Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Sep 1991
HIV-related characteristics of migrant workers in rural South Carolina.
After finding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a migrant worker named as a syphilis contact, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control offered HIV counseling and testing and syphilis screening to migrant workers in the surrounding two-county area. In addition, a brief questionnaire was administered to document demographics and risk behavior. Of the 265 workers aged 16 and older in 15 migrant camps, 198 (75%) consented to the survey and testing. ⋯ Twenty-five (13%) were HIV antibody positive, and 32 (16%) had reactive serologic tests for syphilis. Of the 166 workers who reported the frequency of condom use, 77 (46%) indicated they never use condoms. We conclude that there is a relatively high rate of HIV infection in these rural South Carolina migrant workers, whose behavior puts them at risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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Southern medical journal · Aug 1991
Case ReportsAdult respiratory distress syndrome from sulfuric acid fume inhalation.
A 23-year-old man had adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by acute exposure to sulfuric acid fumes. The patient survived the initial hospitalization to be readmitted later with a lung abscess. After therapy, his chest roentgenogram and pulmonary function tests revealed no abnormalities except a marginally decreased DLCO, and he was without functional deficit. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema probably resulted from direct alveolar injury caused by sulfuric acid.
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Southern medical journal · Aug 1991
Comparative StudyIntraoperative evaluation of intestinal ischemia: a comparison of methods.
Methods for evaluating intestinal ischemia include standard clinical criteria, Doppler ultrasonography, and intravenous fluorescein injection. Each has disadvantages, and a combination of methods is often used. The purpose of this study was to determine whether surface oximetry could be used to assess perfusion in an animal whose intestinal diameter approximates that of infants. ⋯ After 6 to 8 hours of occlusion, intestinal vascularity was evaluated by the four methods listed. Doppler ultrasonography and surface oximetry were found to be unreliable tools for assessing perfusion in this animal model. We conclude that standard clinical criteria and fluorescein remain the standards for intraoperative evaluation of intestinal perfusion.
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Southern medical journal · Aug 1991
Percutaneous intra-aortic balloon pump: emphasis on complications.
In a review of our 5-year experience with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion I examined the complications of percutaneous IABP placement in 93 patients, and compared them with those reported in other studies in the literature. I analyzed several variables that may affect the complication rate. Of 78 patients in our series who had percutaneous IABP cardiac assist, 15 (19%) had complications, which falls into the acceptable range reported by others. ⋯ The overall complication rate was found to be higher in the second group, 28.0% compared with 12.8%. The application of the IABP in cardiogenic shock was associated with a high complication rate (46%). On the other hand, its insertion before cardiac surgery was associated with a relatively low complication rate (9.5%).
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Southern medical journal · Aug 1991
Case ReportsFume fever and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome in a welder.
I have reported a case of fume fever and concurrent reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) after welding. The RADS should be added to the list of potential hazards associated with welding.