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L S Fouser

Publications and source records attributed to L S Fouser.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Cholelithiasis following Escherichia coli O157:H7-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Sequelae of Escherichia coli O157:H7-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) 2-3 years following an outbreak in Washington State have been prospectively studied to identify predictors of adverse sequelae. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between findings in the acute course and long-term renal and gastrointestinal outcomes. Twenty-one percent of patients had gastrointestinal sequelae, which included cholelithiasis resulting in cholecystectomy (3/29), persistent pancreatitis (2/29), late colon stricture (1/29), and/or glucose intolerance (1/29). Logistic regression analysis found long-term gastrointestinal sequelae were higher in patients who, during HUS, had hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 21.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.9-164.4, P = 0.01] or gastrointestinal complications (OR = 21.2, 95% CI = 1.9-164.4, P = 0.01). Renal sequelae were seen in 35% of patients. One patient (4%) had persistent hypertension and 9 (31%) had minor urinary findings (hematuria or proteinuria). Thrombocytopenia lasting longer than 10 days during the acute illness was associated with a risk for subsequent renal sequelae (OR = 15.0, 95% CI = 1.98-1,703.0, P = 0.009). We conclude a high incidence of gastrointestinal sequelae, especially cholelithiasis presenting long after the acute illness, may be seen with HUS. The short follow-up period may underestimate the extent and severity of eventual renal sequelae.

Child

Escherichia coli O 157:H7-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome after ingestion of contaminated hamburgers.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 37 children with Escherichia coli O157:H7-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The infection was traced to contaminated hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant chain. Within 5 days of the first confirmed case, the Washington State Department of Health identified the source and interrupted transmission of infection. Ninety-five percent of the children initially had severe hemorrhagic colitis. Nineteen patients (51%) had significant extrarenal abnormalities, including pancreatitis, colonic necrosis, glucose intolerance, coma, stroke, seizures, myocardial dysfunction, pericardial effusions, adult respiratory disease syndrome, and pleural effusions. Three deaths occurred, each in children with severe multisystem disease. At follow-up two children have significant impairment of renal function (glomerular filtration rate < 80 ml/min/per 1.73 Hm2); both of these children have a normal serum creatinine concentration. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children, and this experience emphasizes the systemic nature of this disease. Clinicians should anticipate that multisystem involvement may occur in these patients, necessitating acute intervention or chronic follow-up. This outbreak of Hemolytic-uremic syndrome also highlights the microbiologic hazards of inadequately prepared food and emphasizes the importance of public health intervention in controlling Hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Adolescent

Platelet dysfunction associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

An 82-year-old man with a one-year history of spontaneous ecchymoses and posttraumatic bleeding was found on physical examination to have a pulsatile abdominal mass. Ultrasonography revealed a large abdominal aortic aneurysm with a freely moving 1.5--2-cm intraluminal thrombus. Laboratory data disclosed intravascular hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and a prolonged bleeding time. Further investigation of platelet function demonstrated decreased glass bead retention (0-15%), and reduced or delayed aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, and collagen. Studies of platelet factor 3 availability, antiplatelet antibodies, and aggregation response to ristocetin were normal. Transfusion of ten units of normal platelets failed to shorten the patient's bleeding time, despite a marked rise in platelet count. Glass bead retention studies on normal and patient blood were not altered by mixture with patient and normal platelet-poor plasma, respectively. Platelet dysfunction in the presence of arterial aneurysm does not appear to have been reported previously.

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