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Biomedical subjects

P Rodin

Publications and source records attributed to P Rodin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae: epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid types.

Between 1976 and 1984 204 infections by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were seen in the Whitechapel Clinic. In 1984 PPNG were isolated from 4.7% of all patients attending with gonorrhoea. Three infections were homosexually acquired; 140 infections (68%) were acquired in the U.K. Strains that were tested were fully sensitive to spectinomycin (190), cefuroxime (177), kanamycin (170), amoxycillin combined with clavulanic acid (24) and rosoxacin (18). Of 135 strains 61% were resistant to co-trimoxazole, 69% of 169 to tetracycline (MIC greater than or equal to I mg/l) and 32% of 75 to streptomycin. Of 109 strains subjected to plasmid typing, 72(66%) were Asian strains. Of these, 55 (50% of the total) were without and 17 (16% of the total) possessed the 24.5 Mdal transfer plasmid; 27 (25%) were African strains without and 10 (9%) with the transfer plasmid. Of the Asian strains 10 were acquired in Africa. All four plasmid-containing strains are now endemic in the U.K. On the basis of the sensitivity tests, spectinomycin, cefuroxime and kanamycin should be effective in treatment, but not co-trimoxazole and tetracycline.

Drug Combinations

Recurrent genital herpes suppressed by oral acyclovir: a multicentre double blind trial.

Eighty-eight of 111 patients with frequently recurring genital herpes attending five centres completed a randomized, double-blind, cross over trial with 200 mg oral acyclovir four times daily for 84 days before or after a similar course of placebo tablets. During the course of placebo 77 (88%) patients reported the development of lesions, four (5%) the development of symptoms and/or erythema but no further signs of a recurrence and seven (8%) remained entirely free of symptoms and signs. In contrast during acyclovir therapy only 11 (13%) patients reported lesions, a further 37 (42%) the development of symptoms and/or erythema only, while 40 (45%) patients remained entirely free of symptoms and signs. For each parameter the difference between active and placebo treatments was highly significant (P less than 0.001). Median times to recurrence after the end of both courses were similar. The drug was well tolerated and the findings indicate that continuous oral acyclovir therapy has a place in the management of frequent recurrences of genital herpes though the indications are not entirely clear. One possibility is the suppression of recurrence at times when it would be especially unwelcome such as during examinations or holidays.

Acyclovir

Topical acyclovir in the treatment of genital herpes: a comparison with systemic therapy.

Controlled trials of acyclovir cream were conducted in the treatment of initial and recurrent genital herpes. For 54 patients with the first episode of genital infection (initial disease) treated with acyclovir the duration of viral shedding, formation of new lesions, times to crusting and healing and duration of symptoms were significantly reduced compared with the results obtained in 47 placebo recipients. When applied early in the course of recurrent episodes in 44 patients, acyclovir cream significantly reduced viral shedding, a new lesion formation, time to healing and the duration of symptoms compared with the effects in 41 control patients. Topical therapy with acyclovir cream is well tolerated and compares quite favourably with systemic treatment, especially for recurrent genital herpes.

Acyclovir

Sensitivity to penicillin of gonococci in different racial groups.

The distribution of the sensitivity to penicillin of gonococci isolated from 631 men and 290 women was analysed in relation to the racial origin of the patients and the type of source contact alleged by the men. No difference in the sensitivity patterns was found between strains from white patients from the United Kingdom and those from immigrants from the Caribbean area. Asian men harboured significantly more insensitive strains than men of other racial groups. Men of Caribbean stock who had been born in this country had significantly more infections due to fully sensitive strains. The reasons for these variations are not known, but one contributory factor may be differences within the racial groups in the proportions of infections contracted from prostitutes.

Ethnicity

Comparison of anal and rectal swabs in the diagnosis of anorectal gonorrhoea in women.

Among 228 women with gonorrhoea (confirmed by culture), swabs taken blindly from the anal canal gave positive results in 26.3% and those taken from the rectum under direct vision in 27.6%. Swabs from both sites gave positive results in 23.2% of patients, from the anal canal alone in 3.1%, and from the rectum alone in 4.4%. Thus, culuture of anal canal swabs seems to give as reliable results as rectal swabs when proctoscopy cannot be carried out.

Anal Canal

Talampicillin and probenecid compared with ampicillin and probenecid for the treatment of gonococcal urethritis in men.

Two hundred and ten men suffering from uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis were treated with one of two treatment schedules. Of 109 patients treated with 3 g ampicillin and 2 g probenecid (group A) there were two recurrences in the first week after treatment and none in the second week. Of 101 patients treated with 1.5 g talampicillin and 2 g probenecid (group B), there were three recurrences in the first week and none in the second week. Both antibiotics were well tolerated, but one patient vomited two hours after taking talampicillin. The sensitivity pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to penicillin at The London Hospital has shown an increase in the proportion of more sensitive strains during the last three years. Talampicillin given in a single dose with probenecid is satisfactory in the treatment of acute gonococcal urethritis but, apart from the smaller dosage, it does not offer any advantage over ampicillin with probenecid.

Adolescent

Benign transient lymphangiectasis (sclerosing lymphangitis) of the penis.

The literature on benign transient lymphangiectasis of the penis (BTLP) was reviewed; reports of 45 cases were collected and a further series, comprising 21 cases, is presented. Both the published and present series support the view that BTLP is associated with recent sexual activity; little support is given for an infective cause and it is confirmed that BTLP is a benign, self-limiting condition presenting in the sexually active man between 20 and 40 years old. There can be recurrences, and susceptibility to them may be encouraged by circumcision in which disturbances of lymphatic drainage may play a part. As so few cases have been reported and few were diagnosed in the present series these comments can only be pointers to further studies. The descriptions in six histological examinations, the reports as `phlebitis' of apparently similar lesions, the report of `sclerosing lymphangitis' in other sites, and the known histological similarity between veins and lymphatics suggest that `sclerosing lymphangitis' is too specific a term. Until further knowledge is available, we suggest that this condition is best regarded as simple dilatation of a lymphatic vessel-namely, lymphangiectasis. As the condition is both benign and transient we propose the term benign transient lymphangiectasis of the penis for the condition formerly known as sclerosing lymphangitis.

Adolescent

IgM-FTA test in syphilis in adults. Its relation to clinical findings.

IgM-FTA tests have been carried out on 209 sera from 169 patients with treated or untreated syphilis at various stages and on 128 sera from 109 patients, born in areas where yaws is or was prevalent, with treated or untreated latent treponemal disease. IgM anti-treponemal antibody was found in virtually all cases of untreated early or early latent syphilis but in only 23 per cent. of sera from patients with untreated late latent syphilis. After treatment the antibody usually disappeared within one year, but it persisted in a minority of patients, including some treated for late symptomatic or congenital syphilis. Except in isolated cases there was no clinical evidence to suggest continued disease activity, although a third of the patient in whom the antibody persisted for more than 2 years after treatment were noted to be homosexuals. The test may assist in differentiating untreated early latent from late latent syphilis.

Adult

Herpes genitalis and circumcision.

214 patients with genital herpes infection proven by culture and a control group of 410 other patients were included in a retrospective study devised to investigate the relationship of circumcision to genital HSV infection in the male. The percentage of patients circumicised in the control group was significantly larger than in the herpes group (P less than 0-01). The was not found to be the case for other sexually-transmitted diseases apart from monilial balanitis. There was also a significant difference in contraceptive methods in the two groups, barrier methods being used less ofter than other methods in the herpes group and the reverse in the control group. It is concluded that there is a positive relationship between absence of circumicision and genital HSV infection, but that a prospective study should be undertaken to confirm these results.

Adult

A comparison of the absorbed fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA-ABS) test and other screening tests for treponemal disease in patients attending a venereal disease clinic.

Screening tests-absorbed fluorescent treponemal (FTA-ABS), the Reiter protein complement-fixation (RPCFT), VDRL slide test, automated reagin-and cardiolipin Wassermann reaction-were carried out on 1922 consecutive new patients attending the Whitechapel Clinic over a three-month period.Taking the FTA-ABS test results as an index, the most efficient combination of conventional tests was found to be the RPCFT and automated reagin test. The cardiolipin WR proved to be under-sensitive and of little value compared with the other tests.Forty-two per cent of the 107 sera reactive in the FTA-ABS test were not detected by the RPCFT or ART tests. An assessment based on the TPI test results and clinical findings in these patients is presented. The scope and limitations of the FTA-ABS test as a screening procedure are discussed.

Africa, Western