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R Cranston

Publications and source records attributed to R Cranston.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Problems in the interpretation of HIV-1 viral load assays using commercial reagents.

During routine monitoring of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load, two problems arose. First, a number of patients, the majority being African, were found to have low viral loads by the Chiron branched-chain DNA assay in conjunction with low CD4(+) cell numbers. In order to determine whether this was due to failure of the branched-chain DNA assay to detect non-B subtypes of HIV, selected samples were subtyped and HIV RNA quantified by branched-chain DNA, NASBA, and the Roche Monitor RT-PCR assay. Twenty-eight (97%) of 29 Africans were infected with a non-B subtype of HIV and 15 (93.7%) of 16 non-Africans with subtype B. Twenty-three samples had a low viral load by branched-chain DNA, which was confirmed by the NASBA and RT-PCR assays. All three assays detected B and non-B subtypes with similar efficiency; NASBA failed to detect HIV RNA in a small number of non-B samples. Discrepancies between viral load and CD4(+) cell numbers did not appear therefore to be related to subtype. Second, while quantification of HIV RNA was being conducted using version 2 of the branched-chain DNA assay (lower detection limit 500 HIV RNA copies/ml) the manufacturers had developed a more sensitive assay and a comparative evaluation was therefore conducted. In approximately 30% of samples the viral load was up to 10 times higher with the more sensitive assay. These experiences emphasise the importance of close collaboration between the clinic and the laboratory.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count↗
PubMed1999

Controlled management of public relations following a public health incident.

This paper describes the management of public relations following an outbreak of multidrug resistant TB at a London hospital. Eight patients were involved, all of the secondary cases occurred in HIV seropositive patients, and three cases died. The paper describes how the the Incident Committee undertook to recall contacts of the cases for screening, inform the general practitioners of all of the contacts about their patients' exposure, warn other organizations and professionals interested or involved in the management of HIV in the London area as to the nature of the incident, and establish a helpline, before informing a wider audience through the EPINET, Communicable Disease Report and national press.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Idiopathic myelofibrosis: dental treatment considerations.

Idiopathic myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown origin. The bone marrow becomes fibrotic with an associated decrease in hematopoiesis resulting in anemia, bleeding problems, splenomegaly, and other secondary abnormalities. Although idiopathic myelofibrosis is usually diagnosed in middle age, there have been a few reports of the disorder in the pediatric population. This case report documents dental treatment considerations in a 6-year-old female with idiopathic myelofibrosis, severe anemia, and abnormal blood coagulation studies. The patient was successfully treated in a hospital after medical consultation, transfusion of packed red blood cells, and administration of prophylactic antibiotics. Local hemostatic measures following multiple extractions of carious teeth controlled bleeding. No postoperative sequelae occurred.

Anemia↗