Clinical reevaluation of aztreonam (AZT) on urinary tract infections

The clinical effectiveness and safety of Aztreonam (AZT) were studied in 55 patients with complicated urinary tract infections. AZT was administered at a dose of 4 g/day for 5 days. The results as evaluated by the UTI criteria were excellent in 8 cases, moderate in 26 and poor in 21. The overall effectiveness rate was 61.8%. Out of 64 strains of bacteria isolated before treatment, 50 strains (78.0%) were eradicated by the treatment. Bacteriological eradication rates for gram negative rods and gram positive cocci were 79.6% and 66.7%, respectively. There were no obvious side effects, except for a temporary elevation of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase alkalinephosphatase, and total bilirubin in some patients. The results indicate that AZT tablets are useful and safe for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.     

Induction of autologous immune complex nephritis in rats by heterologous anti-kidney mitochondrial antiserum

A disease similar to autologous immune complex nephritis has been produced in rats by heterologous anti-rat kidney mitochondrial antiserum injected intravenously during a phase of mild proteinuria induced by bovine serum albumin (BSA) or nephrotoxic serum. The significance of this finding in relation to induction and progression of this type of nephritis is discussed.     

Trauma-associated growth of suspected dormant micrometastasis

Background  

Cancer patients may harbor micrometastases that remain dormant, clinically undetectable during a variable period of time. A traumatic event or surgery may trigger the balance towards tumor growth as a result of associated angiogenesis, cytokine and growth factors release.     

Extra articular arthroscopic release in post-traumatic stiff knees: a prospective study of endoscopic quadriceps and patellar release

Knee stiffness due to mismanaged trauma is still common in underdeveloped countries. Many patients with distal femoral fractures, patellar injuries or other local trauma present with intra-articular and extra-articular adhesions between the quadriceps and anterior femur. Nineteen knees with post trauma stiffness due to combined intra- and extra- articular aetiology were taken up for arthroscopic aided release after failing an aggressive physiotherapy protocol. Ultrasound was used to identify the extra-articular adhesions. The intra-articular part of the release was done by a standard protocol involving the release of all infrapatellar, suprapatellar and gutter adhesions, and then the extra-articular proximal adhesions were released by using special long periosteal elevators and arthroscopic scissors. We were able to release the adhesions as high as 9 inches above the patella, and in one case bony ankylosis between the patella and the femur was arthroscopically osteotomised (after 11 years of stiffness). Delay before surgery averaged 2.7 years (6 months-11.3 years). Mean active flexion at one year follow-up improved from 27.3 degrees to 119.3 degrees (average increase: 92 degrees). Mean preoperative extension lag reduced from 6 degrees to 1 degrees postoperatively. No CPM machine was available, and patients had to undergo daily manual and assisted therapy, with appropriate analgesia. Overall patient satisfaction was excellent; one patient developed a supracondylar fracture (infected old fracture with bone loss and severe contracture) and was retrospectively a wrong case selection. Arthroscopic aided quadriceps adhesion release is a good option in cases of neglected trauma; results are excellent even without sophisticated CPM machines, and the periosteal elevators needed are cheap and indigenous.     

Real Time-PCR HBV-DNA Analysis: Significance and First Experience in Armed Forces

Background

HBV DNA quantitation is used extensively world wide for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, it has still to be popular in India. The aim of this study was to quantitate HBV – DNA by Real time – PCR method in Hepatitis B and in immuno-compromised patients, to compare the results with HBeAg detection and to monitor the response to therapy of chronic Hepatitis B patients to antivirals.

Methods

Ninety one serum samples of Hepatitis group of patients (all HBsAg positive), 41 samples from immuno-compromised patients (all HBsAg negative) and 49 patients of Chronic Hepatitis B group (all HBsAg positive) were the subjects of this first ever study in Armed Forces. Twenty serum samples from healthy volunteers and non-hepatitis B patients served as negative controls. The amplification detection was carried out in a Rotor-Gene 2000-sequence detector

Results

Amongst Hepatitis B group, 33% (30/91) of the samples were positive for HBV-DNA and 26% (24/91) of samples were positive for HBeAg. In the immuno-compromised group of patients 14.6% (6/11) of samples were positive for HIV-DNA and 9.7% (4/41) were positive for HBeAg. Of the Chronic Hepatitis B patients on treatment, all (100%) were positive by HBV-DNA, whereas 29/49 (59.2%) were positive by HBeAg before treatment. After treatment with antivirals, 06/49 (12.2%) were positive by both tests and 11/49 (22.5%) were positive only by HBV-DNA. 32/49 (65.3%) patients became negative serologically after therapy.

Conclusion

HBeAg status did not necessarily reflect HBV-DNA level in the serum, as 10/91 (11%) in the Hepatitis B group, 2/41 (4.9%) in the immuno compromised group and 20/49 (40.8%) patients in the Chronic Hepatitis B group were positive for HBV-DNA but negative for HBeAg. HBV-DNA was not found to be positive amongst any of the negative controls. Real time – PCR is a sensitive and reproducible assay for HBV-DNA quantitation and may be started in Armed Forces referral centers in the near future.Key Words: Real time – PCR, Chronic Hepatitis B, HBV – DNA, Antivirals     

A case of extensive linear porokeratosis with evaluation of topical tretinoin versus 5-flourouracil as treatment modalities

A 19-year-old male presented with linear raised lesions over extensive areas of his body that followed Blaschko's lines. The lesions were asymptomatic with ridged borders. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of porokeratosis. He was given topical tretinoin and topical flourouracil for local application on specified areas. The cosmetic acceptability and the safety profile of tretinoin were found to be better than those of flourouracil. However, both the agents were equally efficacious. A rare case of extensive porokeratosis with comparative evaluation of two treatment modalities is hereby presented.     

Behçet's disease associated with peripheral neuropathy

INTRODUCTION: The involvement of the peripheral nervous system in Beh?et's disease is very rare. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 47-year-old man with a six-year history of Beh?et's disease and a two-year history of peripheral nervous system involvement. This patient presented with paraesthesia and weakness of the upper and lower limbs, diarrhea and erectile dysfunction. The electromyogram showed evidence of an axonal sensorimotor neuropathy and the nerve biopsy showed an axonal neuropathy. Routine blood tests were normal, there was no increase of serum creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransfease or lactate dehydrogenase and no signs of hyperthyroidism. Fibroscopy and colonoscopy showed no signs of entero-Beh?et. The patient was treated with prednisone, cyclophosphamide and carbamazepine with an improvement of paraesthesia. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of the peripheral neuropathy in Beh?et's disease is still unknown, it might be due to vasculitis of the vasa nervorum or to the side effects of colchicine. Our report is particular by the association of sensorimotor and autonomic involvement of peripheral neuropathy in a patient with Beh?et's disease.