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Biomedical subjects

S Saari

Publications and source records attributed to S Saari.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Canine intestinal helminths in Finland: prevalence, risk factors and endoparasite control practices.

In this survey, the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminths in Finland was investigated by coprological examination (n = 541) and possible risk factors for helminth infections in dogs were analysed. In addition, the dog owners (n = 296) completed a questionnaire about use of anthelmintics, sources of information about parasites and antiparasitic treatments and reasons for choosing the drugs. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 5.9%. Eggs from four different species were identified in the faecal samples. Toxocara canis eggs were present in 17 dogs (3.1%), Uncinaria stenocephala eggs in 14 dogs (2.6%) and Diphyllobothrium latum eggs in 2 dogs (0.4%). Moreover, one sample contained eggs of Trichuris vulpis (0.2%). Kennel housing and visits abroad were identified as risk factors for T. canis and U. stenocephala infections. Most dogs (86.0%) received anthelmintic treatment at least once a year. Hunting dogs were dewormed least; one-third was treated less than once a year. Approximately, half of the owners occasionally changed the anthelmintic used. The most important trait of the anthelmintic was its broad spectrum, fenbendazole being the most commonly chosen. Veterinarians, dog magazines and dog breeders were the predominant sources of information concerning parasites and deworming strategies.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2000

A double-blind, randomized study to compare the efficacy and safety of terbinafine (Lamisil) with fluconazole (Diflucan) in the treatment of onychomycosis.

In a randomized, double-blind, double-placebo, multicentre study, terbinafine 250 mg daily for 12 weeks was compared with fluconazole 150 mg once weekly for 12 or 24 weeks in the treatment of onychomycosis. A total of 137 patients with culture-confirmed onychomycosis was divided into three groups: group A received terbinafine for 12 weeks, group B received fluconazole for 12 weeks, while group C received fluconazole for 24 weeks. At completion of the study (week 60), the mycological cure rate was higher in the terbinafine group than in the fluconazole groups: 89% vs. 51% and 49%, respectively (P < 0.001). The length of unaffected nail increased until week 24 in group B and until week 36 in group C, but was still increasing in group A at the final visit (week 60). Complete clinical cure of the target nail at week 60 was 67% in the terbinafine group, compared with 21% and 32% in the fluconazole groups, respectively. The incidence of adverse events was low for both study agents. We conclude that terbinafine 250 mg daily for 12 weeks is significantly more effective in the treatment of onychomycosis than fluconazole 150 mg once weekly for either 12 or 24 weeks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Continuous and intermittent itraconazole dosing schedules for the treatment of onychomycosis: a pharmacokinetic comparison.

This multicentre, double-blind, randomized study compared the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole given at 200 mg once daily for 3 months and intermittently at 200 mg twice daily for 1 week per month followed by a 3-week drug-free period for 3 months in the treatment of onychomycosis. Patients were followed for 9 months after treatment. Itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole plasma concentrations and itraconazole nail tip concentrations were determined at regular intervals. With intermittent therapy (n = 64), increases of consistent magnitude were seen in the mean itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole plasma concentrations at the end of each 1-week treatment phase; values returned towards baseline during each subsequent 3-week drug-free period. The mean concentration of itraconazole in fingernail tips increased steadily from week 4, reached a maximum value at week 24 (213 ng/g), declined sharply between weeks 24 and 36 and returned to baseline by week 48; the mean concentration profile was similar for toenail tips (maximum value 305 ng/g at week 24) but decreased at a slower rate. With continuous therapy (n = 65), steady-state mean plasma concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole were obtained within 4-5 weeks of the start of treatment and remained reasonably constant between weeks 4 and 12. The mean concentration of itraconazole in fingernail tips reached a maximum value at week 12 (524 ng/g) and returned towards baseline by week 48; in contrast, the maximum mean concentration of itraconazole in toenail tips was 698 ng/g at week 36 and did not return to baseline by week 48. No clear relationship was observed between response to treatment and concentration of itraconazole or hydroxy-itraconazole in plasma or itraconazole in nails, suggesting that concentrations exceeded therapeutic levels. In conclusion, intermittent therapy resulted in higher maximum itraconazole plasma concentrations but lower total drug exposure, and hence lower itraconazole nail concentrations, than continuous therapy. However, the intermittent schedule was not associated with a lower cure rate, which indicates that itraconazole nail concentrations remained within the therapeutic range.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) in a shipping company.

Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is a method used successfully to reduce suffering from stress-related ailments such as insomnia, depression, anger, headaches etc. The resources of the shipping company are very limited and, thus, networking with existing organizations and specialists is necessary to carry out CISD effectively. The present company model has been adopted to take into account various situations and levels of disaster. The model has been adopted at three levels of events:Level 1. Serious accidents on shore, sudden deaths, severe events and threats. Events involving one or only few persons. Level 2. Life-threatening occupational accidents on board ship, suicide of a workmate, sudden death and fire on board ship. Events involving one person or limited group of persons. Level 3. Disasters at sea. Severe events involving all or nearly all persons on board ship. Actions at different levels: Level 1: A leaflet describing CISD, situations where it would be appropriate and where it is available, is given to each sailor. The victim is encouraged to seek CISD from public health care centres, most of which have their own services in Finland. Level 2. Training of about 8 hours is carried out by an experienced crisis psychologist for supervisors and officers on board ship. After the training they are able to identify stressful situations. At each harbour, the shipping company has made agreements with experienced crisis psychologists to act as specialists and contact persons on shore. These nominated psychologists will initiate CISD actions when necessary. If they need extra manpower they will turn to other psychologists. Level 3. In such serious accidents, the company's own resources alone are insufficient to provide effective CISD. All available public and private resources will he needed (health care organizations, Red Cross, Church etc.).

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1998

Detection and effects of helicobacters in healthy dogs and dogs with signs of gastritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence, colonization density, and distribution of helicobacters and gastric histologic findings in healthy dogs and dogs with signs of gastritis; to evaluate association of colonization density and gastric inflammation; and to compare the number of Helicobacter spp with degree of inflammation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prevalence survey. ANIMALS: 25 healthy dogs and 21 dogs with signs of gastritis. PROCEDURE: During endoscopy, gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from healthy and affected client-owned dogs. Histologic and cytologic evaluation and results of a urease test were used for detecting helicobacters, which were identified definitively by use of transmission electron microscopy and bacterial culture. RESULTS: Helicobacters were detected in all 25 healthy and 20 of 21 affected dogs. Cytologic examination was a more sensitive method than histologic examination or the urease test. Helicobacters were found least frequently and in fewest number in the antrum in both groups of dogs. Gastric inflammation was evident in both groups of dogs and did not differ significantly between groups. A significant association was not detected between colonization density or the number of Helicobacter spp and degree of gastric inflammation. In both groups, H bizzozeronii, H felis, and H salomonis were cultured. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Histologically verified chronic gastritis is common in dogs with signs of gastritis as well as in healthy dogs. Colonization density of helicobacters was not associated with degree of gastric inflammation in the dogs of our study. It remains to be determined whether certain strains of Helicobacter spp can induce gastritis in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Lesions of subclinical doberman hepatitis.

This investigation describes histologic lesions in the livers of 18 Doberman Pinschers suffering from subclinical doberman hepatitis (DH). The dogs' ages ranged from 2.5 to 7 years; 15 were females and 3 were males. At the time of liver biopsy, the dogs had no clinical signs of liver disease, although serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values had been elevated in two samples in successive months. In the histologic examination, all biopsies revealed parenchymal and portal mononuclear inflammation. In the parenchyma, the inflammation was diffuse, with multifocal clusters of inflammatory cells. The periportal reaction was usually mild to moderate. Bridging necrosis (3/18) and bile duct proliferation (2/18) were rare. Excessive copper was detected by rubeinic acid stain in every specimen. Postmortem liver samples were obtained from nine dogs 3.5-65 months after the initial biopsy specimen; five of these dogs had been euthanatized for reasons other than DH, and liver specimens revealed piecemeal necrosis (5/5), bridging necrosis (3/5), and bile duct proliferation (2/5). Four of them had been euthanatized because of DH. Liver lesions of these dogs were typical for chronic active hepatitis, with bridging and piecemeal necrosis (4/4), portal expansion (4/4), bile duct proliferation (4/4), and fibrosis (4/4). A scoring system was used to evaluate changes numerically from biopsy to postmortem samples. Lesions in all dogs had progressed. The most important histologic changes were expansion of portal areas (P = 0.008), increased periportal and bridging necrosis (P = 0.008), increased fibrosis (P = 0.016), and proliferation of the bile ducts (P = 0.063).

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1997

Valaciclovir for the suppression of recurrent genital HSV infection: a placebo controlled study of once daily therapy. International Valaciclovir HSV Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of once daily valaciclovir for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in immunocompetent patients. METHODS: 382 otherwise healthy patients with a history of frequently recurring genital HSV infection (eight recurrences per year) were randomly allocated to receive either oral valaciclovir (500 mg once daily) or placebo (3:1 ratio) for 16 weeks or until the first genital HSV recurrence, whichever occurred first. Patients were clinically assessed at regular intervals and also if they experienced a recurrence. Safety was evaluated through adverse experience reporting and monitoring of haematology and biochemistry variables. On completion of the double blind phase, patients were eligible for follow up to a maximum of 48 weeks' treatment with open label valaciclovir (500 mg once daily) for further safety monitoring. The results from the double blind phase of the study are reported here. RESULTS: A significant difference was detected between valaciclovir and placebo in the time to first recurrence of genital HSV infection. The hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for valaciclovir v placebo was 0.155 [0.112, 0.214], p < 0.0001. Valaciclovir prevented or delayed 85% of the recurrences that would have occurred with placebo. After 16 weeks (day 112) with treatment, 69% of patients receiving valaciclovir were recurrence free compared with only 9.5% of patients assigned to placebo. The safety profiles of valaciclovir and placebo were comparable, with adverse experiences being infrequent and generally mild. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that once daily valaciclovir (500 mg), is highly effective and well tolerated for the suppression of recurrent genital HSV infection. Once daily dosing with valaciclovir provides a more convenient dosing regimen than the more frequent aciclovir regimens.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1997

A double-blind, randomized study comparing itraconazole pulse therapy with continuous dosing for the treatment of toe-nail onychomycosis.

In this multicentre, double-blind, parallel group study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of continuous treatment with itraconazole, 200 mg daily for 3 months, in comparison with itraconazole pulse therapy, 400 mg daily 1 week per month for 3 months, in the treatment of toe-nail onychomycosis. The study included 129 patients with distal subungual onychomycosis of the toe-nails, confirmed by microscopy and positive for dermatophyte culture; 65 received continuous treatment and 64 received pulse therapy. Patients were followed up for 9 months after treatment. After 12 months, there were 62 evaluable patients in the continuous group and 59 evaluable patients in the pulse group. The clinical response (i.e. the size of the affected area and the progress of the infection) and mycological cure (i.e. negative results on microscopy and culture) were the main outcome measures. A clinical response was defined as a cure or a marked improvement. Clinical response rates were 69%, in the continuous group, and 81% in the pulse group at month 12; the corresponding mycological cure rates were 66 and 69%. A better improvement in signs and symptoms was noted in the pulse group. Six patients were withdrawn from treatment because of adverse events, not all of which were thought to be drug-related. There were no clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities. We conclude that both regimens are effective, safe and well tolerated. The superiority of one treatment over the other was not established, but the results tended to favour pulse therapy. Equivalence testing confirmed that pulse therapy was at least equivalent to continuous treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of diagnostic methods for detecting gastric Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs and cats.

Diagnostic methods for detecting gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in dogs and cats were compared. Samples for brush cytology, the urease test and histological examination were collected post mortem from the fundus, corpus and antrum of 10 dogs (17 sample sites from each animal) and 10 cats (14 sample sites each). Samples of tissue from the fundus or corpus were taken for transmission electron microscopy and culture from three and eight dogs, respectively, and from six cats that gave a positive urease test with samples from these regions. In all dogs and in six of the 10 cats, GHLOs were detected by at least one of three methods (brush cytology, urease test or histological examination) in all regions. By brush cytology, GHLOs were demonstrated in all samples from the dogs and the positive cats. In cats, the urease test (60 min) gave a positive result in every sample site; in dogs it gave a positive result in 100% of the corpus samples, in 95% of the fundus samples and in 62% of the antral samples. Histological examination revealed GHLOs in all samples from the fundus and corpus of the dogs and of the positive cats; and in 74% and 91.7% of the antral samples of the dogs and cats, respectively. GHLOs were seen in all dogs and cats studied by transmission electron microscopy, and culture of gastric tissue was successful in 3/8 dogs and 1/6 cats. In this study, brush cytology was thus the most sensitive method for demonstrating GHLOs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Culture and characteristics of Helicobacter bizzozeronii, a new canine gastric Helicobacter sp.

Organisms whose cells were large, tight spirals were isolated from gastric biopsies of dogs. Touch cytology samples from all of the dogs contained large spiral organisms. Characteristics of 10 strains are described. These organisms were 5 to 10 microns long by 0.3 microns wide, and each cell had 10 to 20 sheathed flagella at both ends of the cell. The cells did not have periplasmic fibrils. These organisms were microaerophilic and grew at 37 and 42 degrees C but not at 25 degrees C on brain heart infusion agar containing blood. They did not grow on brucella blood agar. They were catalase and oxidase positive, hydrolyzed urea but not hippurate, reduced nitrate, and were resistant to nalidixic acid but susceptible to cephalothin and metronidazole. In contrast to Helicobacter felis, they hydrolyzed indoxyl acetate. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profiles of all of the strains were similar, and the protein patterns of these organisms differed from those of other Helicobacter spp. Dot blot DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed that the new strains were closely related to each other but clearly different from H. felis, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter mustelae, and Campylobacter jejuni. The name Helicobacter bizzozeronii sp. nov. is proposed for these organisms. Our results suggest that other "uncultured" gastric helicobacters may be cultured if optimal culture conditions are found.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Occurrence and topographical mapping of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms and their association with histological changes in apparently healthy dogs and cats.

The occurrence and topographical mapping of the gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) and their association with histological changes were studied in apparently healthy dogs and cats. Multiple samples were collected for histological examination from the fundus, corpus and antrum of the stomach of 10 dogs and 10 cats. Fundus and corpus were also sampled for transmission electron microscopy (three dogs, six cats), and for culture (eight dogs, six cats). In all dogs, GHLOs were detected in the fundus and corpus, and in the antrum of nine dogs, and significantly more often in the fundus and corpus (in all sample sites examined) than the antrum (P < 0.01). In cats, GHLOs were demonstrated in 6/10 individuals, and in all regions and sample sites. In dogs GHLOs were detected in all sample sites of the fundus and corpus. Lymphocytes, plasma cells and lymphocyte aggregates were found in all dogs in all regions; there were significantly more plasma cells in the antrum than in the corpus (P < 0.05). Neutrophils were found in six dogs, and eosinophils in seven dogs. In cats, lymphocyte aggregates were found only in GHLO-positive cats, which also had more lymphocytes in the fundus and corpus than GHLO-negative ones (P < 0.5). In dogs, no statistically significant association was found between the number of GHLOs and inflammatory parameters. Four dogs showed histological changes comparable to mild chronic gastritis and another six dogs to mild active chronic gastritis. Mild chronic gastritis was found in the antrum of all cats, and it occurred significantly more often in the antrum than in other regions (P < 0.01). In cats, there was a statistically significant association between GHLOs and chronic gastritis in the fundus and corpus (P < 0.05). GHLOs resembling human 'Helicobacter heilmannii' were identified in all the dogs and cats studied by electron microscopy, and Helicobacter felis in one dog in addition. Culture was successful in three dogs and one cat; 'H, heilmannii' was identified in two of the dogs, and H. felis in the third dog and the cat. GHLOs were found to be common in apparently health dogs and cats. Based on the results of this study, one sample from the fundus and corpus is enough to demonstrate GHLOs. In cats, GHLOs may cause histological changes comparable to chronic gastritis, but in dogs this association remain unclear. It is also questionable if the histological criteria for human gastritis, used in the present study, are suitable for dogs and cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

An SEM study of the morphology of the lower respiratory-tract surface of the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.).

The morphological features of the surface of the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchus, bronchiolus, distal airways, and alveoli) from 10 reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.), differing in age and sex, were studied using scanning-electron microscopy. The respiratory surface of the reindeer generally resembles that reported previously in similar studies for other mammalian species. Ciliated epithelial cells, goblet cells, microvillous cells, Clara cells, alveolar epithelial cells of type 1 and type 2, and alveolar macrophages could be distinguished by their universally characteristic surface morphologies. The rarity of Kohn pores in the alveolar walls of reindeer was considered to be the most striking difference in comparison to most other species.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Multicentric lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes in a cow.

This case report describes for the first time in the literature a bovine multicentric lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes (LGL). Clinically, the cow had typical manifestations of multicentric lymphoma with nonspecific signs. Most lymphocytes in cytological specimens from blood and lymph nodes had an LGL-morphology. Histopathologically malignant LGLs were found in the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The azurophilic granules were clearly seen with May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain. The granules were slightly eosinophilic as shown with hematoxylin-eosin stain, and most stained intensively dark with phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Lymphocyte migration into the skin: the role of lymphocyte homing receptor (CD44) and endothelial cell antigen (HECA-452).

Lymphocyte migration into the lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation is controlled by lymphocyte-endothelial cell interaction at sites where lymphocytes exit from the blood. Expression of Hermes-defined CD44 class of lymphocyte homing receptor and HECA-452 antigen specific for high-endothelium-mediating physiologic lymphocyte extravasation was studied in dermatitis herpetiformis, celiac disease, psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, lymphocytosis cutis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis. Also, duodenal biopsies of patients suffering from dermatitis herpetiformis or celiac disease were studied for existence of these antigens. Infiltrating lymphocytes in the skin and in the duodenal area expressed homing receptor molecules when studied with monoclonal antibodies, Hermes-1 and Hermes-3, that recognize the CD44 class of molecules involved in lymphocyte binding to high endothelial venules in peripheral lymph nodes, mucosa-associated lymphatic tissues, and inflamed synovium. However, the HECA-452 antigen was not detected on the venules, neither in the skin nor in the duodenum. Even the venules possessing high endothelium morphologically were HECA-452 negative. These findings suggest the CD44 class of lymphocyte homing receptor(s) is also involved in lymphocyte homing to inflamed skin and the duodenal area of the gut. However, on the basis of HECA-452 staining, high endothelial venules in inflamed skin and duodenum are not antigenically identical with high endothelial venules in organized lymphoid tissues. This finding indirectly supports the idea that molecules and/or mechanisms mediating lymphocyte extravasation might be distinct in these organs.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Milk antitrypsin as a marker of bovine mastitis--correlation with bacteriology.

Milk antitrypsin reflects leakage of protein of blood plasma into milk. Mastitis detection can be based on measurement of the trypsin-inhibitor capacity in milk; the "Eflab Mastitis Test" procedure is based on this principle. The procedure was developed to screen for subclinical mastitis; high capacity and sensitivity permits whole herds to be analyzed on a quarter basis to identify inflamed quarters during a single sampling. Milk antitrypsin was measured on 2174 quarter milk samples by a colorimetric procedure. The Multiskan MC reader was hooked to desk computer to interpolate antitrypsin from the standard curve and to analyze results. The analysis of inflammation was based on antitrypsin as well as computerized interquarter evaluation. These measures were compared with bacteriologic study of milk to set criteria for automatic identification of mastitis in individual quarters. The comparison against the lowest teat antitrypsin gave better indication of infection than antitrypsin as such. By strict criteria that identified inflammations caused by major pathogens, 18.8% of uninfected quarters were identified as false positive. The explanation is that a single bacteriological culture is not reliable for detecting mastitis, because there are temporary causes of tissue irritation other than bacteria that may be identified during standard bacteriologic examination.

Animals↗