Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases. Supplementum
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Scand J Infect Dis Suppl · Jan 1993
Herpes simplex encephalitis. Early diagnosis and immune activation in the acute stage and during long-term follow-up.
From a series of in all 93 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), verified by biopsy and/or the demonstration of intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to the virus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were analysed and compared with samples from 80 patients with non-HSE, i.e. acute encephalitis of non-HSV origin (approximately 50% with other known aetiology, 50% of unknown origin) treated on the suspicion of HSE but in whom no signs of intrathecal HSV antibody synthesis were found, and samples from an additional 42 patients with other verified or suspected diseases of the CNS. To improve the early non-invasive diagnosis of HSE, a HSV IgG capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to demonstrate intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to the virus and the results were compared to those of the indirect ELISA. The capture ELISA was found to be advantageous in detecting the early antibody response and yielded more clear-cut results. ⋯ Evidence of HSV-2 aetiology was found in 6 of 93 consecutive cases of HSE in immunocompetent patients by type-specific assays for the demonstration of HSV-2 DNA (primers in the gG gene) and HSV-2 antibodies (to gG2 antigen) in the CSF. Five of the 6 patients with HSV-2 encephalitis exhibited a clinical picture of severe HSE indistinguishable from that of "classical" HSV-1 encephalitis. The combined use of PCR for the detection of HSV DNA in the CSF and the demonstration of intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to the virus will yield a reliable diagnosis and is now the method of choice for the diagnosis of HSE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Our clinical and serological studies have shown that Lyme arthritis is not a rare manifestation of Lyme borreliosis in Europe. The significance of serological findings for Lyme arthritis have more often remained uncertain in consideration of potential differential diagnoses than was to be expected on the basis of specificity controls. Various joint manifestations in the course of Lyme borreliosis have been distinguished. ⋯ However, we have not seen sacroiliitis and Reiter's syndrome. As distinguished from typical Lyme arthritis, peculiar joint manifestations have been noted in association with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Typing of Class I and II histocompatibility antigens did not give evidence of any immunogenetic basis for Lyme arthritis.
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Scand J Infect Dis Suppl · Jan 1990
ReviewUse of vaccines for respiratory infections. Strategies for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
Indications for use of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are reviewed in view of current knowledge of the incidence, risk factors and etiology of pneumonia in adults. It appears that both vaccines contribute equally in an almost additive fashion to predicted benefits of vaccination; therefore, both should be used for maximum benefit. Target groups for vaccination include both elderly persons (e.g. 65 years and older) and younger ones who have medical risk factors that increase the likelihood or severity of pneumonia.
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Scand J Infect Dis Suppl · Jan 1990
Therapy of infections related to intraperitoneal catheters in patients with ovarian cancer.
Bacterial peritonitis is a common complication associated with catheters implanted for intraperitoneal anticancer chemotherapy in patients with extensive ovarian carcinoma. During an ongoing trial of intraperitoneal cisplatin-melphalan vs. cisplatin-gamma interferon, given via an intraperitoneal 'Port-a-cath' catheter, 6 episodes of suspected bacterial peritonitis occurred in 5 patients. Clinical symptoms were present in all episodes and 3 episodes were documented microbiologically. ⋯ Serum and peritoneal concentrations were measured by bioassay. Despite clinical improvement during therapy, the catheter was removed in 4 out of 5 patients after the end of intraperitoneal teicoplanin, due to the presence of infection. Additional patients are required to evaluate the efficacy of intraperitoneal teicoplanin in the treatment of catheter-related peritonitis associated with anticancer intraperitoneal chemotherapy.