Biomedical subjects

R Lindblad

Publications and source records attributed to R Lindblad.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Empiric monotherapy for febrile neutropenia--a randomized study comparing meropenem with ceftazidime.

In this Swedish multicentre study we compared the efficacy of meropenem with ceftazidime for treatment of febrile neutropenia. 192 patients were randomized and the number of evaluable patients was 92 in the meropenem group and 95 in the ceftazidime group. 40 (43%) patients in the meropenem arm and 49 (52%) in the ceftazidime arm had acute leukaemia. 56 (61%) and 52 (55%) patients respectively had a neutrophil count of < 0.1 x 10(9)/l at randomization and the median duration of neutropenia was 6.5 and 8 d, respectively. Thirty-one (34%) and 28 (29%) patients had a microbiologically defined infection, 14 (15%) and 17 (18%) a clinically defined infection and the remaining 47 (51%) and 50 (53%) had unexplained fever. After 72 h of treatment, 46 (50%) patients in the meropenem arm and 53 (56%) patients in the ceftazidime arm were alive on unmodified monotherapy. 42 (46%) and 47 (49%) of these completed the study on monotherapy alone. Only 2 patients (2%) in each arm had to stop treatment owing to allergic reactions. None of the observed differences were statistically significant and we therefore conclude that meropenem was an effective and safe alternative to ceftazidime for empiric treatment of fever during neutropenia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

A case of severe pancytopenia caused by ibuprofen.

We here present the case of a patient with severe neutropenia, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia associated with long-term use of ibuprofen. The blood parameters rapidly normalized when the drug was discontinued, and no further treatment, except for a short course of antibiotics, was required.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Single-dose intravenous melphalan in advanced multiple myeloma.

Eight patients with progressive multiple myeloma were given an intermediate intravenous dose of melphalan (30 mg/m2). A response lasting 2-18 months was observed in 7 patients. The bone marrow toxicity was well acceptable and most courses could be given on an outpatient basis. Intermediate-dose intravenous melphalan may be considered an alternative for treatment of relapsing or progressive multiple myeloma, even if the patient has previously received oral melphalan.

Drug Administration Schedule↗

PubMed1989

Diagnostically usable skin lesions in Candida septicaemia.

We present three patients with hematological malignancies, all neutropenic and febrile despite broadspectrum antibiotics. They all developed a sparse rash with purpuric maculopapules with a violaceous hue centrally. These skin lesions were associated with systemic Candida infections and responded well to antifungal treatment. They appeared to be a short-cut to the diagnosis of systemic Candida infections for both the hematologist and the dermatologist.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Emergency department screening for unsuspected carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading toxic cause of death in the United States today. Unsuspected exposure to this gas will sometimes result in clinically significant, but undiagnosed, toxicity. A high incidence of such unsuspected exposures would make screening for these worthwhile among high-risk populations. We conducted a two-part study to determine the value of screening for unsuspected CO exposure in a population of patients presenting to an emergency department. The first part of our study involved the prospective screening of ED patients using CO breath analysis, regardless of their chief complaint. In the second part, COHGB levels of all patients who underwent arterial blood gas analysis during the study period were reviewed retrospectively. Of 1,038 patients screened by this combined approach, only 29 (2.8%) had abnormal CO breath readings and/or COHGB levels. Of a condensed subgroup of 152 patients defined retrospectively by chief complaint, eight (5.3%) had abnormal values. We conclude that routine screening of ED patients for unsuspected CO exposure is not practical. Although yield increases when patients are screened in a more selective manner on the basis of chief complaint, such an increase still does not appear to justify the screening process.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Pneumococcal vaccination in splenectomized patients with hematological disorders.

Seventy splenectomized patients were vaccinated with Pneumovax, a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Twenty-four of the patients had a malignant and 30 a nonmalignant hematological disorder. The remaining 16 were patients with no known hematological disorder, seven with intra-abdominal carcinomas and nine with non-malignant reasons for splenectomy. About 90% of the patients with non-malignant hematological disorders responded to vaccination with a rise in antibody titres, which was significantly higher than in the other two groups studied. Malignant hematological disorders lowered the response rate to 61-67%. Patients with no known hematological disorder but with intra-abdominal carcinomas also responded less frequently, while those in this group with other surgical reasons for splenectomy had a response rate comparable to healthy individuals. No serious side-effects were reported and we therefore conclude that all splenectomized patients should be vaccinated with a pneumococcal vaccine. However, it must always be born in mind that one third of the patients with malignant disease did not respond to vaccination.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

The effect of cyclosporin A on the course of murine infection by Schistosoma mansoni.

The effect of the immunomodulating substance cyclosporin A (CyA) has been evaluated in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Administration of CyA at the time of infection or during the schistosomulum stage resulted in failure of the larvae to develop into adult worms. However, a serological response was noted. Administration of CyA during the establishment of the adult worm stage resulted in a reduction of the worm burden as compared to non-treated mice. The established worm pairs, however, seemed to be sterile since no eggs were demonstrated in the liver. Infection of mice with cercariae which had been exposed to CyA in vitro resulted in only a slight reduction of the worm burden for the highest concentration of CyA tested (100 micrograms/ml). The results of the study show that administration of CyA in vivo affects the host-parasite relationship in favour of the host.

Animals↗