[Use of linezolid for the treatment of lung infections in adults with cystic fibrosis]

INTRODUCTION

Linezolid, a new antistaphylococcal agent for oral or intravenous administration is active against Staphylococcus aureus with limited sensitivity to glycopeptides. The purpose of the present work was to compare data in the literature with practical clinical experience with the use of linezolid for lung infections in adult cystic fibrosis patients with the objective of developing local guidelines for use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective clinical study was conducted in the adult pneumology department of a university hospital.

RESULTS

The main clinical signs leading to prescription of linezolid were aggravating cough, bronchial obstruction, and exercise-induced fatigue. Among 42 cystic fibrosis patients, six aged 24+/-3 years were given 22 treatments of linezolid. Two patients were given the drug once and the others 2, 4, 5, and 9 times, 600 mg b.i.d. Mean duration of treatment with linezolid was 16+/-5 days. Among the six patients, two presented meti-R S. aureus infection. For twelve cases, clinical improvement was observed; and in two others the situation worsened leading to interruption of linezolid.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few reports in the literature on use of linezolid in cystic fibrosis patients. Writing internal guidelines for our department has enabled standardized use: 600 mg b.i.d. p.o. for 14 days as second-line treatment for bronchial exacerbation of S. aureus infection.

Un épanchement pleural liquidien compliquant une chambre à cathéter implantable

INTRODUCTION

Totally implanted venous devices (TIVD) are an essential tool for repeated intravenous treatments such as chemotherapy for cancer and antibiotics for cystic fibrosis.

CASE REPORT

A woman of 76 years was treated for bronchiectasis, colonised by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with courses of intravenous antibiotics. On account of poor peripheral veins a TIVD was implanted. The implantation and subsequent antibiotic injections were uncomplicated. Three years later a further course of antibiotics was prescribed. As no reflux of blood was obtained on puncturing the device the position of the catheter was checked radiologically. The patient complained of right shoulder pain following each infusion. The chest x-ray showed a pleural effusion. The sudden onset of the effusion, the absence of signs of infection and the patient's good clinical condition suggested pleural extravasation of the antibiotic infusion from the TIVD. Pleural aspiration yielded 1400 mls of watery fluid. Injection of contrast into the TIVD confirmed intra-pleural extravasation.

CONCLUSION

When using a TIVD it is important to bear in mind the possibility of late pleural complications.

Exacerbations of COPD: quantifying the patient's perspective using discrete choice modelling

Patient-centred care is the current vogue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is only recently that robust techniques have become available to determine patients' values and preferences. In this international cross-sectional study, patients' concerns and expectations regarding COPD exacerbations were explored using discrete choice modelling. A fractional factorial design was used to develop scenarios comprising a combination of levels for nine different attributes. In face-to-face interviews, patients were presented with paired scenarios and asked to choose the least preferable. Multinomial logit (with hierarchical Bayes) methods were used to estimate utilities. A total of 125 patients (82 males; mean age 66 yrs; 4.6 mean exacerbations.yr-1) were recruited. The attributes of exacerbations considered most important were impact on everyday life (20%), need for medical care (16%), number of future attacks (12%) and breathlessness (11%). The next most important attributes were speed of recovery, productive cough and social impact (all 9%), followed by sleep disturbance and impact on mood (both 7%). Importantly, analysis of utility shifts showed that patients most feared being hospitalised, housebound or bedridden. These issues were more important than symptom improvement. Strategies for the clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should clearly address patients' concerns and focus on preventing and treating exacerbations to avoid these feared outcomes.

Measurement of the K0 charge radius and a CP-violating asymmetry and a search for CP-violating E1 direct photon emission in the rare decay KL--> pi+ pi- e+ e-

Using the complete KTeV data set of 5,241 candidate K(L)--> pi(+) pi(-) e(+) e(-) decays (including an estimated background of 204 +/- 14 events), we have measured the coupling g(CR)= 0.163 +/- 0.0149(stat) +/- 0.023(syst) of the CP conserving charge radius process and from it determined a K(0) charge radius of <r(2)(K(0))> = [-0.077 +/- 0.007(stat) +/- 0.011(syst)]fm(2). We have determined a first experimental upper limit of 0.04 (90% C.L.) /g(e1)/ / /g(M1)/ of the couplings for the E1 and M1 direct photon emission processes. We also report the measurement of /g(M1)/ including a vector form factor /g(M1)/(1 + (a(1)/a(2))/((M(2)(p)-(M(2)(k))= 2M(K)E(gamma*)), where vector /g(M1)/= 1.11+/- 0.12(stat) +/- 0.08(syst) and a(1)/a(2) = [-0.744 +/- 0.027(stat) +/- 0.032(syst)] GeV(2)/c(2). Finally, a CP-violating asymmetry of [13.6 +/- 1.4(stat) +/- 1.5(syst)]% in the CP and T odd angle phi between the decay planes of the e(+) e(-) and pi(+) pi(-) pairs in the K(L) center of mass is reported.

[Pulmonary hypertension associated with disorders of the respiratory system]

Pulmonary hypertension associated with disorders of the respiratory system is defined by a pulmonary artery mean pressure above 20 mmHg at rest in stable disease. The most frequent form of precapillary pulmonary hypertension is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, because of its high prevalence. Pulmonary vascular remodeling occurs in the small pulmonary arteries and is due mainly to chronic alveolar hypoxia. Pulmonary hypertension associated with disorders of the respiratory system is usually mild to moderate, with resting pulmonary artery mean pressure ranging between 20 and 35 mm Hg. It may increase markedly during sleep, exercise or exacerbation of respiratory failure, however. Abrupt postload elevation can lead to right heart failure, an indisputable indicator of prognosis. Because the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are minimal relative to those of the chronic hypoxic lung disease, noninvasive diagnosis is difficult, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Oxygen therapy (at least 16 h/day) is currently the best treatment for this type of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Polyradiculonévrite chronique chez des patients avec une greffe d’organe solide : une étude clinique, neurophysiologique et neuropathologique de 4 cas

INTRODUCTION

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) rarely develops in patients with solid organ transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We describe the clinical, biological, electrophysiological and neuropathological features of 4 patients with solid organ transplantation who developed CIDP. Two patients had liver transplantation, one had kidney transplantation and one had lung transplantation.

RESULTS

All 4 patients developed in the months following transplantation a syndrome that fulfilled criteria for definite CIDP. All patients had immunosuppressive therapy, with ciclosporin + prednisolone in 2 cases, tacrolimus in 1 case and azathioprine + prednisolone + ciclosporin in one case. One patient had chronic HCV and HBV infection. Treatment with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and/or a change in immunosuppressive therapy improved the neuropathy in all cases.

CONCLUSION

CIDP is a rare and potentially treatable condition that should be considered in all patients with solid organ transplantation who develop a rapidly disabling sensorimotor polyneuropathy.

[Physiological functional tests to evaluate pulmonary arterial hypertension]

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and complex disease, which requires careful diagnostic evaluation.

STATE OF THE ART

Most patients have a mild decrease in lung volumes and a moderate decrease in carbon monoxide transfer factor. Mild to moderate arterial hypoxaemia, is often present, associated with a mild respiratory alkalosis. When hypoxaemia is severe, it may represent an intracardiac shunt. Right heart catheterisation is required to confirm the diagnosis and in most cases shows a significant elevation of pulmonary artery pressure due to an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The haemodynamic profile and the response to an acute pulmonary vasodilator challenge are determinants of prognosis. Finally, exercise capacity which is usually assessed by the six minute walk test provides an overall functional measure of disease severity, response to therapy, and progression.

PERSPECTIVES

Functional evaluation of the heart using echocardiography will play an increasing role in the evaluation of PAH.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiological measurements in PAH have several objectives. They form part of the diagnostic definition, allow the exclusion of other conditions and are tools for the assessment of severity, prognosis and response to therapy.

Observation of the decay xi0 --> sigma+ mu- nu(mu)

The xi0 muon semileptonic decay has been observed for the first time with nine identified events using the KTeV beam line and detector at Fermilab. The decay is normalized to the xi0 beta decay mode and yields a value for the ratio of decay rates gamma(xi0 --> sigma+ mu- nu(mu))/gamma(xi0 --> sigma+ e- nu(e)) of [1.8(-0.5)(+0.7)(stat) +/- 0.2(syst)] x 10(-2). This is in agreement with the SU(3) flavor symmetric quark model.

Amitriptyline reduces rectal pain related activation of the anterior cingulate cortex in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of intestinal hypersensitivity and altered motility, exacerbated by stress. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during painful rectal distension in IBS has demonstrated greater activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), an area relevant to pain and emotions. Tricyclic antidepressants are effective for IBS. The aim of this study was to determine if low dose amitriptyline reduces ACC activation during painful rectal distension in IBS to confer clinical benefits. Secondary aims were to identify other brain regions altered by amitriptyline, and to determine if reductions in cerebral activation are greater during mental stress.

METHODS

Nineteen women with painful IBS were randomised to amitriptyline 50 mg or placebo for one month and then crossed over to the alternate treatment after washout. Cerebral activation during rectal distension was compared between placebo and amitriptyline groups by fMRI. Distensions were performed alternately during auditory stress and relaxing music.

RESULTS

Rectal pain induced significant activation of the perigenual ACC, right insula, and right prefrontal cortex. Amitriptyline was associated with reduced pain related cerebral activations in the perigenual ACC and the left posterior parietal cortex, but only during stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline reduces brain activation during pain in the perigenual (limbic) anterior cingulated cortex and parietal association cortex. These reductions are only seen during stress. Amitriptyline is likely to work in the central nervous system rather than peripherally to blunt pain and other symptoms exacerbated by stress in IBS.

Gemcitabine–docetaxel versus cisplatin–vinorelbine in advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase III study addressing the case for cisplatin

BACKGROUND

This multicenter, randomized, phase III study compared the efficacy, including progression-free survival (PFS), and safety of gemcitabine-docetaxel (GD) combination versus cisplatin-vinorelbine (CV) in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Chemonaive patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were treated with GD (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8 plus docetaxel 85 mg/m(2) day 8, every 3 weeks for eight cycles) or CV (cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) day 1 plus vinorelbine 30 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15 and 22, every 4 weeks for six cycles).

RESULTS

A total of 311 patients were enrolled (155 GD and 156 CV). Neither PFS nor overall survival differed significantly between the two arms (median PFS 4.2 and 4 months; median survival 11.1 and 9.6 months; 1-year survival 46% and 42%, for GD and CV, respectively). For the GD arm compared with the CV arm, the hazard ratio for PFS was 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-1.32], and for overall survival, it was 0.90 (95% CI 0.70-1.16). Objective response rates did not differ significantly (31% for GD, 35.9% for CV). Myelosupression, emesis and frequency of febrile neutropenia were less pronounced on the GD arm, whereas fluid retention and pulmonary events were more pronounced. The CV arm experienced a higher number of serious adverse events and a lower compliance with the protocol. There was no quality of life (QoL) difference between arms. Median time to definite impairment of health-related QoL was 153 and 168 days in GD and CV arms, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no advantage in PFS with GD compared with CV; however, the CV regimen had higher rate of toxic events, mainly myelosuppression. The herein, non-platinum-containing regimen could be considered as a rational alternative to the cisplatin-based doublet.

A determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa parameter |V us| using KL decays

We present a determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa parameter |V(us)| based on new measurements of the six largest K(L) branching fractions and semileptonic form factors by the KTeV (E832) experiment at Fermilab. We find |V(us)|=0.2252+/-0.0008(KTeV)+/-0.0021(ext), where the errors are from KTeV measurements and from external sources. We also use the measured branching fractions to determine the CP violation parameter |eta(+-)|=(2.228+/-0.005(KTeV)+/-0.009(ext))x10(-3).

Surgical options for complete resectable lung cancer invading the phrenic nerve

We describe a 58-year-old male diagnosed with a tumour of the left lung, which on subsequent thoracotomy proved to be invading the phrenic nerve. The clinical and spirometric outcome of a lobectomy, which resulted in a postoperative ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, versus the alternative surgical option of a pneumonectomy is discussed.

Search for the rare decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-)

The KTeV/E799 experiment at Fermilab has searched for the rare kaon decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-). This mode is expected to have a significant CP violating component. The measurement of its branching ratio could support the standard model or could indicate the existence of new physics. This Letter reports new results from the 1999-2000 data set. One event is observed with an expected background at 0.99+/-0.35 events. We set a limit on the branching ratio of 3.5x10(-10) at the 90% confidence level. Combining with the previous result based on the data set taken in 1997 yields the final KTeV result: BR(K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-))<2.8x10(-10) at 90% C.L.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy after unilateral idiopathic sudden deafness]

The use of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) after acute one-sided deafness is a treatment option if conventional methods fail. Five cases have been reported in which an improvement in hearing after HBOT was achieved following unsuccessful conventional therapy. In view of this, and after a careful study of the literature, we suggest that timely treatment with HBOT should be used in every case of unilateral idiopathic deafness.