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Biomedical subjects

M E Whiteside

Publications and source records attributed to M E Whiteside.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of mitogens on the cell cycle progression and the quantification of T-lymphocyte surface markers in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The cell cycle progression and viability of stimulated and intact lymphocytes from 20 subjects with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was determined by flow cytometry. As compared to controls, 62% less AIDS lymphocytes, cultured for 72 hr in the presence of lectins (Con-A, PHA, PWM), had entered the proliferative phases of the cell cycle, while the respective value for periodic-acid (H5IO6)-stimulated cells was 34%. The helper-suppressor ratios and natural kill cell percentages of the unstimulated and PHA-activated AIDS lymphocytes increased approximately 3-fold after 72 hr in culture. The natural killer (NK) cell fraction of the PHA-stimulated and unstimulated AIDS cultures comprised approximately 20% as compared to 10% in controls. However, no changes in the percentages of T-lymphocytes were detected in the AIDS cell cultures. Throughout the culture period, viability of the unstimulated AIDS lymphocytes exceeded 90%, whereas in stimulated cultures it fluctuated within the 65-90% range. It is concluded that the liability of AIDS lymphocytes to mitogens is probably a direct consequence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Changing prescribing patterns: a program of physician education.

A drug utilization review identified significant inappropriate use of second-generation cephalosporins at a 700-bed community teaching hospital. As a result, an educational program designed to modify physician prescribing patterns was developed as a cost-containment measure. Educational guidelines listing indications and contraindications for cefamandole and cefoxitin and comparing their costs with those of first-generation cephalosporins were placed in patient records, and physician use of these agents was reviewed before, during, and after the intervention. The rate of combined appropriate use of cefamandole and cefoxitin increased from 30 to 58% during the study. A change from the second-generation cephalosporins to therapeutically equivalent, less-expensive drugs was noted in 28% of patients' medical records within 48 hours after placement of the guidelines. This educational program proved to be a low-cost method of successfully altering the prescribing patterns of physicians.

Cephalosporins↗

Enteric coccidiosis among patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Ten patients were identified at Jackson Memorial hospital/University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics with enteric coccidial infection due to Cryptosporidium spp. or Isospora belli. All had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as manifested by Kaposi's sarcoma or multiple opportunistic infections, or both. They presented with profuse diarrhea associated with weakness, anorexia, and weight loss. Routine examinations of stools for eggs and parasites as performed by the hospital laboratory were negative in all patients. Sugar flotation and modified acid fast techniques were used in the Tropical Disease Laboratory to identify oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in stools of seven patients. Malabsorption, characterized by a low 5-hour D-xylose and positive fecal fat, was observed in 6/6 of these patients. In three other patients Isospora belli oocysts were identified in stool specimens or via a duodenal string test. Spiramycin was the only drug found to be effective in treating patients with cryptosporidiosis. Patients with Isospora belli responded to a prolonged course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Treatment of intestinal cryptosporidiosis with spiramycin.

Nine male patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and one female patient who had an allogeneic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloblastic leukemia in relapse developed severe debilitating diarrhea. Cryptosporidium species were found in the stools of all patients. After receiving treatment with spiramycin for 1 week, five patients had complete resolution of the diarrhea and four patients had symptomatic improvement. One patient responded gradually and the diarrhea resolved after 30 days of treatment with spiramycin.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effect of atropine on tracheal mucociliary clearance and bacterial counts.

The purpose of this study was to determine if atropine, which has been shown to alter mucosal function, prolongs the persistence of inhaled bacteria in the trachea. In conscious sheep, bacterial counts in the trachea were determined by quantitative sterile brush cultures obtained before and serially after a controlled inhalation challenge with an aerosolized solution containing P. hemolytica (10(8) CFU X ml-1). The same animals were studied on two days, once without (control day) and once before and during intramuscular administration of 0.2 mg X kg-1 atropine sulfate at hourly intervals for up to 10 h (atropine day). On the control and atropine days, bacterial counts were zero before, and between 5 X 10(5) and 1.6 X 10(7) CFU X ml-1 immediately after inhalation of P. hemolytica. During the first 2 h after challenge, there was a similar semilogarithmic decline in bacterial counts on the control and atropine days despite the fact that mean tracheal mucociliary transport velocity remained unchanged on the control day, and ranged between 32% and 62% of baseline (p less than 0.05) during the 6-10 h post-drug observation period on the atropine day. However, the time to achieve sterility on the control day was less than or equal to 8 h in all animals, and greater than or equal to 8 h on the atropine day. We conclude that atropine prolongs the persistence of viable bacteria in the trachea. This effect of atropine may be related to an impairment of mucociliary clearance or to other alterations in mucosal function.

Aerosols↗