Forty years of clinical aprotinin use: a review of 124 hypersensitivity reactions

Since its clinical introduction, the anaphylactic potential of aprotinin has been a major concern. World wide, its use is expanding so there is an increased chance that patients have reexposure from various sources. The risk of anaphylaxis is approximately 2.8% in reexposed patients. From 1963 to 2003, 124 cases of aprotinin-induced anaphylaxis were reported in 61 publications. Eleven patients died. The reexposure interval was less than 3 months in 72% (38 of 53 patients). This review looks at the profile of patients at risk so preventive measures may be taken. Past and future exposures have to be taken into account before any aprotinin administration.     

CCR5Delta32 polymorphism effects on CCR5 expression, patterns of immunopathology and disease course in multiple sclerosis

Four distinct patterns of tissue injury have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Infiltrating monocytes in lesions of all patterns co-express CCR1 and CCR5. However, in pattern II lesions, the number of CCR1 cells is decreased, while the number of CCR5 expressing cells is increased in late active versus early active regions. In contrast, CCR1 and CCR5 cells were equal in all regions of pattern III lesions. These suggest distinct inflammatory microenvironments in pattern II and III lesions and support MS pathological heterogeneity. A deletion in CCR5 (CCR5*Delta32), which encodes a truncated, non-functional protein, has been associated with late onset of MS and a favorable prognosis. We studied the association of CCR5*Delta32 with the course and severity of MS in 221 patients from a population-based cohort in Olmsted County, MN, and with patterns of immunopathology in 94 patients with biopsy-derived, pathologically confirmed demyelinating disease participating in the MS Lesion Project. The frequency of the genotypes in 221 patients from Olmsted County, MN, was 167 (75.6%) wild type, 52 (23.5%) heterozygotes, and 2 (0.9%) homozygotes. There was no association of carrier status for the CCR5*Delta32 mutation with disease severity as analyzed using the disease severity score (ranking of EDSS/duration stratified by duration), age of onset, gender or disease course (bout onset versus primary progressive). Due to low frequency of homozygotes no conclusion can be made regarding their relation to heterozygosity or wild-type status. The frequency of genotypes in the 94 biopsies was 77 (81.9%) wild type, 15 (16.0%) heterozygotes and 2 (2.1%) homozygotes. Carrier status for the CCR5*Delta32 mutation was not associated with patterns of immunopathology in MS. Despite similar numbers of T-lymphocytes, there were no CCR5+ T-cells nor was CCR5 expressed in the CNS of a homozygous CCR5*Delta32 MS patient, and heterozygous patients had reduced CCR5 expression compared to wild type patients. CCR5*Delta32 has a dose effect on CCR5 expression in the CNS, but is neither necessary for development of MS, nor CD3+ T cell recruitment into the CNS. Furthermore it does not segregate with patterns of immunopathology in MS. We did not find an association between CCR5*Delta32 mutation and disease severity and age of onset in MS.     

Diagnostic value of a psychological test in cases of suspected child abuse

The use of the Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test is described and illustrated by three examples of child abuse. This test should be considered in the investigation of definite or suspected cases of abuse and as part of the preparation of court evidence.     

Complex and simple coronary artery stenoses: a new way to interpret coronary angiograms based on morphologic features of lesions

For many years, atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions have been described by angiographers only in terms of location and degree of narrowing. However, it has become apparent that coronary stenoses generally have distinct morphologic features that can be recognized at angiography and that allow them to be classified as either "simple" or "complex" plaques. Complex plaques are those characterized by ulcerated or ruptured surfaces, subintimal hemorrhage, superimposed partially occluding thrombi, recanalized thrombi, or some combination. Pathologic studies have shown a very high frequency of these lesions at sites of total thrombotic occlusion of coronary arteries. Clinical and angiographic studies have demonstrated a high frequency of such lesions in living patients with both unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The presence of complex stenoses has also been found to increase the risk of future myocardial infarction. Plaque morphology thus appears to significantly affect the prognosis of patients with coronary disease and should be carefully evaluated in interpretation of all coronary angiograms.     

To participate or not participate in unprofessional behavior – Is that the question?

Introduction: Medical education provides students with abundant learning opportunities, each of which is embodied with messages concerning what is expected from students. This paper analyses students? exposure to instances of unprofessional behavior, investigating whether they judge such behavior to be unprofessional and whether they also participate in unprofessional behavior.

Methods: The survey developed in the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago was the basis of this questionnaire that was answered by 276 students from two medical schools in Brazil and Portugal.

Results: Unprofessional behavior was observed frequently by students in both universities, and the mean participation rates were similar (26% and 27%). Forty-five percent of students? participation in unprofessional behavior was explained by academic year, prior observation, and judgment.

Discussion: The results indicate that once students have observed, participated in or misjudged unprofessional behavior, they tend to participate in and misjudge such behavior. The frequency with which students judged behaviors they had observed or participated in as ?borderline? or unprofessional could mean that they are experiencing moral distress.

Conclusion: Proper discussion of unprofessional behavior should foster a broad debate to encourage empowered students, faculties, and physicians to co-create a more professional environment for patient care.