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Biomedical subjects

M Zambon

Publications and source records attributed to M Zambon.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Parvovirus B19 outbreak on an adult ward.

In November and December 1992, an outbreak of parvovirus B19 infection occurred among patients and staff on an adult mixed surgical ward at a large hospital in London. Three patients and 15 staff members were serologically confirmed as acute cases. The attack rate among susceptible members of staff was 47%. In those infected, arthralgia (80%) and rash (67%) were the most common symptoms. Of six susceptible in-patients on the ward, three became infected. One of the in-patients who had carcinoma of the mouth was viraemic for more than 10 days with marrow suppression resulting in the postponement of chemotherapy until intravenous immunoglobulin was given and he was no longer viraemic. Control measures taken included closure of the ward to new admissions, transfer of only immune staff to the ward, and restriction of the ward nursing staff to working only on that ward. Although no specific exposure was conclusively identified as a risk factor, there was a suggestion of an increased risk of acquiring parvovirus B19 infection among those staff who did not adopt strict hand washing procedures after each physical contact with a patient (RR = 2.33; P = 0.07). Knowledge of parvovirus B19 among interviewed health care workers was poor: only 42% reported knowing about parvovirus B19 and only 38% could name a patient category at risk of a severe outcome following infection. This is the first report of a nosocomial outbreak affecting an adult ward and of possible transmission of parvovirus B19 infection from staff to in-patients. Hospital control of infection teams should include parvovirus B19 in their outbreak containment plans.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Antibody capture haemadherence tests for parvovirus B19-specific IgM and IgG.

In the absence of serum inhibitor human parvovirus B19 agglutinates primate red cells. Agglutination of baboon erythrocytes by inhibitor free baculovirus expressed VP1/VP2 proteins of B19 virus was enhanced by low pH. To avoid interference from inhibitor(s) present in serum specimens microtitre tests with an antibody capture configuration were designed and optimised. Antigen binding was demonstrated by the adherence of baboon erythrocytes. These tests (MACHAT, GACHAT) detected IgM or IgG anti-B19 in 1032 serum specimens with an overall sensitivity of 99%, specificity of 98.2% and positive predictive value of 96.8% with reference to the radioimmunoassays currently in diagnostic use. MACHAT and GACHAT are straightforward, and well suited to large scale research and seroepidemiological investigations. They are without the risks from infectious antigen and radiation associated with existing radioimmunoassays and allow the phenomenon of B19 virus haemagglutination to be put to practical advantage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Addisonian crisis presenting with a normal short tetracosactrin stimulation test.

We report the case of a 70 year old man who presented with physical and biochemical features suggestive of Addison's disease, but had a normal short tetracosactrin (Synacthen) test. Six months later he re-presented with similar clinical features but with an abnormal response to tetracosactrin confirming the diagnosis of Addison's disease. We recommend that if adrenal insufficiency is strongly suggested further investigation should be performed to exclude this diagnosis.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed1990

Clinical significance of cholelithiasis in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

There is general agreement that the prevalence of gallstones in cirrhotics is high (at least twice that in the general population), but the pathogenetic link between cirrhosis and cholelithiasis is still uncertain. The influence of cholelithiasis on survival in cirrhotics is also unknown. During an 8-year period, we observed 90 patients affected by decompensated cirrhosis: 36 of them (40%) turned out by cholecystographic/cholangiographic or ultrasonographic examination to have cholelithiasis. We were not able to demonstrate any correlation between cholelithiasis and sex, age of patients, etiology of cirrhosis, severity of the illness, degree of portal hypertension, previous gastrointestinal bleeding, number of pregnancies, or levels of serum cholesterol, bilirubin, and triglycerides. During the follow-up observation, (range, 1-91 months), 30 patients died. Survival curves analyzed by the log-rank test did not show any difference between patients with or without gallstones. We therefore confirm that cirrhosis is a lithogenic condition, but we were not able to explain the reasons for the close relationship between cholelithiasis and cirrhosis. Gallstones, however, did not affect the survival of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Normal fibronectin levels after surgical treatment of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

We found a significantly higher plasma fibronectin concentration in a group of nine cirrhotic patients who underwent surgical treatment for portal hypertension (either shunting and non shunting procedures) when compared to twenty non operated patients. Significantly shorter prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in the operated patients were found as well. These results might be related to an increased breakdown of fibronectin during consumption coagulopathy taking place in the extended collaterals and reversed in part by surgical treatment of portal hypertension complicating liver cirrhosis.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗
PubMed1988

Fibronectin decrease in liver cirrhosis is related to spleen size.

We found a significantly lower plasma fibronectin concentration in cirrhotic patients than in controls, a significant inverse relationship between fibronectin and spleen size, but no correlation between fibronectin and hepatic blood flow, prothrombin time, or serum albumin. We suggest that the increased degradation in the enlarged spleen is more relevant than the decreased synthesis in reducing plasma fibronectin levels during liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Cystic dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease)].

The AA, report two cases of congenital cystic dilation of intrahepatic biliary ducts. They consider the difficulties in diagnosis and show the ways to follow to demonstrate the pathology. They discuss the therapy and point out that resections are necessary, whereas bilio-digestive bypasses are ineffective.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Importance of combined surgical and heparin treatment of peripheral embolism].

The authors dwell upon the physiopathologic and diagnostical aspects of the peripheral embolism, and emphasize the effectiveness of the surgical treatment if associated to the anticoagulative one: the valid results obtained should be ascribed to a prompt diagnosis, a stronger surgical aggressiveness and a constant combination of heparinic and surgical therapy.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1984

[Pseudoaneurysm of the peroneal artery caused by a non-penetrating injury].

The rareness of false arterial aneurysm, a consequence of a non-penetrating injury of a limb, induced the Authors, on the basis of the most recent literature, to review its physiopathologic, clinical and therapeutical aspects, with the purpose to hasten its diagnosis and prevent its complications through the adoption of the most suitable surgical treatment.

Adult↗