Biomedical subjects

P Zakowski

Publications and source records attributed to P Zakowski.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Utility of inhaled pentamidine prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients.

The incidence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) has been shown to be high posttransplantation in the absence of prophylaxis. For this reason, lung transplant recipients routinely receive prophylaxis. We report on our results using aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis in nine patients post-lung transplantation (eight single lung transplants, one double). The patients received monthly treatments of 300 mg of aerosolized pentamidine for a mean of 10.6 months (range, 4 to 21 months). Patients were routinely monitored with serial pulmonary function studies and bronchoscopy as clinically indicated. Two of the patients experienced bronchospasm in response to the therapy. None of the patients experienced any episodes of PCP during the period of inhaled pentamidine prophylaxis. Inhaled pentamidine is a safe and effective form of PCP prophylaxis and may be used instead of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in patients who have a sulfa allergy or other untoward sulfa side effects.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1993

Risk of acquisition of genital herpes simplex virus type 2 in sex partners of persons with genital herpes: a prospective couple study.

In a prospective study of factors associated with genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 transmission in couples in whom 1 partner had clinical genital HSV and the other did not, 11 (19%) of the 57 history-negative partners had HSV-2 antibody by Western blot at entry. In follow-up (mean, 16 months) of 29 HSV-2-seronegative partners, overall 4 (14%) seroconverted compared with 3 (23%) of 13 HSV-1- and -2-seronegative partners and 1 (6%) of 16 HSV-1-seropositive partners. Since all seroconverters were women, the risk of transmission may be higher in HSV-seronegative women. No significant differences were found between HSV-2-seronegative partners and seroconverters regarding duration of relationships, number of partner recurrences, intercourse frequency, or contraceptive method. However, 2 seroconverters were exposed to lesions without barrier contraception. This study suggests that infection is commonly asymptomatic and that although the overall risk of genital HSV transmission in couples is low (10%/year), the risk may be significantly increased in women and in seronegative individuals.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Mycobacterium avium: a pathogen of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Mycobacterium avium complex has been isolated with increasing frequency from humans during the last few decades. Thirteen patients admitted to the UCLA Medical Center with the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in addition to having Kaposi's sarcoma, Pneumocystis pneumonia, and other opportunistic infections, also had M. avium complex isolated from a variety of tissues and fluids submitted for culture. Of these patients, 10 had histologic and bacteriologic evidence of disseminated mycobacterial infection, and M. avium complex was isolated from the blood of 5. The organisms were isolated from routine bacteriologic and diphasic fungal blood culture bottles. Periodic cultures of sputum, urine, and other body fluids and tissues should be performed for mycobacterial infections in all such patients. Routine blood cultures should be kept for at least 8 weeks to check for the presence of acid-fast bacteria in general and for M. avium complex in particular from all patients with immune deficiencies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1984

New biphasic culture system for isolation of mycobacteria from blood of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A new biphasic medium consisting of a 7H11 agar slant and brain heart infusion broth liquid phase has been used for the past 10 months at the University of California at Los Angeles for isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex from blood. In 12 patients whose blood cultures were grown on this medium, the median time for isolation of M. avium complex was 7 days (range 6 to 15 days) compared with 21 to 27 days on a fungal medium and 28 to 38 days on routine blood culture medium. The system has provided a reliable and rapid way to obtain morphology and rapid identification of colonies produced from blood samples of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, who are at high risk for M. avium complex mycobacteremia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1982

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in homosexual men dying of acquired immunodeficiency.

Five homosexual men dying at UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, with acquired immunodeficiency and Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma, or cryptosporidiosis since May 1981 have all had mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex cultured from tissues taken just before death or at postmortem examination. Each man had histological evidence of disseminated mycobacterial infection. Acid-fast organisms were seen in macrophages in the lung, spleen, and lymph nodes in all cases and in a variety of additional organs in two cases. Other severe infections were always found at postmortem examination--cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidiosis, and Pneumocystis. Disseminated M avium-intracellulare infection has been so striking in homosexual males dying with acquired immunodeficiency at our institution that we believe a vigorous search for mycobacteria should be made in all such patients. Empiric therapy for mycobacterial infection may be justified in selected cases of immunodeficiency before a specific microbiological diagnosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1976

Psychosurgery.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Brain Diseases↗