Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-187). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1999. / "May 1999." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-187). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 94 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life threatening autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to irregular secretions and inflammation in tubular organs. Disease manifestations of CF are heterogeneous in severity and can be present in the sinopulmonary, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract. Since the 1960’s, physicians and scientists have described a less severe form of CF known as atypical CF, usually seen in adults. Patients with atypical CF tend to have one severe CF mutation on one chromosome, and one less common, mild CF mutation on their other chromosome; or have one severe mutation on one chromosome and an abnormal number of trinucleotide repeats in the CFTR gene on their other chromosome. Today, of the approximately 1000 patients diagnosed with CF per year in the United States, roughly 10% are diagnosed with the atypical presentation of the disease as adults. Patients suffering from atypical CF typically have only one organ system that is dysfunctional, and their clinical symptoms may be less severe than those of a classical case where there are two severe CF mutations. Common symptoms include idiopathic bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis, congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), and idiopathic pancreatitis. Unlike patients suffering from the classical presentation of the disease, most are pancreatic sufficient – however the possibility of pancreatic insufficiency still exists. Patients with atypical CF represent a diagnostic challenge for physicians due to the mild, slowly progressing array of clinical symptoms, the general lack of knowledge about atypical CF, and the general association of CF as a childhood disease. Increasing physician awareness of the adult population with CF is a paramount in improving the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with atypical CF. Missed diagnoses can result in hospital admissions and morbidity that may have been avoidable. The goal of this thesis is to describe the causes of CF, the common symptoms seen in both CF and atypical CF, the proper diagnosis of atypical CF, and to identify the therapies, both current and in development, used to treat atypical CF.

Orientador: José Dirceu Ribeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T17:48:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dentini_Priscila_M.pdf: 10675938 bytes, checksum: afc138751a1f11e6991384ca9bbee25c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência da colonização/infecção pelo Complexo Burkholderia cepacia (CBc) e os respectivos genomovares em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC) e comparar os indicadores clínicos, nutricionais, tomográficos e funcionais de gravidade da lesão pulmonar em dois grupos de pacientes: GI: pacientes colonizados/infectados pelo CBc e GII: pacientes sem colonização/infecção pelo CBc, com a finalidade de avaliar o impacto deste microrganismo na deterioração pulmonar. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo clínico-laboratorial, prospectivo, com 222 pacientes com FC, acompanhados nos ambulatórios pediatria e adultos da UNICAMP. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos: GI (n=50) e GII (n=134). Os microrganismos foram identificados por meio de testes bioquímicos convencionais, pelo Vitek2®Compact, PCR do gene recA, e nested-PCR com primers espécie-específicos. O seqüenciamento do gene recA foi realizado para cepas com PCR inconclusivas. Os pacientes foram classificados pelo escore clínico de Schwachman e as medidas de peso/idade, estatura/idade e IMC/idade foram utilizadas para avaliar o estado nutricional. As alterações tomográficas foram classificadas pelo escore de Bhalla e a função pulmonar foi avaliada por espirometria. Os dados foram comparados entre os grupos com a finalidade de avaliar o impacto do CBc na lesão pulmonar. Resultados: A prevalência do CBc foi de 22,5% e dos genomovares: Bukholderia multivorans (30,0%), seguido de Burkholderia cepacia (24,0%), Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIA (10,0%), Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB (2%) e Burkholderia vietnamiensis (2,0%). No grupo I, 26,0% dos pacientes estavam infectados, 18,0% apresentaram colonização transitória e 56,0% colonização intermitente pelo CBc. Não houve diferença estatística na média de pontos do escore de Schwachman (p=0,07), nem na classificação da gravidade (p=0,611), porém houve diferença nas variáveis: estado nutricional (p=0,020) e atividade geral (p=0,026). Houve diferença estatística na média de pontos do escore de Bhalla (p=0,04) e entre os parâmetros: gravidade da bronquiectasia (p=0,007), espessamento peribrônquico (p=0,013), extensão das bronquiectasias (p=0,010), generalidades da árvore bronquial (p=0,020). O teste de função pulmonar mostrou: CVF(%) (p=0,076), VEF1(%) (p=0,066), FEF25-75% no (p=0,312) e VEF1/CVF (p=0,312). Classificação dos distúrbios ventilatórios: DVO no GI=4,8% e GII=23,8%, DVR no GI e GII=9,5%, DVM no GI=19,0% e GII=1,6% e DVM com CVF reduzida no GI=47,6% e GII=30,2%. Na avaliação nutricional houve diferença significante entre as médias de peso(kg) e estatura(cm) (p=0,02). Conclusões: A prevalência do CBc em nosso centro é significativamente superior aos dados apresentados pela literatura nacional e internacional. A maior prevalência da Burkholderia multivorans difere da maioria dos estudos. Há a suspeita de que possa ter ocorrido infecção cruzada entre os pacientes ou que seja uma característica regional. Os escore de Shwachman, escore de Bhalla, espirometria e dados nutricionais mostraram que o CBc tem sério impacto na deterioração pulmonar e na piora clínica. Os métodos fenotípicos são úteis para a identificação presuntiva do CBc. O Vitek® apresentou boa acurácia na identificação do CBc, porém com alguns erros decorrentes de limitações do método/equipamento. O PCR, nested-PCR e seqüenciamento do gene recA apresentaram boa especificidade na identificação do CBc e dos genomovares, entretanto, ainda ocorrem algumas limitações, decorrentes da variedade genotípica, sendo necessária a utilização de métodos mais abrangentes, como o MSLT / Abstract: Objectives: Determine the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) colonization/infection and genomovar prevalence in cystic fibrosis patients and compare the clinical, tomographic and functional severity indicators of lung injury in two groups of patients: GI - patients colonized or infected with BCC and GII - patients without BCC colonization or infection, with the aim of assessing the impact of this microorganism in pulmonary deterioration. Methods: A clinical-laboratory and prospective study was conducted with 222 CF patients seen in the CF outpatient (pediatrics and adults) in UNICAMP. Patients were divided into two groups: GI (n = 50) and GII (n = 134). Microorganisms were identified by conventional biochemical tests, Vitek2®Compact, recA-PCR and recA-nested-PCR with species-specific primers. The recA gene sequencing was performed for strains with inconclusive PCR reactions. Patients were classified by Schwachman's clinical score and measures of weight/age, height/age and BMI/age were used to assess nutritional status. The tomography changes were classified by Bhalla's score and lung function was assessed by spirometry. Data were compared between groups with the aim of assessing the CBC impact in lung injury. Results: The BCC prevalence was 22.5% and the most prevalent genomovars was: Bukholderia multivorans (30.0%), followed by Burkholderia cepacia (24.0%), Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIA (10.0%), Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB (2%) and Burkholderia vietnamiensis (2.0%). In group I, 26.0% of patients were infected, 18.0% had transient colonization and 56.0% intermittent colonization by BCC. There was no statistical difference in the average point of Schwachman's score (p = 0.07) or in the severity classification (p = 0.611) but had differences in variables: nutritional status (p = 0.020) and general activity (p = 0.026). In the average point Bhalla's score was statistical difference (p = 0.04) and between the parameters: severity of bronchiectasis (p = 0.007), peribronchial thickening (p = 0.013), extent of bronchiectasis (p = 0.010), general the bronchial tree (p = 0.020). The pulmonary function test showed: FVC (%) (p = 0.076), FEV1 (%) (p = 0.066), FEF25-75% (p = 0.312) and FEV1/FVC (p = 0.312). Respiratory disorders classification: DVO in GI and GII = 4.8% = 23.8%, DVR in GI and GII = 9.5%, DVM in GI and GII = 19.0% = 1.6% and with DVM FVC decreased in GI and GII = 47.6% = 30.2%. Nutritional assessment was significant difference between the mean weight (kg) and height (cm) (p = 0.02.) CCoonncclluussiioonnss:: The BCC prevalence in our center is significantly higher than the dates provided by national and international literature. The increased Burkholderia multivorans prevalence differs from the most studies. It is suspected that may have been cross-infection between patients or is a regional characteristic. The Shwachman's and Bhalla score, spirometry and nutritional data showed that the BCC has serious impact on the deterioration and worsening pulmonary clinic. The phenotypic methods are useful for the presumptive BCC identification. The Vitek2®Compact showed good accuracy in BCC identification of, but with some errors due to limitations of the method/equipment. PCR, nested-PCR and recA sequencing showed good specificity in BCC genomovars identifying, however, there are still some limitations, stemming from different genotype, being necessary to use more comprehensive methods, such as the MSLT / Mestrado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Mestre em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente

Orientador: Antonio Fernando Ribeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T12:30:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Enes_GiovanadaSilvaTavares_M.pdf: 802222 bytes, checksum: 877dccb29eaf785982eed2f02beb39c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A Fibrose Cística é uma doença autossômica recessiva, sistêmica, hereditária, crônica e progressiva e pode levar à morte. São características da doença as secreções mucosas espessas e viscosas que obstrui os ductos das glândulas exócrinas e contribuem para o aparecimento de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, insuficiência pancreática com má digestão e má absorção e conseqüente desnutrição secundária, além de níveis elevados de eletrólitos no suor. Por ser uma doença crônica, ela exige cuidados sistemáticos pela vida toda, e na maioria dos casos quem exerce a função de cuidadora é a mãe. Além de viver uma nova experiência de ser mãe, ela terá que conviver com a frustração dele ser doente.Com este estudo foi possível compreender a relação que mãe e filho doente crônico constroem desde o momento do diagnóstico e conhecimento do tratamento, permeados por sentimentos como culpa e solidão. Assim, essas mães renunciam suas próprias vidas em função do cuidado do filho. Cuidados esse compartilhado com uma equipe de saúde multiprofissional ainda deficitária. Apesar de ter sido avaliado por elas como positivo, as sugestões por melhorias também surgiram: como uma melhor articulação entre os serviços de saúde nos diversos níveis, uma maior divulgação da doença e o aumento do número de dias de atendimento. Outro aspecto importante encontrado foi sobre importância do papel do psicólogo não só na atuação com o paciente e a família durante todo o tratamento; mas também na necessidade de oferecer um espaço para que os profissionais de saúde despreparados pudessem compartilhar suas angústias e frustrações o que reflete diretamente na assistência prestada / Abstract: The Cystic Fibrosis is a disease systemic, hereditary, chronic and progressive and it can lead to the death. There are characteristic of the disease the thick and viscous mucous secretions what it obstructs the ducts of the exocrine glands and contribute to the appearance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pancreatic insufficiency with bad digestion and bad absorption and consequent secondary malnutrition, besides elevated levels of electrolytes in the sweat. Because of being a chronic disease, she demands systematic cares for the life completely, and in most of the cases who plays the function of care is the mother. Besides surviving a new experience of being a mother, she will have to coexist in spite of the fact that his frustration to be doente.Com this study there were possible understood the relation what mother and chronic sick son build from the moment of the diagnosis and knowledge of the treatment, permeated by feelings as fault and solitude. So, these mothers renounce his lives themselves in function of the care of the son. Taken care this shared one with a team of still deficient multiprofessional health. In spite of having been valued by them like positive, the suggestions for improvements also appeared: like a better articulation between the health services in several levels, a bigger spread of the disease and the increase of the number of service days. Another considered important aspect was on importance of the paper of the psychologist not alone in the acting with the patient and the family during the whole treatment; but also in the necessity of offering a space so that the unprepared health professionals could share his anguishes and frustrations what thinks straightly about the given presence / Mestrado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Mestre em Ciências

Introduction: Emerging pathogens (EP) in cystic fibrosis (CF) include organisms that have infected individuals with CF for many years e.g. Burkholderia multivorans and Mycobacterium abscessus and more recently identified potential pathogens in CF e.g. Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pandoraea spp. The clinical implications of infection with these organisms are emerging but much remains unknown. Current evidence suggests that infection with some EP is associated with a worse prognosis. This thesis aimed to investigate the epidemiology, prevalence and clinical impact of EP in adults with CF.Methods: (1) The prevalence of P. jirovecii was determined in adults attending Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre (MACFC) who were clinically stable versus those experiencing an acute pulmonary exacerbation (PEx). (2) The prevalence of M. abscessus at MACFC was determined, isolates of M. abscessus were strain typed, and cross infection risk was assessed. The clinical impact of Gram-negative EP was assessed by: (3) assessing their prevalence and determining if any patients attending MACFC harboured identical strains and had opportunities for cross infection to occur, and by (4) following these patients longitudinally and comparing outcome with age, gender and FEV1 matched Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected controls. Results: (1) P. jirovecii was detected via sputum PCR in 10 (4.4%) of 226 samples tested from 111 patients. P. jirovecii was more likely to be detected in samples taken from an acute pulmonary exacerbation compared with samples taken from stable patient visits (7 (9.2%) of 76 exacerbations samples versus 3 (2%) of 150 stable visit samples, p = 0.033). (2) Prevalence of M. abscessus was stable at ≤3.6% from 2010 to 2015. 21 patients (91.3%) with a positive culture for M. abscessus since 2010 were infected with M. abscessus subsp abscessus. 2 clusters of 7 and 6 patients harboured strains with identical variable number tandem repeat profiles and some of these patients had opportunities for cross infection to occur. 28.6% of patients developed M. abscessus pulmonary disease, 38.1% were persistently culture positive with no related pulmonary disease, and 33.3% spontaneously cleared M. abscessus from their sputum. (3) Prevalence of Gram-negative EP ranged from 1.9% (Ralstonia spp.) to 6.2% (B. multivorans). Small numbers of patients shared strains of B. multivorans; Stenotrophomonas S. maltophilia and Achromobacter; Ralstonia and Pandoraea species. Epidemiological connections consistent with possible cross infection were found in patients infected with Pandoraea and Ralstonia species. (4) Patients with B. multivorans; S. maltophilia; Ralstonia spp. and Pandoraea spp. had higher antibiotic requirements than P. aeruginosa infected matched controls. B. multivorans; Achromobacter spp.; Ralstonia spp. and Pandoraea spp patients had median FEV1 (% predicted) values ≥10% (absolute) lower than the overall median FEV1.Conclusion: Prevalence of all EP investigated at MACFC was low. P. jirovecii was approximately 5 times more likely to be detected in patients with acute PEx compared with stable patients suggesting it may be a cause of PEx. Results suggest that some patients attending MACFC may have acquired infection with M. abscessus subsp abscessus, Pandoraea spp. or Ralstonia spp. through cross infection. Patient numbers are too small to establish this with certainty and a common environmental source is possible. Gram-negative EP other than Achromobacter spp. were associated with higher acute antibiotic requirements than P. aeruginosa matched controls suggesting these EP are associated with an increased risk of PEx. The fact that many Gram-negative EP were associated with lower median lung function may indicate that these EP cause accelerated lung function decline or that patients with more advanced disease are at most risk of acquiring EP.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic diseases in Europe and North America. Chronic bacterial infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) are common among CF patients and are associated with increased disease progression among patients. While inflammation is considered to be a key driver of lung function decline, the precise mechanisms at play have remained unclear. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the role of inflammatory signalling components that result in host cell death during respiratory infections observed in CF. First, I investigated the differences in inflammatory mechanisms and cytokine expression induced by P. aeruginosa isolated from early versus chronic infections in CF. I found that early respiratory isolates of P. aeruginosa from CF patients induced inflammasome signalling, cell death, and IL-1β expression by THP-1 macrophages, yet little expression of other proinflammatory cytokines. However, P. aeruginosa isolates from chronic infections induced relatively less THP-1 macrophage inflammasome signalling, cell death, and IL-1β expression but greater production of other cytokines. Using laboratory reference strains and various mutants of P. aeruginosa, I validated how due to their inability to induce early and extensive host cell death, isolates from chronic infections are able to induce sustained levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to the pathogenesis observed in CF. I then investigated one specific virulence factor identified among clinical P. aeruginosa isolates, the effector protein ExoU. ExoU is known to induce rapid host cell death and has previously been described to be an inhibitor of caspase-1, limiting IL-1β secretion in immune cells. Using relevant laboratory reference strains, I have shown that ExoU is able to induce IL-1β expression at lower multiplicities of infection or at earlier time points than described in previous reports when infecting THP-1 macrophages and NuLi-1 bronchial epithelial cells. Through immunoblotting and the use of relevant inhibitors, it was found that this observed difference could be partially dependent on the activation of various caspases, including ones that induced canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation. Overall, this described work adds to our understanding of respiratory infections observed among CF patients and could shed light on possible therapeutic options to reduce disease progression.