tetracycline and Anemia--Megaloblastic

Ninety-five patients who had megaloblastic anaemia, and who lived in a subtropical climate, were studied to elucidate the importance of puerperium, malabsorption, gastric dystrophy, diet and infection in the aetiology of the disease. All 5 factors were found to be common, and to occur in a variety of combinations, producing a wide spectrum of illness variously resembling nutritional megaloblastic anaemia, sprue, pernicious anaemia and many stages in between. It is concluded that megaloblastic anaemia in this population is a multifactorial disease, and a tentative scheme, relating the aetiological factors, is drawn up. Neither serum vitamin B(12) levels, nor folate estimation in serum or red cells emerged as very reliable guides to the underlying biochemical deficiency.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Infections; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12

The case of a young woman from Guadeloupe developing severe megaloblastic anemia is reported. She presented with fever and hemolysis (she had heterozygotic beta-thalassemia) after a six month history of diarrhea. She was shown to have folate deficiency, steatorrhea, vitamin K and B12 malabsorption. She responded well to intravenous folinic acid and tetracyclines. Diagnosis was based on the following criteria: a) no other cause of malabsorption was found despite a comprehensive inquiry, b) the pattern of the illness corresponded to the definition of disease. Three particular aspects are outlined: the acute onset, malabsorption of vitamin B12 requiring prolonged and combined treatment, and the unusual place in which the disease was contracted.

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Sprue, Tropical; Tetracycline; Thalassemia; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin K Deficiency; West Indies

The existence of tropical sprue in Africa is controversial. In this paper we present 31 cases seen in Rhodesia over a 15 month period. They have the clinical features, small intestinal morphology, malabsorption pattern, and treatment response of tropical sprue. Other causes of malabsorption, and primary malnutrition, have been excluded. The severity of the clinical state and intestinal malabsorption distinguish these patients from those we have described with tropical enteropathy. The previous work on tropical sprue in Africa is reviewed and it is apparent that, when it has been adequately looked for, it has been found. It is clear that the question of tropical sprue in Africa must be re-examined and that it existence may have hitherto been concealed by the assumption that primary malnutrition is responsible for the high prevalence of deficiency states.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Female; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Jejunum; Male; Middle Aged; Sprue, Tropical; Stomach; Tetracycline; Zimbabwe

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Female; Humans; Intrinsic Factor; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Achlorhydria; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Anorexia Nervosa; Body Weight; Bone Marrow Cells; Celiac Disease; Diarrhea; Gastritis; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Jejunum; Malabsorption Syndromes; Sprue, Tropical; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12; Zimbabwe

Topics: Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Diverticulum; Drug Therapy; Duodenal Diseases; Humans; Intestines; Metronidazole; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Diverticulum; Drug Therapy; Escherichia coli Infections; Geriatrics; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Intestine, Small; Intestines; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Celiac Disease; Diverticulum; Drug Therapy; Geriatrics; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Intestine, Small; Intestines; Pain; Steatorrhea; Tetracycline; Toxicology; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Liver Extracts; Prednisone; Tetracycline; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex