Biomedical subjects

Bozica Kanceljak-Macan

Publications and source records attributed to Bozica Kanceljak-Macan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Analysis of dust samples from urban and rural occupational environments in Croatia.

This study estimated the exposure to dust mites in various occupational environments in Croatia. In total, 29 occupational dust samples were collected: 10 from urban areas (offices, archive of an insurance company, tobacco, paper-recycling, fish-processing and textile plants, animal unit for experimental rats, winery), nine from rural areas (barley, hay, animal food and flour warehouses, tailor's shops, wood processing plant, swine confinement house, grocer's storeroom), and 10 samples from cabins of five fishing boats (five floor and five bed samples). Mites were microscopically identified, and the levels of Der p 1, Der f 1, and Der 2 allergens measured using the DUSTSCREEN test (Heska AG, Switzerland). Microscopy showed no mites in urban areas. Pyroglyphid mites (D. pteronyssinus) were found in all bed samples from fishing boats. Non-pyroglyphid mites were found in samples taken from barley, hay and animal food warehouses, the swine confinement house, grocer's storeroom, and fishing boats. Pyroglyphid mite allergens were detected in eight of 10 dust samples from the fishing boats. Median levels of Der p 1, Der f 1, and Der 2 in cabin bed samples were 10 microg g(-1), 0.2 microg g(-1), and 3.5 microg g(-1), respectively. Our findings on fishing boats suggests that pyroglyphid mites could be considered work-related allergens for fishermen. The results of this study confirmed non-pyroglyphid mites as occupational risk factors in various rural environments.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2004

[Current views on allergic diseases].

Allergic diseases are an increasing health problem in the industrialised and developed countries especially in children and young adult persons. They are considered diseases of modern civilisation. The reported cumulative prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood of 25-30% includes allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and dermatitis. The reasons for this increasing prevalence are unknown. The main risk factors are genetic predisposition, allergen exposure, environmental pollutants, decreased stimulation of immune system during the critical period of development and lifestyle. Allergic diseases must be treated as common health disorder. They can express themselves in any age groups and in many different organs. IgE antibody is the main connection between involved organs. Specific IgE is still being identified using the 100 years old skin testing method and quantitative immunoenzymatic method in serum. In spite of the permanent improvement of both methods, neither skin reactivity to allergens nor measurable specific IgE necessarily mean a clinically manifested disease. The interpretation of these findings is still in the clinician's domain. Allergic diseases rarely have a fatal outcome, but have a long duration. They need a complex treatment and are a substantial individual and public socio-economic burden. Studies of factors influencing the ontogeny and maturation of the immune system in the early human development as well as studies of interaction between environment and genetic predisposition will provide a new insight in the aetiology of allergic diseases. This rewiev presents curent views on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of allergic diseases.

Allergens↗

PubMed2004

Exercise and allergic diseases.

The aim of this study was to compare exercise-induced bronchial reaction between healthy control subjects and subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA). It included 16 controls, 16 subjects with AR and 19 subjects with AA. A skin prick test, pulmonary function test, histamine challenge test and exercise challenge test (ECT) were performed in all subjects. Bronchial reaction to exercise was expressed as the fall index FEV1 (%), AUC(0-30) (min x %), and fall index FEF(25-75) (%). After ECT, subjects with AA had a significantly greater bronchial reaction to exercise than subjects with AR and controls (respective fall index FEV1 8.4, 2.9, and 2.4%, P=0.0083; AUC(0-30) 127.7, 29.6, and 33.1 min x %, P=0.025; and fall index FEF(25-75) 14.6, 0.06, and 1.9%, P<0.001). No difference was found between subjects with AR and controls. In conclusion, ECT induced a significantly greater bronchial reaction in patients with AA and bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine than in patients with AR and bronchial normoreactivity to histamine and controls. This difference was not found between subjects with AR and controls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Organic aerosols and the development of allergic disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate skin reactivity to organic dust extracts and total serum IgE and their relation to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in workers occupationally exposed to organic aerosols. It included workers employed in processing coffee, tea, dried fruits, spices, animal food, soy, hemp, cotton, swine farmers, and control groups of workers non-exposed to organic dust. All underwent a skin prick test (SPT) with water extracts of organic dust 1:10 w/v, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, mixed moulds, bacteria, histamin solution (1 mg/ml) and buffer solution. SPT was considered positive if the diameter of the observed wheal was 3 mm greater than that of buffer solution. The total IgE was measured by the PRIST method (Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Upsala) and the values > 125 kU/L were considered increased. Data on respiratory symptoms were collected by standardized questionnaire. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording MEFV curve. Airborne industrial dust were measured as total and respirable fraction. The exposed workers had a greater prevalence of positive SPT to organic dust extracts, except in soy processing. Increased IgE was found in workers processing coffee, tea, hemp, cotton and animal food, compared to non-exposed workers (P<0.05). Workers with positive SPT had a significantly higher total IgE. As there was no correlation between acute and chronic changes in ventilatory function, positive SPT, and level of total IgE, our findings could not predict objective respiratory impairment.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Pre-employment evaluation of atopy and contact sensitisation in the prevention of allergy-related diseases.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of markers of atopy and contact sensisation in asymptomatic young adults and to assess their role in pre-employment screening. The study included 351 subjects, of whom166 women (mean age 28.0 + / - 6/4 years) and 185 men (mean age 26.3 + / - 5.4 years). The pre-employment examination commissioned by a pharmaceutical company included a questionnaire, the patch test with the European standard series of contact allergens prick test with common inhalatory allergens, and the serum-specific IgE measurement. According to the medical history 115/166 (69.3%) women and 142/185 (76.8%) men were asymptomatic, but 28 (24.3%) asymptomatic women and 40 (28.2%) showed atopy and/or contact sensitization. Pre-employment allergy examination can be considered a reliable detection procedure for the majority of asymptomatic persons with atopy and contact sensitization. The knowledge of these conditions gives the opportunity for secondary prevention and better diagnostic validation of occupational allergic diseases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Allergic disorders of the respiratory system and skin as a public health problem].

The prevalence of allergic diseases is rapidly increasing over the last 40 years, especially in most industrialized countries of the world. Manifestations of allergic diseases are observed in about 35% of the general population. In this paper, the most frequent allergic respiratory and skin diseases are described (rhinitis, asthma, atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome, contact eczema/dermatitis, urticaria). The most important individual and environmental factors involved in the occurrence of allergic diseases are described: genetic predisposition, exposure to allergens, environmental pollution and modern life style are discussed. The results of our investigations related to the prevalence of allergy markers in general and working population are presented. The preventive measures concerning allergic diseases are considered.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗