Nasopharyngeal vs. adenoid cultures in children undergoing adenoidectomy: prevalence of bacterial pathogens, their interactions and risk factors.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the adenoids and nasopharynx in 103 preschool children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections was examined. Bacterial interactions and risk factors for bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx and adenoids, separately, were analysed statistically. The prevalence of simultaneous isolation from both anatomical sites was 45·6% for S. pneumoniae, 29·1% for H. influenzae, 15·5% for M. catarrhalis and 18·4% for S. aureus. Three pathogens were significantly more frequent together from adenoid samples; nasopharyngeal swabs more often yielded a single organism, but without statistical significance. M. catarrhalis and S. aureus significantly more frequently co-existed with S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae than with each other and a positive association of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in adenoid samples was evident. Several differences between risk factors for nasopharyngeal and adenoid colonization by the individual pathogens were observed. We conclude that the adenoids and nasopharynx appear to differ substantially in colonization by pathogenic microbes but occurrence of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx could be predictive of upper respiratory tract infections.

GFR measurement with iohexol and 51Cr-EDTA. A comparison of the two favoured GFR markers in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the most commonly used GFR markers for clearance measurements, 51Cr-EDTA and iohexol, using two different methods for iohexol analysis, HPLC and X-ray fluorescence, referring both to the multiple-sample and single-sample calculations, using 51Cr-EDTA as the reference method. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with an estimated GFR >40 ml/min were included. 51Cr-EDTA and iohexol were injected simultaneously and blood samples were taken 150, 195 and 240 min after injection of the respective marker. RESULTS: The multiple-point clearances, determined from HPLC and X-ray fluorescence, compared to 51Cr-EDTA correlated highly (r=0.92 and 0.95 respectively). The results from single-point clearance comparison, iohexol measured by HPLC vs 51Cr-EDTA, yielded a correlation of r=0.91, while single-point clearance from iohexol, analysed by X-ray fluorescence, obtained a correlation of 0.93 and an intercept statistically different from origo. CONCLUSIONS: Iohexol and 51Cr-EDTA are comparable as GFR markers for multiple-point clearance measurements. The single-sample method for GFR >40 ml/min can be used with a high accuracy. The precision and accuracy of X-ray fluorescence analysis of low concentrations of iohexol were less than those of HPLC. Care should therefore be taken when using X-ray fluorescence that the injected dose of iohexol should result in a plasma concentration level of iodine of at least 0.06 mg/ml at the time of blood sampling.

Intestinal permeability in cystic fibrosis in relation to genotype.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the increase intestinal permeability (IP) seen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is correlated with the basic defect, as revealed by the patient's genotype, and/or whether the intestinal disturbance reflects secondary abnormalities such as essential fatty acid deficiency. METHODS: Nineteen CF patients were compared with nine age- and sex-matched healthy controls. IP was evaluated by studying urinary excretion for 5 hours after a test meal containing lactulose, L-rhamnose and xylose in water. Urine was analyzed for carbohydrates, and blood samples were taken for determination of the fatty acid pattern of serum phospholipids. The CF patients were grouped according to genotype: homozygous for delta F508, heterozygous for alpha F508, or unidentified. RESULTS: Patients who were homozygous (n = 9) or heterzygous (n = 6) for delta F508 had significantly higher lactulose/L-rhamnose excretion ratios (mean(range) values of 0.08(0.05-0.13) and 0.09(0.03-0.13), respectively) than patients (n = 4) with unidentified genotypes [0.03(0.02-0.05); p = 0.005] or healthy controls [0.02(0.003-0.06); p = 0.002]. CF patients with EFAD (n = 6) did not differ from those with a normal pattern of serum phospholipid fatty acids, the lactulose/L-rhamnose excretion ratio being 0.08(0.02-0.13) and 0.07(0.03-0.12), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the IP in CF was related to patient genotype; those homozygozous or heterozygous for delta F508 having a significantly increased IP compared with patients with unidentified genotypes, who had IP values within the normal range.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia during coronary artery bypass surgery: effects on cardiac sympathetic activity, myocardial blood flow and metabolism, and central hemodynamics.

The effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, myocardial blood flow and metabolism, and central hemodynamics were studied in 20 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In 10 of the patients, TEA (T1-5 block) was used as an adjunct to a standardized fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia. Hemodynamic measurements and blood sampling were performed after induction of anesthesia but prior to skin incision and after sternotomy. Assessment of total and cardiac sympathetic activity was performed by means of the norepinephrine kinetic approach. Prior to surgery, mean arterial pressure (MAP), great cardiac vein flow (GCVF), and regional myocardial oxygen consumption (Reg-MVO2) were lower in the TEA group compared to the control group. During sternotomy there was a pronounced increase in cardiac norepinephrine spillover, MAP, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), GCVF, and Reg-MVO2 in the control group. These changes were clearly attenuated in the TEA group. None of the patients in the TEA group had metabolic (lactate) or electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia. Three patients in the control group had indices of myocardial ischemia prior to and/or during surgery. We conclude that TEA attenuates the surgically mediated sympathetic stress response to sternotomy, thereby preventing the increase in myocardial oxygen demand in the pre-bypass period without jeopardizing myocardial perfusion.

[Experimental evaluation of vascular two-sided velour prostheses]. / Doswiadczalna ocena protez naczyniowych dwustronnie welurowych.

Prototypes of Polish knitted vascular grafts with velours on two sides were implanted into abdominal aorta of 6 dogs. Suturing was easy, permeation was small and it stopped after 2.5 min. The grafts healed in well, and were covered with the even layer of lining. Recapitulating it can be concluded that Polish knitted vascular grafts with velours on two sides promise good results when applied in reconstructive vascular surgery.