Biomedical subjects

A Malet

Publications and source records attributed to A Malet.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence in the quality of life of the respiratory patients by environmental control and the acaricide Frontac®.

The present prospective, open, observational study assessed the effect of the use of standard environmental control measures together with the application of an acaricide-containing aerosol of esbiol/benzyl benzoate/piperonyl butoxide/2-phenylphenol (Frontac) on several clinical and environmental parameters in patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis related to house dust mites (HDM). Fifty-five patients were enrolled and studied for one year. Both symptoms and the patients' quality of life (evaluated by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)) were assessed at several clinic visits. The amount of HDM antigen was semi-quantitatively estimated using the guanine test. We found a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in most nasal symptoms scores: sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose and itching. The overall quality of life (QoL) score also showed a significant improvement during the study period; the mean score decrease found was 0.86 (CI 95 %, 0.54-1.17) (p < 0.001). Five of the seven domains included in the questionnaire decreased significantly: non-hayfever symptoms; practical problems; nasal symptoms; eye symptoms, and emotions. These QoL score decreases were found during the first 3 months and later remained stable at lower levels than at baseline. The content of guanine in dust samples decreased significantly from 2.17 0.75 to 1.43 0.68 (p < 0.001). No toxic adverse events were recorded. In conclusion, these results show an improvement in the quality of life and a clinical benefit of the long-term use of the new chemical acaricide tested, together with environmental measures, in the home of patients suffering from allergic respiratory pathology.

Acaricides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anaphylactic shock after intra-articular injection of carboxymethylcellulose.

BACKGROUND: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) is the sodium salt of a polycarboxymethyl ether of cellulose. SCMC is widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries. We present the case of a 47-year-old man who suffered an anaphylactic shock after an intra-articular injection of Trigon depot. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prick and intradermal tests with Trigon depot and its components (triamcinolone acetonide, Tween 80, benzylalcohol, SCMC), mepivacaine 2% and latex were performed. Challenge test with mepivacaine 2% was also realized. RESULTS: Showed a positive intradermal test to Trigon depot and carboxymethylcellulose, with negative results to the rest (including challenge test to mepivcaine 2%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock after intra-articular injection of carboxymethylcellulose and we consider necessary to emphasize that excipients must be taken into account as a potential source of adverse reactions to drugs.

Anaphylaxis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with cetirizine.

A study was made of 30 patients with perennial extrinsic rhinitis sensitized only to dust mites who were treated with cetirizine for 15 days, at a dose of 10 mg/24 hours. The following parameters were evaluated in each patient on day -1 before initiating treatment and on day 15: histamine 1/100 prick-test, Dermatohophagoides pteronyssinus prick-test, physical examination, assessment of nasal edema and rhinorrhea by anterior rhinoscopy, and of the degree of nasal obstruction by active anterior rhinomanometry. Each patient was given a form for daily clinical self-evaluation of the following subjective symptoms: sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and nasal itchiness. The occurrence of side effects was evaluated. Cetirizine reduced significantly the area of the histamine and D. pteronyssinus papules elicited by prick-test. Clinical symptoms decreased significantly, with sneezing, nasal itchiness and rhinorrhea being greatly relieved, and nasal obstruction, evaluated by means of active anterior rhinomanometry performed before and after 15 days of treatment, being less alleviated. There was scant incidence of side effects in patients treated with cetirizine.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational hypersensitivity to spiramycin. Report of a case].

A case report of occupational hypersensitivity to Spiramycin. Rhinoconjunctivitis and spasmodic cough are reported in a 34 year-old female handling spiramycin powder in a pharmaceutical factory. The symptoms appeared within the first few hours of coming into contact with the drug and continued for several hours after leaving her place of work. The patient had no personal case history of atopy. Results for prick-test with extracts using a concentration of 1/100 (w/v) were positive, as were results por intradermical tests with a solution using a concentration of 1/10.000 (w/v). The diagnostic was confirmed with the application of a nasal provocation test. Our criteria to determine positivity to this test was according to Bachman (1) and the European Committee of Rhinomanometry. On our suggestion the patient was transferred to another section of the pharmaceutical company whereupon all symptoms disappeared immediately and no further allergic reactions to drugs were registered. This case suggest that reactions to a chemical product may involve immunological mechanisms.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The histamine liberation test as a diagnostic parameter and its possible modification following specific immunotherapy].

It is generally accepted that the allergic reaction depends on the levels of specific IgE, on the concentration of blocking antibodies and on the capacity of the basophils to release mediators. The fact that in the histamine release test (HRT) all of the elements intervening in an allergic reaction (antigens, IgE, basophils and mononuclear cells of a lymphoid origin) have been found, has led some authors to consider it as the most suitable method of "in vitro" diagnosis. This is a reflection of what biologically occurs "in vivo". Furthermore, the HRT can be used as a control parameter following immunotherapy, permitting us not only to quantify the level of blocking antibodies but also to study the possible presence of a control mechanism of histamine release. Accordingly, in a group of 50 patients with extrinsic asthma we carried out a HRT, skin tests (prick test) and Rast with house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. In another group comprising 74 subjects with extrinsic allergic asthma (45 with perennial allergic rhinitis) we performed a HRT with aeroallergens. This group was subjected to immunotherapy (dust with mites) for a year. Following this treatment another HRT was carried out with house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. With regard to our results in the first group we obtained 80% agreement in the HRT/prick test/Rast for house dust and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and 78% agreement for Dermatophagoides farinae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnosis of allergy to peach. A comparative study of "in vivo" and "in vitro" techniques.

In our particular Mediterranean region, extensive plantations of peach trees (prunus persica) give rise to processes of peach hypersensitivity. This datum together with the scarcity of literature and the use of disparate methods of diagnosis prompted us to select the peach as an example of hypersensitivity to a fruit, and to examine the clinical symptoms, skin tests, specific IgE antibodies (RASTR) and histamine release in a group of 25 patients with peach allergy. The results showed a good concordance between clinical history and skin tests (78%) and between RASTR (82%) and histamine release (74%) when comparison was made with the clinical history. The concordance between skin tests and RASTR histamine release was 94%. On the application of a statistical study to the different data collected, and on analysing all the concordances and possible combinations between "in vivo" and "in vitro" tests, the skin tests were not found to be superior to the RASTR (p less than 0.001) or to the histamine release test (p less than 0.001), in terms of peach allergy diagnosis. Both the RASTR and the histamine release test were found to be equally valid (p less than 0.001) in "in vitro" peach diagnosis. These findings demonstrate the perfect and complete diagnosis of peach allergy with the methodology used.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immunologic parameters in chronic urticaria].

Urticaria and angioedema are common disorders that affect approximately 1/5 of the population at some stage in their lives. Although the clinical diagnosis of this disorder is made without difficulty, its etiology and pathogenesis remain obscure. Extensive clinical studies and the application of different laboratory techniques seldom manage to detect the etiology of chronic urticaria or determine its supposed pathogenic mechanism. Thus, a large number of causal agents have been held responsible for the symptoms of chronic urticaria and/or chronic urticaria and angioedema and for the variety of immunologic and nonimmunologic factors involved in its pathogenesis. The controversial laboratory findings in this type of patients prompted us to undertake this study on 48 subjects with chronic urticaria and/or angioedema. We studied the levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE), the haemolytic activity of the complement (CH50), the levels of the complement components (C1 inhibitor, C3 and C4), the possible presence of circulating immune complexes and the percentages of the T lymphoid subpopulations (using OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 markers) and the B population. The results obtained showed an alteration of the complement (CH50) and of some of its components (C3 and C4) as well as of the cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocyte subpopulation (OKT8).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Ketotifen in childhood asthma].

In 1981 a double blind study was conducted at random with Ketotifen. Fifty children were chosen at random (40 males and 10 females) who had been diagnosed as suffering from extrinsic bronchial asthma and had not undergone any previous treatment either with sodium cromoglycate or with immunotherapy. In all cases the treatment lasted 12 weeks, with monthly controls, in some cases on a weekly basis, which measured the following parameters: Daily written control by the parents of the clinical evolution. Monthly clinical examination with cardiovascular control (Cardiac frequency, T A , etc.) respiratory examination with lung function study, auxomatric control (height, weight), etc. Monthly control of the additional medication received, specifying type of medication, dosage and length of time administered (bronchodilators, antihistamines, antibiotics, etc.). Monthly control of possible collateral and side effects: subjective symptoms: neurologic, digestive, dermatologic, psychic, neuro-vegetative, genito-urinary, cardiorespiratory, etc. Analytical control at the commencement and termination of treatment which consists of: a) complete blood cell count, b) platelets and c) hepatic function study (GOT, CPT and alkaline phosphatases). The results of the overall evaluation of the group of children submitted to treatment with active substances were as follows: In asthma 70.35% was VERY EFFECTIVE and EFFECTIVE and 29.61% SLIGHTLY or NOT EFFECTIVE. In dermorespiratory cases 57.13% was VERY EFFECTIVE or EFFECTIVE and 42.85% SLIGHTLY EFFECTIVE. In concomitant rhinitis 74.93% was VERY EFFECTIVE and EFFECTIVE and 25% SLIGHTLY EFFECTIVE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Asthma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical and immunological effects of immunotherapy with glutaraldehyde modified house dust mite extract.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of treatment with specific immunotherapy using allergenic mite extracts modified with glutaraldehyde. The results showed an improvement both in clinical symptoms and a reduction in the complementary pharmacological therapy used. Several clinical "in vitro" and "in vivo" parameters were analysed during this study. The results obtained from the Nasal Challenge Test and the Skin Test (prick-test) were the most relevant. Patient tolerance to the diagnostic extract was increased in 45% of the patients, the result of which was registered in the Nasal Challenge Test. Evaluation of the results derived from the skin tests on conclusion of immunotherapy, showed a reduction in response in 55% of the patients. Progressive immunotherapeutic doses were applied at short intervals with no record of severe reactions.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Bronchial asthma caused by occupational sulfite exposure].

A case is reported of a patient with episodes of bronchospasm requiring hospital admission after handling sodium bisulfite on the job. The patient had a 15-year history of bronchial asthma and concomitant rhinoconjunctivitis and a 6-year history of asthma induced by moderate exercise. His family history included a father with sensitization to mites. Skin tests, measurement of specific IgI, and nasal provocation were positive for domestic dust mites and grass pollen. Skin tests for sodium metasulfite at a concentration of 10 mg/ml were negative. A simple blind oral provocation test of sodium metasulfite (1, 5, 20, and 50 mg) in acid medium was positive at the 50-mg dose, eliciting bronchial and nasal symptoms, and a decrease in CVF, FEV1, and PEF of more than 20% over baseline values. The episode of bronchospasm has not recurred in the workplace since exposure to sodium bisulfite was eliminated. Oral provocation with metasulfite in acid medium is considered a good technique for confirming the diagnosis of these cases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Parameters of immunotherapy: a retrospective study.

This is the second in a series of studies carried out on a group of 26 patients undergoing immunotherapy (IT) (9). The objective of this paper was to determine a new subclass of specific IgG, IgG1, so as to achieve comparable results with the previous study on IgG4. All patients in the study group were suffering from respiratory diseases and were all sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DPT). They were subjected to IT for a period of 36 months. A 6 monthly control on the levels of anti-DPT specific IgE, anti-DPT specific IgG1 and anti-DPT specific IgG4 was done. Our results showed a level drop in anti-DPT specific IgE after 12 months of immunotherapy (p < 0.001) which was maintained in the 6 monthly controls which followed levels of anti-DPT (p < 0.01). Levels of anti-DPT specific IgG1 (p < 0.05) were lowered following 30 months of IT and were maintained till the end of treatment. The levels of anti-DPT specific IgG4 showed a level increase (p < 0.05) between 6 and 24 months of IT. The anti-DPT specific IgG4 level after 36 months of immunotherapy were lower than those obtained after 24 months of immunotherapy and were of no statistical significance. These values were statistically significant, however, when compared with the levels obtained prior to IT (p < 0.05). The IgG4/IgG1 ratio showed a gradual increase and reached extreme values after 24 months of IT (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between these values and the clinical evolution of each patient.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Contact dermatitis: clinical review of 800 patients tested using the standard European series.

The results of the use of the European Standard Series on 800 patients suffering from Contact Dermatitis, including occupational Dermatosis is reported. This work also attempts to provide insight into the interests and difficulties of carrying out an epidemiological study in an Allergy Centre and Immunology Clinic. All the patients underwent a Patch Test following the guidelines laid out by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. The results of the patch tests were positive in 462 patients (57.7%) and negative in 338 cases (42.3%). The agents responsible for the symptoms in our study were as follows: metals (33%), parafenilen-diamine (13.9%), cobalt (13.3%), perfumes (5.5%), benzocaine (5.4%) and potassium dichromate (5.4%). In this study 72 patients were verified to have Occupational Dermatosis, corresponding mainly to the following occupational sectors: metal industry workers, hairdressers and bakers and pastry makers.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exercise-induced asthma prophylaxis in athletes using inhaled nedocromil sodium.

This open labelled, group comparative, cross over study, was carried out to analyze the efficacy of two dosages of Nedocromil sodium (NS) in the prophylaxis of Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA). 13 athletes (6 males, 7 females), aged: 12-38 years, were studied measuring their EIA by forced spirometries prior and at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes post treadmill test. Four mg of NS were administered via inhalation chamber 30 minutes prior to the second test; prior to the third one;: NS at a dose of 4 mg every 8 hours during four weeks plus 4 mg of NS 30 minutes before it. In the baseline exercise test, a 33.6 +/- 10.5 percent decrease of FEV1 was observed; 12.6 +/- 11.4 in the second one, and 9.7 +/- 9.76 in the third test. A protection index higher than 30% was obtained in 9 cases of the second test (81.5 +/- 16.2%), and in 10 of the third one (77.2 +/- 15.3%). Nedocromil sodium (4 mg prior to exercise) is effective for EIA prophylaxis. Although no significant differences exist between both dosages, a greater protection index is reached after NS sustained administration.

Adolescent↗