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S N Bass

Publications and source records attributed to S N Bass.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis presenting as exudative pleural effusion: a series of five cases.

Five patients are reported who have pleural effusion and pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. In four of the five patients, the presenting problem was a large pleural effusion, and three of these four patients had an exudative effusion. Initial evaluation and investigations in these patients were directed toward the pleuropulmonary disease, delaying the diagnosis of osteomyelitis, and in two patients, this delay resulted in neurologic complications. In the fifth patient, the pleural effusion was initially small; however, during the course of a workup for osteomyelitis, the effusion increased rapidly. Two out of the five patients had empyema, and the other three patients had a large pleural effusion associated with and apparently caused by vertebral osteomyelitis. Vertebral osteomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion of uncertain cause especially if there is associated back pain.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Cytomegaloviral acalculous cholecystitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

Abdominal pain and fever in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may indicate cytomegaloviral (CMV) acalculous cholecystitis. We reviewed clinical, laboratory, and outcome data from 12 patients with CMV cholecystitis. Ten of 12 patients were homosexual males. Six patients had markedly low CD4: CD8 lymphocyte count ratios. Total leukocyte counts were normal or decreased, serum liver function tests normal or cholestatic, and only one patient had hyperbilirubinemia. Sonographic transmural gallbladder edema is typically more severe than expected for the presenting illness. Five of six patients investigated with HIDA scintigraphy had a nonvisualizing gallbladder. Open cholecystectomy had a 9.1 per cent operative morbidity and a 0 per cent mortality. Cholecystectomy is a safe and curative intervention, regardless of the immunocompromised condition of the host. Intraoperative cholangiography will identify papillary stenosis or sclerotic bile ducts as a potential cause of recurrent symptoms following surgery. A search for other sites of tissue invasion by CMV should follow cholecystectomy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Dissociation of neutrophil aggregation, adhesiveness, and Fc receptor activity.

Neutrophils that bear receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G have been demonstrated to be more active in assays of adherence, aggregation, and chemotaxis compared to Fc receptor-negative cells. We examined the relationship of neutrophil Fc receptor activity and cell-cell adherence or aggregation induced by phorbol myristate acetate. In contrast to 1-isoproterenol, isobutyl-methyl-xanthine, and dibutyryl cAMP, each of which inhibited Fc receptor activity and neutrophil aggregation, theophylline significantly impaired aggregation without affecting Fc receptor activity. The selective beta-2 agonist, metaproterenol, and 8-Bromo cAMP failed to inhibit Fc receptor activity or neutrophil aggregation. Three known inducers of neutrophil intracellular cyclic AMP, PGE1, PGE2, and cholera toxin, also did not inhibit Fc receptor activity. Inhibition of Fc receptor activity by 95% in the presence of purified Fc fragments did not affect neutrophil aggregation. Similarly suppression of Fc receptor activity by purified Fc fragments did not inhibit neutrophil adhesion to nylon fiber columns. These data demonstrate that the Fc receptor does not mediate phorbol myristate acetate-induced cell-cell adhesion and is not necessary for optimal neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibers. Our results are consistent with the possibility that the reversible inhibitory activity of beta-adrenergic agonists on rosette formation may be a steric effect rather than a metabolic effect. These data tend to dissociate Fc receptor activity, neutrophil aggregation, and adhesion and support the hypothesis that the Fc receptor may be a marker of neutrophil heterogeneity rather than a component necessary for optimal neutrophil aggregation or adhesion.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1986

Left-sided endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A report of 10 cases and review of the literature.

Ten confirmed cases of left-sided endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa were reported in detail and the English literature was reviewed. In recent years, venous access (usually illicit) has been the major predisposing factor to this infection and abuse of pentazocine and tripelennamine has been particularly associated with endocarditis due to this organism. This infection involves previously damaged as well as normal valves. The development of congestive heart failure did not adversely affect the prognosis of this infection. However, the development of azotemia was associated with a greater likelihood of a fatal outcome. In the current series, deaths were due to uncontrolled infection. This often occurred despite inhibitory and bactericidal activity in serum generally considered adequate for treatment of endocarditis. Medical treatment alone rarely produced cure of infection. Our experience with a high frequency of major vessel embolization (4/10) and the improved survival after medical/surgical treatment suggests that prompt valve replacement combined with high doses of an aminoglycoside plus carbenicillin or ticarcillin provide the best opportunity for successful outcome in patients with left-sided endocarditis due to P. aeruginosa.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Combination antimicrobial therapy.

In spite of a large volume of data regarding the in vitro activity of single and combined antimicrobial activity, the clinical relevance of these studies is unclear. Few comparative trials of combined and single antibiotic therapy of human infection have been performed. Synergistic combination therapy has been shown to be beneficial in a few specific circumstances. Antagonistic combinations should be avoided in the treatment of meningitis, endocarditis, and infections of immunocompromised patients. The bactericidal titer of serum or spinal fluid should reflect adequacy of therapy of meningitis, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis, and adjustments can be made accordingly.

Adult↗