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Biomedical subjects

M S Asvat

Publications and source records attributed to M S Asvat.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Selected risk factors for coronary heart disease in male scholars from the major South African population groups.

A number of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in 7 groups of South African male scholars aged between 15 and 20 years were surveyed. Selection of the groups was based on socioeconomic status and comprised urban and rural blacks, Indians of higher and lower socio-economic status, coloureds of higher and lower socioeconomic status, and middle-class whites. Both Indian groups, both coloured groups and the whites had a much greater prevalence and severity of CHD risk factors than the two black groups. This held for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), the HDLC/LDLC ratio, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, insulin, fibrinogen and mass. One exception was lipoprotein a, levels of which were higher in both black groups. In general the CHD risk factor profile was worse in the higher socio-economic groups, and it also tended to be worse in urban than in rural blacks. These findings stress the need to reduce CHD risk factors in our developed populations and to prevent their emergence in our developing peoples.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Sporotrichosis arthritis. A case presentation and review of the literature.

Mimicry by fungal infection of other chronic bone and joint diseases may easily result in a tardy diagnosis with subsequent needless surgery or permanent damage to the joint and its function. A case of sporotrichosis arthritis involving both wrists and knee joints is described. Diagnostic pitfalls and therapeutic dilemmas are outlined. The literature on this apparently 'rare' form of arthritis is reviewed.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1983

Chronic active hepatitis at Baragwanath Hospital.

In a retrospective analysis of 35 Black patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) admitted to Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, during the period 1972--1980, four major aetiological categories were found: auto-immune (lupoid, immunological (57%)), drug induced (isoniazid and alpha-methyldopa (17%)), hepatitis B virus-related (14%), and alcohol-related (11%) CAH. Alcohol-related CAH was found in males only. Upper abdominal pain was a presenting feature of alcohol-induced CAH, while jaundice was a common, presenting feature of the other types. Systemic features such as skin rashes (acne, urticaria), bacterial infections and congestive cardiac failure were prominent in the auto-immune type of CAH. The liver was enlarged in the majority of cases. Hepatitis B virus-related CAH showed an absence of tissue nonspecific auto-antibodies. Cirrhosis was present in approximately 50% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Despite the facts that isoniazid and alpha-methyldopa are commonly used and hepatitis B infections and alcohol abuse are frequent in this population, CAH remains an uncommon condition in South African Blacks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Amoebiasis in an urban black population.

Amoebiasis is a common cause of dysentery and liver abscess at Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg. Forty-eight adult patients with amoebiasis were diagnosed during the 8-month period 1 December 1979 to 31 July 1980. There was a high incidence of extra-intestinal complications (38%) and a high mortality rate (12.5%) in this series. The importance of early surgery in fulminating dysentery which has not responded to amoebicidal therapy is emphasized. The need for early diagnosis is crucial, since failure to consider the possibility of the presence of amoebiasis may result in serious complications. This study demonstrates that endemic 'pockets' of amoebiasis are probably present in Soweto, Johannesburg. It is suggested that those involved in the preparation or handling of food for public consumption be clinically examined, and their stools examined for cysts of Entamoeba histolytica.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1981

Extensive botryomycosis in a patient with diabetes and chronic active hepatitis.

Extensive botryomycosis was diagnosed in a patient with diabetes mellitus with chronic active hepatitis. Peptostreptococcus organisms and Staphylococcus aureus grew from the sulfur granule cultures. The patient's neutrophils showed notable inhibition of chemotaxis toward endotoxin-activated normal serum. The patient's serum also had an inhibitor to neutrophil chemotaxis, This inhibiting substance was probably antistreptolysin O. Results of other tests of neutrophil function and skin tests to evaluate cell-mediated immunity were normal.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1977

Problems experienced in a diabetic clinic for Blacks.

One hundred and seventy Black diabetic patients who regularly attend the Baragwanath Diabetic Clinic were studied. Just over 50% of patients suffered from hypertension, and 10% had angina pectoris. Retinopathy was present in 25% of the patients. The incidence of hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia was much lower than has previously been found among White diabetic patients in Johannesburg. Attention is drawn to the lack of adequate health education given to Black diabetic patients and also to the reliance on oral hypoglycaemic agents in preference to dietary therapy. It is suggested that there is a need for health educators from the patient's own ethnic group if these problems are to be overcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Autonomic neuropathy in Black diabetic patients.

Seventy adult diabetic patients were assessed for the occurrence of autonomic neuropathy by means of simple clinical tests. Objective evidence of autonomic dysfunction was present in 72%, pure sympathetic dysfunction in 28%, pure parasympathetic dysfunction in 10% and impotence in 57% of patients. Approximately 10% of patients had nocturnal diarrhoea and gustatory sweating.

Black or African American↗