A case-controlled study of Dientamoeba fragilis infections in children

SUMMARYDientamoeba fragilis is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that is implicated as a cause of human diarrhoea. A case-controlled study was conducted to determine the clinical signs associated with D. fragilis infection in children presenting to a Sydney Hospital. Treatment options are also discussed. Stool specimens were collected from children aged 15 years or younger and analysed for the presence of D. fragilis. In total, 41 children were included in the study along with a control group. Laboratory diagnosis was performed by microscopy of permanently stained, fixed faecal smears and by real-time PCR. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 40/41 (98%) of these children with dientamoebiasis, with diarrhoea (71%) and abdominal pain (29%) the most common clinical signs. Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 2% of cases. The most common anti-microbial used for treatment was metronidazole (n=41), with complete resolution of symptoms and clearance of parasite occurring in 85% of cases. A treatment failure rate occurred in 15% of those treated with metronidazole. Follow-up treatment comprised of an additional course of metronidazole or iodoquinol was needed in order to achieve complete resolution of infection and symptoms in this group. This study demonstrates the pathogenic potential of D. fragilis in children and as such it is recommended that all laboratories must routinely test for this organism and treat if detected.

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Effect of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray on clinical signs and quality of life of patients with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215111000065 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 125 (6) ◽

pp. 620-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

C Cingi ◽

M Songu ◽

A Ural ◽

N Erdogmus ◽

M Yildirim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Antibiotic Treatment ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Chlorhexidine Gluconate ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractObjective:To assess the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, used in conjunction with antibiotic treatment, on the intensity of clinical signs and quality of life of patients with group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis.Methods:Patients (n = 147) with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis were recruited and randomly allocated to either the treatment group (penicillin plus chlorhexidine and benzydamine; n = 72) or control group (penicillin plus placebo; n = 75). Blinded assessments were conducted before and after 10 days' treatment, using an intensity rating scale for clinical sign severity, a visual analogue scale for subjective health state, the Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire for quality of life, and a customised questionnaire for side effects.Results:The treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction in the intensity of clinical signs, compared with the control group. On treatment day 7, there was no significant difference in quality of life between the treatment and control groups. The treatment drugs were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed.Conclusion:Chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, added to standard antibiotic treatment, significantly alleviate the intensity of clinical signs in patients with streptococcal pharyngitis. Further research is needed using larger sample sizes or alternative control groups.

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Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Type 1 Gaucher's Disease

Advances in Hematology ◽

10.1155/2010/820843 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mirta Koželj ◽

Samo Zver ◽

Vesna Zadnik

Keyword(s):

Doppler Echocardiography ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Tissue Doppler ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Tissue Doppler Echocardiography ◽

Function Parameter ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference

There is predominate opinion among physicians managing type 1 Gauchers' disease (GD) that cardiac involvement is not an issue in these patients. In order to follow this hypothesis, we prospectively investigated 15 adult imiglucerase-treated type 1 GD patients by echocardiography, Doppler, and tissue Doppler echocardiography. This was a case-controlled study with 18 matched healthy volunteers. The obtained data was correlated with the levels of NT-proBNP (brain natriuretic peptide). None of the GD patients had clinical signs of heart disease. In 3 of the 15 patients, we observed echocardiographic signs of aortic and mitral valve calcification. The left ventricular systolic function was within normal limits. Compared to the control group, there was no statistically significant difference observed in the most sensitive indices of left ventricular diastolic function, parameterEm(P=.095), andE/Emratio (P=.097), as demonstrated by tissue Doppler echocardiography. However, there was a positive correlation between theE/Emratio and NT-proBNP plasma levels (P=.009). In conclusion, the prospective echocardiographic study of type 1 GD patients did not validate any left ventricular dysfunction. But, theE/Emratio showed a strong statistical correlation with the most sensitive indicators of heart failure, NT-proBNP. Research on larger groups of patients and the usage of even more sensitive methods as strain-rate imaging will be necessary to confirm eventual myocardial involvement in GD patients.

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Specific characteristics of rapid diagnosis in periodontology

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Medical series ◽

10.29235/1814-6023-2021-18-2-196-203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 196-203

Author(s):

S. P. Rubnikovich ◽

L. N. Dedova ◽

P. A. Semizhon ◽

Yu. L. Denisova ◽

O. V. Kandrukevich

Keyword(s):

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Periodontal Pocket ◽

Control Group ◽

Treponema Denticola ◽

Microbiological Diagnosis ◽

Laboratory Measures

Currently, the advanced studies have been justified and implemented in the Republic of Belarus that enable the production and a practical use of a domestic rapid test and allow dentists to apply microbiological diagnosis methods.The objective of the study was to develop a domestic rapid test for periodontology, indicating the procedure for preparatory clinical and laboratory measures using PCR and trypsin-like activity of periopathogenic microflora (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus)Dental examination was performed in 60 patients with clinical signs of generalized periodontitis and a 5‒6 mm deep pathological dentogingival pocket (PDGP), aged 35–44 (the main group), and 140 patients without signs of periodontal diseases, aged 20–24 (the control group). These patients were selected among the visitors of Chair No. 3 of the Belarusian State Medical University. The laboratory diagnosis was made using PCR and evaluating the trypsin-like activity of periopathogenic microflora.The algorithm of preparatory clinical and laboratory measures was suggested for diagnosis of periodontal diseases, including material sampling and identification of periopathogenic microorganisms in the sample using a biochemical method; sampling, preservation and storage of material for quantitative PRC testing; and the identification of the genetic material of periopathogenic microorganisms by means of a real-time quantitative PRC method.The basic principles of microbiological diagnosis in periodontology enable making a true diagnosis, planning treatment and assessing the treatment results.We examined the content of the gingival sulcus and/or the periodontal pocket in patients who have periodontal diseases. It was noted that the most rational tools for removing the periodontal pocket content in patients with periodontal diseases was a paper pin.The development of a domestic express test in periodontology demonstrated the need of preparatory clinical and laboratory activities using PCR and trypsin-like activity of periopathogenic microflora (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus).

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Efficacy of Nebulized Magnesium Sulphate in the Treatment of Acute Bronchial Asthma Compared to Nebulized Salbutamol: A Randomized Control Trial

Bangladesh Journal of Child Health ◽

10.3329/bjch.v44i1.49683 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 24-29

Author(s):

Zannat Ul Sarmin ◽

Sayeeda Anwar ◽

Tafazzal Hossain Khan ◽

Md Abid Hossain Mollah ◽

Rokeya Khanam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Exacerbation ◽

Acute Asthma ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

College Hospital ◽

Bronchodilator Effect ◽

Nebulized Salbutamol ◽

Asthma In Children ◽

Group B

Background: Nebulized salbutamol is commonly used in treatment of asthma in children. The use of nebulized MgSO4 is one of the different treatment options available during acute exacerbation. Objective: To compare the efficacy of nebulized MgSO4 with nebulized salbutamol in the treatment of acute asthma in children. Materials and method: This randomized controlled study was conducted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital between January to December 2016. Children of 7-12 years with acute exacerbation of asthma were randomized into study group-A (MgSO4 group, n=30) and control group-B (Salbutamol group, n=30). Children of both groups were treated with serial nebulization thrice at 20 minute intervals by either 2.4 ml (4% MgSO4, 96 mg) or salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg minimum 2.5 mg) with 2.5 ml of isotonic normal saline. Results: The mean final PEFR were not different between the two groups (275.0±41.42 L/min in MgS04 group and 263±36.17 L/min in salbutamol group). The increase in PEF was statistically significant and comparable in both groups (by 35.1% in the MgS04 group and by 42.1% in the salbutamol group). Fischl score improvement was comparable and significant in both groups (4.31 to 0.43 in MgS04 group and 4.29 to 0.76 in salbutamol group). Statistically significant increase in oxygen saturation and reduction of heart rate was found in MgS04 group without any side effects. Nebulized MgSO4 was found having significant bronchodilator effect which is comparable to salbutamol. Conclusion: Nebulized MgS04 was found equally effective as nebulized salbutamol in the treatment of severe acute asthma in children. Bangladesh J Child Health 2020; VOL 44 (1) :24-29

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Use of maropitant for the control of pruritus in non-flea, non-food-induced feline hypersensitivity dermatitis: an open-label, uncontrolled pilot study

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x18811372 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 967-972 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elisa Maina ◽

Jacques Fontaine

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Option ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Open Label ◽

Body Weight Changes ◽

Score System ◽

Short Time ◽

Pruritic Skin

Objectives Non-flea, non-food-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFIHD) is a common inflammatory and pruritic skin disease in cats. When avoidance and conventional systemic immunosuppressive treatments fail to control the clinical signs, there are limited treatment options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of maropitant in feline NFNFIHD. Methods In an open-label, uncontrolled study, cats with proven non-seasonal NFNFIHD were treated with maropitant 2 mg/kg PO q24h for 4 weeks. Clinical lesions were evaluated with the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) system and pruritus was evaluated with a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) before and at the end of the study. Owners assessed global efficacy and tolerability with a 4-point scale at the end of the study. Adverse events and body weight changes were recorded. Results Twelve cats were treated with a mean initial maropitant dose of 2.22 mg/kg PO q24h. The treatment decreased both SCORFAD and pruritus VAS (pVAS) scores in all cats except one, in which only pruritus was reduced. The efficacy and the tolerability of the treatment were judged as excellent or good by 83.3% of owners. Treatment did not cause any side effects other than, in a few cases, short-time, self-limiting sialorrhoea. Conclusions and relevance Maropitant seems to be an effective, well-tolerated therapeutic option to control pruritus in cats. Caution is needed in interpreting the results as the pVAS score system has not yet been validated in cats and the trial was uncontrolled. A further, controlled study is required to confirm our findings.

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Effect of Combined Training on Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer: Controlled Clinical Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-42441/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andréa Dias Reis ◽

Paula Tâmara Vieira Teixeira Pereira ◽

Jurema Gonçalves Lopes Castro Filha ◽

Evelyn Feitosa Rodrigues ◽

Isadora Pinheiro Laranjeira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Body Image ◽

Training Group ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Hospital Treatment ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Combined Training ◽

The Right

Abstract Background: Improvement in body image in women with breast cancer may be linked to altered functional capacity, regardless of body composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined training (CT) on body image in patients with breast cancer. Methods: A Clinical Trial study, this was a controlled study including 26 patients with breast cancer (30 to 59 years). The patients were allotted to either the Training Group (TG)(n = 13), which underwent 12 weeks of CT (aerobic, resistance, and flexibility), or the Control Group (CG) (n = 13), which received only the standard hospital treatment. Participants were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: The patients in the TG showed a significant reduction in the limitation dimension (p = 0.036), and an increase in VO2max (p = < 0.001) and strength in the right (p = 0.005) and left arms (p = 0.033). However, the participants also presented an increase in waist circumference (p = 0.034). Conclusion: Women with breast cancer presented improved body image and functional ability through CT. Trial registration: NCT03061773. Date: February 23, 2017, retrospective.

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Efficacy and Safety of the Cudrania tricuspidata Extract on Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10225323 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (22) ◽

pp. 5323

Author(s):

Jinyoung Shin ◽

Tae-Hoon Oh ◽

Joo-Yun Kim ◽

Jae-Jung Shim ◽

Jung-Lyoul Lee

Keyword(s):

Functional Dyspepsia ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Caffeine Intake ◽

Control Group ◽

Double Blind ◽

Cudrania Tricuspidata ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Folk Remedy

Cudrania tricuspidata is a folk remedy used to treat inflammation in patients with tumors or liver damage. This study investigated the efficacy of Cudrania tricuspidata extract (CTE) for relieving the symptoms of functional dyspepsia. In an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 adults with any condition featured in the Rome IV criteria and a Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scale (GIS) score ≥4 were randomly allocated to take either a placebo (maltodextrin) or a 50 mg CTE tablet, which equally included celluloses, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide, twice daily, 20 January 2020, and 3 August 2020. Among the 83 participants finally analyzed, the CTE group was associated with a significant reduction in the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (day 0: 8.0 ± 5.2, day 28: 4.7 ± 3.9, and day 56: 2.3 ± 2.4, p < 0.001, respectively) in comparison with the control group (day 0: 8.1 ± 4.7, day 28: 7.8 ± 5.7, and day 56: 7.5 ± 6.6, p > 0.05) after adjusting for smoking, drinking, eating habits, stress levels, and caffeine intake. The CTE group resulted in significant improvements of GIS, Nepean Dyspepsia Index (Korean version), and functional dyspepsia-related quality of life over time. There were no different adverse events (p = 0.523). These findings suggest that CTE is safe and efficacious for alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia.

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Bifidobacteriumanimalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in infancy

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114510003685 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 105 (3) ◽

pp. 409-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

Teemu Taipale ◽

Kaisu Pienihäkkinen ◽

Erika Isolauri ◽

Charlotte Larsen ◽

Elke Brockmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Acute Otitis Media ◽

Newborn Infants ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Double Blind ◽

The Impact

The impact of controlled administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on the risk of acute infectious diseases was studied in healthy newborn infants. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 109 newborn 1-month-old infants were assigned randomly to a probiotic group receiving a BB-12-containing tablet (n 55) or to a control group receiving a control tablet (n 54). Test tablets were administered to the infants twice a day (daily dose of BB-12 10 billion colony-forming units) from the age of 1–2 months to 8 months with a novel slow-release pacifier or a spoon. Breastfeeding habits, pacifier use, dietary habits, medications and all signs and symptoms of acute infections were registered. At the age of 8 months, faecal samples were collected for BB-12 determination (quantitative PCR method). The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, as was the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. BB-12 was recovered (detection limit log 5) in the faeces of 62 % of the infants receiving the BB-12 tablet. The daily duration of pacifier sucking was not associated with the occurrence of acute otitis media. No significant differences between the groups were observed in reported gastrointestinal symptoms, otitis media or use of antibiotics. However, the infants receiving BB-12 were reported to have experienced fewer respiratory infections (65 v. 94 %; risk ratio 0·69; 95 % CI 0·53, 0·89; P = 0·014) than the control infants. Controlled administration of BB-12 in early childhood may reduce respiratory infections.

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Dientamoeba fragilis Infection in Patients with Digestive and Non-Digestive Symptoms: A Case-Control Study

The Korean Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.3347/kjp.2020.58.2.129 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 129-134

Author(s):

Yousry A. Hawash ◽

Khadiga A. Ismail ◽

Taisir Saber ◽

Emad M. Eed ◽

Amany S. Khalifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Intestinal Protozoa ◽

Dientamoeba Fragilis ◽

Enteric Parasites ◽

Control Study

In most developing countries, Dientamoeba fragilis infection is an obscure protozoan infection. We aimed to determine a frequency and clinical importance of D. fragilis infection in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A 1-year case control study included patients with gastrointestinal (cases, n=114) or non-gastrointestinal symptoms (controls, n=90). The fecal samples were examined with the classical parasitological methods for intestinal protozoa, and by real time PCR for D. fragilis. The infection by D. fragilis was detected in 5.8% by PCR and in 4.4% patients by microscopy. The infection was identified more in control group (n=9) than in cases (n=3); a sole infection in 11 patients and mixed with Giardia in 1 patient. The other enteric parasites detected were Blastocystis sp. (8.3%), Giardia sp. (5.3%), Cryptosporidium sp. (2.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.4%), Entamoeba coli (0.9%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.4%). Our results tend to reinforce the need to increase awareness of D. fragilis infection in Saudi Arabia.

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Intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide, stanozolol, Hylan G-F 20 and platelet concentrate in a naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis model

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82795-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. C. Alves ◽

A. Santos ◽

P. Jorge ◽

C. Lavrador ◽

L. Miguel Carreira

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Platelet Concentrate ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Functional Evaluation ◽

Distribution Analysis ◽

Significance Level ◽

Triamcinolone Hexacetonide ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a disease transversal to all mammals, a source of chronic pain and disability, a huge burden to societies, with a significant toll in healthcare cost, while reducing productivity and quality of life. The dog is considered a useful model for the translational study of the disease, closely matching human OA, with the advantage of a faster disease progression while maintaining the same life stages. In a prospective, longitudinal, double-blinded, negative controlled study, one hundred (N = 100) hip joints were selected and randomly assigned to five groups: control group (CG, n = 20, receiving a saline injection), triamcinolone hexacetonide group (THG, n = 20), platelet concentrate group (PCG, n = 20), stanozolol group (SG, n = 20) and hylan G-F 20 group (HG). Evaluations were conducted on days 0 (T0, treatment day), 8, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days post-treatment, consisting of weight distribution analysis and data from four Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMI). Kaplan–Meier estimators were generated and compared with the Breslow test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of variables of interest on treatment survival. All results were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 20 and a significance level of p < 0.05 was set. Sample included joints of 100 pelvic limbs (of patients with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and body weight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. Joints were graded as mild (n = 70), moderate (n = 20) and severe (n = 10) OA. No differences were found between groups at T0. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that all treatments produced longer periods with better results in the various evaluations compared to CG. Patients in HG and PCG took longer to return to baseline values and scores. A higher impact on pain interference was observed in THG, with a 95% improvement over CG. PCG and HG experienced 57–81% improvements in functional evaluation and impairments due to OA, and may be a better options for these cases. This study documented the efficacy of several approaches to relieve OA clinical signs. These approaches varied in intensity and duration. HG and PCG where the groups were more significant improvements were observed throughout the follow-up periods, with lower variation in results.

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