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Biomedical subjects

S Midani

Publications and source records attributed to S Midani.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Usefulness of acute phase reactants in the diagnosis of acute infections in HIV-infected children.

BACKGROUND: Children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often have hypergammaglobulinemia, causing elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). This study was done to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is a better indicator of acute infection than ESR in HIV-infected children. METHODS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were measured in sick and otherwise healthy HIV-infected children. McNemar's test was used to compare ESR and CRP. RESULTS: In 22 of the 26 cases (85%), the IgG level was elevated, and in all cases ESR was elevated. In 20 of these 22 (91%), both ESR and CRP were elevated. Of the 18 controls, 17 (94%) had elevated IgG, 14 of 17 (82%) had elevated ESR, and 1 (7%) had elevated CRP. The sensitivity for ESR and CRP was 96% and 92%, respectively, and the specificity for ESR and CRP was 17% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Since CRP is more specific than ESR in predicting acute infection in HIV-infected children, it should be used in the evaluation of acute infection in this population.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1999

Mycobacterium fortuitum infection of ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Mycobacterium fortuitum is one of the rapidly growing mycobacteria found in soil, dust, and water. It can be isolated as a normal colonizing organism, but as a pathogen this organism causes mainly skin and soft tissue infection preceded by trauma. A wide variety of infections can occur in individuals with predisposing conditions. Central nervous system infection with M fortuitum is rare, and meningitis occurs after surgery or trauma. We believe that ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection with this organism has not been reported in the literature. Practitioners should be aware of this rare entity and should suspect it in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis with sterile culture, and after trauma, surgery, or manipulation of the VP shunt hardware. Mycobacterium fortuitum is resistant to most first-line and second-line antituberculous drugs, and treatment should include surgical debridement in addition to prolonged antimicrobial therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Chromobacterium violaceum infection.

Chromobacterium violaceum infection is confined to the tropical and subtropical areas, with almost all reported cases occurring in the Southeast. The most common feature of this infection is sepsis, followed by cutaneous involvement and liver abscesses. Treatment consists of surgical drainage of purulent collections and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, such as chloramphenicol, gentamicin, imipenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin. Although C violaceum infection is rare, it is potentially fatal and remains an important entity for clinicians to suspect and treat appropriately.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

Polymerase chain reaction testing for early detection of HIV infection in children.

Diagnosis of vertically acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is often difficult because of transplacentally acquired maternal antibodies. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is commercially available and has high sensitivity and specificity. To evaluate the usefulness of PCR testing in the early diagnosis of perinatally acquired HIV infection, we reviewed records of 122 children having follow-up in the Northeast Florida Pediatric AIDS Program. Seventy-two children were excluded for various reasons. Of the remaining 50 children, 37 had PCR testing. In 5 children, the initial PCR test was done at > 18 months of age. Results of PCR testing were positive in 8 of 13 (62%) at birth, 12 of 18 (67%) by 1 month of age, 18 of 23 (78%) by 2 months of age, and 20 of 24 (83%) by 3 months of age. In 24 of 27 (85%), results were positive by the time the children reached 4 months of age. Our data suggest that the PCR test is a useful tool for early diagnosis of vertically transmitted HIV infection.

Florida↗
PubMed1995

Cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine program in Florida.

Introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine has significantly decreased this disease's incidence in childhood. The cost-effectiveness and economic impact of the Hib immunization program in Florida were investigated and three periods compared: I = 1984-1988; II = 1989-1990; and III = 1991-1992. The cost per year of Hib disease in Period I was $27.48 million while that in Periods II and III was $15.95 million and $.88 million respectively. The total savings in millions were: Periods I and II = $11.53; Periods II and III = $11.07; and Periods I and III = $22.6. The greatest saving was realized between Periods I and III because of the initiation of immunization with the Hib vaccine starting at two months of age during Period III. Hib immunization is cost-effective and significant savings would more than pay for the cost of the program.

Child↗