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Biomedical subjects

S H Gillespie

Publications and source records attributed to S H Gillespie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus: an emerging pathogen in neutropenic patients.

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus was isolated from eight neutropenic patients during nine febrile episodes over a 13-month period. Five of these isolates were from definite infections, including one case of fatal meningitis. This slime-producing, catalase-variable, gram-positive coccus is a component of the normal oral flora of humans. Its biochemical profile may result in misidentification; however, unlike most micrococci, it characteristically fails to grow on media containing 5% NaCl. All but one of our isolates were sensitive to benzylpenicillin, and all were sensitive to vancomycin. S. mucilaginosus may prove to be an important pathogen in severely immunocompromised patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Infection caused by Mycobacterium chelonae: a diagnostic and therapeutic problem in the neutropenic patient.

Mycobacterium chelonae, a rapidly growing species, is a significant cause of fever in neutropenic patients. We describe three febrile neutropenic patients at the Royal Free Hospital from whom this organism was isolated on several occasions. The condition of the first patient improved as the neutrophil count recovered. The second patient developed pulmonary disease and required surgical resection of a pulmonary lesion. The third patient, who had rapidly progressive, diffuse pulmonary disease, responded to an antibiotic regimen including erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Both our findings and reports in the literature suggest that neutropenia may be a major risk factor for disseminated infection due to M. chelonae and that treatment is effective only after the recovery of the neutrophil count.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

DIY microbiology.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1991

The prevalence of Toxocara canis ova in soil samples from parks and gardens in the London area.

Toxocara canis is an ascarid parasite of the dog. Human infection is acquired when ova of T. canis are ingested. Parks and play areas contaminated with dog faeces are recognised as potential sources of infection. Five hundred and twenty one soil samples were examined from fifteen parks and gardens in the greater London area to establish the prevalence of soil contamination in those facilities. Samples were examined using a magnesium sulphate floatation method. T. canis ova were found in 6.3% of the samples. Positive samples were commonly found in lawns, playing fields and children's play areas. The authors believe that this may constitute a significant health risk, particularly to children.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

New methods in the diagnosis and management of cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening condition associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current diagnostic and therapeutic methods have serious limitations. The diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasma infection in a patient with AIDS was assisted by the detection of specific IgM in a highly sensitive immunosorbent agglutination assay and by the demonstration of Toxoplasma gondii nucleic acid in a brain biopsy specimen by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Following initial failure of the patient to respond to treatment with sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine, clinical improvement was observed during treatment with clindamycin followed by dapsone. Further assessment of novel methods in the management of cerebral toxoplasmosis is required.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Measurement of acute phase proteins for assessing severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Seventeen adult patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria, admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, were studied. Serial measurements of the serum concentration of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein, and percentage parasitaemia were determined, together with initial measurement of serum electrolytes, liver function, haemoglobin, white cell and platelet counts. Initial C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A concentrations were increased (C-reactive protein mean 49.0 mg/l serum amyloid A 28 mg/l) falling towards the normal range by the seventh day of treatment. There was a significant correlation between the pretreatment parasite count and clinical and laboratory markers of inflammation. C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A concentrations correlated inversely with the serum sodium. These results indicate that measurement of acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A may prove valuable in assessing the severity of P falciparum malaria, and in following the response to antimalarial treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

A field evaluation of the formol-detergent method for concentrating faecal parasites.

A faecal parasite concentration method which utilizes a formalin-detergent solution has recently been described. This technique was evaluated under field conditions in the Out-Patient Department of a hospital in Northern Tanzania. Fifty faecal samples were examined by saline wet preparation and following formol-detergent concentration. Forty-one different parasite identifications were made by both techniques. Ten parasites were found only on saline wet preparation, and 20 were found only in the formol-detergent concentrate. The method necessitates a 24-h delay in sending a report, which is not justified by the small improvement in diagnostic yield. The authors believe that a modification of the technique may yet achieve acceptable results.

Animals↗