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Biomedical subjects

M A Calder

Publications and source records attributed to M A Calder.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Wound prophylaxis in thoracic surgery: a new approach.

A prospective double blind, randomised study was performed in 100 patients undergoing major elective thoracic surgery to assess a new method of prophylaxis of wound infection using one preincisional intraparietal infiltration of cefuroxime sodium along the line of proposed incision as the sole protection against wound infection. A significant (p less than 0.01) reduction in the incidence of wound infection occurred in the antibiotic treated group (2%) compared with the control group (20%), who received by the same route the same volume of saline only. The groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, pathological condition, and operative variables. The use of additional antibiotics was significantly greater in the control group (p less than 0.01), largely owing to a much greater incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection in the control group (60%) than in the antibiotic treated group (40%). No morbidity was associated with this technique. The organisms found in oesophageal and bronchial operative luminal specimens did not correlate with postoperative wound or pulmonary infection or with organisms causing these infections. Reductions in wound and pulmonary infection rates equivalent to those produced by conventional multiple dose parenteral regimens were achieved by this technique.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Bronchopulmonary infection due to Branhamella catarrhalis.

Over six months Branhamella catarrhalis was isolated in pure culture from the sputum of 81 patients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection. Of 38 patients who were infected in the community, over half required admission to hospital. The remaining 43 patients acquired the infection in hospital. Forty one of the 81 isolates produced beta-lactamase, 24 of these being hospital acquired infections. As a result 40% of patients who were treated with ampicillin did not respond. Most patients had chronic lung diseases or lung cancer or were taking corticosteroids. Three patients died and one required assisted ventilation; strains producing beta-lactamase were isolated in each case. Acute bronchitis developed in one previously healthy young non-smoker. It is concluded that B catarrhalis is an important pathogen of the lower respiratory tract which should be reported, and strains producing beta-lactamase should be identified. Otherwise, treatment with inappropriate antibiotics may result in increased morbidity or mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A study of respiratory infections in the elderly to assess the role of respiratory syncytial virus.

A prospective study was performed from 1 December 1981 to 31 May 1982 in two departments of geriatric medicine in Edinburgh. This yielded 159 cases of acute respiratory tract infection (RTI). Twelve of these were undoubtedly associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 14 with influenza A and 18 with influenza B (as established in each case by a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titre). Eighty-five of the 159 patients with RTI and RSV titres of 32 or greater. Their significance is discussed. The undoubted RSV infections all involved the lower respiratory tract and were associated with prolonged illness. This epidemic of RSV infection was confined to one of the two hospitals. It lasted less than four weeks and was probably hospital-acquired.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Pathogenic significance of Klebsiella oxytoca in acute respiratory tract infection.

A retrospective study of all Klebsiella isolations from patients admitted to hospital with acute respiratory tract infections over a 27-month period was carried out. Ten of the Klebsiella isolations from sputum and one from a blood culture were identified as Klebsiella oxytoca. The clinical and radiological features of six patients are described. Four of these patients had lobar pneumonia, one bronchopneumonia, and one acute respiratory tract infection superimposed on cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis. One of the patients with lobar pneumonia had a small-cell carcinoma of the bronchus. We concluded that Klebsiella oxytoca was of definite pathogenic significance in these six patients and of uncertain significance in the remaining five patients. Klebsiella oxytoca has not previously been described as a specific pathogen in the respiratory tract. Close co-operation between clinicians and microbiologists in the management of patients with respiratory infections associated with the Enterobacteriaceae is desirable.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1981

Pertussis in pregnancy.

During the period July 1979 to April 1980 four pregnant women in one general practice were found to be suffering from pertussis. The diagnosis was based on clinical and serological evidence. The paper gives a clinical and bacteriological account for their progress and that of their babies. The possibility of pertussis occurring in expectant mothers at the present time is stressed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1969

Pilot study of factors associated with exacerbations in chronic bronchitis.

The factors associated with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis were investigated in a pilot study of 23 male patients over a period of 29 months. There were 63 exacerbations-56 were fully investigated and in seven only serological studies were possible. Evidence of the presence of an infective agent was sought in the early stages of the exacerbations and during relative quiescence. Significantly more potential pathogens, both bacterial (pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae) and viral and mycoplasmal, were found during exacerbations than in quiescent periods. It was not possible to demonstrate that atmospheric pollution or low temperature influenced exacerbations, but the data are insufficient to exclude a small effect.It is emphasized that the value of future work on these lines would be increased if agreement could be reached on the definition of an exacerbation.

Adult↗