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Biomedical subjects

U Fuhrmeister

Publications and source records attributed to U Fuhrmeister.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[New aspects in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis--case reports and virologic findings].

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common causes of severe necrotizing encephalitis in men. Without adequate acyclovir treatment it has a mortality rate of 70%. An early, reliable virological diagnosis is therefore essential. In this study, two newly-introduced diagnostic methods were assessed and compared: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detection of HSV-genome in cerebrospinal fluid and HSV-specific isoelectric focusing (IEF) for detection of intrathecal virus specific antibody synthesis in HSV encephalitis (HSVE). PCR proved more effective for the early diagnosis of HSVE and HSVE relapses, whereas HSV-specific IEF was superior for the diagnosis of HSVE in post-acute stages of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Intrathecal synthesis of virus-specific oligoclonal antibodies in patients with enterovirus infection of the central nervous system.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from six patients with enterovirus infections were investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and affinity-mediated immunoblot AMI) for the clonal distribution of entervirus-specific antibodies. In two patients with either acute meningitis or encephalitis and in one patient with a relapse of multiple sclerosis, oligoclonal IgG bands specific for enteroviruses were found predominantly in the CSF, revealing intrathecal synthesis of these antibodies. In three other patients with neurological symptoms probably unrelated to a current enterovirus infection, IEF and AMI disclosed nearly identical patterns of coxsackievirus-B-specific oligoclonal bands in the CSF and serum, indicating diffusion of these antibodies from the serum into the CSF. Although the number of patients in this study is small, the results suggest that intrathecally synthesized enterovirus-specific antibodies may be used as a means of identifying an enterovirus infection of the CNS.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Autonomic dysfunction in polyneuropathies: a report on 106 cases.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common feature in various forms of polyradiculoneuropathy. This study investigated the kinds and frequency of of autonomic dysfunction in 106 cases. Denervation insufficiency of organs associated with supersensitivity of reflex mechanisms was found to be the best explanation of the pathophysiology. Early insertion of a transient cardiac pacemaker is recommended to counteract life-threatening cardiac failure.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1979

Effect of furosemide (lasix) on acute severe experimental cerebral edema.

The effect of furosemide (Lasix) therapy on a standardized experimental cerebral edema, induced in rats by applying a cooling stamp to the right side of the skull over the right coronal suture by means of a stereotactic instrument, was examined. The hemispherically separated water and electrolyte contents of the brain were analyzed after 24 h. Following furosemide therapy, the behavior of these edema parameters was compared statistically with dexamethasone, glycerol and albumin. An increase of the water and sodium content, and a decrease of potassium was observed 24 h after the trauma, especially in the right hemisphere. Furosemide did not improve either the water content or the electrolyte balance. By contrast, the administration of dexamethasone, glycerol and albumin was followed by a significant improvement of the edema. In experiments with cats, the course of the edema and the effect of furosemide on the cold brain injury of the right hemisphere were observed by measuring the intracranial pressure (ICP) values, and by continuous monitoring of the EEG. The ventricular CSF pressure and epidural pressures were also recorded. The electrical brain activity was continuously compared with the course of the ICP by means of computer analysis. In addition, the blood osmolality and diuresis were monitored. The ICP increased rapidly after the trauma, establishing considerable pressure gradients, and the EEG power intensities decreased markedly on the right side. Histologically, there was an extended edema of the white matter of both hemispheres. The ICP was not lowered by single injections or high dose infusions of furosemide, and the EEG power intensities also did not improve. Infusions of large volumes of furosemide even resulted in an increase of ICP, but infusion of 40% sorbitol effected a rapid decrease of ICP and EEG recovery over the left hemisphere. Sorbitol infusion also caused a marked rise in the blood osmolality, whereas furosemide had no such effect. The results raise considerable doubts as to the propriety of the exclusive use of furosemide for cases of acute cerebral edema with raised ICP. The diuretic effect is insufficient to establish an osmotic gradient, and its general dehydrating effect does not acutely influence the ICP. The absence of effect on the experimental tissue edema would not appear to commend furosemide as basic therapy for cases of traumatic cerebral edema.

Albumins↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of the effects of surgical decompression and resection of local edema in the therapy of experimental brain trauma. Investigation of ICP, EEG and cerebral metabolism in cats.

The effect of decompressive trepanation was compared to that of surgical resection of the traumatized tissue in the course of traumatic brain edema in standardized experimental brain trauma. Following a right parietal cold injury, the following parameters were monitored continuously in 12 cats: ventricular pressure, epidural pressure over both hemispheres, arterial and central venous pressure and heart rate. The EEG was evaluated continuously, using a computer (power spectra). After catheterization of the superior sagittal sinus, cerebral arteriovenous differences of glucose, lactate, O2 and CO2 were calculated. 6 animals were treated surgically when showing elevated intracranial pressure ICP and markedly altered EEG. In 3 animals, the right hemisphere was decompressed by extensive resection of bone and dura. In 3 further animals, the softened brain tissue of the cold lesion was resected and the skull defect closed. 6 untreated animals were used in controls. A decompression by skull hemiresection for ablation of the injured cortex abolished the high intracranial pressure, but only the latter method seemed to prevent further damage. This could be demonstrated by the EEG registration, and by the normalization of arteriovenous metabolite differences. Only animals treated with edema resection had a normal arousal reaction and survived the trauma. The results indicate, that only an ablation of the local injury will prevent further damage to the brain. After decompressive trepanation alone, the progression of tissue edema is not interrupted. As can be seen from the literature, the poor results obtained even from extensive decompressive operations in traumatic brain edema, indicate that the further development of edema is independent of the intracranial pressure, whereas the favorable results of resection of lobar contusions show an interruption of the spread of dysbolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

[Intensive care in rabies. A case report (author's transl)].

A case of human rabies is reported showing a peculiar course in some respects. The lack of a satisfactory history concerning an animal bite 5 months earlier as well as a misleading psychiatric history led to difficulty and delay in reaching a diagnosis. Under intensive care, including mechanical ventilation and cardiac pacing, the disease reached a final stage, which is rarely seen. The clinical course and the pathological findings are described in detail and the etiology and prognosis of the disease are discussed. The latter remains rather hopeless de spite modern intensive care.

Adult↗