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M Fille

Publications and source records attributed to M Fille.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in Austria.

The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among newspaper vendors, tram operators, and other exposed groups leads to repeated discussions about the importance of single cases for the spread of tuberculous infection. We subjected 36 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, isolated in 1992 from 31 patients, to restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using PvuII and an insertion element 986 probe. Only two isolates obtained from a married couple showed the same DNA fingerprinting pattern, all the other strains had unique and clearly distinguishable banding patterns. Our investigation revealed no dominating strains except in the case of one married couple, where the chain of infection was obvious (the wife being diagnosed during the course of testing of her alcoholic and tuberculous husband's contacts). The main emphasis in the fight against tuberculosis still rests on securing the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic means for all patients with tuberculosis. The importance of single infected source cases for the spread of tuberculosis should not be overestimated.

Adult↗

[Microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis].

The increased incidence of tuberculosis as well as the availability of new diagnostic testing methods clearly have various implications for the routine microbiology laboratory: samples must be sent to the microbiology lab for testing immediately after being taken and microscopically investigated the same day. In other countries, difficult to treat, multi-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have occurred. Thus decisive hygienic measures must be taken early on in cases of highly infectious patients (i.e. patients with microscopically positive sputum). Liquid media (MB Check Roche, Bactec) as well as Löwenstein Jensen media must be inoculated in the lab. Liquid media allow both faster detection of certain atypical mycobacteria and increased accuracy. Classification of culturally established agents through commercial genetic probes (AccuProbe Mycobacterien) or with high pressure liquid chromatography is possible within hours when acid-fast rods are present. Time consuming identification by determination of biochemical and culture morphological characteristics should be reserved for reference labs. Today, rapid tests like analysis of tuberculostearic acid or polymerase chain reaction are already useful for special questions like ruling out tuberculous meningitis. In most cases, however, these rapid tests cannot replace identification of microbes with culture techniques.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Actinomycosis infection of the cerebellum].

The case is presented of a 37-year-old male with a cerebellar abscess due to Actinomyces israelii. The patient was admitted after dental surgery because of fever and symptoms indicative of raised, intracranial pressure. No abnormalities were detected in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. CT scan revealed a space-occupying lesion in the left cerebellar hemisphere with perifocal oedema and occlusive hydrocephalus. After emergency external ventriculostomy complete removal of the mass was achieved in a two-stage surgical procedure. Culture of the pus under anaerobic conditions resulted in a growth of Actinomyces israelii, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. A 20-day regimen of antibiotics including penicillin G 10 million U x 3/d and clindamycin 900 mg x 3/d was administered. The patient made a full recovery. Pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of CNS infections due to Actinomyces israellii are discussed.

Actinomycosis↗

Occurrence of suppurative lymphadenitis after a change of BCG vaccine.

BCG vaccines are the oldest vaccines in use today, but the protective effect of the vaccination is still controversial. The risk of contracting tuberculosis is low compared with the possible complications after this vaccination. In Austria the formerly used BCG vaccine was not available in the required amount and another vaccine was released by the drug authorities. This product, with a more virulent strain, was used between August and December 1990, and this increased the incidence of complications. Eighty four of 1950 vaccinated newborn babies developed severe suppurative lymphadenitis three to 28 weeks after the vaccination, and surgical treatment was found to be necessary. Isoniazid treatment did not prove to be successful when the lymph node exceeded a certain size. Culture was successful in 46% up to week 20; after 20 weeks no culture became positive. All cultured bacteria were isoniazid sensitive. The question of general vaccination is raised and several points were considered before we came to the conclusion that except for high risk groups a general vaccination programme for neonates is not justified in Western countries.

Austria↗

Reversal of the decline in the incidence of tuberculosis in the Austrian Tyrol and Vorarlberg in 1989.

The incidence of tuberculosis in the Austrian Tyrol and Vorarlberg has been declining over decades. In 1989 a reversal in this trend was observed. The number of initial isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the Federal Public Health Laboratory in Innsbruck increased by 2.2% in 1990 (137 strains), as compared with 1989 (134 strains). The number of cases reported to the health authorities increased by 7.6%. This increase has continued in 1991, with 162 initial isolates registered. It seems that the increase is connected with the presence of greater numbers of ethnic groups from countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis. It is unlikely that the increase is due to additional cases of tuberculosis resulting from the HIV epidemic. Nevertheless, it is recommended that patients with tuberculosis undergo HIV antibody testing. A comparison of the results of animal tests and cultures for demonstrating the presence of mycobacteria showed that the culture procedure is at least equally efficient.

Adolescent↗

[Pathogens of urinary tract infections in ambulatory care--resistance status and pathogen spectrum].

320 bacterial strains, isolated in January 1988 in the course of routine diagnostic investigations from patients with urinary tract infections, were compared with 594 strains isolated in 1983. Samples originated from outpatients in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Most of the strains examined proved to be sensitive to oral chemotherapeutics. No increase in resistance to standard agents was observed from 1983 to 1988; the most frequently isolated organisms are still E. coli and enterococci. In contrast to the situation in hospitals, bacteriological investigation of urinary samples is not mandatory for outpatients with acute urinary tract infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Septic disease pictures in Salmonella infections].

3715 strains of salmonella have been isolated from various sources from 1976 to 1985. 26 of these isolates have been S. typhi and paratyphi B, 3689 isolates were nontyphoid strains. 7 isolates of S. typhi and S. paratyphi have been isolated from blood cultures. All persons infected with these strains have acquired these organisms in tropical and subtropical areas. In contrast, salmonella gastroenteritis is mainly confined to the intestinal tract. 21 isolates of nontyphoid salmonellae, however, have been isolated from blood cultures. The vast majority of these patients showed compromised host defense mechanisms. Newborn infants up to 3 months are considered particularly vulnerable for bloodstream invasion with nontyphoid salmonellae. Patients with chronic consuming disorders, solid tumors and haematologic malignancies, and the treatment of these ailments with immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids predisposes patients for extraintestinal spread of an enteric salmonella infection. Corticosteroid therapy seems to be particularly responsible for a fulminant course of the disease and poor outcome of the infection.

Adolescent↗

[Induction of uterine contractions by Shigella].

The uterus-contracting properties of Shigellae in a clinically relevant dose of 10(5) organisms per ml was investigated in 17 uterine strips which where dissected during caesarean section from the lower uterine segment. A highly significant (p < 0.001) increase in uterine activity was observed.

Chorioamnionitis↗