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Biomedical subjects

D Charpin

Publications and source records attributed to D Charpin.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[The epidemiology of allergy to house dust mites].

Currently, several studies show that sensitivity to mites is frequently found in the general population and in people suffering from respiratory allergic disorders. Thus 5 - 30% of the general population has positive skin tests whilst such sensitivity is found in 45 - 85% of asthmatic subjects. Certain studies have tried to establish a threshold of allergenicity beyond which the respiratory manifestations in allergic subjects became important. It seems after different studies that a threshold of 10 micrograms of antigen group I (the sum of the major antigens greater than Der p 1 and Der f 1) per gram of house dust may be a threshold beyond which the risk for the appearance of respiratory manifestation and in particular those of asthma in allergic subjects may be important. Moreover other studies tried to achieve a better understanding of the role of environmental conditions which favour the development of the mites. No or very few mites can develop if the relative internal humidity is less than 45% for an indoor temperature of 22 degrees C. These levels may be obtained in particular at altitude or in regions where the absolute outdoor humidity is low or the indoors are well heated and well ventilated. Epidemiological studies carried out in the last few years show that the relation between allergic respiratory mites disorders again show the frequency of diseases linked to the mites and the major influence of the environment as well as the idea of a tolerable allergenic threshold.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Acute and long-term effectiveness of tulobuterol inhaler, a new beta 2-agonist, in the treatment of asthma.

Two separate studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tulobuterol and the development of tachyphylaxis, if any, after prolonged use. The first, a double blind, crossover study, compared the efficacy and safety of tulobuterol aerosol 400 micrograms tid and salbutamol aerosol 200 micrograms tid in 38 patients with reversible obstructive airways disease. Each study period lasted 4 weeks, separated by a one week washout period. Evaluation of efficacy was performed on day 1 by monitoring spirometric values up to 6 hours postdosing. Additionally, changes in baseline pulmonary function were evaluated by measuring FEV1, FVC and PEFR at each weekly visit. Twenty-nine patients were evaluable. Tulobuterol was shown to be as effective as salbutamol in onset, peak, and duration of response. Mean increases in FEV1 after tulobuterol ranged from 22% at 5 minutes postdose to 30% at 1 hour postdose; a clinically significant mean increase of 24% was recorded after 3 hours. In comparison, mean increases for salbutamol were 24% at 5 minutes postdose and 31% at 1 hour postdose; after 3 hours the mean increase was 21%. Statistically significantly greater increases in mean baseline FEV1 were recorded in favor of tulobuterol. Following 2 weeks of each treatment, tulobuterol showed a mean increase of 14%, compared to a mean postsalbutamol increase of 12%. After 4 weeks, differences were again statistically significant, with tulobuterol showing a mean increase in baseline FEV1 of 17% compared to 3% for salbutamol. Tulobuterol treatment was associated with smaller changes in blood pressure and pulse rate than salbutamol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Immunotherapy in allergic respiratory diseases.

Much more work is needed to specify the correct indications for immunotherapy in respiratory allergic diseases. Immunotherapy with pollen and mite extracts has shown some clinical efficacy versus placebo in controlled studies in allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. However, controlled studies comparing the cost, the risk factors and the efficacy of immunotherapy versus treatment with antihistaminic drugs, bronchodilators and topical steroids are needed. Additional studies are needed to established the place of immunotherapy in animal danders and mould allergy. In any case, before initiating immunotherapy in respiratory allergy the following questions must be answered: is there sufficient evidence of a close relationship between symptoms and allergen exposure? is it possible to achieve efficient allergen avoidance? is simple drug treatment no sufficient? is there evidence in the literature of effectiveness of IT for this allergen? is the patient able to comply with a long and constraining treatment?

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Cat skin as an important source of Fel d I allergen.

It is generally recognized that cat skin is an important extrasalivary source of the major cat allergen, Fel d I. Nevertheless, since cat saliva is readily applied to the skin during grooming, we tried to demonstrate that Fel d I can accumulate on cat skin without licking. Eight adult female cats were used. On day 0, two separate sites of the trunk were shaved and a 6 cm2 area in each site was washed three times with 5 ml of distilled water. The first and third washes were collected and stored for assay. The areas were then covered with an occlusive dressing. Twenty-four hours later, the site was washed once and the sample stored. On day 7, washes were collected as on day 0, and a collar was attached to the neck to prevent contamination from saliva. A single wash was done 24 hours later. Comparison of data was achieved with an analysis of variance. Repeated washes significantly reduced Fel d I levels from 35 +/- 21 to 10 +/- 9 mU/cm2 on day 0 (p less than 0.01) and from 36 +/- 18 to 12 +/- 7 mU/cm2 on day 7 (p less than 0.01). Fel d I levels increased significantly after 24 hours of occlusion from 10 +/- 9 to 41 +/- 24 mU/cm2 (p less than 0.01) and collar wearing from 12 +/- 7 to 54 +/- 21 mU/cm2 (p less than 0.001). These findings demonstrate that Fel d I is produced by cat skin. Mean daily production of Fel d I by cat skin is estimated to be 36 units. Cat skin is an important extrasalivary source of Fel d I.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Atopy and systemic reactions to drugs.

To elucidate whether systemic reactions (SR) to drugs should be included in the atopic status in epidemiological studies, we compared the distribution of atopy in subjects with or without a history of SR to drugs. The studied population comprised 2067 adults, 20 to 60 years old, visiting a health care center for a check-up examination. The protocol included a questionnaire related to history of SR to drugs and a Phadiatop test which evaluates on a blood sample the presence of specific IgE against common aeroallergens. Overall, 14.7% of the study group, including 66% women, reported reliable histories of SR to drugs. The cumulative prevalence of asthma, hay fever and childhood dermatitis was higher in the SR group. By contrast, the percentage of positive Phadiatop tests was similar in subjects with or without a history of SR. Thus atopy, defined by an objective criterion, i.e. the presence of specific IgE against common aero-allergens, is not associated with the occurrence of SR to drugs. Such a history should not be included as part of the atopic status.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Value of ELISA using A60 antigen in the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

This investigation was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using A60 antigen in ascertaining diagnosis in hospitalized patients suspected to have pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) but with negative sputum stains. Cultures were performed to confirm active or inactive disease. IgG and IgM antibody activity was determined by adding a 1:100 dilution of serum to plates coated with A60 antigen. After addition of peroxidase-conjugated antihuman IgG or IgM and color development, optical density (OD) was determined. A total of 83 patients was studied, taking into account their current disease status and prior history. Using as a cutoff value the mean value +/- 2 SD measured in the negative culture, no TB history group, that is, OD = 0.50 for IgG measurements and 0.43 for IgM measurements, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of IgG measurements were equal to 48, 71, and 50%, respectively. Using IgM measurements, these parameters were equal to 76, 98, and 95%, respectively. Combining the results of IgG and IgM measurements, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were equal to 68, 100, and 100%, respectively. Thus, the ELISA described here can greatly facilitate the diagnosis of TB in patients with negative smears.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

[Gastroesophageal reflux and respiratory manifestations: diagnostic approach, therapeutic indications and results].

The authors report a study of 140 patients presenting with a non-allergic respiratory tract disease (121 cases of asthma--19 cases of spasmodic cough). Gastro-oesophageal reflux was detected by 24-hour pHmetry in 86 of these patients. In 34 of them (i.e. 40% of cases), the gastro-oesophageal reflux appeared to be responsible for the initial respiratory tract symptoms. These 34 patients were submitted to a therapeutic trial of high dose anti-H2 therapy for at least two months. Only those patients in whom a marked improvement or even complete resolution of the respiratory tracts symptoms was observed underwent anti-reflux surgery. Out of the 13 patients undergoing surgery, there were two failures and 11 good results after a follow-up of more than 18 months.

Asthma↗
PubMed1990

[Plasma cell granuloma. Report of a case].

The authors report a case of plasma cell granuloma of the lung, an inflammatory tumour occurring in a young Egyptian aged 23 without any history of chest diseases. The patient had had three weeks before his hospital admission light haemoptysis and associated with weight loss. The diagnosis was made on a bronchial biopsy. Thus a diagnosis could be made without recourse to surgery because of the occurrence of bronchial invasion. No aetiological factor was found to explain the pathogenesis of the granuloma.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Bronchial challenge to house dust can induce immediate bronchoconstriction in allergic asthmatic patients.

The goal of the study was to evaluate whether natural exposure to house dust could elicit immediate bronchoconstriction. Two groups of asthmatic patients were studied: 12 asthmatics allergic to house dust mites and seven nonallergic asthmatics. The baseline FEV1 was similar in the two groups. Each subject was challenged through a nasal mask connected to nebulizer filled with house dust. Patients were randomly assigned to inhale dust with high or low Group I allergenic level. All allergic patients had an FEV1 drop larger than 20% of the baseline value. This drop was maximal at the 30th minute after challenge. FEV1 remained unchanged in nonallergic asthmatics. Allergic patients challenged with high Group I allergenic house dust (8.4 micrograms/g) had a mean FEV1 drop larger (P less than .01) than those challenged with the low Group I allergenic house dust (0.66 micrograms/g). Late asthmatic reactions were found in only two patients who were challenged with the high Group I allergenic house dust. These two patients had immediate FEV1 drops greater than 50% of the baseline value. Occurrence of symptoms during the test and the drop in FEV1 were correlated (r = .3; P less than .05). Natural exposure to house dust can induce immediate bronchial in allergic asthmatics in a dose-dependent manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of loratadine in perennial allergic rhinitis.

Loratadine, a new nonsedating antihistamine, was evaluated for efficacy and safety in 228 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Taken at a dose of 10 mg once daily, loratadine was significantly more effective than placebo and comparable to terfenadine, 60 mg taken twice daily, in reducing combined symptom scores in this patient population. Efficacy was maintained throughout the 28-day course of treatment. The overall incidence of side effects with loratadine was low (14%) with few occurrences of sedation (3%) and dry mouth (4%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Respiratory allergy and domestic animals. Survey in a sample of the general population].

To evaluate the role of exposure to furred pets on respiratory allergic disorders, we interviewed 10,338 adults, selected at random from communities of South-East France. All subjects answered a standardized questionnaire related to asthma and perennial rhinitis and to present or past exposure to furred pets and respiratory symptoms related to this exposure. Besides, a sample of the population had a blood analysis for detection of specific IgE directed against common aero-allergens (Phadiatop). Overall, more than half of the households had a pet, more often in rural than urban communities. Among asthmatics 9.3% acknowledged respiratory symptoms when exposed to pets and 5.9% had parted from their pets because of respiratory symptoms; among patients with chronic rhinitis, those figures were 5.1% and 2.6%, respectively. However, these subjects with respiratory symptoms had pets as often as the whole population. In atopic subjects (positive Phadiatop test), exposed to cats, the prevalence of perennial rhinitis was higher than in atopic subjects not exposed to cats and in non-atopic subjects. Thus furred pets have a deleterious influence on patients with asthma or rhinitis, especially in the atopic subgroup. Pet avoidance is an important factor in the management of these diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Allergy to Hymenoptera. Incidence and degree of public knowledge].

The prevalence of systemic reactions to hymenoptera stings in adults is unknown. To elucidate this point we interviewed 2.067 persons aged from 20 to 60 years who attended a medical screening centre. We asked them whether they had ever experienced a reaction this kind, what they knew about it and what they did, and we performed skin tests to hymenoptera venoms in those who gave a positive answer. The proportion of subjects who had had at least one type of systemic reaction after being stung was 1.2 per cent; 0.9 per cent of the subjects had both a history of reaction and a positive skin test. This figure is in keeping with those obtained in surveys carried out among children, but is does not tally with the mortality figures which probably are grossly under-estimated. The general population is not adequately informed of possible systemic reactions to hymenoptera stings, so that people often fail to consult, and the practitioners themselves do not advise their patients to see an allergologist for evaluation. Thus, adequate information of the general population and the physicians is badly needed.

Adult↗