental, personal or other reasons. We hypothesize that the reservoir of pertussis-susceptible older children and young adults is augmented by this omission of the fifth diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine. Newer educational and vaccine strategies are necessary to prevent epidemics of pertussis.

Adolescent

Long term radiologic outcome of Pseudomonas osteomyelitis of the foot.

The medical records of 27 patients with puncture wound-induced Pseudomonas aeruginosa osteomyelitis/septic arthritis of the foot hospitalized from 1980 through 1988 were reviewed. Twenty patients received anti-Pseudomonas therapy for greater than 21 days and 7 patients received anti-Pseudomonas therapy for less than or equal to 21 days. There was no difference in age, sex, race, duration of wound or symptoms before admission or in admission physical findings including temperature, lymphadenopathy, puncture site appearance or admission laboratory data including white blood cell count or erythrocyte sedimentation rate between the two groups. All children but two in the long term therapy group had surgical as well as parenteral anti-Pseudomonas therapy. Fifteen patients returned for follow-up radiographs 1 to 8 1/2 years after hospitalization, 10 of 20 who had received therapy for greater than 21 days and 5 of 7 who had received therapy for less than or equal to 21 days. Poor radiologic outcome, ranging from bony deformity to joint space abnormality, was noted in 4 patients, of whom 3 had had joint involvement. Clinical abnormality was noted in only one adolescent male, and he had the most severe radiologic sequelae. The longer term functional significance of these radiologic anomalies awaits further delineation.

Adolescent

Efficacy of sponging vs acetaminophen for reduction of fever. Sponging Study Group.

Seventy-three children with acute febrile illnesses were enrolled in a study to compare the efficacy of sponging, sponging plus acetaminophen, and acetaminophen alone as methods of lowering body temperature. The greatest temperature reduction was seen in the combined acetaminophen plus sponging group. The smallest temperature reduction was noted in children who received sponging alone. We urge reconsideration of routine sponging of febrile young patients.

Acetaminophen