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Biomedical subjects

M Baquero

Publications and source records attributed to M Baquero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Seropositivity to a major allergen of Anisakis simplex, Ani s 1, in dyspeptic patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: histological and laboratory findings and clinical significance.

Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of seropositivity to the Ani s 1 protein in dyspeptic patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, but it is not known whether this represents episodes of anisakiasis misdiagnosis or previous exposure to the parasite without clinical relevance. To investigate the clinical significance of seropositivity to the Ani s 1 protein, a cohort study was performed with 87 consecutive dyspeptic patients who were treated for H. pylori infection. Fourteen (16.5%) patients were seropositive for the Ani s 1 protein, which was associated with the consumption of uncooked fish (p 0.0002). There were no differences in histological findings between subjects seropositive or seronegative for Ani s 1, but seropositive patients had increased eosinophil and basophil leukocyte counts (p < 0.05). Anti-Ani s 1 IgE was associated with a lack of improvement in the group of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia after successful eradication of H. pylori (p 0.016). Thus, in at least a subset of patients with H. pylori infection, seropositivity to Ani s 1 could have clinical relevance. In addition, these data highlight that only anisakiasis associated with severe allergic or gastric symptoms is currently being diagnosed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Genetic heterogeneity in familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (Fahr disease).

Familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC, Fahr disease) is an inherited neurologic condition characterized by basal ganglia and extra-basal ganglia brain calcifications, parkinsonism, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The authors examined six families for linkage to the previously identified genetic locus (IBGC1) located on chromosome 14q. The authors found evidence against linkage to IBGC1 in five of the six families supporting previous preliminary studies demonstrating genetic heterogeneity in familial IBGC.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Abnormal depolarizing patterns in three patients with filarial infection.

Several authors have described a particular potential of automated depolarization analysis in detecting malaria infection as part of the routine full blood count (FBC) performed by the Cell-Dyn 4000 analyzer. In these cases, abnormal depolarizing patterns are due to the presence of leukocyte-associated malaria hemozoin, a pigment which depolarizes the laser light. In this report we describe samples from three individual patients who did not have malaria infection but showed abnormal depolarizing events. Further investigation determined that these samples were from patients infected by the nematode Mansonella perstans. The observed depolarizing pattern consisted of a normal depolarizing eosinophil population and in addition an abnormal depolarizing population that showed a close "linear" relationship between "granularity" (90 degrees depolarization) and "lobularity" (90 degrees polarization). This atypical population was smaller than normal leukocytes and thus clearly different from the patterns associated with malaria infection. Abnormal depolarization patterns of M. perstans clearly do not reflect leukocyte-associated malaria hemozoin. It is possible however that the erythrocyte-lysing agent used to facilitate leukocyte analysis by the instrument may have caused microfilaria fragmentation and thus the distinctive "straight-line" features of the abnormal scatter plots

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed2001

Limited level of accuracy provided by available rapid diagnosis tests for malaria enhances the need for PCR-based reference laboratories.

The rise of imported malaria cases and the high fatality rate in Europe make the search for new and easy diagnostic methods necessary. Rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) are, in part, developed to cover the lack of diagnosis experience. Unfortunately, our data suggest that the accuracy of RDTs is insufficient and could increase the number of incorrect malaria diagnoses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain hemangiopericytomas: high myoinositol concentrations and discrimination from meningiomas.

OBJECT: Hemangiopericytomas are a rare type of brain tumor that are very similar to meningiomas in appearance and symptoms but require different treatment. It is not normally possible to distinguish between them by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computerized tomography studies. However, discrimination may be possible by using in vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) because the biochemical composition of these two lesions is different. The goal of this study was to describe the use of MRS in discriminating between these similar tumor types. METHODS: In vivo MRS spectra were acquired in 27 patients (three with hemangiopericytomas and 24 with meningiomas) by using a single-voxel proton brain examination system at 1.5 teslas with short- (20-msec) and long- (135-msec) echo times. In addition, brain biopsy specimens obtained by open craniotomy were frozen within 5 minutes of resection and stored in liquid nitrogen until they were used. The specimens were powdered, extracted with perchloric acid, redissolved in 2H2O2 and high-resolution in vitro MRS was used at 9.4 teslas to record their spectra. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the authors show that hemangiopericytomas could be clearly distinguished from meningiomas because they have a larger peak at 3.56 ppm. Measurements of extracts of the tumors and comparison of spectra acquired with MRS at long- (135-msec) and short- (20-msec) echo times established that this was due to the much higher levels of myoinositol in the hemangiopericytomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

[Prevalence of primary Helicobacter pylori resistance to eight antimicrobial agents in a hospital in Madrid].

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of primary Helicobacter pylori resistance, and to investigate the relationship with factors such as age and sex. During 1998, 106 H. pylori strains collected from dyspeptic patients who had had no previous H. pylori treatment were studied. The minimun inhibitory concentrations of metronidazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline, azithromycin, clindamycin, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin were determined by E-test.((R)). The overall prevalence of primary metronidazole resistance was 40.6%. Although it was more frequent in women than in men (44.4% vs. 37.7%), the difference was significant only in the women who were under 45 years of age. For the rest of the antibiotics, the primary resistance rates were the following: clarithromycin 9.5%, azithromycin 10.3%, clindamycin 13.1%, and ciprofloxacin 7.9%. No resistance to tetracycline and b-lactam antibiotics was found. Clarithromycin and amoxicillin were the most active compounds of the macrolides and b-lactams studied, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Three cases of imported dermatomycosis by Scytalidium dimidiatum].

Scytalidium dimidiatum dermatomycosis are usually reported in tropical and subtropical countries. Some cases in Spain have been diagnosed due to the increasing number of immigrants from these areas. We herein describe three new cases of S. dimidiatum infections detected in Madrid. Two patients were from Guinea Ecuatorial and the third from Angola. We also report the first case of S. dimidiatum infection in a HIV patient in Spain. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of S. dimidiatum infections reported in Spain are discussed.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1999

Double stenting as a treatment for stent collapse in the left main coronary artery.

We report on a case of double stent implantation in the left main coronary artery due to collapse of the first implanted stent. The case illustrates a complication of stenting presumably dictated by the specific characteristics of left main disease, and the feasibility and good long-term results of double stenting in this situation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Supravalvular aortic stenosis in aortic dissection.

Supravalvular aortic stenosis is a rare complication of aortic dissection. We report on echocardiographic and magnetic resonance observations in 2 cases of aortic dissection with false lumen thrombosis of the ascending aorta and severe narrowing of the true lumen.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Circadian variation in acute ischemic stroke: a hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We investigated circadian rhythm in ischemic stroke onset and its subtypes, differentiating between first-ever stroke and recurrent stroke. METHODS: A consecutive series of 1223 patients with ischemic stroke was admitted at 2 reference hospitals; the time of onset of symptoms was obtained, differentiating between onset while asleep and awake. We compared circadian rhythm between stroke types and between first-ever and recurrent stroke. RESULTS: The onset time was known in 914 patients; 25.6% experienced onset on awakening [higher incidence in thrombotic and lacunar stroke (28.9% and 28.4%, respectively) than in embolic stroke (18.8%)]. For all stroke subtypes, there was a significant diurnal variation, with a morning peak between 6 AM and noon; after redistributing the hour of onset of patients awakening with stroke, the morning peak was minimal in all types of stroke. There were no differences in circadian rhythm between patients with first-ever and recurrent stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Only hospitalized patients were studied. There is a circadian rhythm in all types of stroke, with higher frequency during the day and lower frequency in the last hours in the evening. The highest incidence in the early hours of the morning can be overestimated, due to patients who awaken with stroke. There is no difference in circadian rhythm between first-ever stroke and recurrent stroke.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Comparative study of microbiological and histopathological techniques used for the detection of Helicobacter pylori.

This study evaluates the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of several techniques commonly used for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in an analysis of 105 biopsy specimens (gastric and duodenal). For comparative purposes, the techniques investigated were divided into 2 groups: histopathological and microbiological. The former included hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa stains, a Gram stain modified for use in tissue, and immunohistochemical techniques. Microbiological analysis was performed using culture, the urease test and the conventional Gram stain. The immunohistochemical techniques proved to be the most sensitive (93%). The modified Gram stain was sufficiently sensitive (92%) and specific (97%) for the detection of the bacterium. When combined with a microbiological technique such as the urease test, this stain showed increased sensitivity (96%) but its specificity was reduced to 94%. This combination of tests is recommended for the detection of H. pylori in biopsy specimens since it is easily performed at low cost and gives excellent results. For economical reasons, it is suggested that the use of immunohistochemical techniques should be restricted to specific cases.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1998

[Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia].

OBJECTIVE: Vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia is an anomaly which has been well-known since the earliest days of clinical neurology. In spite of this neither the mechanism by which it is produced not its clinical importance are fully defined. In this paper we review basic clinical aspects of this pathology. DEVELOPMENT: In most cases the subjacent arteriopathy is arteriosclerotic. The clinical features are very varied and it may be asymptomatic. Sometimes the clinical findings are due to compression of adjacent structures, basically the cranial nerves. Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm are the commonest findings. There is usually only one presenting symptom but several symptoms may occur at the same time. On other occasions the patients present with cognitive deficits; there is no obvious relationship of cause and effect between vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia and cognitive deterioration. Finally, there seems to be a predisposition to cerebrovascular accidents. Most cerebrovascular accidents associated with dolichoectasia are ischemic, although some are hemorrhagic. Nevertheless, from the point of view of prognosis, the importance of vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia is not completely clear. At the present time, there are no therapeutic attitudes which are specific for this anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies of the practical results of detection of this anomaly and its natural history are necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Primary intraventricular hemorrhage: an analysis of eight cases].

OBJECTIVE: Primary intraventricular haemorrhage (HIVP) is a rare condition, of diverse aetiology and variable course. We present a series of eight cases of HIVP diagnosed by CT and analyze the different aetiologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective series of 8 cases diagnosed by CT, the risk factors, clinical behaviour, complications and prognosis are evaluated. Neuroimaging findings (CT, MR and/or DIVAS) are described. RESULTS: The most commonly associated factor is arterial hypertension (75%). Clinically, presentation was uniform as evidence of sudden intracranial hypertension with signs of meningeal irritation with little or no neurological focal signs. The commonest complication was hydrocephalus (25%) and the chances of survival in most cases were good. Three causes of bleeding were found: an arteriovenous malformation, an aneurysm and a blood coagulation disorder. Three hypertensive patients with no obvious cause of bleeding had periependimary laguna infarcts. CONCLUSIONS: HIVP is an unusual condition of diverse aetiology, uniform clinical presentation and has a good short term prognosis. We suggest that pathology of the small vessels, induced by hypertension, may play a part in the aetiology of a subgroup of patients with no obvious cause of bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Species identification of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-positive patients using the polymerase chain reaction].

BACKGROUND: Microsporidia are opportunistic parasites which, due to their morphologic characteristics, continue presenting diagnostic problems. Species-specific identification of microsporidia has become important because of varying levels of response to albendazole, which is the only effective treatment for some kinds of intestinal microsporidiosis. Although these parasites cause up to 50% of otherwise unexplained chronic diarrhea in HIV-positive patients, the number of reported cases is still very scarce in our country when compared to the existing HIV-positive population. METHODS: Intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea was investigated using the modified trichrome staining technique. Microsporidia species identification was done by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. RESULTS: Six new cases of intestinal microsporidiosis caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi were diagnosed in Madrid (Spain). All patients were in an advanced state of the HIV infection and they presented CD4+ values equal or inferior to 100 x 10(6)/I. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the number of cases that are accumulating, microsporidia must be included among the enteropathogens responsible for chronic diarrhea in HIV-positive individuals in Spain. The PCR technique using specific primers is a suitable determinator of the microsporidia species implicated in this intestinal pathology.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗