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Biomedical subjects

S Pretorius

Publications and source records attributed to S Pretorius.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Trends in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among a patient population of an inner-city emergency department: implications for emergency department-based screening programs for HIV infection.

Personnel of inner-city emergency departments (EDs), which are frequently the only source of medical care for many patients, may be in a unique position to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection earlier than personnel at other recommended screening sites. To assist development of ED-based screening strategies for HIV infection, we undertook a serosurvey of HIV infection in adult patients attending an ED during a 6-week period in 1992 using an identity-unlinked technique and compared our findings with data collected similarly in 1988. Of 1,606 patients, 183 (11.4%) were HIV-positive, compared with 6.0% in 1988. Seroprevalence rates of HIV infection among patients only at risk of heterosexual transmission increased more than fourfold (7% to 30.3%). CD4+ cell counts were higher in those patients with undiagnosed HIV infection than in those with known HIV infection. Targeting minority patients aged 25-44 years, intravenous drug users, and those patients at heterosexual risk would have identified 87% of patients with new HIV infection, while requiring screening of 41% of the study sample. Targeted voluntary screening programs in certain EDs would likely detect significant numbers of new early HIV infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The use of tricure glass ionomer cement as an apical sealant after apicoectomy.

The adaptation and sealing ability of a tricure glass ionomer material (Vitremer), used in a retrograde cavity was assessed and compared with amalgam. Fifty single-rooted, extracted teeth were prepared and filled endodontically. All teeth underwent root resection and retrograde cavities were prepared. The teeth were divided into two groups. One group of 10 teeth received a layer of varnish and an amalgam filling in a retrograde cavity, while the other group of 40 teeth received a layer of primer and a glass ionomer filling. All the teeth were placed in an aqueous solution of Procion Brilliant Blue for 7 days whereafter ground sections were prepared. Micro leakage was determined according to the extend of dye penetration using an image analysis system. The results showed that significantly less dye penetration was observed in teeth filled with the glass ionomer cement than in those with the amalgam.

Apicoectomy↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiology of oral precancer and cancer.

Although a large number of lesions and conditions have been designated as premalignant, most of these diseases have a very low incidence. Furthermore, only a small percentage undergo malignant transformation. In this article, premalignant changes of the oral mucosa are described and contributory factors that enhance their malignant transformation are identified. The largest single risk factor is atrophy of the oral mucosa. Oral submucous fibrosis, tobacco use and iron deficiency anaemias enhance the risk of malignant transformation. The location of lesions is also considered, since certain sites display a greater predilection to malignant transformation. The epidemiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma among the South African populations is considered and compared with figures from other countries. The impact of urbanisation and changing habits have led to a gradual move towards equalization of the incidences for males and females. The tongue is the most commonly involved site in all South African racial groups. However, there are differences in site distribution. For instance, among whites there is a greater predilection for carcinoma of the floor of the mouth, while among blacks the palate is more frequently involved. The incidence is highest during the 7th decade.

Adolescent↗