Nitric oxide and NK(1)-tachykinin receptors in cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, in rats. (33/503)

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of NK(1) receptors and of nitric oxide (NO) on the pathogenesis of cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, in rats. This bladder toxicity was characterized by marked increases in protein plasma extravasation, urothelial damage, edema, white blood cell infiltrates, and vascular congestion. These changes were associated with appearance of Ca(2+)-independent NO-synthase (NOS) activity [characteristic of inducible NOS (iNOS)] in the bladder and with increases in urinary NO metabolites. GR205171, a selective NK(1) antagonist (10-20 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced cyclophosphamide-induced increases in protein plasma extravasation and in the urinary excretion of NO metabolites. N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a NOS inhibitor, reduced basal and cyclophosphamide-induced increases in NO metabolites and protected against cyclophosphamide-induced protein plasma extravasation. GR205171 had no effect, whereas L-NNA reduced basal NO metabolite excretion. Combined treatment with the NK(1) antagonist and the NO-synthesis inhibitor produced comparable reduction in protein plasma extravasation than that achieved with each drug given separately. Combined drug treatment ameliorated cyclophosphamideinduced urothelial damage, and the extent of edema, vascular congestion, and white blood cell infiltrates in the bladder. In summary, NK(1) receptors and iNOS play a role in NO formation and on cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Activation of NK(1) receptors mainly acts through the formation of NO. It is proposed that cyclophosphamide and/or its metabolites would stimulate primary afferent capsaicin-sensitive fibers in the bladder, releasing neuropeptides, which would activate NK(1) receptors. However, additional mechanisms are involved, because neither the NK(1) receptor antagonist nor the NO synthesis inhibitor, either alone or in combination, were able to completely prevent the toxicity.  (+info)

Successful treatment of severe hemorrhagic cystitis with cystectomy following matched donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. (34/503)

We report a case of severe hemorrhagic cystitis complicating high-dose cyclophosphamide (CY), total body irradiation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Supportive care with i.v. hydration, platelet transfusions, continuous bladder irrigation and aluminum irrigation of the bladder was ineffective and the patient developed multiple complications from hemorrhagic cystitis. His condition became critical with persistent bleeding, pulmonary edema and acute renal failure. These problems resolved following successful simple cystectomy and ileal conduit. The patient did not develop any acute or chronic complications following surgery. He is alive with a good quality of life and in third remission after receiving salvage chemotherapy 14 months after his transplantation.  (+info)

Inhibitors in urine of radioimmunoassay for the detection of gonococcal antigens. (35/503)

Several substances in urine were found to inhibit the radioimmunoassay of added gonococcal antigens. The supernatants of two-thirds of urine samples from male patients with either gonorrhoea or non-specific urethritis (NSU) were inhibitory. The inhibition caused by many, but not all, samples was reduced or completely abolished by the addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI); STI-sensitive inhibition is thought to be due to proteolytic enzymes, probably from pus cells. Their inhibitory effect was shown to be due to their action on gonoccocal antigens and not on antibodies in the assay system. Some supernatants contained other inhibitors unaffected by STI; some of these were dialysable and others were not. Sediments from the urine of patients with NSU or gonorrhoea were often strongly inhibitory, but treatment with STI annulled all but very slight inhibition. STI-treated sediments could, therefore, be used in an assay designed to detect gonococcal antigens.  (+info)

Escherichia coli O18:K1:H7 isolates from patients with acute cystitis and neonatal meningitis exhibit common phylogenetic origins and virulence factor profiles. (36/503)

Escherichia coli isolates of serotype O18:K1:H7, taken from women with acute cystitis, healthy control patients, and infants with neonatal bacterial meningitis (NBM), were analyzed and were compared with phylogenetically diverse control strains from the E. coli Reference collection. Clonal relationships were defined by amplification phylotyping, nicotinamide auxotrophy, and outer membrane protein patterns (OMPs). Virulence factor profiles were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction, probe hybridization, and hemagglutination testing. The O18:K1:H7 cystitis, fecal, and NBM isolates were clonally derived. The cystitis isolates and archetypal NBM isolates RS218 and C5 were from the OMP6 subclone of E. coli O18:K1:H7 and exhibited a consensus virulence genotype that included papG allele III (cystitis-associated P fimbrial adhesin), sfaS (S fimbrial adhesin), hlyA (hemolysin), cnf1 (cytotoxic necrotizing factor), iroN (putative siderophore), and ibeA (invasion of brain endothelium). The demonstrated commonality between O18:K1:H7 isolates from cystitis and NBM suggests common pathogenetic mechanisms and the possibility of new approaches to prevention.  (+info)

Intra-muscular vidarabine therapy for polyomavirus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis following allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. (37/503)

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication following hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), its incidence ranging from 7 to 52% of all patients. Late occurring HC frequently results from viral infections. We describe a patient who developed severe polyomavirus-associated HC, which responded dramatically to a single dose of intra-muscular vidarabine. Previous studies show an improvement in HC with vidarabine therapy, but to date only the intravenous route of administration has been described and responses described take from several days to weeks. This report confirms the safety and efficacy of vidarabine administered intramuscularly when used in patients with an adequate platelet count, thereby making its use feasible when intravenous vidarabine is not available.  (+info)

Increased temperature of malignant urinary bladder tumors in vivo: the application of a new method based on a catheter technique. (38/503)

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of any thermal difference between malignant tumors and inflammatory benign lesions of the human urinary bladder and to determine whether it correlates with tumor angiogenesis quantification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A new method, developed in our institute, is introduced to detect temperature in human urinary bladder, in vivo. This method is based on a thermography catheter. We calculated the differences of the temperature of the solid tumor and of a normal area (Delta T) on 20 subjects (mean age, 72.5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 68.5 to 76.4). According to the biopsy histology, Eight (40%) patients had benign tumors, and 12 (60%) had malignant tumors. RESULTS: We found significant differences of Delta T between patients with benign and malignant tumor (P <.001). Also, differences were found for the mean values of angiogenesis level between malignant and benign tumors (P =.0261), and a moderated positive correlation was estimated between the degree of angiogenesis and Delta T (P =.02). Based on logistic regression analysis, we found that a 1-degree increase of Delta T triples the odds of a patient having a malignant tumor (odds ratio = 2.91; 95% CI, 1.97 to 7.78; P <.001), adjusted for the degree of angiogenesis (P =.0236) and the grade of tumor (P <.001). A threshold point of Delta T = 0.7 degrees C was determined, with sensitivity 83% and specificity 75%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the calculated difference of temperature between normal tissue and neoplastic area could be a useful criterion in the diagnosis of malignancy in tumors of the human urinary bladder.  (+info)

Analysis of Escherichia coli strains causing bacteriuria during pregnancy: selection for strains that do not express type 1 fimbriae. (39/503)

Escherichia coli isolates from patients with bacteriuria of pregnancy were compared by PCR with isolates from patients with community-acquired cystitis for the presence of established virulence determinants. The strains from patients with bacteriuria of pregnancy were less likely to carry genes for P-family, S-family, and F1C adhesins, cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1, and aerobactin, but virtually all of the strains carried the genes for type 1 fimbriae. Standard mannose-sensitive agglutination of yeast cells showed that only 15 of 42 bacteriuria strains (36%) expressed type 1 fimbriae compared with 32 of 42 strains from community-acquired symptomatic infections (76%) (P < 0.01). This difference was confirmed by analysis of all isolates for an allele of the type 1 fimbrial regulatory region (fim switch), which negates type 1 fimbrial expression by preventing the fim switch from being inverted to the on phase. This allele, fimS49, was found in 8 of 47 bacteriuria strains from pregnant women (17.0%) compared with 2 of 60 strains isolated from patients with cystitis (3.3%) (P < 0.05). Determination of the phase switch orientation in vivo by analysis of freshly collected infected urine from patients with bacteriuria showed that the fim switch was detectable in the off orientation in 17 of 23 urine samples analyzed (74%). These data indicate that type 1 fimbriae are not necessary to maintain the majority of E. coli bacteriurias in pregnant women since there appears to be selection against their expression in this particular group. This is in contrast to the considered role of this adhesin in community-acquired symptomatic infections. The lack of type 1 fimbria expression is likely to contribute to the asymptomatic nature of bacteriuria in pregnant women, although approximately one-third of the bacteriuria isolates do possess key virulence determinants. If left untreated, this subset of isolates pose the greatest threat to the health of the mother and unborn child.  (+info)

Eosinophilic cystitis. (40/503)

We describe four cases of eosinophilic cystitis in whom no specific cause could be found, and review the literature. Complaints at presentation included urgency, frequency, abdominal pain, and haematuria. In three patients the symptoms and ultrasound pictures suggested a bladder tumour. One patient was treated with anticholinergics and corticosteroids without relief of symptoms; a localised eosinophilic tumour was excised in one patient who remained symptom free; and two patients were managed conservatively with spontaneous resolution of bladder pathology and symptoms. One case was identified by random bladder biopsy in 150 consecutive patients with unexplained irritable micturition complaints. Eosinophilic cystitis is rare in children. After biopsy, we consider a wait and see policy is justified as symptoms tend to disappear spontaneously. Routine bladder biopsies in children with unexplained bladder symptoms is not justifiable.  (+info)