PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W J Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to W J Alexander.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Transfusion-associated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Evidence for persistent infection in blood donors.

To investigate whether infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) may be persistent in asymptomatic persons and to correlate infection with seropositivity, we performed virologic and serologic studies in 25 of 30 persons who were identified as being at high risk for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and who had donated blood to patients who later contracted transfusion-associated AIDS. High-risk donors were those who belonged to a high-risk population, had AIDS or a closely related condition, or had a low ratio of helper to suppressor T lymphocytes. We performed similar studies in 6 of the 24 patients with AIDS who had received donations from this group. HTLV-III/LAV was isolated from 22 of the 25 donors, between 12 and 52 months (mean, 28) after they had donated blood, and from all 6 recipients, between 14 and 37 months (mean, 26) after they had received blood. Of the 22 virus-positive donors, 2 have contracted AIDS, 5 have generalized lymphadenopathy, and 15 (68 per cent) remain asymptomatic. Antibodies to HTLV-III/LAV were detectable by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples obtained from each person at the time the virus was isolated. We conclude that infection with HTLV-III/LAV may be persistent and asymptomatic for years. This demonstration that viremic patients may be asymptomatic supports the use of serologic screening of donated blood to supplement current procedures for the prevention of transfusion-associated AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

In vitro activity of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 against Chlamydia trachomatis.

The in vitro activity of nonoxynol-9 against four serotypes (C, D, H, and K) of Chlamydia trachomatis was investigated. A constant inoculum of each serotype was exposed to serial twofold dilutions (1:100 to 1:800) of Koromex, Conceptrol, or reference preparations (not containing nonoxynol-9) for 4 and 24 h at 37 degrees C. The mixtures of nonoxynal-9 or nonnonoxynol preparations and control inocula were dispensed into triplicate wells containing McCoy cell monolayers. After incubation at 37 degrees C, the monolayers were fixed and stained with iodine and examined for evidence of infection with C. trachomatis. All nonoxynol-9-containing preparations showed marked antichlamydial activity as judged by percent reduction of glycogen-containing intracytoplasmic inclusions. The reference preparations, which did not contain nonoxynol-9, were markedly less active when tested in this in vitro system.

Chlamydia trachomatis↗
PubMed1984

A case-control study of spermicides and gonorrhea.

A case-control study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal spermicides as a prophylaxis against gonorrhea. The subjects included 735 women with gonorrhea and 958 controls seen in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. The relative risk (RR) of gonorrhea for spermicide users compared with nonusers was 0.67 with 90% confidence limits, 0.44 to 1.0. This RR was 0.47 (90% confidence limits, 0.25 to 0.87) after the exclusion of women using oral contraceptives, an intrauterine device, or with a tubal ligation. The protective effect of spermicides was confined largely to women who had also used diaphragms or whose partners had used condoms. The RR of gonorrhea for spermicide and condom users relative to nonusers of spermicides, condoms, and diaphragms was 0.41 (90% confidence limits, 0.21 to 0.79), while for spermicide and diaphragm users, this RR was 0.45 (90% confidence limits, 0.15 to 1.3). These results suggest that a woman can appreciably decrease her risk of contracting gonorrhea if she uses spermicides in conjunction with either the diaphragm or the condom.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A collaborative study of patient-initiated treatment of recurrent genital herpes with topical acyclovir or placebo.

Patient-initiated treatment of recurrent genital herpes with topical acyclovir was compared with placebo treatment in a multicenter collaborative trial involving 309 patients. No differences were found between the group using acyclovir and that using placebo except that herpes simplex virus was excreted for a shorter period by women using acyclovir. This difference was partially accounted for by the fact that some patients whose viral culture results subsequently proved positive began to use their medication before lesions formed. One hundred patients initially applied ointment within 6 hr of onset of the prodrome and before actual lesion formation. Separate analysis of this group showed a diminished duration of viral excretion by women using acyclovir and a reduced interval between lesion formation and total crusting in men using acyclovir, but both differences were of only borderline significance (.05 less than P less than .10). The results indicate that patient-initiated therapy with topical acyclovir in polyethylene glycol exerts no clinically significant effect on recurrent genital herpes.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1984

Disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The ongoing epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has affected homosexual men, intravenous (IV) drug abusers, Haitians, hemophiliacs, and others. Defects in cell-mediated immunity place these patients at risk for opportunistic infections. We recently saw three men from Alabama with disseminated infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum. Two of these men were homosexual and the other was an IV drug abuser. These three patients had evidence of depressed cellular immunity consistent with a diagnosis of AIDS. Infection caused by organisms indigenous to certain geographic areas of the United States may become more common in patients with AIDS as the epidemic continues.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1982

Screening for rubella in schools of optometry.

Rubella can cause birth defects in fetuses of pregnant women who are susceptible to this disease. Because national immunization efforts have been relatively successful, most cases of rubella occur in young adults. The School of Optometry and Jefferson County Department of Health in Alabama, and the Division of Optometry in Northeastern Oklahoma, cooperated to provide a voluntary serologic rubella screening for their students. About 9% were seronegative and were immunized against rubella. To eliminate the risk of future optometrists transmitting rubella to susceptible patients, we recommend that optometry students be screened for rubella antibodies and be provided immunization if found to be seronegative.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Emetic food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus.

Symptoms of acute food poisoning developed in eight members of a group who ate lunch at a cafeteria. After brief incubation periods, all affected individuals complained of nausea and abdominal cramps. Four persons promptly experienced vomiting. None of those affected was found to have fever and all recovered with 48 hours. Epidemiologic investigation incriminated macaroni and cheese as a cause of the illness and samples of this food contained large numbers of Bacillus cereus. Previous outbreaks of B cereus emetic food poisoning have been associated with consumption of contaminated fried rice and may occur after ingestion of other foods.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Bactericidal activity of human serum against Escherichia coli chi1776.

Escherichia coli chi1776 is a host strain providing the EK2 level of biological containment. Laboratories equipped to use this strain may be located near medical care facilities where patients prone to infection may be found. We have therefore documented the marked susceptibility of chi1776 to killing by human serum from normal as well as ill individuals.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1980

Modification of bacterial serum susceptibility by rifampin.

A subinhibitory concentration of rifampin converted a strain of Escherichia coli from serum resistant to serum susceptible. When continually cultured in nutrient broth containing 1.5 microgram of rifampin per ml, this strain of E. coli became susceptible to killing by both normal human serum and normal rabbit serum. Copared to the original strain, the rifampin-treated E. coli displayed no detectable change in adherence capability, but appeared less virulent in the rabbit model of endocarditis. A rifampin-resistant mutant of the E. coli strain was not found to undergo conversion to serum susceptibility upon culture in rifampin.

Animals↗