תוצאת חיפוש

Is Official Data on Reported Morbidity Valid? Hepatitis A in Israel as an Example

Yehuda Lerman, Gabriel Chodik, Hava Aloni, Shai Ashkenazi

Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Institute, Ra'anana, Schneider Children's Hospital, Petah Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Hepatitis A is one of the most frequently reported notifiable infectious diseases in Israel. The annual incidence as reported is around 70/100,000. The physician or the diagnostic laboratory notifies the district health office of the Ministry of Health.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the sensitivity of passive surveillance of hepatitis A morbidity among adults, 18 years and over. Methods included study of notifications to the Ministry of Health or hospitalizations of cases of hepatitis A and of positive laboratory tests results (IgM) for hepatitis A. We estimated the extent of under-reporting by 2 different methods of extrapolation.

Data based on passive surveillance among the adult population, between 1.1.1993-31.12.1994, comprised less than 1/5 of the actual number of cases. Physicians notified about 6.2% of their hepatitis A patients. 5.1% of the notifications to the district health office were sent twice or more, usually both by the physicians and labs.

The official data on hepatitis A morbidity, based on passive surveillance, are considerably underestimated. Physicians and public health officials should be aware that such data may not accurately reflect the magnitude of the risk or the amount of disease that can be prevented. Efforts should be made to improve this situation.

A-V Junctional Arrhythmia Due to Oral Phenytoin Intoxication

Rasmi Magadle, Paltiel Weiner, Joseph Waizman

Dept. of Medicine A, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera

Phenytoin (Dilantin) is the drug of choice for most of the convulsive disorders. However, even when given orally it causes many adverse reactions, mainly affecting the nervous system, both central and peripheral. When administered intravenously, severe cardiovascular reactions may occur, including conduction disorders, sinus arrest, atrioventricular block or hypotension.

Medline screening did not reveal previous reports of arrhythmias induced by oral phenytoin. We present a case in which oral phenytoin administered chronically for a convulsive disorder caused atrioventricular junctional arrhythmia.

Influenza Surveillance through Sentinel Reporting Clinics

T. Shohat, N. Versano, A. Kiro, G. Golan, E. Mendelson, M. Weingarten

For the Influenza Surveillance Network: Israel Center for Disease Control, Israel National Laboratory for Influenza and Central Virology Laboratory; Netka Child Health Center and Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva

In a joint effort of the Israel Center for Disease Control, the National Center for Influenza in the Central Virology Laboratory, together with a group of collaborating pediatricians and family physicians, a network for influenza surveillance was established in the winter of 1996-97. Nose and throat swabs were obtained from 571 patients with flu-like illness. 133 (23%) were positive for influenza virus. Both influenza A(H3N2) and B were isolated, predominantly influenza B during the beginning of the season. Both circulating strains were antigenically similar to those included in the vaccine for 1996-1997. Patients from whom influenza virus was isolated were significantly more likely to suffer from cough and myalgia in comparison with patients whose cultures were negative (p=0.02 and 0.003. respectively). Results of the first year of surveillance indicate that sentinel reporting clinics are useful for timely detection and identification of the viral strains circulating in the community, thus allowing prompt intervention in preventing the spread of influenza. Conclusions from the first year of the study were drawn and applied in the winter of 1997-1998.

Cocaine "Mules"

Ornit Yanai, Jehuda Hiss

L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine, Tel Aviv (Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University)

We present 2 cases of "body-packer" syndrome (BPS) in which the "mules" carrying the packages of narcotics arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport presented symptoms of acute cocaine intoxication due to the bursting of packages of narcotics they were transporting within their gastro-intestinal systems.

Acute cocaine overdose due to sudden massive release of the drug into the digestive system in BPS, may cause psychosis, convulsions and eventually death. Blood levels of cocaine between 0.25 and 5 mcg/ml are toxic and occasionally lethal. When a package bursts within the digestive tract of a smuggler or blocks the intestines, an immediate laparotomy is necessary to evacuate the "ovules" and the remains of the drug from stomach and intestines. Patients merely suspected of being body packers can be diagnosed by physical examination and by means of various imaging methods. They can be conservatively treated with fluids and mild laxatives and kept under close supervision until the remaining packages are naturally discharged.

Sudden onset of psychotic behavior in travelers from South America or other drug-producing countries should raise suspicion of body-packer syndrome. The relevant authorities should therefore be aware of the symptoms and consider their potentially dangerous outcome.

Percutaneous Closure of Patent Arterial Ducts with Occluding Spring Coils

Benjamin Zeevi, Galit Bar-Mor, Michael Berant

Cardiac Catheterization Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

In recent years percutaneous closure of small and medium- sized patent arterial ducts has been achieved using occluding spring coils. We describe our experience in 93 patients with this tec, using a snare to facilitate the procedure in most. All patients had a clinically apparenpatent arterial duct and had undergone attempts at transcatheter closure at a mean age of 6.8 years. In 1, the duct was a residual lesion following surgical ligation, and in 5 it was a residual following attempted closure with the Rashkind double-umbrella. The mean narrowest diameter of the ducts was 2.1 mm.

In our 93 patients implantation was successful in 92 (99%), using 1 coil (82 patients), or 2 (10 patients), and in 1 by a combination of a double-umbrella device and an occluding spring coil.

The mean fluoroscopic screening time for the whole group was 22.8 minutes, which decreased to 16.8 minutes in the last 50 patients. The coil embolized in 7 patients, but was retrieved in 6 and the ducts were subsequently occluded with another coil. In 1 patient the coil was left in a distal small branch of the left pulmonary artery and the duct was successfully occluded with a double-umbrella.

Color-Doppler echocardiogram performed the morning after placement of the coils showed residual leaks in 18%. At mean follow-up of 24.6 months repeat imaging showed residual leaks in only 3 of these patients (3%).

We conclude that occlusion of small to medium-sized ducts using coils appears to be effective and is the treatment of choice. The use of a snare to hold and manipulate the coil as it is delivered improves control of the coil, the accuracy of its placement, as well as giving complete occlusion of the ducts.

Alcoholic Delirium: Warning Signs and Diagnosis

Eliezer Witztum, Izhak Z. Ben-Zion, Vladimir Lerner

Community Mental Health Center; and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

Lately an increasing number of physicians are asked to diagnose and treat physical and mental disorders caused by alcohol abuse, a phenomena which had been quite rare in Israel until recently.

Early diagnosis and efficient treatment are essential for the management of alcohol-dependent patients. Primary care physicians and hospital personnel should be more alert to the growing numbers of alcohol abusers and to their appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This article describes and summarizes the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in general, and alcoholic delirium in particular. Problems in diagnosis and treatment are illustrated by typical cases, pointing out early clinical warning signs and suggesting some treatment guidelines.

Legionellosis in Israel

Ida Boldur, Silviu Hoffmann, Regina Kazak, Batzion Benjamin

Institute of Microbiology, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zrifin and Dept. of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Infection with Legionella remains an important cause of disease and death. We analyzed our laboratory data from 1993 through 1997, augmented by our 20 years of experience. The incidence of Legionella as a cause of pneumonia varied in our study from 5%-9%, with a slight increase during the winter. Isolation of these microorganisms from different water sources was higher during the summer and ranged from 7%-70%.

Special laboratory tests are necessary to diagnose the disease and monitor these bacteria in water samples. The serologic method - indirect immunofluorescent assay -- for 41 serogroups of Legionella was the main diagnostic method used. Legionella sg. 1 was the most frequent cause of the disease, with an incidence of 52% in 1993, decreasing to 15% in 1997. An increase in the incidence of seropositivity to "other Legionellae" is characteristic for our country.

No correlation was found between the incidence of isolation of a specific strain and exposure. However, it is well known that the disease is overtreated but underdiagnosed, which requires reversal. Larger studies of Legionella colonization in water supplies and in air are needed in order to establish the risk of infection. Water sources are presently under-studied, as are respiratory devices in hospitals, or they are not studied at all in Israel, such as in mist machines in supermarkets, in dental clinics, and in ships and airplanes.

Brucellosis Presenting as Acute Abdomen

Nathan Kaufman, Noga Reichman, Edith Flatau

Dept. of Medicine B, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula

Usually symptoms of brucellosis are nonspecific and characterized by a wide range of complaints. Although the disease in Israel is almost exclusively food borne (caused by Brucella melitensis in unpasteurized goat milk products) so the main route of infection is the gastrointestinal tract, but gastrointestinal complications are rare, and only sporadic cases of ileitis or colitis have been described.

We present a 43-year-old woman with an acute abdomen, probably due to diverticulitis. It was diagnosed only after blood cultures were positive for Brucella melitensis. We believe that its protean manifestations should be consin addition to the other bizarre presentations of this disease, important in our region.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Doron Aframian, R. Ben-Oliel, Yair Sharav

Depts. of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine and Radiology, Hebrew University- Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by infection of the geniculate ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve by varicella- zoster virus. A case in an 82-year-old woman is described. She presented with oral lesions, right facial palsy and an eruption and pain in her right ear. Oral examination revealed small circumscribed erosions on the right anterior two-thirds of the tongue, with loss of taste. There were also lesions on her right palate. Early diagnosis and treatment are important as immediate treatment is more likely to prevent irreversible complications affecting the facial and other cranial nerves involved.

The Fate of Gallstones "Dropped" during Laparoscopy

Menashe Barzilai, Arie Bitterman, Dorit Schlag-Eisenberg, Nathan Peled

Depts. of Radiology and Surgery B, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the procedure of choice for removing symptomatic, stone-containing gallbladders. It is estimated that in 30-40% of these operations stone(s) spill into the peritoneal cavity. It was assumed that these "dropped stones" are harmless and are dissolved and absorbed spontaneously. We present a 70-year-old woman in whom such a stone, dropped during laparoscopy, led to formation of an intraperitoneal abscess.

Tension-Free Repair of Inguinal Hernia with Properitoneal Mesh

Eduard Ramadan, Dan Seror, Roman Belavsky, Zeev Dreznik

Dept. of Surgery A, Rabin Medical Center, Golda Campus (Hasharon Hospital) Petah Tikvah, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

The results of properitoneal mesh repair of inguinal hernia were evaluated in 38 of 43 consecutive patients operated by Stoppa's technique. In 33 patients the hernia was bilateral and in 10 unilateral; in 20 it was recurrent. In 33/43 patients the mesh was fixed either by sutures or metal clips. The overall recurrence rate after 22 (14-36) months of follow-up, was 10.5%. This result was composed of a 3.0% recurrence rate in the fixated-mesh group, and 30.0% among those with non-fixated mesh.

The outcome following the Stoppa method for tension-free properitoneal mesh repair of inguinal hernia, compares favorably with those of other methods, provided proper attention is paid to adequate mesh placement and fixation. Further prospective studies are needed to define the role and indications for this technique in the laparoscopic era.

Use of Abciximab (Reopro) in the Catheterization Laboratory and in Unstable Coronary Syndromes

Shmuel Banai, Andre Keren, Nataly Daniel, Jesaia Benhorin

Heiden Dept. of Cardiology, Bikur Cholim Hospital, Jerusalem

Blockage of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor by Reopro c7E3 Fab-abciximab) has been shown to reduce markedly ischemic complications during and following elective and high-risk coronary intervention CI). Between July ’96 and February ’98, 120 consecutive patients (85 men and 34 women, aged 34-90 - mean 62) received Reopro (20 mg bolus, followed by 10 mg/min for 12-48 hours). 100 were treated with Reopro in the catheterization laboratory, in 76 as prophylactic treatment preceding high-risk CI and in 24 as bailout treatment for acute complications during CI. 20 additional patients were treated in the CCU for acute coronary syndromes, 17 of whom underwent CI 6-48 hours later.

Coronary angiography demonstrated multivessel disease in 66 (56%), and the target lesions were LAD - 77, RCA - 41, LCX - 22, SVG - 6, and 2 unprotected LMCA (total: 148 lesions dilated in 117 patients). Of the 117 CI, 44 were PTCA alone, and 73 included stenting.

Indications for prophylactic Reopro for high risk CI were: acute MI (48 hours), early post-MI angina, unstable AP, and/or complex anatomy with visible thrombus. In this high-risk population the overall success rate (open artery, no MI, discharged alive, no need for urgent re-vascularization) was 97% when Reopro was given prophylactically prior to CI. The success rate was lower (87.5%) when Reopro was given in bailout situations.

In 20 patients with acute coronary syndromes treated in the CCU while receiving maximal combined conventional therapy (including full-dose heparin), all symptoms and dynamic ischemic ECG changes disappeared within minutes following Reopro. 17 underwent successful CI during hospitalization and 3 were treated medically.

Reopro given prior to high risk CI was associated with a very low rate of complications. In a few cases with acute coronary syndromes, Reopro given in the CCU cases immediate relief of myocardial ischemia and reduced the need for urgent coronary intervention.

Self-Limited Lymphadenopathy Mimicking Lymphoma or Lupus

I. Solt, N. Gatas, Y. Cohen, D. Rimon

Medical Dept. B and Pathology Dept., Western Galilee Regional Hospital, Naharia and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in a self-limited lymphadenopathy that can be confused histologically and clinically with lymphoma or systemic lupus erythematosus. It was diagnosed in a 37-year-old woman presenting with fever, cervical, submandibular and axillary lymphadenopathy, weight loss and recurrent urinary tract infections. Lymph node biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of a histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. Early diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can prevent harmful treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Failure within the Communuity

Haim Ben-Ami, Yehuda Edoute

Dept. of Medicine C, Rambam Medical Center and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa

Congestive heart failure causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Symptoms and physical findings can help in diagnosis, but have limited sensitivity and specificity. Objective measurement of ventricular function is essential in virtually all patients in whom heart failure is suspected; reversible causes of heart failure must be sought.

Out-patient management includes education and counseling, emphasis on and assessment of compliance with diet, and pharmacological treatment. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment but are underused, and maximal doses are not given, apparently because of concern about side-effects. Diuretics should be administered only as needed to manage fluid overload. Calcium channel blockers are relatively contraindicated in patients with impaired ventricular function. Patient follow-up should be guided by results of the medical history and physical examination. Routine serial testing of ventricular function and exercise performance is discouraged.

Ambulatory Oral Procedures on Low-Dose Aspirin

Ronen Gaspar, Leon Ardekian, Benyamin Brenner, Micha Peled, Dov Laufer

Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa

Discontinuation of long-term, low-dose aspirin prior to ambulatory oral surgical procedures was assessed in a blind, controlled prospective study. 50 patients on low-dose aspirin who needed dental extractions, periodontal surgery, or other ambulatory oral surgery were randomly divided into test and control groups. The control patients stopped taking aspirin a week before operation, but in the test group aspirin was continued. Before, during and after surgery bleeding time was tested. Although bleeding time was significantly longer when aspirin was continued, in both groups it was within normal limits. Intraoperative hemorrhage was more frequent in those taking aspirin. Hemostasis control posed no problem and there were no postoperative complications in either group. It is concluded that discontinuing low-dose aspirin prior to elective oral surgery is not justified.