Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Charpin

Publications and source records attributed to D Charpin.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effects of castration and testosterone on Fel dI production by sebaceous glands of male cats: I--Immunological assessment.

Fel dI is produced by salivary and sebaceous glands. Hormonal control of sebum production is clearly established. The influence of cat castration and supplementary treatment with testosterone on the production of sebum and Fel dI in cat skin have been researched in this study. On day 1, 12 male cats were anaesthetized and three skin areas carefully shaven. Then the level of lipids on skin surface was measured by means of a photometric method. Finally, the three areas of skin were washed with 5ml of distilled water through a plastic cylinder. Fel dI collected in the washes was measured with a two-site monoclonal antibody based ELISA. On day 2, six cats were castrated, the other six were used as a control group. Two and 4 weeks later, the levels of lipids and Fel dI in skin washes were measured again in all cats. On day 30, the six castrated cats were injected intramuscularly with prolonged-action testosterone. Two weeks later, quantification of lipids and Fel dI in all animals was repeated. Sebum and Fel dI levels decreased in all castrated animals. Injecting the castrated cats with testosterone led to a significant increase in sebum and Fel dI production. Our findings indicate that Fel dI production is influenced by the production of hormones.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Effects of castration and testosterone on Fel dI production by sebaceous glands of male cats: II--Morphometric assessment.

A morphometric study of cat sebaceous glands was performed to evaluate the effects of castration and testosterone treatments. Skin biopsies were taken in six cats before castration, after castration and after the testosterone injections administered after castration (total number of biopsies: 18). Ninety 8 microns thick sections of each biopsy were assessed for image analysis processing (SAMBA 2005, ALCATEL TITN). The variations in glands and cells size were evaluated on digitized microscopic images by morphometric parameters included in the SAMBA software package. An original software was developed for the analysis of the spacial gland structure. The best morphometric parameters were selected in a first step of the study, and included the nuclear surface (NS), the cell surface (CS) and the nuclear/cellular surface ratio (N/C). These three parameters were then compared in each group of samples for the six cats. It was shown that after castration the N/C (21%) significantly increased compared with prior to castration (12.6%). This 59.8% increase was mainly due to cell cytoplasm shrinking reflecting a decrease of the cell activity. The testosterone administered after castration produced a reverse effect with a N/C ratio back to normal (11.4%) and a significant cell cytoplasm and gland enlargement as shown by the three dimension constructions. This morphometric data correlated with the measurement of sebum and Fel dI productions. The negative effects of castration and the positive effects of testosterone on the sebaceous cells and glands volume favour the hypothesis that cat sebaceous cells are subject to hormonal control this is also likely to apply to the Fel dI production.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Can mite-specific IgE be used as a surrogate for mite exposure?

Several epidemiologic studies suggest that in mite-sensitive patients symptoms are dependent upon mite-exposure level. However, in clinical practice, it si not easy to measure major mite allergens. In contrast, assay of specific IgE antibodies can be done routinely. Thus, we wanted to compare, in a group of 40 mite-sensitive patients, the levels of mite-specific IgE (measured by RAST grade 0-6) and the level of mite group I allergen in mattresses (measured in micrograms/g house dust). The correlation coefficient between both variables was highly significant (P = 0.001). Subjects with a RAST grade of 3 or more had a 77% probability of being exposed to high (i.e., > 10 micrograms/g dust) mite allergen level. In contrast, subjects with RAST grades 0, 1, or 2 had a 77% probability of not being exposed to such high levels. Thus, measurement of serum mite-specific IgE level could be used in routine prediction of mite exposure.

Allergens↗
PubMed1993

[Reactions to iodine contrast media].

Contrast media are used in many radiological examinations, but they are responsible for 4.6 to 8.5 percent of the toxic or anaphylactoid adverse reactions observed. The early contrast media were hyperosmolar, whereas those in current use are isosmolar and either ionic or non-ionic. The patient's age, the presence of a pre-existing disease and a history of adverse reactions to contrast media are the most important risk factors. Seventeen to 35 percent of these reactions recur. Several physiopathological mechanisms have been blamed for adverse reactions to contrast media, including complement activation, histamine release, recruitment of inflammation mediators, and antigen-antibody reaction. There is no paraclinical examination that can diagnose or predict such reactions. Various preventive tests have been studied and applied to individuals with or without history of reaction. In a population of patients with previous reaction, the administration of corticosteroids 12 h and 2 h before the radiological examination resulted in a significant reduction of the number of reactions. In patients at risk (i.e. those with previous reactions of this kind) the results varied, but in these 2 groups of subjects non-ionic products given either alone or with corticosteroids or H1-antihistaminics reduced to 1 percent the incidence of reactions. So far, tachyphylaxis has virtually played no role compared with these preventive treatments. It is concluded that patients with a history of anaphylactoid reactions who must receive another injection of contrast medium, a non-ionic product and/or the H1-antihistaminic-corticosteroid combination should be used.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1993

Epidemiology of immediate-type allergic reactions to latex.

Latex allergy is quite common in exposed subjects. Questionnaires can bring useful information but can also be misleading because such symptoms as itching may only result from irritation. Thus, in any case, skin tests with latex must be performed. Latex allergy occurs mainly in young people exposed to latex products because of their occupation or because of repeated surgery. Atopy is a strong predisposing factor.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗
PubMed1993

Seasonal allergic symptoms and their relation to pollen exposure in south-east France.

In order to evaluate the relationship between pollen exposure and prevalence of allergic respiratory symptoms, we performed a cross-sectional epidemiological study in 2 areas with contrasted exposure to cypress and grass pollens. The study population consisted of 5427 subjects 18 to 65-years-old representative of the general population. All answered an abridged version of the 1978 ATS questionnaire and a sample had a skin test evaluation including grass and cypress pollens. Prevalence of hay fever symptoms was equal to 31.5% and 14.1%, respectively, in exposed and less exposed community (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hay fever symptoms together with a positive skin test to pollen was also significantly higher in the exposed (13.6%) vs less exposed community (5.5%, P < 0.001). In contrast, overall prevalence of asthma was equal to 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Prevalence of asthma with positive skin tests was also not statistically significant, equal to 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Thus, high exposure to pollen is a risk factor for developing hay fever but not asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Rapid Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: comparative safety of three protocols.

We compared 284 sting-allergic patients treated with either a 4 day (group 1), 6 hr (group 2) or 210 min (group 3) rapid venom immunotherapy (RVIT) protocol using honey bee (HB) or yellow jacket (YJ) venom at cumulative doses of 527.6 micrograms, 226.6 micrograms and 101.1 micrograms respectively. The 4 day protocol involved four times as many injections as the 210 min protocol and twice as many as the 6 hr protocol. Desensitization was conducted in a hospital providing full emergency resuscitation facilities. In group 1, 1 x 100 micrograms boosters were given on days 7, 10, 15 and 45 and, in groups 2 and 3, 2 x 50 micrograms boosters were given on day 15 and 1 x 100 micrograms on day 45. The patients in the three groups were comparable with regard to clinical characteristics and immunological reactivity determined by skin tests. All patients had large local reactions. Systemic reactions (SR) occurred in 28.2% of patients in group 1, 28.6% in group 2 and 6.9% in group 3. The mean total cumulative venom dose (s.e.m.) for occurrence of SR was 123.75 (+/- 24.2) in group 1, 183.27 (+/- 28.5) in group 2, and 36.43 (+/- 9.3) in group 3. HB led to more systemic reactions than YJ venom. The rate of SR decreased when the cumulative venom dose was reduced during RVIT. The median dose was 137.6 micrograms in group 1, 226.6 micrograms in group 2, and 21.1 micrograms in group 3. No systemic reactions were observed after the booster injections. The results of this study suggest that short RVIT protocols with low cumulative doses carry a lesser risk of SR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Effect of dry cleaning on mite allergen levels in blankets.

Since one of the greatest reservoirs of allergens is the blanket, we assessed mite allergen levels in dust collected from five blankets by vacuuming before and after dry cleaning with perchlorethylene and compared the results with five control blankets. Assays with monoclonal antibodies showed that group I (Der p I and Der f I) mite allergen levels per g dust were 78% lower after dry cleaning. Group I allergen levels per m2 of dry-cleaned blankets were 98% lower. RAST inhibition showed that total allergen levels decreased 70% after dry cleaning. Mite allergens were not denatured by perchlorethylene. The effect of dry cleaning resulted from physical washing out of dust and allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMed1993

Prevention of pollen rhinitis symptoms: comparison of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray and disodium cromoglycate aqueous nasal spray. A multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study.

Fluticasone propionate aqueous spray, a new intranasal corticosteroid preparation, and disodium cromoglycate 2% aqueous nasal spray, an established preventive treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis, were compared in a double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multicentric study in France. A total of 218 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by grass pollen (verified by positive skin prick test) were preventively treated before the onset of the grass pollen season with either fluticasone propionate 200 micrograms once daily or disodium cromoglycate 5.2 mg four times daily. Half of these doses was given in each nostril. Treatment started before the onset of the pollen season in most patients (178/218). Diary cards, including symptoms of rhinitis and usage of nasal sprays, were filled in twice daily for 6 weeks. Terfenadine in 60-mg tablets and eye-drops could be used as rescue medications. We treated 110 patients with fluticasone propionate and 108 patients with disodium cromoglycate. Patients treated with fluticasone propionate had significantly more days free of primary efficacy symptoms of sneezing (P < 0.001) and nasal discharge during the day (P = 0.002), as well as free of all the other nasal symptoms (P < 0.01), and significantly lower median scores (P < 0.05) for all nasal symptoms except nasal discharge than patients treated with disodium cromoglycate. There was no difference in eye symptoms or in rescue medication use between the two groups. Compliance with the treatment was assessed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1992

[Characteristics of allergic asthma].

The frequency of extrinsic (or allergic) asthma varies with age and sex. An inborn tendency to atopy, shown by a positive Phadiatop test or by skin tests positive to air-borne allergens, is found in 50% of asthmatic patients. The arguments in favour of the allergic origin of asthma are primarily clinical: same time and place of symptoms in the typical form, frequent bouts of acute rhinitis, history of familial or personal atopy. The responsible allergen is often easily identified by questioning, and its nature can be confirmed by positive skin tests. The allergens most frequently involved are air-borne allergens, notably house dust mites furs or feathers of domesticated animals, and pollens. Compared with intrinsic asthma, extrinsic asthma has the following features: it begins at an earlier age, it is less severe, it seldom evolves towards chronic ventilatory impairment and, by definition, it implies that an allergen is responsible for the onset or worsening of the symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Serological response of tuberculosis patients to antigen 60 of BCG.

Two ELISA tests (IgG and IgM) for the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis, both based on antigen 60 (A60) of M. bovis BCG, were applied to 1,644 controls and patients to analyse the immune response in different forms of this infectious disease. Out of 200 healthy individuals, 148 being tuberculin--positive BCG-vaccinated adults, only 10 contacts--nurses of the pneumology department and laboratory technicians of the mycobacterial laboratory--were found positive for anti-A60 IgG. One quarter of hospitalized patients affected by non-tuberculous pneumopathies (194 in total) were found weakly positive for anti-A60 IgG. We suppose that these positive cases have suffered from inapperant infections and are in a "persistent state". Out of 344 cases of primary pulmonary tuberculosis, 88% were positive for anti-A60 IgG and 75% for the corresponding IgM. Among 97 cases of primary extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, 94% were found IgG positive and 33% IgM positive. The difference between active and inactive post-primary (chronic) tuberculosis was striking: about 100% of both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary cases (367 altogether) had high titers of anti-A60 IgG but IgM positivity was observed in only 15% of the cases, whereas in inactive and quiescent noncavitary tuberculosis (442 cases), 57% of the patients were weakly positive for anti-A60 IgG and none were positive for IgM. Kinetics of synthesis of anti-A60 IgG and IgM were analysed in primary and post-primary (chronic) active tuberculosis. The IgM tracing immune response to A60 was shorter and lower during primary tuberculosis as compared to post-primary tuberculosis. Our findings point to the high prognostic value of the A60- ELISA test for tuberculosis. Anti-A60 IgM mark initial stages of the disease or reactivation processes whereas anti-A60 IgG last longer than IgM and provide an evaluation of the intensity of the infectious process. Repeated serological tests allow monitoring of the course of the infection and the efficacy of therapy. The test is negative in healthy BCG-vaccinated persons (tuberculin-positive) and healed tuberculous infection cases. The combined use of both IgG and IgM tests helps in the correct diagnosis of "false positive" cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of latex allergy in operating room nurses.

The twofold purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of latex sensitivity in a large group of operating room nurses and to evaluate the relationship between questionnaire responses and skin tests. Of the total target population of 268 operating room nurses, 248 (93%) answered the questionnaire and 197 had skin prick tests to latex (1/10 wt/vol solution). Symptoms associated with glove wearing were acknowledged by 41.1% of nurses. Skin tests to latex were positive in 21 nurses (10.7%), 4.4 times more often in atopic nurses. Among nurses complaining of local symptoms, only 18.6% had positive skin tests. Itching of the hands during glove wearing correlated poorly with latex sensitivity, but correlation with local urticaria was better. Atopic nurses complaining of urticaria had latex allergy in 70% of cases. Thus latex allergy is common in nurses, especially atopic nurses. A questionnaire is unreliable in predicting latex sensitivity and must be supported by latex skin test. More data will be needed to assess the risk of anaphylactic perioperative reactions in operating room nurses.

Adult↗