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Biomedical subjects

P Temu

Publications and source records attributed to P Temu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Cryptococcal meningitis (C. neoformans var. gattii) leading to blindness in previously healthy Melanesian adults in Papua New Guinea.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common cause of chronic meningitis in Papua New Guinea, affecting apparently immunocompetent people. The majority of infections are believed to be due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. We have reviewed the records of 49 Melanesian adults who presented with proven cryptococcal meningitis to the University teaching hospital in Port Moresby, and compare our findings with other published studies of cryptococcal meningitis in the tropics and sub-tropics. None of the patients had an obvious cause of immunosuppression. Visual disturbances and fundoscopic changes of papilloedema or papillitis were particularly common. The in-hospital case fatality rate for patients treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine was 22.4%. Of the fully treated patients, 31% became completely blind before being discharged from hospital. Therapy directly aimed at reducing intracranial pressure may improve outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Adrenal function in patients with active tuberculosis.

Although tuberculosis is a recognised cause of adrenal insufficiency, little is known about adrenal function in patients with active tuberculosis. Ninety Melanesian adults with active tuberculosis (30 pulmonary, 30 miliary, 30 extrapulmonary) had adrenal function assessed prospectively before and three to four weeks after starting antituberculous chemotherapy. Basal serum cortisol concentrations were normal in 55 (61%) and raised in 35 (39%) of the subjects. No patient had a low basal cortisol concentration. After Synacthen stimulation, cortisol responses were normal in 81 (92%) of the patients and subnormal in seven (8%). After antituberculous chemotherapy the response to Synacthen stimulation was normal in all but one patient. It is concluded that adrenal dysfunction is an uncommon problem in patients with active tuberculosis, and that, contrary to recent reports, antituberculous chemotherapy regimens that include rifampicin do not have an adverse effect on adrenal function.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1980

Thiacetazone skin reaction in Papua New Guinea.

Thiacetazone is used as a first-line antituberculosis drug in most of the developing countries of the South Pacific. Skine reactions are considered the major side effects of this drug. In Papua New Guinea, 2.5% of Melanesian patients who received thiacetazone for the treatment of tuberculosis developed skin reactions. The reaction appears to be caused by hypersensitivity rather than by toxicity and has distinct clinical features. The therapeutic regimen for tuberculosis in the developing countries of the South Pacific is not likely to change in the near future. Recognition of this potentially fatal complication of thiacetazone is important in the mamnagement of patients with tuberculosis in countries where the drug is used.

Adolescent↗