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Biomedical subjects

S Kernbaum

Publications and source records attributed to S Kernbaum.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Treatment of acute pneumopathies in a tropical zone].

This treatment must take into account the high frequency of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae which represent over 50% of causes of all bacterial pneumopathies, up to 75% in children under 2 years old. Benzyl-penicillin and injectable delayed action penicillin are drugs of choice and early utilisation reduces considerably the mortality. Other possible antibiotics are macrolides because of their wide range of efficacy and low toxicity, and chloramphenicol which is still one of the best drugs against penicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

[Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and related syndromes. Critical analysis of biological tests of cell-mediated immunity].

In order to assess the actual value of the in vitro tests of cellular immunity performed to provide diagnostic evidence for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or related syndromes, we have evaluated T-lymphocyte subsets and in vitro proliferative responses. The respective profiles of 44 symptom-free homosexual men, 30 patients with AIDS and 42 patients with lymphadenopathy were compared with each other and with profiles of blood bank volunteers, using stepwise discriminant analysis. At first investigation, control homosexuals, AIDS patients and lymphadenopathy patients displayed varying degrees of the same type of immunological abnormalities. The percentage of OKT4+ cells was the most discriminant variable between blood donors and control homosexuals, AIDS or lymphadenopathy patients. The latter differed from homosexuals by a higher percent of OKT8+ cells and from AIDS patients by a lesser reduction in T-lymphocyte counts. OKT4+ cell counts differentiated AIDS patients from control homosexuals. However, none of these major discriminant variables could classify correctly more than 70% of subjects in the homosexual and in the two patient groups. Thus, a single investigation of T-lymphocyte immune parameters does not provide substantial diagnostic and prognostic evidence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Critical analysis of T cell subset and function evaluation in patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy in groups at risk for AIDS.

In order to determine whether there exists a distinct immunological profile that discriminates between healthy homosexual men and those expressing persistent generalized hyperplastic lympadenopathy GHL and which of the observed abnormalities in GHL would be most indicative of patients who would eventually develop AIDS, we evaluated T lymphocyte subset and in vitro proliferative responses. The respective profiles of 44 symptom free homosexual men (HC), 42 patients with GHL and 30 cases of AIDS were compared to that of blood bank volunteers (BBV) and to each other, using stepwise discrimination analysis. HC, GHL and AIDS patients demonstrated upon their first investigation varying degrees of the same type of abnormal immunological characteristics. The percentage of OKT4+ cells was the most discriminant variable between BBV and HC, GHL or AIDS. GHL was distinguished from HC primarily by a higher percentage of OKT8+ cells and from AIDS by higher T lymphocyte counts, while the OKT4+ cell count discriminated between AIDS and HC. However, none of these major discriminant variables could classify correctly more than 71% within the HC and the two patient groups. Thus, there exists a continuity between GHL and AIDS in the range of observed immunological abnormalities without clearcut boundaries. This, together with the existence of abnormal background values in HC will not permit a single investigation of T lymphocyte immune parameters to provide substantial diagnostic and prognostic evidence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

[Efficacy and reversible nephrotoxicity of cefsulodin during treatment of septicemia from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of a pacemaker].

A case of P. aeruginosa septicaemia originating from a pace-maker electrode is described. Cure was obtained by surgical ablation of the contaminated electrode by a right thoracotomy and monotherapy with cefsulodin, an antibacterial agent. Nephrotoxicity was observed during treatment and regressed after its withdrawal. No other potentially nephrotoxic drug was used. The therapeutic indications of new beta-lactamase stable cephalosporins are reviewed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1983

Phospholipase activities of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in rat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Respiratory distress, main clinical symptom of P. carinii pneumonia, is unexplained. We wondered if it could be linked with a lung surfactant anomaly. We have shown in the bronchoalveolar fluid lavage of P. carinii-infected rats: a very significant decrease of the phospholipid content; a lowering of the phospholipid/protein ratio; and an increase in phospholipase activities, partly due to the activation of an inactive phospholipase into the active form. We conclude that, in P. carinii-infected rats, there is an increased catabolism of lung surfactant.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[The choice of a prophylactic antibiotic by the surgeon].

The difficult problem of the choice of antibiotic, when treatment is assumed to be necessary for prevention of postoperative infection, is discussed in relation to published data and the rules for prescribing antibiotics. Complications of antibiotic therapy are summarized, and the principal etiologic bacteria, as a function of the type of operation, are described. Surgical acts can be grouped in four categories as a function of the frequency with which they are followed by infection. Criteria of choice of antibiotic and the advantages and inconveniences of preventive antibiotic treatment are outlined. Results of the main controlled studies are reviewed in relation to the type of surgery performed, and an attempt made to choose from among the most effective products. As the ecological risk appears to be of primary importance, narrow spectrum antibiotics are preferred, as they have the minimum effect on host flora. These include penicillin G for certain gynecological operations, as well as in ENT surgical procedures, and metronidazole (Flagyl) for lower digestive tract surgery or gynecological procedures.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Endocarditis due to commensal Neisseria (author's transl)].

Three cases of endocarditis due to Neisseria mucosa are reported. The pathogenic role of these commensal microorganisms is reviewed. A survey of the literature found a dozen cases of endocarditis due to commensal Neisseria before the antibiotic era, and fourteen more since then (not including our three observations). Some of distinctive features can be delineated from the study of cases seen during the second period. Patients mean age is fairly low (34 years), incidence of cutaneous manifestations is high, and vascular complications (mainly embolism) are common (52, 1% of the cases). Overall prognosis is good and the recovery rate (82 %) is similar to that seen in non-D Streptococcus endocarditis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Spiramycin ; therapeutic value in humans. (author's transl)].

Spiramycin gives high tissue levels and has very-few side-effects. It is one of the best antibiotics in infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract and of the oral cavity. It is probably one of the most effective antibiotics against chlamydia. Spiramycin is useful when toxoplasmosis occurs during pregnancy or results in severe diseases in non-immunodepressed patients. For the reasons listed above, we believe that spiramycin has been underestimated. This is the result of assessing its value according to its rather high MIC rather than to it's effectiveness against infection in animals and humans.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1982

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery (author's transl)].

Post-operative infections are of course due to bacterial contamination, but also to local conditions favourable to bacterial growth, and to lowering of host defences. Antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated in "clean-contamined" surgery, in surgery on immunodepressed patient and in bone prosthesis. The risk is mainly ecological. Antibiotics are useless when administered after the first post-operative day. The results of well-conducted controlled studies demonstrating, for instance, the value of metronidazole in surgery of the large bowel and appendix are reported.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Controlled study of pristinamycin versus oxacillin in staphylococcal infections ].

A prospective double-blind study was conducted in patients hospitalized with a staphylococcal infection. The effects of oxacillin (4-6 g/d) and pristinamycin (2-3 g/d) were compared. These were 52 cutaneous infections and 17 other ones. The results of the two antibiotics effects were not different. Tolerance was appreciated in the 82 patients who entered the study: pristinamycin had fewer (but not significantly different) side effects than oxacillin (3/37 vs 9/45). As pristinamycin is active in vitro on at least 95 p. cent of strains, we concluded that it can be the first choice antibiotic in staphylococcal infections when the oral route is possible.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

[Bacterial endocarditis : lack of diagnostic value of immunological investigations (author's transl)].

To evaluate the diagnostic help afforded by immune determinations in feverish valvular patients, we prospectively determined: total hemolytic complement, cryoglobulin, rheumatoid factor, circulating immune complexes and direct skin immunofluorescence. Twenty patients entered the study, twelve with bacterial endocarditis, six without any bacteremia and two septicemic patients without endocarditis. We detected at least one immune abnormality in 10/12 endocarditis patients: - in 7/11 (64 p. cent) circulating immune complexes; - in 3/12 rheumatoid factor; - in 3/12 positive fluorescence in dermal vessels (IgM-C3); - and in one patient an IgG lupus-like band in the membrane basal zone. We also found circulating immune complexes in 3/4 patients without bacteremia and in 1/2 septicemic patients. We conclude that, in our small prospective study, immune abnormalities are frequent in bacterial endocarditis patients but their diagnostic values is rather limited : their absence do not rule out endocarditis and they can be present in many other febrile disorders.

Adult↗