Biomedical subjects

A Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to A Blanco.

275 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Pathogenesis of food and gastrointestinal atopy.

The pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and alimentary atopy is an unclear problem. The reason of respiratory or gastrointestinal location of atopic symptoms is unknown. The density of intestinal IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE forming cells (Ig F.C.) was measured in 23 atopic and 16 non atopic children. The IgM F.C. was found to be increased in atopic children up to two years old (p less than 0.05). The IgE F.C. was increased in atopic patients (p less than 0.05), specially over two years old (p less than 0.001). The ratio IgA F.C./IgE F.C. was decreased (p less than 0.02) and we assume it is the more significant index. The same modifications were found in alimentary or gastrointestinal atopic patients and the location of allergic symptoms did not change the IgE F.C. density. We suggest the local increase of IgE F.C. does not play an important role on the type of clinical atopic disturbance. May be it only reflects the "atopic state" and the progressive systemic overstimulation by allergens.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Severe combined immunodeficiency with hypergamma-e eosinophilia, icthyosis and normal serum adenosin-deaminase (author's transl)].

A two months old girl whose parents and grand-parents were consanguineous, and a former brother died when eight months old with a similar clinical picture is studied. Our patient developed diarrhea at the age of fifteen days, and icthyosiform skin lesions when she was one month old. Enlarged lymph nodes were prominent. She died with severe lung and ear infection. No evidence of skeletal abnormalities were found. Eosinophil count was high (720-1,000/mm3), IgE was increased for age (760 u.u./ml.), but other immunoglobulins were very decreased or absent. T-cells were decreased and lymphocyte with Ig receptors were not detected. Phytohemagglutinin response was nul but complement was normal. Autopsy revealed typical lymphoid features of severe combined immunodeficiency. Pulmonary "Pneumocystis carinii" infection was not found. Seric adenosine-deaminase was normal and absence of hypouricemia suggested also a normal nucleoside-phosphorilase.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic variation among Trypanosoma cruzi populations.

The analysis of enzyme electrophoretic patterns in 141 extracts of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from humans and domesticated and wild animals from the endemic zone of Chagas' disease in Argentina allowed their characterization into 12 different "isozymic strains" or zymodemes (Z1 to Z12). In humans, the parasites most frequently found belong to Z1 and Z12. These zymodemes differ significantly in pathogenic activity, Z1 having fewer deleterious effects than Z12. Because of the good correlation existing between zymodemes and the groups of parasites characterized by the study of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), it is possible to identify zymodemes by analyzing kDNA. A 270-base-pair probe of the highly variable region of minicircles (HVRm) of kDNA, purified from Z1 and Z12 reference stocks, hybridized specifically with PCR-amplified HVRm from T. cruzi isolates, allowing identification of the "major natural clones." It is suggested that this technique of zymodeme identification could be useful for the prognosis of the probable evolution of the disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients. A study of 2 cases and review of the Spanish literature].

The characteristics of two cases of histoplasmosis in AIDS patients in our institution are presented together with a review of the 11 cases published in Spain since 1988 in addition to the current knowledge on histoplasmosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). In all except 2 of the 13 patients there was epidemiologic history of a stay in a country in which histoplasmosis is endemic. The 12 cases described in which this information is available had CD4 counts under 100/microL. The clinical manifestations of presentation were fever (92.3%) associated or not with other unspecific symptoms (asthenia, anorexia, cough, diarrhea) with a subacute course of two or three months. Physical examination demonstrated hepatosplenomegaly in 76.9% of the cases and 61.5% of the patients presented cutaneous lesions. Thoracic radiography was abnormal in 55% (61.5% had respiratory symptoms). Diagnosis was achieved by isolation of the fungus in the cutaneous biopsies in all the patients with dermatologic involvement and in 7 cases identification was performed in the bone marrow. In all the cases induction treatment was with anphotericin B and in those who reached the maintenance phase itraconazol was used in 7 cases and ketoconazol in one case. None of the patients treated with itraconazol, including the two in our center, presented recurrence at the time of completion of follow up. In conclusion, histoplasmosis is frequently presented as a prolonged febrile syndrome with unspecific characteristics, thus emphasizing the importance of including travel history to other countries in the anamnesis. The increase in journeys to endemic countries and immigration from these areas had led to an increase in the number of cases of histoplasmosis in patients with HIV infection in Spain.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of humoral immunity system of the small bowel.

The study was performed in 24 children aged 2 months to 6 years, without intestinal or immunological diseases. Intestinal biopsies were obtained by a Crosby's capsule, pediatric size. The number of immunoglobulin forming cells of lamina propria was measured by planimetry. Under 12 months of age there are increased levels of IgM forming cells and a low IgA forming cells/IgM forming cells quotient, but over 1 year the difference disappears. This suggests that the maturity process is very rapid. There are no correlation between serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels and its respective forming cells number of lamina propria. It seems to support that the participation of intestinal lymphoid tissue in serum pool of immunoglobulin is very poor and that systemic and intestinal immunity maturation are completely independent.

Biopsy↗