• IMA sites
  • IMAJ services
  • IMA journals
  • Follow us
  • Alternate Text Alternate Text
עמוד בית
Mon, 17.02.25

Search results


February 2000
Ravit Arav-Boger MD, Shai Ashkenazi MD, Michael Gdalevich MD, Dani Cohen PhD and Yehuda L. Danon MD

Background: There is an increasing number of reports of pertussis among older children and adults. The development and licensure of an acellular pertussis vaccine offer the possibility of adult vaccination against the disease. Information on immunity to pertussis in this age group is needed before any vaccination policy can be considered.

Objectives: To study the seroepidemiology of pertussis antibodies in a random sample of adolescents.

Methods: Serum IgG antibodies to whole-cell lysate of Bordetella pertussis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of 533 Israeli military recruits aged 17–18 years. Epidemiologic variables were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed for correlation with pertussis antibodies.  

Results: Of the sera tested 58.6% were positive for pertussis IgG antibodies, while 35.4% were negative and 6% were borderline. The seropositivity rate was significantly higher among females and non-smokers than among males and smokers. Serum samples of subjects found negative to Bordetella pertussis on recruitment were tested again, using the same ELISA assay, 2–3 years later.  Seroconversion during the 3 year military service was detected in 12.5% of 40 subjects. Using the pertussis toxin as the antigen in a subsample of 160 sera, the seroprevalence was lower than that detected by the whole-cell lysate on the same sera (45% vs. 58%).

Conclusions: A significant part of the adolescent population in Israel has low titer of serum IgG antibodies to the multiple antigens of B. pertussis. The relatively low concentration of anti-pertussis antibodies, together with the serological evidence of exposure to the disease indicates that booster immunization with the acellular pertussis vaccine of military recruits should be considered after more information on the incidence of clinical cases of pertussis will be available.

__________________________________

 

ELISA = enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

November 1999
Ilan Cohen MD, Avraham Nyska PhD, Uri Givon MD, Aharon Chechick MD, Valentin Rzetelny MD and Eitan Bogin PhD

Background: The growth plate increases its activity in response to exercise. Likewise, decreased physical activity exerts a negative effect on bone growth and development, leading to rarefaction of the subepiphyseal bone. Limb immobilization inhibits the growth plate’s activity, indirectly shown by a recorded arrest in longitudinal growth of the long bones. However, there is no direct evidence concerning the growth plate itself.

Objective: To determine whether the growth plate exhibits measurable microstructural changes in response to decreased levels of physical activity.

Methods: Histomorphometric analysis was used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the changes in the epiphyseal plate in response to single hind limb immobilization in the rat. In 16 of 25 Sprague-Dawley male rats the left hind limb was immobilized for 3 weeks; the remaining 9 rats served as controls. The left proximal tibia of each animal was examined by computerized image analysis.

Results: There was a decrease in epiphyseal height, cell column density and subepiphyseal trabecular area - all indices of growth plate activity. Metaphyseal cortical thickness was also depressed, thereby confirming the efficacy of the immobilization method applied.

Conclusions: Limb immobilization in the rat induces inhibitory histological changes in the epiphyseal growth plate, which are in contrast to the excitatory microscopic changes seen with exercise. These changes can be assessed quantitatively. Their potential for reversibility remains to be determined by future experiments.

Ron Ben-Abraham MD, Michael Stein MD, Gideon Paret MD, Robert Cohen MD, Joshua Shemer MD, Avraham Rivkind MD and Yoram Kluger MD
Background: Since its introduction in Israel, more than 4,000 physicians from various specialties and diverse medical backgrounds have participated in the Advanced Trauma Life Support course.

Objectives: To analyze the factors that influence the success of physicians in the ATLS®1 written tests.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 4,475 physicians participating in the Israeli ATLS® training program between 1990 and 1996. Several variables in the records of these physicians were related to their success or failure in the final written examination of the course.

Results: Age, the region of medical schooling, and the medical specialty were found to significantly influence the successful completion of the ATLS® course.

Conclusions: Physicians younger than 45 years of age or with a surgical specialty are more likely to graduate the ATLS® course. The success rate could be improved if the program’s text and questionnaires were translated into Hebrew. 

1ATLS® = Advanced Trauma Life Support

October 1999
Arnon D. Cohen, MD, Eli Reichental, MD and Sima Halevy, MD
 Background: Cutaneous drug reactions are attributed usually to one culprit drug, however, some CDRs1 may be associated with drug interactions.

Objectives: To present a case series of foyr patients with phenytion-induced severe CDRs, including toxic epidermal necrolysis (2 patients), exanthematous eruption (1 patient) and hypersensitivity syndrome (1 patient). In all patients the reactions appeared following the combined intake of phenytion, corticosteroids and H2 blockers.

Conclusions: Our case series may imply the role of drug interactions between phenytion, corticosteroids and H2 blockers in the induction of severe CDRs.

Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or medical advice on any matter.
The IMA is not responsible for and expressly disclaims liability for damages of any kind arising from the use of or reliance on information contained within the site.
© All rights to information on this site are reserved and are the property of the Israeli Medical Association. Privacy policy

2 Twin Towers, 35 Jabotinsky, POB 4292, Ramat Gan 5251108 Israel