Rifampicin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A case report

INTRODUCTION@#The worldwide prevalence of adverse drug reactions (ADR) to anti-TB medication ranges from 8% to 85%. Major adverse reactions include hepatic, renal, and hematologic disorders of which, Rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia is one of these rare complications.@*CASE@#A 58-year-old Filipino male developed respiratory and gastrointestinal bleeding with a severe drop in platelet count after several days of anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) medications. The patient had oral mucosal petechiae, blood-streaked sputum, and epistaxis. The symptoms progressed to the formation of small adherent clots beneath the tongue, gum bleeding, melena, massive epistaxis, and hemoptysis with continued intake of the anti-TB drugs. The patient had anemia, normal WBC and differential count, and thrombocytopenia of 3 x 10

Octenidine in root canal and dentine disinfection ex vivo.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of octenidine on Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 in a dentine block model. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-six root segments of extracted human teeth were infected with E. faecalis for 4 weeks. Octenidine-phenoxyethanol gel (1 : 1) was applied for different timing: 1 min, 10 min, 7 days and in a different formula (1 : 3) for 10 min. Three samples were chosen for the group with placebo gel and for the group without infection (negative control). Dentine samples were collected, and the total count of bacteria and colony-forming units were determined. In addition, for controls and the 10 min group with 1 : 1 gel, the proportion of viable bacteria (PVB) was assessed. RESULTS: Octenidine was particularly effective after incubation periods of 10 min and 7 days. The mean PVB decreased significantly from 57.2% to 5.7% after 10 min application. After 7 days, only one of 10 samples showed positive culture. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the effectiveness of octenidine against E. faecalis in dentine disinfection. Further laboratory and clinical studies are required.

Microstructure and electrical properties of diborides modified by rapid thermal annealing.

Diborides of Ti, Hf and Zr are thermally, mechanically and chemically stable with good thermal and electrical conductivity. We tested their properties in front-end processes used in Si integrated circuits (IC). Films were deposited by e-beam evaporation either on Si, for the formation of contacts to the source/drain (S/D) regions, or on Si oxides, for the formation of metal gates in p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors. We focused on their crystallization caused by rapid thermal processing (RTP) at temperatures up to 1100 degrees C. Transmission electron microscopy was used for identification of nanocrystallites of TiB(2), ZrB(2), and HfB(2). The grain growth was correlated with temperature and time of RTP. Of all borides, HfB(2) resulted in the most complete crystallization with little amorphous phase left. There was no crystallographic degradation of the interface with Si or dielectrics, except for extreme thermal budgets. Complementary techniques were used for monitoring chemical stability and electrical parameters of test structures to assess the role of recrystallization in device behaviour.

[Three infants with constipation and muscular weakness: infantile botulism]. / 3 zuigelingen met obstipatie en hypotonie: infantiel botulisme.

Two previously healthy infants, a boy of 10 weeks and a girl of 4 months presented with apathy and muscle weakness. A third previously healthy child, a girl of 6 weeks old was admitted with respiratory insufficiency. None of the three had had a bowel movement for a number of days. After extensive investigations which revealed few abnormalities Clostridium botulinum toxin was obtained in serum from all three children. Type-B-toxin was shown in the faeces of the older girl and boy; both recovered quickly. The other girl had type-A toxin; she died. Two of the three children were given honey to comfort them. Infantile botulism must be considered in every infant with symptoms of constipation and hypotonia. The diagnosis can quickly be confirmed by electromyography with repetitive 50-Hz-stimulation. Honey is a well-known source of the C. botulinum spore and should not be given to children under the age of 12 months. These three children are the first cases to be described in the Netherlands.

[Cyclosporin A 2% eyedrops in therapy of atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis]. / Cyclosporin-A-2%-Augentropfen in der Therapie der Keratoconjunctivitis atopica und vernalis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of Cyclosporin A 2%eyedrops (CsA2%) as an additive treatment of atopic (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The symptoms and findings of 26 patients with AKC and 12 patients with VKC with no improvement under conventional therapy, were additionally treated with CsA2% eyedrops and compared over a minimum follow-up period of 3 months to more than 24 months. RESULTS: The therapy with CsA2% eyedrops was well tolerated and evaluated as effective by the patients. Subtarsal papillae were reduced in 69.2% of the AKC group and in 66.6% of the VKC patients. Trantas dots were reduced or disappeared in about 50% of the AKC group and in the VKC group they had disappeared in more than 50%. Subjective symptoms (e.g. itching) had also been reduced or eliminated. CONCLUSION: CsA2% eyedrops are effective in the treatment of AKC and VKC, reducing objective and subjective signs as well as the need of adding topical steroids in affected patients.

[Hypertonic dehydration in "silent" malnutrition of breast-fed infants]. / Hypertone dehydratie bij 'stille' ondervoeding aan de borst.

Two firstborn, breast-fed infants (delivery at home) were admitted to the hospital in a critical state of hypernatraemic dehydration. Case 1, a boy aged 13 days, had suffered 1220 g loss of weight since birth (31%), his serum sodium concentration was 180 mmol/l. Case 2, a girl aged 7 days, had lost 610 g since birth (18%); her serum sodium level was 159 mmol/l. In both cases poor professional support of lactation and lack of weight control had resulted in unnoticed severe malnutrition. After slow rehydration recovery was uneventful. Closer monitoring of babies' weight, e.g. twice a week, is advocated especially for breast-fed firstborns in the early weeks of life.

[Stimulation of human and bovine lymphocytes by various Streptococcus species]. / Stimulation humaner und boviner Lymphozyten durch verschiedene Streptokokken-Species.

Concerning the question of species specifity of lymphokines in the presented examination the effect of the leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) secreted by human and bovine lymphocytes was tested using PMN leukocytes of man and different animal species as indicator cells. The method was the so called indirect leukocyte migration inhibition test according to Clausen. As antigens for stimulating the lymphocytes cell wall preparations of group A- and B-Streptococci and as a mitogen Concanavalin A was used. From the results the following facts can be stated: --Human LIF has no inhibiting effect on the migration of leukocytes from cattle, sheep and pigs--independent of the way of stimulation by specific antigens or by the mitogen. --A corresponding factor to human LIF can be demonstrated from bovine lymphocytes which, however, inhibits only the migration of bovine indicator cells. This phenomenon is also independent of the kind of stimulation. --Migration inhibiting substances from bovine lymphocytes are only produced after stimulation with group A- and B-streptococci cell walls if the donor animals have been sensitized with these antigens. --The interaction between LIF and indicator leukocytes obviously is dependent on host specifity and not on a peculiar relation of macro- and microorganisms.