Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyAdverse pregnancy outcome in women exposed to acyclovir during pregnancy: a population-based observational study.
This study aimed to examine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in children born to mothers who redeemed a prescription for systemic or topical acyclovir during pregnancy. Data on prescriptions of acyclovir were obtained from the Danish North Jutland Prescription Database and data on pregnancy outcomes from the Danish Medical Birth Registry and the County Hospital Discharge Registry. The risk of malformations, low birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth in users of acyclovir were compared with non-exposed women using a follow-up design, while the risk of spontaneous abortion was examined using a case-control design. 90 pregnant women had redeemed a prescription for systemic acyclovir, and 995 women for topical acyclovir, during 30 d before conception, or during their pregnancies from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2001. ⋯ There is increasing evidence that the use of systemic acyclovir is not associated with an increased prevalence of malformations at birth and preterm delivery. The data for low birth weight and spontaneous abortion are still inconclusive, although the risk of spontaneous abortion is increased in women exposed to acyclovir during the first month of pregnancy. The use of topical acyclovir does not seem to be associated with any adverse pregnancy outcome, although data on stillbirth are inconclusive.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2003
ReviewIntravenous immunoglobulin adjunctive therapy in sepsis, with special emphasis on severe invasive group A streptococcal infections.
Immunotherapy targeted against microbial toxins and host mediators has been studied in many preclinical investigations and clinical trials of sepsis during the past 20 y. Intravenous immunoglobulin, including both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, represents one such immunotherapeutic strategy. ⋯ Although there are no conclusive data available to date to support the use of IVIG therapy in all sepsis cases, there are strong indications that certain defined septic subgroups, such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by group A streptococcus, will benefit from its use. This review briefly summarizes the clinical trials on IVIG therapy in sepsis, and describes in more detail the mechanistic actions of IVIG and the clinical data that support the use of IVIG as adjunctive therapy in severe invasive group A streptococcal infections.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyNatural history of hyperlactataemia in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected patients during highly active antiretroviral therapy.
A study on the course of hyperlactataemia during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the association between hyperlactataemia and antiretroviral drugs was conducted at the outpatient department, Rigshopitalet, Copenhagen. Lactate levels were monitored in 848 patients during a study period of 1 y. Longitudinal analysis was performed on all human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected patients who had plasma lactate > 2.1 mM. ⋯ In conclusion, symptomatic hyperlactataemia is uncommon, while asymptomatic hyperlactataemia is a frequent and apparently benign condition unlikely to progress to lactic acidosis. A significant association between stavudine and hyperlactataemia was confirmed. The unexpected association between ritonavir and hyperlactataemia will need confirmation in future studies.
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Alterations in the apoptotic process in lymphoid tissues is a common condition which is encountered in the severely septic animal and critically ill patient. Here we attempt to delineate the pathological significance of these apoptotic changes and the role of Fas-FasL mediated contribution to this process.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2003
ReviewSevere sepsis and septic shock: defining the clinical problem.
It is generally acknowledged that severe sepsis/septic shock is a major problem in clinical medicine, yet the extent of the problem and its basic immunology remain poorly defined. The generation of accurate statistics about sepsis is confounded by the imprecise and highly variable terminology used to describe sepsis by clinicians around the world. The problem of sepsis is further complicated by the remarkably diverse spectrum of illness encompassed under the term 'sepsis'. ⋯ Recently, a new conceptual framework for understanding sepsis has been developed, called the PIRO concept (predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction). This has been conceptually modeled from the TNM classification (tumor size, nodal spread, metastases) which has been successfully used in defining treatment and prognostic indicators in clinical oncology. Further refinements in the definitions and predisposing factors of severe sepsis should improve the understanding and management of severe sepsis and septic shock in the near future.