[Analysis of fatal outcomes of meningococcal infection in adults].

Clinical characteristics and pathomorphological manifestations in 69 patients aged 18 to 86 years with a fatal outcome of the disease were examined in order to analyze the causes of severe course and high mortality of generalized forms meningococcal infection. It was found that the main clinical form was meningococcemia (90%), in the majority in combination with meningitis (52%). The fulminant course in 77% of patients with meningococcal sepsis manifested itself as a sudden onset, rapid development of typical symptoms. Hemorrhagic exanthema was detected on the first day of meningococcemia. The leading complications and critical conditions were infectious-toxic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute adrenal insufficiency (Waterhouse-Friederiksen syndrome). The severe course of meningitis (in 10%) led to the development of cerebral coma, the morphological substrate of which was edema - swelling of the brain.

[Tropical malaria with a fatal outcome]. / Tropicheskaya malyariya s letal'nym iskhodom.

Tropical malaria is an acute infectious disease from a group of parasitic diseases transmitted by the vector-borne route. Russia registers deaths due to imported malaria. The paper gives brief information on the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical manifestations of the disease and describes the fatal outcome of cerebral tropical malaria, as well as morphological changes in organs and tissues. The K76T mutation associated with drug resistance in parasites was identified in the structure of the plasmodium gene.

[Pathological anatomy of tuberculosis in the presence of human immunodeficiency virus infection]. / Patologicheskaia anatomiia tuberkuleza na fone infektsii, vyzvannoi virusom immunodefitsita cheloveka.

Tuberculosis occupies a leading position among secondary infections in the structure of mortality in HIV-positive patients. Moreover, the concurrence of these diseases frequently makes a morphological diagnosis most difficult due to the atypical course of tuberculosis (TB) in the presence of immunosuppression. AIM: to assess the clinical and morphological characteristics of concurrent TB/HIV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An autopsy material obtained from the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital (CIDH) in 2018 was analyzed. Eight samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Ziehl-Neelsen carbol-fuchsin, auramine-rhodamine were thoroughly examined, followed by fluorescent microscopy; an immunohistochemical (IHC) study was performed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 736 autopsies made at the S.P. Botkin CIDH in 2018 revealed 357 deaths from HIV infection; 86 (24%) cases of which were caused by concurrent HIV/TB infection. All the cases showed an extremely diverse and heterogeneous pattern that considerably differed from that of classical granulomatous inflammation in tuberculosis. Ziehl-Neelsen staining could demonstrate single clusters of acid-resistant bacteria with a total of not more than 1000 in the specimen of predominantly rod-shaped bacteria. Auramine-rhodamine staining revealed focal clusters of mycobacteria with a total of 1000 to 2000 in the specimen of predominantly rod-shaped and coccoid bacteria. An IHC study identified clusters of mycobacteria with a total of more than 2000 in the sample, which were characterized by a moderate variety of shapes: rods, cocci, granules, clavate, and branched ones. Mycobacteria were present extracellularly in all the studied cases. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis holds the most important place in the pattern of causes of death in HIV infection, accounting for 24%. The lifetime diagnosis of tuberculosis remains not entirely satisfactory. The alterative component of inflammation more often predominates, although without completely losing the ability to form granulomas. The concurrence of different morphological forms of tuberculosis makes it highly desirable to clarify and/or supplement the existing classifications. None of the methods used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the tissues could reveal the intracellular localization of the pathogen. Most mycobacteria had a typical rod-shaped morphology.

[Ambulatory anesthesia in surgical practice in children].

A brief historical overview of the stages of development of outpatient surgery and anesthesiology is provided. It displays features of pre-selection and evaluation of patients for pediatric ambulatory surgery, the relation to the problems of preoperative fasting, anesthesia with concomitant diseases, the relative and absolute contraindications to outpatient surgeries in children. The research discusses the need and form of administration of sedative drugs in premedication in children of different ages, their influence on the recovery time after anesthesia. Compares methods of induction and maintenance of anesthesia, the possible use of volatile and intravenous anesthetics in ambulatory surgery in children, the advantages and disadvantages of given methods, as well as options for their combination with regional blocks. Pays attention to the postoperative analgesia and control of postoperative nausea and vomiting, consider their side effects.

TB or not TB: cavitary bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis.

Two patients with subacute symptoms and signs compatible with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) had right upper lobe cavitary infiltrates shown on chest radiography. In both patients, purified protein derivative and microbiologic testing excluded TB, and tissue examination yielded typical histologic changes of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Glucocorticoid therapy led to clinical and radiologic resolution. Though probably rare in this situation, BOOP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with clinical and radiologic features of pulmonary TB.

The value of stress thallium-201 single photon emission CT imaging as a predictor of outcome and long-term prognosis after CABG.

This study examined the capability of rest-redistribution 201Tl single photon emission CT imaging (TSPECT) done shortly after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to predict outcome and long- term prognosis. Results of TSPECT at 5.5+/-0.7 (range 4 - 8) months postoperatively were correlated during a 4-year follow-up period wit mortality, major surgical and nonsurgical cardiac events and cardiac event-free survival in 170 patients who underwent CABG. Ten (5.8%) patients died during follow-up: 4 had a documented cardiac death (all of them with large or moderate reversible filling defects). In the survivors, there were 10 nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 11 revascularization interventions. Patients who eventually required and underwent revascularization procedures demonstrated large or moderate reversible filing defects, in contrast with those who had no need for an additional procedure (15.7% versus 2.5%, p < 0.001). Postoperative TSPECT carried out soon after CABG had definite prognostic value and should be performed routinely to help decide treatment protocol.

Dysphagia with multiple autoimmune disease.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and polymyositis (PM) are organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Occasional reports describe patients with clinical and pathologic features of both. Achalasia is idiopathic in nature, but autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms have been proposed for this disorder as well. We describe a patient with dysphagia who was diagnosed at different points in time with all these three rare conditions. Despite at least putatively having immune mechanisms in common, an association between the three has not been previously described.

The impact of myocardial viability as determined by rest-redistribution 201Tl single photon emission CT imaging and the choice of therapy on prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

While thallium-201 (201Tl) single-photon emission CT (TSPECT) scintigraphy is a commonly used method for determining the viability of the myocardium, its value for predicting outcome is limited. The diagnosis of myocardial viability in patients with ischemic systolic left ventricular dysfunction might indicate which of them will benefit more from surgical revascularization. Forty patients (mean +/- SD aged 64.5 +/- 12 years, 33 males and 7 females) with impaired systolic left ventricular function (ejection fraction < or = 45%) underwent TSPECT examination. Twenty patients were surgically revascularized and 20 were treated medically. The patients were followed-up for a 34 +/- 10-month period and the cardiac long-term prognosis was evaluated. The significant viability percentage (SVP), defined as the percentage of the total number of segments showing a normal uptake of 201Tl redistribution divided by the total number of segments evaluated, was > or =55: this was observed in 18 patients. Among them, the cardiac event-free survival was 100% in the surgical group versus 22% in the medical group. However, in patients with non-SVP, the survival was lower and not significantly different in the two treatment groups. Surgical revascularization is the preferred method of treatment in patients with ischemic systolic left ventricular dysfunction and myocardial viability as defined by TSPECT scintigraphy.

Graphic representation of sequential Bayesian analysis.

Previously undescribed algebraic transforms of Bayes' theorem define families of operating points in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) space which, at given pre-test probability, produce constant post-test probabilities. These isopredictive operating points form straight lines in the ROC space. The lines can be used to emulate Bayesian sequential analysis in a strictly graphic procedure, which can be applied in clinical work and medical education.

Long-term follow-up after coronary artery bypass grafting reoperation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reoperation is being performed with increasing frequency. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcome and the long-term results of a second CABG. SETTING: An 1100-bed urban university-affiliated hospital. DESIGN: Retrieval of data on selected parameters from medical records before surgery and prospective follow-up afterwards. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the outcomes of 498 consecutive patients who underwent CABG reoperation in our institution from January 1978 to December 1989 and who were followed postoperatively. Their perioperative mortality, morbidity, and long-term follow-up results were re-evaluated. The end points of the study were December 1997, 15 years of follow-up, or the patient's death. RESULTS: The perioperative mortality rate was 3%. The cumulative survival rates were 90.1%, 74%, and 63.4% at the 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year follow-ups, respectively. The cardiac event-free survival rates were 91.5%, 83.4%, and 67.8% at the 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year follow-ups, respectively. The risk factors adversely affecting long-term survival were advanced age, hypertension, and a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results of cumulative survival and cardiac event-free survival in patients who underwent CABG reoperation are good. Although this reoperation is safe overall, advanced age, hypertension, and a decreased LVEF significantly increase the surgical risk.

Short- and long-term follow-up after coronary bypass grafting for single-vessel coronary artery disease.

Short-term outcome and 10-year clinical outcome were reviewed in 114 consecutive patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Gated equilibrium radionuclide cineangiography was performed soon after CABG in all cases, and revealed very good early graft patency rates. There was no perioperative mortality, and very low morbidity. During follow-up there were seven late deaths, two from cardiac disease and five from non-cardiac causes. Cumulative survival at 10 years was 93%. Cumulative freedom from additional cardiac invasive procedures was 96%, 93% and 80% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, and cumulative freedom from angina was 93%, 80% and 73%. Conventional single-vessel CABG thus can be safely performed, with minimal postoperative morbidity and no mortality, providing good long-term relief of angina and circumventing need for additional invasive procedures.

Impact of early exercise radionuclide cineangiography on long-term prognosis after CABG.

BACKGROUND: The immediate benefits of coronary artery bypass grafting might be only transient. This prospective study examined the capability of exercise radionuclide cineangiography done shortly after coronary artery bypass grafting to predict outcome and long-term prognosis. METHODS: Results of exercise radionuclide cineangiography at 5.5 +/- 0.7 months (range, 4 to 8 months) postoperatively were correlated with mortality, major surgical and nonsurgical cardiac events, and cardiac event-free survival in 100 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the incremental value of radionuclide cineangiography beyond the commonly used variables. RESULTS: Left ventricular ejection fraction at rest was normal (> or = 0.45) in 72 patients and increased on exercise in 58. The exercise radionuclide variables that correlated with future cardiac events were change and fractional change in heart rate, ST segment changes, anginal pain and congestive heart symptoms during exercise, rest ejection fraction, and change and fractional changes in ejection fraction. Predictors of event-free survival were exercise heart rate, rest ejection fraction, and change and fractional change in ejection fraction during exercise. Logistic regression analysis revealed that change in ejection fraction was an independent predictor of cardiac death and surgical interventions, whereas resting ejection fraction was a predictor of nonsurgical cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative exercise radionuclide cineangiography carried out soon after coronary artery bypass grafting had definite independent prognostic value and should be performed routinely to help decide treatment protocol.

Very early onset of acute amiodarone pulmonary toxicity presenting with hemoptysis.

A case of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity (APT) occurring within days of the start of therapy and presenting with hemoptysis is reported. Both the very early onset and the presenting symptom are highly unusual in this entity. Implications in the diagnosis of APT are discussed.

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome in a diver: evidence of peripheral nervous system involvement in decompression illness.

Conclusive evidence for involvement of the peripheral nervous system in decompression illness is lacking. We report a case of decompression illness associated with shoulder pain and the clinical features of median nerve injury at the wrist. Initial recompression and hyperbaric oxygen treatment produced prompt relief of all symptoms and signs, but carpal tunnel syndrome subsequently recurred. Nerve conduction studies confirmed median nerve conduction delay at the wrist. Repeat measurements after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen showed electrophysiologic improvement that was consistent with improvement in symptoms. We believe this is the first objectively substantiated case of injury to the peripheral nervous system caused by decompression illness.

Long-term results of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate medium- and long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). DESIGN: Prospective evaluation (clinical follow-up and equilibrium radionuclide angiography scan) of all the patients with severe LVD who underwent CABG from November 1986 to November 1991 at the Tel Aviv Medical Center and were referred to the Post Cardiac Surgery Follow-up Clinic at this institution. PATIENTS: Seventy-four consecutive patients (65 men, 9 women, aged 43 to 82 years; mean age, 68.2 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 30% or less who underwent isolated CABG (without automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, aneurysmectomy, valve replacement, or other open heart procedures) during a 5-year period and were discharged from hospitalization were prospectively evaluated. Preoperatively, 62% of patients had angina, 65% had congestive heart failure (CHF), and the LVEF ranged from 10 to 30%. The mean number of grafts was 2.98 per patient; the internal mammary artery (IMA) was used in 54 patients. The patients were followed up 4 to 96 months (mean, 64.9 months) post-surgery for survival, clinical status, and left ventricular function. RESULTS: Survival was 96%, 93.2%, 91.9%, 87.8%, 86.5%, 83.8%, and 83.8%, at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years, respectively. Postoperatively, mean angina class improved from 2.9 to 1.4 (p < 0.0001) and mean CHF class improved from 2.7 to 1.8 (p < 0.0001). Mean LVEF improved from 23.5% preoperatively to 35.7% postoperatively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The following occur in patients with coronary artery disease and severe LVD undergoing CABG: (1) good medium- and long-term survival is attained; (2) angina class improves; (3) CHF class improves; (4) LVEF objectively improves; and (5). IMA can be used safely as a conduit.