Swiss medical weekly
-
Swiss medical weekly · Nov 1996
[Extrapulmonary infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex].
In a retrospective study we reviewed all records of patients with newly diagnosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection during the years 1990-1994. Of the 45 patients identified, 27 (60%) had only pulmonary tuberculosis and 18 (40%) had extrapulmonary tuberculosis with (5 patients, 11%) or without (13 patients, 18%) concomitant pulmonary infection. The extrapulmonary manifestations were as follows: miliary 5, joint 3, meningeal 2, pleural 2, kidney 1, peritoneal 1, bone 1, psoas 1, lymphatic 1, and anal 1. In the 18 patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis the infection was due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis 14 times, Mycobacterium bovis twice, and Mycobacterium bovis BCG once.
-
Swiss medical weekly · Nov 1996
Multicenter Study[HIV infection, tuberculosis and tuberculin test in Switzerland. The Swiss HIV Cohort Study].
The usefulness of the tuberculin skin test (TST) for HIV-infected subjects may be questioned because false-negative results are increasingly common with advanced immune deficiency. The objectives of this research were thus to describe the use and the results of TST among patients with HIV infection in Switzerland and to measure the usefulness of isoniazid preventive chemotherapy and the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) relative to TST and CD4 cell count at the time of TST. ⋯ Despite its usefulness, TST is often performed too late and is therefore difficult to interpret. TST should be done as early as possible. TST should be done as early as possible. Among patients with CD4 < 200 per mm3, a negative TST should not preclude the use-of preventive chemotherapy, particularly in those originally from countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis.
-
Swiss medical weekly · Nov 1996
Biography Historical Article Classical Article[SMW 100 years ago. William Thomas Green Morton and the discovery of anesthesia].
-
Swiss medical weekly · Oct 1996
Case Reports[Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis in a pregnant woman].
A case of group A streptococcal meningitis in a normally healthy pregnant woman is described, with a review of the literature. Streptococcus pyogenes is a very rare cause of bacterial meningitis and especially affects immunocompetent subjects. The evolution is often associated with severe neurologic deficits, but the prognosis is favourable under treatment with penicillin. In the light of the recrudescence of invasive infections, this germ could assume a more important role in bacterial meningitis comparable to that in the pre-antibiotic era.
-
Swiss medical weekly · Oct 1996
[Helicopter use in the Swiss air rescue service for children. Inland transport in 1992].
In 1992, the Swiss helicopter rescue service (REGA) transported 515 injured and 141 sick children (total n = 656). More than 60% of the children were boys; the age group from 10 to 16 years dominated. Primary care was provided in 415 of the flights, whereas the remaining cases were interhospital transfers to institutions with pediatric intensive care units. ⋯ For primary REGA rescue interventions, the mean time from accident to arrival at the hospital was 64 minutes: 18 minutes from injury to alarm, 17 minutes from alarm to arrival at the scene, and 29 minutes for scene time and flight to the hospital. Costs for helicopter rescue are twice as high as for ground-based rescue (ambulance). However, considering the relatively high percentage of severely injured or life-threatened sick children involved, air rescue and its higher costs appear to be justified.