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Biomedical subjects

M Dracon

Publications and source records attributed to M Dracon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Plasmapheresis in a patient with severe asthma associated with auto-antibodies to platelets.

Although the pathogenesis of aspirin-sensitive asthma remains to be specified, it is known that in the presence of acetylsalicylic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, platelets from aspirin-sensitive asthmatics have been described as generating cytocidal mediators that killed parasite targets such as Schistosoma mansoni larvae. Here we report, in a patient with corticosteroid-dependent asthma associated with aspirin sensitivity, the presence of circulating IgE antibodies against 55 kD and 68 kD platelet antigens. In addition, the serum from this patient was shown to contain a factor able to trigger the release of cytocidal mediators from his platelets as well as from normal individual platelets. This platelet stimulatory activity was presumably supported by IgE antibodies or immune complexes. After informed consent the patient was submitted to plasma exchanges. Plasma removal induced clinical improvement, anti-platelet antibody decrease, and the reduction of the platelet stimulatory activity. All clinical symptoms disappeared within 2 weeks. The disease remained quiescent for 2 months, and daily requirements for prednisone (20-5 mg), and beta-agonist (10-16 to 0-1 inhalations) could be kept at a low level follow-up. The plasma exchanges were delayed by 3 mg kg-1 azathioprine with the maintenance of clinical improvement. A relapse occurred after the arrest of immunosuppressive therapy with the reappearance of both asthma attacks and anti-platelet antibodies, as well as the increase of the platelet stimulatory activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in pneumoconiotic coal miners].

We review a series of 11 silicotic coal miners demonstrating a progressive renal failure with a syndrome of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsies reveal crescentic glomerulonephritides associated three times with angeitis. These cases confirm that silica induced glomerulonephritides can be an occupational hazard and warrant further clinical and epidemiological research.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Apolipoprotein B immunochemical heterogeneity in dialysed patients with chronic renal failure and patients with coronary artery stenosis.

Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B (apo B) and the cholesterol and phospholipid content of apo-B-containing particles was determined in 41 male patients on dialysis for chronic renal failure, in 41 male patients with coronary artery disease selected on the basis of a total cholesterol level below 6.72 mmol/l and in 41 male control subjects of similar age. Apo B was assessed as total B protein determined using polyclonal antibodies and also by measuring the expression of epitopes recognized by three different monoclonal antibodies (BL3, BL5 and BL7). Triglyceride was increased (p less than 0.01) and cholesterol was decreased (p less than 0.01) in the dialysed patients with chronic renal failure. Total apo B was similar in the three tested groups while the expression of the BL7 epitope was increased in the group of dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (p less than 0.001). The expression of BL3 and BL5 epitopes was increased in patients with coronary artery disease (BL3: p less than 0.05; BL5: p less than 0.02) but not in dialysed patients with chronic renal failure. These results suggest an abnormal composition and an immunological heterogeneity of apo-B-containing lipoprotein particles in patients with coronary artery stenosis and in dialysed patients with chronic renal failure.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Cytological and ultrastructural assessment of free crystals or precipitates associated with pseudoleukocytosis and pseudothrombocytosis in cryoglobulinemia.

In 3 patients with cryoglobulinemia (case 1: type I: cases 2 and 3: type II) spurious leukocyte and platelet counts were seen using automatic particle counters, with up to 2.5X and 3X counts for leukocytes and platelets respectively, with peculiar volume histograms. All these anomalies were absent with manual counting and were still evident in warmed blood samples from 1 of the 3 patients. The corresponding blood smears showed numerous deposits, rectangular in the type I cryoglobulinemia and flake-like in the other two (type II) patients, responsible for the erroneous automatic counting. Ultrastructural study showed in cases 2 and 3 they consisted of dense amorphous protein clusters; and in case 1, a periodic disposition of hollow rods (each with 21-24 nm external diameter). Comparison with ultrastructure descriptions of isolated cryoglobulins from the literature showed that crystals made of hollow rods might be preferentially associated with monoclonal GK immunoglobulin. Close scrutiny of histograms from automatic cell counters and stained blood films is necessary to detect falsely elevated counts in patients with cryoglobulinemia, and in the management of suppressive therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Lipoprotein abnormalities in chronic haemodialysis patients.

Measurement of lipids, apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, C-III, Lp(a) and cholesterol, phospholipids, apo C-III in lipoprotein with and without apolipoprotein B was made in 49 patients (18 women and 31 men; mean age 50 +/- 15 years) undergoing maintenance haemodialysis for chronic renal failure. A group of 49 healthy people, matched for sex and age, acted as controls. In the haemodialysis group, special attention was placed upon the comparison of patients who had evident cardiovascular alterations (n = 17) with the residual group (n = 32). The concentration of apo C-III in apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins was statistically higher in the patients with arterial disease than in the remaining subjects, whereas the ratio apo C-III from Lp no B/apo C-III from Lp B was decreased. Compared to controls, haemodialysis patients had significantly higher values of triglycerides, apolipoproteins C-III, Lp(a), and apolipoprotein C-III from apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (LpB); in contrast, concentrations of phospholipids and cholesterol from lipoproteins without apolipoprotein B (Lp no B) and apolipoprotein A-II were significantly reduced in patients. Discriminant analysis indicated that the levels of apolipoprotein C-III and apolipoprotein C-III from LpB were the best indicators of deranged lipid transport in patients with chronic renal failure. Our data suggest that chronic haemodialysis patients tend to exhibit qualitative abnormalities of serum apolipoprotein-B triglyceride rich particles containing apolipoprotein C-III or (a).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Alveolar macrophage dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

A high frequency of pulmonary infections has been a well-described feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a crucial role in pulmonary bacterial defense. We therefore examined the antibacterial activity of AM and generation of superoxide anion in 17 patients with SLE without clinical or radiologic pulmonary changes and in 8 control subjects. Total cell count and cellular viability of AM (trypan blue exclusion) did not differ significantly between patients and control subjects. Antibacterial activity v/s Staphylococcus aureus was significantly decreased in both untreated and corticosteroid-treated patients (respectively, -16.2 +/- 7.4 and -42 +/- 12% compared with the normal value of 51 +/- 12%, p less than 0.001). The defect of antibacterial activity was observed as well v/s S. aureus as v/s Escherichia coli. In contrast, chemiluminescence response of AM before and after stimulation by either phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan did not differ among control subjects and treated and untreated patients with SLE. We did not find any correlation between disease activity and AM function. Antibacterial activity of normal AM was shown to be significantly reduced by previous incubation with SLE serum compared with normal human serum. Thus, our findings suggest that alteration of antibacterial activity of AM may contribute to the increased susceptibility to lung infections observed in SLE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Acute interstitial nephritis and uveitis in the adult: apropos of 3 cases].

Acute renal failure due to tubulo-interstitial nephritis accompanied by uveitis has been observed in 3 young women (TINU syndrome). In these 3 cases, the nephropathy was preceded (1-3 months) by asthenia, anorexia, weight loss and a major inflammatory syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) administration was noted. In 2 cases, uveitis appeared after the nephropathy had subsided. Renal biopsies performed in the 3 patients revealed mainly interstitial changes with mononuclear cell infiltration; immunofluorescence studies were negative. Although the severity of renal failure varied among patients, renal function recovered completely, returning to normal within 2, 3 and 24 months respectively, on corticosteroid therapy. The TINU syndrome is a rare situation compared to drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis, including NSAID related-nephritis. However, the real incidence of this syndrome might be underestimated since the uveitis can appear a few weeks later and its origin may not be related to the renal episode.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

[Risk of bone disease as a result of fluoride intake in chronic renal insufficiency].

Four cases of osteosclerosis were observed in patients with renal failure. All subjects presented with moderate reduction in renal function which had been stabilized for several years. Osteosclerosis appeared progressively but was clinically symptomatic in only one patient. Fluoride intoxication was ascertained on the basis of X-ray examination and bone biopsy. In addition, the source of fluoride intoxication was easily recognized as the drinking water (2 to 3 1/day), "Vichy Saint Yorre" commercial mineral water (fluoride concentration 9 mg/l) in 3 cases, and tap water in the fourth case. These observations emphasize the risk of high chronic fluoride intake in patients with renal failure, even with mild reduction of glomerular filtration rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Acute interstitial nephritis and Meckel's diverticulum].

A case of acute haematogenous interstitial nephritis secondary to bacterial infection of a Meckel's diverticulum is reported. The incidence of acute infectious interstitial nephritis with a gastro-intestinal portal of entry is discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

[Epidemiologic data on arterial hypertension in pregnancy].

A retrospective study of 241 case histories of essential hypertension in pregnancy treated in the Salengro Maternity Hospital of Lille from 1976 to 1981 was carried out. Looking at 450 readings of blood pressure in pregnancy it has been possible to work out a profile for these patients. These patients have as singular factors: They are often fat or very fat. They often have raised cholesterol levels in the blood. They often have a family history of hypertension or of diabetes. Many use oestro-progestogen birth control pills and had trouble in glucose regulation far more than women who had normal blood pressures in pregnancy.

Adult↗