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Biomedical subjects

A Tursi

Publications and source records attributed to A Tursi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Low prevalence of antigliadin and anti-endomysium antibodies in subclinical/silent celiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: Endomysial antibodies (EMA) are a well-known hallmark of celiac disease, but some recent studies showed that the prevalence of these antibodies in clinical practice is lower than expected. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of antigliadin (AGA) and EMA antibodies on a consecutive series of subclinical/silent celiac patients. METHODS: We studied 115 consecutive patients with subclinical (92 patients) or silent (23 patients) forms of celiac disease. AGA and EMA were screened in all patients. Histopathology of celiac disease was expressed according to the Marsh classification. RESULTS: The overall AGA in subclinical form were positive in 77% (14 of 18) of patients with partial villous atrophy (VA), in 84% (21 of 25) of patients with subtotal VA, and in 90% (27 of 30) of patients with total VA, whereas EMA were positive in 88.88% (16 of 18) of patients with partial VA, in 92% (23 of 25) of patients with subtotal VA, and 96.66% (29 of 30) of patients with total VA. On the other hand, AGA were positive in 0% (zero of two) of patients with Marsh I and in 30% (three of 10) of patients with Marsh II, whereas EMA were positive in 0% (zero of two) of patients with Marsh I and in 40% (four of 10) of patients with Marsh II (Marsh I-IIIa vs Marsh IIIb-c, p = < 0.005 in overall AGA-positive patients and p = < 0.0001 in EMA-positive patients). At the same time the overall AGA in silent form were positive in 60% (three of five) of patients with partial VA, in 66.66% (four of six) of patients with subtotal VA, and in 77.77% (seven of nine) of patients with total VA, whereas EMA were positive in 80% (four of five) of patients with partial VA, in 83.33% (five of six) of patients with subtotal VA, and in 88.88% (eight of nine) of patients with total VA. On the other hand, overall AGA were positive in 0% of patients with both Marsh I (zero of one) and Marsh II (zero of two), as well as EMA were positive in 0% with both Marsh I (zero of one) and Marsh II (zero of two) (Marsh I-IIIa vs Marsh IIIb-c, p = < 0.001 in overall AGA-positive patients and p = < 0.007 in EMA-positive patients). CONCLUSIONS: At this time small bowel biopsy seems to be the only correct procedure to diagnose a case of suspected celiac disease, especially in patients with mild symptoms or suspected for celiac disease, because they belong to high-risk groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Contact dermatitis in students practicing sports: incidence of rubber sensitisation.

BACKGROUND: Over the last few years, changes in cutaneous homoeostasis resulting from sports activities have been reported. In particular, alterations in sweating mechanisms, the hydrolipid barrier, and surface bacterial flora, together with exposure to atmospheric conditions and the need to use medicaments, detergents, and other topical substances, predispose subjects to allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in a group of young people practising sports activities. METHODS: Patch tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis of irritant or allergic dermatitis; in addition, the radioallergoabsorbent test (RAST) to latex was evaluated in the group studied. RESULTS: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by thiourams (23.3%) and mercaptobenzothiazole (20.9%) was prevalent. Other haptens, such as benzocaine and nickel, which are contained in clothing, equipment, topical medicaments, and creams used for massage, were also allergenic. In two cases, RAST positivity to latex was registered. CONCLUSIONS: -The results suggest that close contact with sports equipment may increase the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis. Students practising certain sports may have "professional" allergic contact dermatitis to additives used in the production of rubber.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Update on sensitivity to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide. These drugs are effective for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases: musculoskeletal disorders, headhache, fever, pain, and others. Their widespread use explains the very high incidence of intolerance; reactions range from asthma, rhinitis, to urticaria/angioedema, various skin eruptions and anaphylactic shock. The pathogenesis of intolerance is still unclear: immune-mediated reactions have been reported following the use of pyrazolone derivatives and, less commonly aspirin, anthranilic-acid derivatives and diclofenac. It has been suggested that NSAIDs may induce pseudoallergic reactions, while in case of bronchial asthma the inhibition of cyclooxigenase by NSAIDs has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism. The diagnosis of NSAIDs sensitivity can usually be established by history; in fact skin prick tests with NSAIDs have not been successful and no reliable in vitro tests are available. The only definitive diagnostic test is oral test dosing. To identify an alternative NSAIDs in a sensitive patient a tolerance test is performed. Here we review the current state of knowledge concerning NSAIDs sensitivity, including personal data to increase awareness on this issue.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2001

[Scombroid syndrome with severe and prolonged cardiovascular involvement].

Scombroid poisoning is a form of ichthyosarcotoxism caused by eating spoiled fish, mainly of the scombroid family. Inappropriate storage of these fish can lead to the decarboxylation of histidine in the flesh to histamine by enterobacteria. The symptoms of histamine poisoning mimic those of an IgE-mediated food allergy, as well as flushing, headache, diarrhea and palpitations. However, in some cases, the scombroid poisoning can be characterized by very serious symptoms, as well as cardiovascular compromission. We describe two cases of scombroid poisoning with severe hypotension requiring continuous intravenous dopamine with resolution of symptoms only several hours later.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Non-invasive diagnosis of celiac disease in clinical practice].

Coeliac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten which requests a quick diagnosis as soon as possible to prevent neoplastic and non-neoplastic complications of the disease, since frequently coeliac disease shows pauci- or asymptomatic forms. We describe herein the most common non invasive diagnostic methods used in clinical practice to diagnose coeliac disease, as well as we describe non invasive methods poorly used or which will play a key role in the non invasive diagnosis of coeliac disease in the future.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Granular cell tumour of the oesophagus: a rare cause of dysphagia with differential diagnosis of oesophageal neoplastic lesions.

Granular cell tumour is a relatively uncommon, typically benign neoplasm of soft tissue. The macroscopic appearance of oesophageal granular cell tumour is a polypoid lesion, which is often asymptomatic and can be found incidentally, but, in some cases, is symptomatic and requires a correct differential diagnosis with malignant neoplasms of the oesophagus. We describe the case of a 28-year-old female who came to our attention due to a six-month history of heartburn and dysphagia. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed the presence of a polypoid lesion 2 cm above the gastro-oesophageal junction. The overlying mucosa was normal and the lesion seemed to be an isolated submucosal nodule with a "submucosal pill" appearance. It was excised completely using a standard diathermic snare, and diagnosis of oesophageal granular cell tumour was made by histological and immunohistochemical staining. The patient's symptoms disappeared immediately after removal of the nodule by endoscopic polypectomy, and no macroscopic or microscopic recurrence of granular cell tumour was noted during follow-up. Likewise, the patient was symptom-free during follow-up. This case shows that endoscopy is very effective, not only in the diagnosis, but also in the treatment of oesophageal lesions which require careful differential diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Endoscopic treatment of benign anastomotic colorectal stenosis with electrocautery.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Benign anastomotic colorectal stenosis can occur after surgery and can require surgical or endoscopic dilation. This study aimed to investigate the use of electrocautery in this area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 39 consecutive patients (25 men, 14 women; mean age 61, range 48-77) suffering from anastomotic colorectal stenosis, demonstrated by colonoscopy (19 patients) or by barium enema (20 patients). We performed endoscopic dilation of the strictures with electrocautery once only in each patient. RESULTS: In all patients we obtained dilation of the strictures without any immediate or delayed procedure-related complications. No recurrence of the stenosis was demonstrated during a follow-up of a mean of 25 months (range 8-43 months). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that endoscopic electrocautery is a safe and effective treatment of anastomotic colorectal stenosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Helicobacter pylori eradication and remission of low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a long-term follow-up study.

Helicobacter pylori infection plays a crucial role not only in the pathogenesis but also in the treatment of low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether H. pylori eradication provides a definite cure in the early stage of this neoplasia by means of a prolonged follow-up. All patients affected by low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma in stage IE that were referred to our department from January 1995 to June 1999 were enrolled in a prospective study. Diagnosis was histologically proved and H. pylori status was evaluated. Staging was performed according to a modified Ann Arbor classification. All patients who proved positive for H. pylori infection were treated with eradicating therapy, and a prolonged clinical and histologic follow-up was carried out. Until June 1999, seven low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas in stage IE were diagnosed (four men and three women; mean age, 56 years). All patients were H. pylori-positive and eradication was obtained in all of them after the first cycle of antibiotic therapy. Complete histologic regression of lymphoma was observed in all cases in a period variable between 3 and 6 months. The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range, 20-54). Only one patient showed a recurrence of lymphoma 22 months after treatment associated with H. pylori reinfection. Our results show the high efficacy of H. pylori eradication in determining a prolonged remission of low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas in stage IE. Thus, this therapeutic approach may avoid or delay the indication for more aggressive therapies, such as surgical resection.

Adult↗