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Boucher D, Croft L, Beard S, Mohd Najib I, Rajapakse A, Duijf P, Richard D, O'Byrne K. 1153P A first in class DNA repair inhibitor for the treatment of NSCLC. Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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2
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Douglas A, Sandmann FG, Allen DJ, Celma CC, Beard S, Larkin L. Impact of COVID-19 on national surveillance of norovirus in England and potential risk of increased disease activity in 2021. J Hosp Infect 2021; 112:124-126. [PMID: 33716087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Douglas
- Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.
| | - F G Sandmann
- Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Modelling and Health Economics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - D J Allen
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - C C Celma
- Enteric Virus Unit, National Infection Service Laboratories, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - S Beard
- Enteric Virus Unit, National Infection Service Laboratories, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - L Larkin
- Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
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3
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Hayes A, Nguyen D, Andersson M, Antón A, Bailly J, Beard S, Benschop KSM, Berginc N, Blomqvist S, Cunningham E, Davis D, Dembinski JL, Diedrich S, Dudman SG, Dyrdak R, Eltringham GJA, Gonzales‐Goggia S, Gunson R, Howson‐Wells HC, Jääskeläinen AJ, López‐Labrador FX, Maier M, Majumdar M, Midgley S, Mirand A, Morley U, Nordbø SA, Oikarinen S, Osman H, Papa A, Pellegrinelli L, Piralla A, Rabella N, Richter J, Smith M, Söderlund Strand A, Templeton K, Vipond B, Vuorinen T, Williams C, Wollants E, Zakikhany K, Fischer TK, Harvala H, Simmonds P. A European multicentre evaluation of detection and typing methods for human enteroviruses and parechoviruses using RNA transcripts. J Med Virol 2020; 92:1065-1074. [PMID: 31883139 PMCID: PMC7496258 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection has become the gold standard for diagnosis and typing of enterovirus (EV) and human parechovirus (HPeV) infections. Its effectiveness depends critically on using the appropriate sample types and high assay sensitivity as viral loads in cerebrospinal fluid samples from meningitis and sepsis clinical presentation can be extremely low. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of currently used commercial and in-house diagnostic and typing assays. Accurately quantified RNA transcript controls were distributed to 27 diagnostic and 12 reference laboratories in 17 European countries for blinded testing. Transcripts represented the four human EV species (EV-A71, echovirus 30, coxsackie A virus 21, and EV-D68), HPeV3, and specificity controls. Reported results from 48 in-house and 15 commercial assays showed 98% detection frequencies of high copy (1000 RNA copies/5 µL) transcripts. In-house assays showed significantly greater detection frequencies of the low copy (10 copies/5 µL) EV and HPeV transcripts (81% and 86%, respectively) compared with commercial assays (56%, 50%; P = 7 × 10-5 ). EV-specific PCRs showed low cross-reactivity with human rhinovirus C (3 of 42 tests) and infrequent positivity in the negative control (2 of 63 tests). Most or all high copy EV and HPeV controls were successfully typed (88%, 100%) by reference laboratories, but showed reduced effectiveness for low copy controls (41%, 67%). Stabilized RNA transcripts provide an effective, logistically simple and inexpensive reagent for evaluation of diagnostic assay performance. The study provides reassurance of the performance of the many in-house assay formats used across Europe. However, it identified often substantially reduced sensitivities of commercial assays often used as point-of-care tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Hayes
- Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - D. Nguyen
- Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - M. Andersson
- Microbiology Laboratory, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, HeadingtonOxfordUK
| | - A. Antón
- Respiratory Viruses Unit, Virology Section, Microbiology DepartmentHospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'HebronBarcelonaSpain
| | - J.‐L. Bailly
- Université Clermont Auvergne, LMGE UMR CNRS, UFR MédecineClermont‐FerrandFrance
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, National Reference Center for EV and Parechovirus‐Associated LaboratoryClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - S. Beard
- Enteric Virus Unit, Virus Reference DepartmentNational Infection Service, Public Health EnglandLondonUK
| | - K. S. M. Benschop
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)BilthovenThe Netherlands
| | - N. Berginc
- Department for Public Health VirologyNational Laboratory of Health, Environment and FoodLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - S. Blomqvist
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, MannerheimintieHelsinkiFinland
| | - E. Cunningham
- Viapath Infection Sciences, St. Thomas' HospitalLondonUK
| | - D. Davis
- Microbiology, Virology and infection Prevention & ControlGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - J. L. Dembinski
- Department of VirologyNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
| | - S. Diedrich
- National Reference Center for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch InstituteBerlinGermany
| | - S. G. Dudman
- Department of MicrobiologyOslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Inst. Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - R. Dyrdak
- Department of Clinical MicrobiologyKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - G. J. A. Eltringham
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Microbiology, Freeman HospitalNewcastle Upon TyneUK
| | - S. Gonzales‐Goggia
- Public Health England Poliovirus Reference Laboratory, National Infection Service, Public Health EnglandLondonUK
| | - R. Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology CentreGlasgow Royal InfirmaryGlasgowUK
| | - H. C. Howson‐Wells
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Clinical Microbiology, Queens Medical CentreNottinghamUK
| | - A. J. Jääskeläinen
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Virology and ImmunologyHelsinkiFinland
| | - F. X. López‐Labrador
- Virology Laboratory, Joint Units in Genomics and Health and Infection and Health, Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana (FISABIO‐Public Health)/Universitat de València, Av. CatalunyaValènciaSpain
- CIBEResp, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - M. Maier
- Institute of VirologyLeipzig University HospitalLeipzigGermany
| | - M. Majumdar
- The National Institute for Biological Standards and ControlHertfordshireUK
| | - S. Midgley
- Department of Virus and Special Microbiological DiagnosticsVirus Surveillance and Research Section, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagenDenmark
| | - A. Mirand
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, Laboratoire de Virologie—Centre National de Référence des Entérovirus et Parechovirus, Laboratoire Associé—Clermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - U. Morley
- UCD National Virus Reference LaboratoryUniversity College Dublin, BelfieldDublinIreland
| | - S. A. Nordbø
- Department of Medical MicrobiologySt. Olavs University HospitalTrondheimNorway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - S. Oikarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health TechnologyTampere UniversityTampereFinland
| | - H. Osman
- Public Health England Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Heartlands HospitalBirminghamUK
| | - A. Papa
- Department of MicrobiologyMedical School, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiThessalonikiGreece
| | - L. Pellegrinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - A. Piralla
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology DepartmentFondazione IRCCS Policlinico San MatteoPaviaItaly
| | - N. Rabella
- Virology Section, Santa Creu i Sant Pau University HospitalBarcelonaSpain
| | - J. Richter
- Department of Molecular VirologyCyprus Institute of Neurology and GeneticsNicosiaCyprus
| | - M. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
- King's College Hospital, Bessemer Wing, Denmark HillLondonUK
| | - A. Söderlund Strand
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical MicrobiologyLund University Hospital, SölvegatanLundSweden
| | - K. Templeton
- Edinburgh Specialist Virology, Royal Infirmary of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - B. Vipond
- Public Health England, South West Regional Laboratory, Pathology Sciences Building, Science QuarterSouthmead HospitalBristolUK
| | - T. Vuorinen
- Clinical MicrobiologyTurku University Hospital and Institute of Biomedicine University of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | | | - E. Wollants
- Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, REGA Institute, Clinical and Epidemiological VirologyLeuvenBelgium
| | - K. Zakikhany
- Katherina Zakikhany‐Gilg, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Department of MicrobiologyUnit of Laboratory Surveillance of Viral Pathogens and Vaccine Preventable DiseasesStockholmSweden
| | - T. K. Fischer
- CIBEResp, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Department of Virus and Special Microbiological DiagnosticsVirus Surveillance and Research Section, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagenDenmark
| | - H. Harvala
- NHS Blood and Transplant, ColindaleLondonUK
| | - P. Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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4
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Vargas-Straube MJ, Beard S, Norambuena R, Paradela A, Vera M, Jerez CA. High copper concentration reduces biofilm formation in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans by decreasing production of extracellular polymeric substances and its adherence to elemental sulfur. J Proteomics 2020; 225:103874. [PMID: 32569817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is an acidophilic bacterium able to grow in environments with high concentrations of metals. It is a chemolithoautotroph able to form biofilms on the surface of solid minerals to obtain its energy. The response of both planktonic and sessile cells of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 grown in elemental sulfur and adapted to high copper concentration was analyzed by quantitative proteomics. It was found that 137 proteins varied their abundance when comparing both lifestyles. Copper effllux proteins, some subunits of the ATP synthase complex, porins, and proteins involved in cell wall modification increased their abundance in copper-adapted sessile lifestyle cells. On the other hand, planktonic copper-adapted cells showed increased levels of proteins such as: cupreredoxins involved in copper cell sequestration, some proteins related to sulfur metabolism, those involved in biosynthesis and transport of lipopolysaccharides, and in assembly of type IV pili. During copper adaptation a decreased formation of biofilms was measured as determined by epifluorescence microscopy. This was apparently due not only to a diminished number of sessile cells but also to their exopolysaccharides production. This is the first study showing that copper, a prevalent metal in biomining environments causes dispersion of A. ferrooxidans biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE: Copper is a metal frequently found in high concentrations at mining environments inhabitated by acidophilic microorganisms. Copper resistance determinants of A. ferrooxidans have been previously studied in planktonic cells. Although biofilms are recurrent in these types of environments, the effect of copper on their formation has not been studied so far. The results obtained indicate that high concentrations of copper reduce the capacity of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to form biofilms on sulfur. These findings may be relevant to consider for a bacterium widely used in copper bioleaching processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Vargas-Straube
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - S Beard
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - R Norambuena
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Paradela
- Proteomics Laboratory, National Biotechnology Center, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Vera
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.; Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - C A Jerez
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile..
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5
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Sullivan W, Hirst M, Beard S, Gladwell D, Fagnani F, López Bastida J, Phillips C, Dunlop WCN. Economic evaluation in chronic pain: a systematic review and de novo flexible economic model. Eur J Health Econ 2016; 17:755-70. [PMID: 26377997 PMCID: PMC4899502 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-015-0720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
There is unmet need in patients suffering from chronic pain, yet innovation may be impeded by the difficulty of justifying economic value in a field beset by data limitations and methodological variability. A systematic review was conducted to identify and summarise the key areas of variability and limitations in modelling approaches in the economic evaluation of treatments for chronic pain. The results of the literature review were then used to support the development of a fully flexible open-source economic model structure, designed to test structural and data assumptions and act as a reference for future modelling practice. The key model design themes identified from the systematic review included: time horizon; titration and stabilisation; number of treatment lines; choice/ordering of treatment; and the impact of parameter uncertainty (given reliance on expert opinion). Exploratory analyses using the model to compare a hypothetical novel therapy versus morphine as first-line treatments showed cost-effectiveness results to be sensitive to structural and data assumptions. Assumptions about the treatment pathway and choice of time horizon were key model drivers. Our results suggest structural model design and data assumptions may have driven previous cost-effectiveness results and ultimately decisions based on economic value. We therefore conclude that it is vital that future economic models in chronic pain are designed to be fully transparent and hope our open-source code is useful in order to aspire to a common approach to modelling pain that includes robust sensitivity analyses to test structural and parameter uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Hirst
- MundiPharma International, 194 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 0AB, UK
| | - S Beard
- BresMed Health Solutions, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - W C N Dunlop
- MundiPharma International, 194 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 0AB, UK.
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6
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Thompson S, Fletcher J, Ziebell H, Beard S, Panda P, Jorgensen N, Fowler S, Liefting L, Berry N, Pitman A. First report of ‘
Candidatus
Liberibacter europaeus’ associated with psyllid infested Scotch broom. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.5197/j.2044-0588.2013.027.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Thompson
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - J.D. Fletcher
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
| | | | - S. Beard
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - P. Panda
- Bio‐Protection Research CentreLincoln UniversityPO Box 84CanterburyNew Zealand
| | - N. Jorgensen
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - S.V. Fowler
- Landcare ResearchPO Box 40Lincoln7640New Zealand
| | - L.W. Liefting
- Plant Health and Environment LaboratoryMinistry for Primary IndustriesPO Box 2095Auckland1140New Zealand
| | - N. Berry
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - A.R. Pitman
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedPrivate Bag4704ChristchurchNew Zealand
- Bio‐Protection Research CentreLincoln UniversityPO Box 84CanterburyNew Zealand
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7
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Beard S. Book Review: What is the Point of Management Education? Journal of General Management 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/030630701003600207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Al-Gailani M, Dudani P, Fletcher M, Beard S, Parkin A. Breast cancer follow-up: what about the patients’ views? Eur J Surg Oncol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2010.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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9
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Bhalla S, Hibbert C, Watkins J, Beard S, Cetty M, Arellano J. To determine the cost-effectiveness of pemetrexed (PEM) compared to current standards of care in 2nd-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from the UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. J Clin Oncol 2007. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.6540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
6540 Objective: To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pemetrexed (PEM) compared with current standards of care (SOC) in 2nd-line advanced NSCLC from a UK perspective. The SOC selected for the evaluation were: (i) docetaxel (DOC) as it is the standard active therapy in the UK and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and (ii) best supportive care (BSC) as the majority patients in the UK who fail 1st-line therapy do not receive further chemotherapy. Methods: The analytic technique used was a cost-utility analysis (CUA) in the form of a Markov model. Utilities were generated from 100 members of the general public, considering tumor response status and toxicity, in accordance with the standard NICE appraisal methodology. Clinical inputs were derived from a pooled analysis phase III clinical trial data. Costs were taken from the British National Formulary and UK national databases. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) are presented for both life-years gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life- years (QALY) gained. Conclusions: The incremental cost per LY and cost per QALY for pemetrexed in 2nd-line NSCLC are below £20,000, compared to docetaxel and BSC. Based on its survival and toxicity benefits PEM is a cost-effective option in within the UK. No significant financial relationships to disclose. [Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Bhalla
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - C. Hibbert
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J. Watkins
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - S. Beard
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - M. Cetty
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J. Arellano
- Eli Lilly and Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom; RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, United Kingdom
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10
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the drug treatments currently available for the management of spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis (MS), and to evaluate their clinical and cost-effectiveness. DATA SOURCES Electronic bibliographic databases, National Research Register, MRC Clinical Trials Register and the US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Register. REVIEW METHODS Systematic searches identified 15 interventions for the treatment of spasticity and 15 interventions for treatment of pain. The quality and outcomes of the studies were evaluated. Reviews of the treatment of spasticity and pain when due to other aetiologies were also sought. RESULTS There is limited evidence of the effectiveness of four oral drugs for spasticity: baclofen, dantrolene, diazepam and tizanidine. Tizanidine appears to be no more effective than comparator drugs such as baclofen and has a slightly different side-effects profile. Despite claims that it causes less muscle weakness, there was very little evidence that tizanidine performed any better in this respect than other drugs, although it is more expensive. The findings of this review are consistent with reviews of the same treatments for spasticity derived from other aetiologies. There is good evidence that both botulinum toxin (BT) and intrathecal baclofen are effective in reducing spasticity, and both are associated with functional benefit. However, they are invasive, and substantially more expensive. None of the studies included in the review of pain were designed specifically to evaluate the alleviation of pain in patients with MS and there was no consistency regarding the use of validated outcome measures. It was suggested that, although expensive, the use of intrathecal baclofen may be associated with significant savings in hospitalisation costs in relation to bed-bound patients who are at risk of developing pressure sores, thus enhancing its cost-effectiveness. No studies of cost-effectiveness were identified in the review of pain. There is evidence, albeit limited, of the clinical effectiveness of baclofen, dantrolene, diazepam, tizanidine, intrathecal baclofen and BT and of the potential cost-effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen in the treatment of spasticity in MS. CONCLUSIONS Many of the interventions identified are not licensed for the alleviation of pain or spasticity in MS and the lack of evidence relating to their effectiveness may also limit their widespread use. Indeed, forthcoming information relating to the use of cannabinoids in MS may result in there being better evidence of the effectiveness of new treatments than of any of the currently used drugs. It may therefore be of value to carry out double-blind randomised controlled trials of interventions used in current practice, where outcomes could include functional benefit and impact on quality of life. Further research into the development and validation of outcomes measures for pain and spasticity may also be useful, as perhaps would cost-utility studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Beard
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, UK
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11
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Samuel D, Beard S, Yang H, Saunders N, Jin L. Genotyping of measles and mumps virus strains using amplification refractory mutation system analysis combined with enzyme immunoassay: a simple method for outbreak investigations. J Med Virol 2003; 69:279-85. [PMID: 12683419 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A simple method, based on a modification of the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), for genotyping outbreak strains of measles and mumps viruses and detecting these in a simple enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is described. Fifty-three measles strains circulating at the time of an outbreak in London in 2000 and 26 strains circulating at the time of a mumps outbreak in Accrington, UK, in 1999 were investigated. All strains were genotyped by direct sequencing. ARMS primers were then designed to amplify the outbreak strain. The ARMS-EIA for measles and mumps detected all 36 measles outbreak strains as genotype D6, and all 15 mumps outbreak strains as genotype F, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of both the measles D6 and Mumps F genotype ARMS EIA was 100% compared with direct sequencing. The results show that ARMS-EIA can be used as a rapid alternative to genotyping by direct sequence analysis in outbreak situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Samuel
- Enteric, Respiratory, Neurological Virus Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom.
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12
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Abstract
Eleven subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) cases diagnosed in the UK between 1965 and 2000 were investigated. The entire or partial matrix (M), hemagglutinin (H), and nucleoprotein (N) genes of measles virus (MV) were sequenced following direct RT-PCR amplification from brain tissues. All the M genes showed the characteristic biased hypermutations and a premature termination codon was detected in 5/11 M sequences. Based on the more highly conserved H and N genes observed in persistent MV studies, phylogenetic analysis showed that two of three strains from patients likely to have acquired infection in the 1950s were related to clade C (WHO designation) and one appears to be a novel genotype. Three strains from patients infected in the 1960s and 1970s were clearly related to a MV strain isolated in 1974 belonging to genotype D1. Four strains from patients infected in the 1980s clustered with genotype D7 strains. One sequence from a patient infected in 1990s was identified as genotype D6. No vaccine strains were detected although five of these patients had been previously immunized. The sequence data obtained from these historic strains do not support the view that vaccine strains are associated with SSPE and provide valuable information for further studies of MV epidemiology, evolution, and pathogenesis in SSPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jin
- Enteric, Respiratory, and Neurological Virus Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom.
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13
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Abstract
Spasticity is a common disabling feature of multiple sderosis. A variety of drugs are in regular use as oral treatment induding badofen, dantrolene, tizanidine, and diazepam. Published evidence of effectiveness is limited. Most trials are of small size, of short duration, and have not reported on functional outcomes. Studies have been published which suggest that badofen, tizanidine, and diazepam are all effective in reducing dinical measures of spasticity, but there is little evidence that they lead to an improvement in patient function. There is no evidence to suggest any difference in effectiveness between them. The evidence that dantrolene has any effect on spasticity is of poor quality. Diazepam and dantrolene are associated with more side effects than baclofen and tizanidine. There is evidence for the effectiveness of gabapentin in reducing spasticity and improving function in the short term, though longer-term studies are needed to establish its true value. One randomized controlled trial of threonine does not support its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Paisley
- The School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, UK
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14
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Abstract
We present an office-based technique for performing arthroscopic synovectomy of the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Intra-articular anesthesia as well as subcutaneous portal anesthesia are used. Standard portals are used in the radial carpal and midcarpal joints. Standard instrumentation is used and the synovectomy is accomplished using a motorized shaver. We performed 30 procedures in 21 patients: 15 complete synovectomies, 3 radioulnar carpal synovectomies because of only limited disease, and 12 limited synovectomies because these patients were participants in a clinical trial and required only limited synovectomy for investigational purposes. There were no complications. Office-based arthroscopic synovectomy of the wrist in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis can be performed safety and effectively. This technique is useful in both a clinical as well as a research setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Wei
- Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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15
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Abstract
Vaccination has the potential to eradicate mumps, and 82 countries now include a live attenuated mumps vaccine as part of their childhood vaccination programme. Although, monotypic, genetic variants of mumps virus (MuV) have been described based on comparison of the SH gene sequences, and at least seven genotypes have been identified. We now report the entire sequence of a recently isolated wild type MuV strain, Glouc1/UK96 (Glouc1) by direct sequencing of the cDNA obtained from cell culture fluid. The genome of this recent isolate was 15384 nucleotides in length. There were 579 nucleotide differences (3.8%) and 71 amino acid differences (1.5%) between Glouc1, a genotype G strain and Ur-AM9, a genotype B strain. Other MuV strains with available sequences were also compared with this pathological strain. The sequence of the contemporary strain reported here provides a picture of the variability of MuV over its entire genome (GenBank accession no. AF280799).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jin
- Enteric, Respiratory and Neurological Virus Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, NW9 5HT, London, UK.
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16
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Cohen A, Yanagisawa M, Beard S, Miller Y. A postulated endothelin-1 autocrine loop in lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(00)80644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Cohen A, Miller Y, Krzemien D, Beard S. Evidence for the methylation of the 5′CPG island of the endothelin B receptor gene in lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(00)80593-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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18
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Abstract
A reverse transcriptase nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the small hydrophobic (SH) gene of mumps virus (MuV). Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the entire SH gene sequence (318 nucleotides) and the putative SH protein (57 amino acids). At least 4 MuV genotypes were identified in the United Kingdom between 1995 and 1998 by direct sequencing of 26 PCR amplicons from a variety of specimens. Comparison of these and GenBank sequences identified 2 new genotypes in the United Kingdom. The results suggest that, after the introduction of universal mumps vaccination in the United Kingdom in 1988, there appears to have been a switch from a predominant genotype to a heterogeneous group of strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jin
- Enteric and Respiratory Virus Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom NW9 5HT.
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19
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Payne CM, Crowley C, Washo-Stultz D, Briehl M, Bernstein H, Bernstein C, Beard S, Holubec H, Warneke J. The stress-response proteins poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and NF-kappaB protect against bile salt-induced apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 1998; 5:623-36. [PMID: 10200517 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile salts induce apoptosis and are implicated as promoters of colon cancer. The mechanisms by which bile salts produce these effects are poorly understood. We report that the cytotoxic bile salt, sodium deoxycholate (NaDOC), activates the key stress response proteins, NF-kappaB and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The activation of NF-kappaB and PARP, respectively, indicates that bile salts induce oxidative stress and DNA damage. The pre-treatment of cells with specific inhibitors of these proteins [pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (NF-kappaB inhibitor) and 3-aminobenzamide (PARP inhibitor)] sensitizes cells to the induction of apoptosis by NaDOC, indicating that these stress response pathways are protective in nature. Colon cancer risk has been reported to be associated with resistance to apoptosis. We found an increase in activated NF-kappaB at the base of human colon crypts that exhibit apoptosis resistance. This provides a link between an increased stress response and colon cancer risk. The implications of these findings with respect to apoptosis and to colon carcinogenesis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Payne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, USA.
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20
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Cohen BJ, Beard S, Knowles WA, Ellis JS, Joske D, Goldman JM, Hewitt P, Ward KN. Chronic anemia due to parvovirus B19 infection in a bone marrow transplant patient after platelet transfusion. Transfusion 1997; 37:947-52. [PMID: 9308643 DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1997.37997454023.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many reports document the transmission of human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection by clotting factor concentrates manufactured from large plasma pools. Transmission via other blood components originating from a single donor or a small number of donors, however, seems to occur only rarely. The study reported here identifies a B19 infection that was transmitted via a platelet donation. CASE REPORT A multiply transfused allogeneic bone marrow transplant patient developed chronic anemia due to persistent B19 infection. The anemia responded to therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin. It was postulated that a transfusion was the source of the B19 infection. Archived sera from 90 implicated blood donors were tested for B19 IgM and DNA by the use of dot-blot hybridization and a nested polymerase chain reaction with primers from the B19 nonstructural gene. B19 DNA from patient and donor sera were sequenced. One of the 90 blood donors (Donor A) was B19 IgM positive and had a high level of B19 DNA. The patient was viremic 3 days after transfusion of platelets from this donor, and the sequence of B19 DNA from the patient exactly matched that of B19 DNA from the donor. A second blood donor (Donor B) had a low level of B19 DNA but was IgM negative. The patient showed no evidence of B19 infection after the transfusion of red cells from Donor B, and the sequence of this donor's B19 DNA was different from that in the patient. CONCLUSION Blood Donor A with asymptomatic acute B19 infection was the source of B19 infection in the bone marrow transplant patient. Donor B with a low level of B19 DNA was not the source of infection.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Anemia/etiology
- Antibodies, Viral/analysis
- Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis
- Base Sequence
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin M/analysis
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/complications
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Parvoviridae Infections/complications
- Parvoviridae Infections/transmission
- Parvovirus B19, Human/genetics
- Parvovirus B19, Human/immunology
- Platelet Transfusion/adverse effects
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Cohen
- Enteric & Respiratory Virus Laboratory, North London Centre, UK
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21
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Corbett TJ, Saw H, Popat U, MacMahon E, Cohen BJ, Knowles WA, Beard S, Prentice HG. Successful treatment of parvovirus B19 infection and red cell aplasia occurring after an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Bone Marrow Transplant 1995; 16:711-3. [PMID: 8547870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Chronic parvovirus B19 infection in the immunocompromised host may cause severe anaemia secondary to failure of erythropoiesis. This has been previously documented in patients with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), congenital immunodeficiencies and in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia during maintenance chemotherapy. We describe persistent parvovirus infection in a 14-year-old boy after HLA-matched sibling allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in second remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Corbett
- Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK
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22
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Hicks KE, Beard S, Cohen BJ, Clewley JP. A simple and sensitive DNA hybridization assay used for the routine diagnosis of human parvovirus B19 infection. J Clin Microbiol 1995; 33:2473-5. [PMID: 7494051 PMCID: PMC228444 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.33.9.2473-2475.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A dot blot hybridization assay for parvovirus B19 diagnosis was developed by using a PCR-generated probe, digoxigenin labelling, and chemiluminescence detection. Different labelling techniques and hybridization solutions were evaluated. From this analysis a protocol was devised for routine diagnostic use. The protocol enabled 1 pg of B19 DNA to be detected. The results of applying this method to 8,369 diagnostic samples collected during 1994 and 1995 are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Hicks
- Virus Reference Division, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
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24
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Forstová J, Krauzewicz N, Wallace S, Street AJ, Dilworth SM, Beard S, Griffin BE. Cooperation of structural proteins during late events in the life cycle of polyomavirus. J Virol 1993; 67:1405-13. [PMID: 8382302 PMCID: PMC237510 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.67.3.1405-1413.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyomavirus minor late capsid antigen, VP2, is myristylated on its N-terminal glycine, this modification being required for efficient infection of mouse cells. To study further the functions of this antigen, as well as those of the other minor late antigen, VP3, recombinant baculoviruses carrying genes for VP1, VP2, and VP3 have been constructed and the corresponding proteins have been synthesized in insect cells. A monoclonal antibody recognizing VP1, alpha-PyVP1-A, and two monoclonal antibodies against the common region of VP2 and VP3, alpha-PyVP2/3-A and alpha-PyVP2/3-B, have been generated. Reactions of antibodies with antigens were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblot analysis. Immunofluorescent staining of mouse cells infected with polyomavirus showed all antigens to be localized in nuclei. When the late polyomavirus proteins were expressed separately in insect cells, however, only VP1 was efficiently transported into the nucleus; VP2 was localized discretely around the outside of the nucleus, and VP3 exhibited a diffused staining pattern in the cytoplasm. Coexpression of VP2, or VP3, with VP1 restored nuclear localization. Immunoprecipitation of infected mouse cells with either anti-VP1 or anti-VP2/3 antibodies precipitated complexes containing all three species, consistent with the notion that VP1 is necessary for efficient transport of VP2 and VP3 into the nucleus. Purified empty capsid-like particles, formed in nuclei of insect cells coinfected with all three baculoviruses, contained VP2 and VP3 proteins in amounts comparable to those found in empty capsids purified from mouse cells infected with wild-type polyomavirus. Two-dimensional gel analysis of VP1 species revealed that coexpression with VP2 affects posttranslational modification of VP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Forstová
- Department of Virology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Abstract
A programme of blood donor screening for parvovirus B19 was conducted from January to May 1990. The main aim of the study was to identify a B19 positive donation that could be used as a source of viral antigen for diagnostic serology. Out of 24,000 donors tested one was positive for B19 antigen by counter current immunoelectrophoresis and over 100 ml of undiluted B19 containing material was obtained. However, much of the positive donation was incorporated in a plasma pool of 28 donations. An acid dissociation technique was used to recover B19 antigen from immune complexes formed in the plasma pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Cohen
- Virus Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, U.K
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26
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Abstract
Young adult survivors of severe childhood burn injuries were assessed for indicators of psychopathology and for factors that might enhance psychosocial adjustment. The results describe this group of burn victims as young people of average intelligence, still in school or otherwise employed and within normal limits on the measures of psychological adjustment. Some individuals, however, did evidence significant indicators of psychological disturbance. The only factors identified as significantly differentiating the most obviously disturbed subjects from the better-adjusted or well-adjusted victims were the perceptions held by those subjects that their families are less cohesive and less independent. These results emphasize the need to promote the familial support system and to encourage the values of autonomy and self-sufficiency. The results also affirm that severely injured burn victims can be expected to develop acceptably happy lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Blakeney
- Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas 77550
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27
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Gandola C, Butler T, Badger S, Cheng E, Beard S. Septicemia caused by Capnocytophaga in a granulocytopenic patient with glossitis. Arch Intern Med 1980; 140:851-2. [PMID: 7387286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A patient receiving immunosuppressive treatment for multiple myeloma became granulocytopenic, and acute glossitis developed. Blood cultures were positive for Capnocytophaga, a fastidious Gram-negative bacillus that is known to be part of the normal oral flora and a pathogen for periodontitis. The infection responded to treatment with antibiotics, including penicillin G, to which the organism was sensitive. This is one of the first reports of Capnocytophaga septicemia, and suggests that this organism may be an important pathogen in immunosuppressed patients with oral mucosal lesions.
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