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Biomedical subjects

M Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to M Rodríguez.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with acute hepatitis B.

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was studied using a second-generation ELISA test in 121 patients with self-limiting acute hepatitis B, including 63 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA). Within the first month after the onset of illness, 47.1% of the patients were anti-HCV positive, this figure reaching 52.1% six months later. The prevalence in the sixth month was significantly higher in the IVDA (93.6%) than in the non-IVDA (6.9%) (p < 0.00001). Among the IVDA, anti-HCV was more frequent in those with (100%) than in those without hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection (84.6%) (p = 0.004). Of the 63 anti-HCV positive patients, 36 (57.1%) continued to exhibit abnormal transaminase levels for more than six months, while this was not observed in anti-HCV negative patients. These results show a high prevalence of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in IVDA with acute B hepatitis. As a rule, infection by HCV occurred prior to the hepatitis B infection, although occasionally simultaneous infections were observed. HCV appears to be the agent responsible for chronic liver disease in patients with acute B hepatitis who become HBsAg negative.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis with and without hepatitis C virus infection.

Serially collected serum samples from 81 patients with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by a second-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test. Anti-HCV was detected in 56 cases (69%) during the first month, in 61 cases (75%) at 3 months and in 63 cases (78%) at 6 months. In those 18 patients showing anti-HCV negative results in the three determinations, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was tested using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the first serum sample and was detected in only one case. Anti-HCV or HCV-RNA positive episodes were considered as acute hepatitis C, while those negative for both markers were classified as acute non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis. On comparing acute hepatitis C with the non-A, non-B, non-C episodes, no significant differences were found in the presence of jaundice, mean maximum alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) levels and positivity of markers of past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, patients with hepatitis C were significantly younger than those with non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (p = 0.002). Male sex (78.1% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.001), history of parenteral exposure (90.6% vs. 11.8%; p = 0.0001), and progression to chronicity (73.4% vs. 5.9%; p = 0.0001) were significantly more frequent in the HCV-related group. Although other possibilities cannot be excluded, these results suggest that there might be a different infectious agent implicated in the etiology of acute non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Successful treatment of long QT syndrome-induced ventricular tachycardia with esmolol.

Esmolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker with very rapid onset of action and short half-life due to its metabolism by blood-borne esterases. This unique profile among currently available beta-blockers renders esmolol highly useful in critical care situations. However, published experience with the use of esmolol in critically ill children is scant. The case of a 4-year-old boy with secondary long QT syndrome and ventricular tachycardia successfully treated with esmolol is presented.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
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Immunochemotherapy (thymostimulin/cyclophosphamide) in dogs.

This article demonstrates the positive effect of thymostimulin (TP-1) on leucolymphopoiesis in dogs, based on its apparent ability to counteract the immunodepression induced by cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Thymostimulin administered to healthy cyclophosphamide-treated dogs prevented the initial drop in the values of leucocytes and lymphocytes due to the chemotherapy and restored these values to the higher levels existing before the treatment. In a control group given a placebo instead of TP-1, the immune depression provoked by cyclophosphamide was maintained during all the therapeutic cycles.

Animals↗
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Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance in geriatric dogs.

To compare arterial blood gas pressures and acid-base balance in geriatric and young adult dogs, 23 clinically healthy aged dogs (> 10 years old) and 16 young adult dogs (two to four years old) were studied. Blood gases (PaO2 and PaCO2), pH, Na, K, Ca and Cl were measured in arterial blood samples using selective electrodes. Haemoglobin was quantified with a co-oximeter. Total proteins and phosphorus were measured by spectrophotometry in plasma. The alveolar to arterial PO2 gradient (P(A-a)O2), bicarbonate, anion gap and the base excess of blood were calculated. Quantitative analysis of acid-base balance was carried out by calculating unidentified anions. Old dogs had significantly higher P(A-a)O2 than young dogs (2.5 +/- 0.3 versus 1.4 +/- 0.3 KPa). Although the differences were not significant, aged dogs also had a lower PaO2. No differences were detected in PaCO2, pH, Na, K, Ca, Cl, haemoglobin, phosphorus, bicarbonate and base excess of blood. Plasma proteins were higher in old dogs than in young dogs (7.1 +/- 0.2 versus 6.5 +/- 0.2 g dl-1). Anion gap was increased in aged dogs; however, no changes were found in unidentified anions. In conclusion, an increase in P(A-a)O2 has been identified in a group of geriatric dogs. No major changes have been found in the acid-base balance of aged dogs.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic infections multifocal osteomyelitis vs chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: with reference to one case].

We present a rare case of chronic infectious multifocal osteomyelitis with affectation symmetric in the both femures in a patient with spondyarthropathic secondary Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The diagnosis was confirmed with culture of the bone biopsy. The aim of this work is the revision of the Chronic Infectious Multifocal Osteomyelitis and the Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis into SAPHO syndrome that both were the possibilities diagnoses.

Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of private insurance in public health care systems: conceptual framework and policies].

The structure of the health care system ans specifically the type and amount of the public and private mix is not a closed issue. This article provides and update of the arguments that justify public intervention in health, and emphasizes the failures of the private insurance market that call for mandatory universal health insurance, although that does not necessarily mean that state has to be the insurer. The relationship between both sectors and the variables determining the relative level of expenditure in both are also analyzed. Following the literature on the public provision of private goods, the level of expenditure in a democracy is seen to depend on the preferences of the median voter, where private insurance usually tops up public insurance. The key variable determining the decision to buy additional private insurance is the difference in quality, defined broadly, between both sectors. Concerning policies, the appropriateness of fiscal incentives to promote the uptake of private insurance is discussed and it is concluded that there is no clear evidence of its suitability. Also, it is argued that models in which the public and private sectors appear totally segregated or totally integrated are preferable to intermediate models, in which both sectors appear combined. Medical coverage bought by an informed agent in exchange for a capitation payment seems a better way to integrate the private sector than through a system of vouchers.

Delivery of Health Care↗