Biomedical subjects

Lior Katz

Publications and source records attributed to Lior Katz.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Characteristics and outcomes of ninth and tenth decade patients hospitalized in a sub-acute geriatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: Population structures are changing across the western world, with particularly rapid growth in the number of very old people. Life expectancy has been increasing gradually over years, resulting in a larger subpopulation of people aged 90 and over. OBJECTIVES: To describe the sociodemographic, medical and functional characteristics of people aged 80-90 and 90+ who were admitted to a sub-acute geriatric hospital and to compare the hospitalization outcomes between these subgroups. METHODS: We compared the demographic and clinical data (extracted by means of chart review) of two groups of elderly who were admitted to the Reuth Medical Center during 2001-2002: those aged 90+ and those 80-89. Among survivors, the main outcome measures at discharge were mortality rate, functional ability, and place of residence. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients who were admitted to different divisions of Reuth: 55 patients aged 90+ and 53 aged 80-90. The mortality rate was significantly elevated in the older age group (49.1% vs. 28.1% in the younger age group). On multivariate analysis, the most important prognostic factors for mortality were incontinence (odds ratio 3.45) and being dependent before admission (OR 4.76). Among survivors, an association was found between being incontinent and dependent before hospitalization, and being dependent on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The main prognostic factors for mortality and functional outcome in patients admitted to a non-acute geriatric hospital are incontinence and functional state prior to admission, and not age per se.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

[Smallpox--past, present and future].

Smallpox has played a notorious role in human history. It has been the cause of millions of deaths throughout the centuries, yet, it was the first infectious disease that was ever eradicated thanks to a worldwide program. Smallpox vaccine, manufactured from the vaccinia virus, was the first vaccine ever produced. Recent bioterrorism events in the USA have brought smallpox back into the limelight, both medically and politically, because of the fear of the return of this horrific disease through the unscrupulous actions of terrorists who might spread variola virus. This article presents the history of smallpox, emphasizing its clinical variants. We also review the treatment of the disease, especially the vaccine--its efficacy and its disadvantages, and the public health measures that must be taken in order to control the disease. In conclusion, we will discuss the possibility of the resurgence of smallpox and global preparedness for such an outbreak.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2002

[Biological warfare: disease prevention and post exposure medical treatment].

The use of biological warfare agents has become a reality in recent years, emphasizing the need for local and national preparedness programs. In the event of a biological attack, the use of medical measures for prophylaxis and treatment can greatly reduce its impact. Antibiotics, active and passive immunizations, and antiviral agents can all be used for this purpose. Since diseases resulting from biological warfare agents have an incubation period of days, there is a short time period in which proper post exposure prophylaxis may be given. This paper provides a therapeutic approach to patients exposed to biological warfare agents, in comparison to the management of naturally occurring diseases.

Biological Warfare↗

PubMed2002

[Tularemia as a biological weapon].

Tularemia is a zoonosis, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Francisella tularensis. The organism penetrates the human body through interrupted skin or mucous membranes, via animal contact or bites from ticks, deer-flies and mosquitoes. Contaminated aerosol and water are alternative modes of transmitting the germ through the respiratory and alimentary tracks. In light of its high infectivity in aerosol and its offensive occupation in the past, tularemia may appear in a biological warfare context. After an incubation period of 3-5 days, the disease begins with systemic symptoms, which abate, leaving a clinical picture, dominated by one of the listed patterns: ulceroglandular, typhoidal, glandular, occuloglandular, pharyngeal or pneumonic. Diagnosis and identification of the bacterium is difficult and even hazardous. Most diagnoses are established by serology which is positive in 50-70% of the patients after 2 weeks of illness, and in most of them by 4-8 weeks. The treatment of choice is streptomycin intra-muscular, or gentamicin intra-venous for 10-14 days. Prophylaxis may be achieved by tetracycline treatment, beginning up to 24 hours from exposure, for 2 weeks, or by a live attenuated, investigational vaccine. Nevertheless, post-exposure, or even better so, pre-exposure intervention is the most effective way of preventing the devastating results of the attack.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Viral hemorrhagic fever as a biological weapon].

The viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever belong to four virus families: the Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae and Flaviviridae. These viruses are candidates for biological warfare agents because they are stable when aerosolized and cause severe debilitating disease. Research and development regarding the use of these viruses as warfare agents has been performed in the former Soviet Union and other countries. The introduction of these agents into non endemic countries poses a major public health threat to that country. Israel is not endemic for these agents, and therefore, local infection can occur from a traveller (human or animal) from an endemic country or due to intentional dissemination. Major clinical manifestations of hemorrhagic fevers are that of fever, rash, malaise and hemorrhagic signs. Due to the similarity between syndromes, any person with a history of persistent fever and any sign of hemorrhage should be considered as having viral hemorrhagic fever, and appropriate care instituted. Definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing and is important to identify a possible biological warfare attack and to prepare for appropriate defense. This paper reviews the viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever, and their role as possible warfare agents.

Biological Warfare↗