Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Solé

Publications and source records attributed to D Solé.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among Brazilian schoolchildren (13-14 years old): comparison between ISAAC Phases One and Three.

The present study is aimed to describe the changes in the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis and eczema among Brazilian adolescents (AD, 13-14 years old) between Phases 1 and 3 of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in AD from five Brazilian cities (Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and São Paulo), obtained during ISAAC Phase 1 (n = 15 419) and Phase 3 (n = 15 684), was compared to determine the trend of prevalence in a 7-year interval. There was a trend to reduction in the current prevalence of wheezing and increasing of nocturnal cough when averaging figures from the five cities. The prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months was 27.7 vs. 19.9% (p < 0.01); asthma ever 14.9 vs. 14.7% (p > 0.05); severe episode of wheezing 5.2 vs. 5.2%; nocturnal cough 32.6 vs. 34.9% (p < 0.01); exercise wheezing 23.6 vs. 23.0% (p > 0.05) and awake with wheezing 11.8 vs. 11.2% (p > 0.05). Similar things were observed with the prevalence of current symptoms of rhinitis and eczema. In Brazil, there was a small but significant mean decrease in the prevalence of two asthma-related symptoms, wheezing and nocturnal cough, though this trend was not consistent in the surveyed cities. The prevalence of asthma symptoms in Brazil, despite its mean trend to a decrease, is still one of the highest in Latin America.

Adolescent↗

Antibody response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine in Down syndrome patients.

The majority of children with Down syndrome (DS) tend to have frequent bacterial infections including recurrent respiratory infections. Our objective was to evaluate the production of antibodies to pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens after active immunization in DS subjects. IgG antibodies to pneumococcal serotypes (1, 3, 6B, 9V, and 14) were measured before and 6 weeks after immunization with a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumo23, Pasteur-Merrieux) in 6- to 13-year-old DS children (N = 17) and in aged-matched normal controls (N = 30). An adequate response was defined as a 4-fold increase over baseline or a post-immunization level of specific pneumococcal serotype antibody > or = 1.3 microg/mL. After immunization, all DS children had an increase in post-immunization levels against all serotypes analyzed. A 4-fold or more increase was observed in all DS children concerning serotypes 1 and 14, in 90% of subjects for serotypes 3 and 9V, and in 65% for serotype 6B. Regarding this increase, 8 of the 17 DS children had an adequate response to all serotypes analyzed, 8/17 patients to 4 serotypes and 1/17 to 3 serotypes. However, when we compared post-immunization levels between DS children and controls, we observed lower levels in the former group (P < 0.05) for all serotypes except serotype 3. We conclude that pneumococcal polysaccharide immunization could be beneficial for these DS children.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of atopic eczema and related symptoms in Brazilian schoolchildren: results from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase 3.

BACKGROUND: International comparisons of the prevalence of atopic eczema and related symptoms are scarce. The standardized protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) facilitates investigation of prevalence all over the world. OBJECTIVE: To apply the ISAAC written questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence of atopic eczema and related symptoms among 6-7 year-old children and 13-14 year-old adolescents living in 20 Brazilian cities. METHODS: The ISAAC written questionnaire was filled in by 23,422 children aged 6-7 years and 58,144 adolescents aged 13-14 years living in 2 population centers in the north, 8 in the northeast, 1 in the midwest, 5 in the southeast, and 5 in the south. RESULTS: The prevalence of flexural eczema (itchy rash ever in characteristic places in the last 12 months) ranged from 5.3% to 13.0% for children and was lower among the adolescents (range, 3.4%-7.9%). Among children, the highest rates were observed in population centers in the northeast, mainly along the coast. Among adolescents the highest rates were observed in the north and northeast, mainly in Natal, Aracaju, and Vitória da Conquista. The northeastern countryside had higher prevalence rates of severe eczema (kept awake at night by this itchy rash in the last 12 months) in comparison to northeastern coastal centers. There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of flexural eczema and severe eczema for both age groups, separately (6-7 year-olds, prho= 0.756, P<.004; 13-14 year-olds, rho=0.874, P<.0001) or grouped (6-7 plus 13-14 years-olds, rho=0.696, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of eczema and related symptoms is variable in Brazil, where the highest prevalence is found in the north and northeast; on the other hand, a higher prevalence of severe eczema was observed in Brazilian centers in the south.

Adolescent↗

Nasal provocation test (NPT) with isolated and associated dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic controls.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation of endotoxin may enhance inflammatory airway response in sensitized asthmatics persons after allergen(s) inhalation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nasal response to intranasal instillation of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), endotoxin (LPS), and to Dp+LPS in children with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: 10 PAR children (positive skin prick test to Dp) and 10 nonallergic controls (C) undergoing nasal provocation test (NPT), who were quantified by active anterior rhinomanometry and measurement of Total Nasal Resistance (TNR). The NPTs were initially performed with histamine (H; 0.03 to 16.0 mg/mL), and then, at least at weekly intervals, the NPTs were done with Dp (1/100,000 to 1/2.5), LPS (1 to 500 mg/mL) and to Dp+LPS. During NPT with Dp+LPS, Dp concentration was kept constant (1/100,000; 1/10,000; 1/1,000) and was combined with different concentrations of LPS (1, 5, 10, 20 mg/mL). The NPT was considered positive when TNR reached twice the basal TNR. RESULTS: H and Dp NPTs were positive in all AR children. In group C, H NPT was positive in 60% and Dp NPT was negative in all children. NPT with LPS was positive only in 30% of the AR children. NPT with Dp+LPS was positive in 90% of the AR patients in Dp concentration of 1/1,000 and in LPS concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mcg/ mL. This positive association was observed with Dp concentrations lower than those obtained during NPT with Dp in 60% of AR patients. There were no changes in pulmonary function tests in all children after NPT. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that LPS enhances the effects of allergen challenges on nasal airflow. The daily inhalation of allergens plus endotoxin in AR patients does increase the nasal responsiveness.

Adolescent↗

IGF-I, IGF-BP3, and GH serum levels after stimulation tests in prepubertal allergic boys.

The prevalence of short stature (SS, < 3rd percentile NCHS) among children with respiratory allergy (asthma and/or rhinitis) varies from 2% to 10%. In spite of several studies, the etiology of SS in those patients remains unknown. We evaluated growth hormone (GH) serum levels in response to two stimulating tests (standardized exercise and clonidine) in prepubertal boys (G1P1, Tanner; 8 years and 5 months to 14 years) with SS, 14 of them with respiratory allergy (A, positive skin prick test to D. pteronyssinus) and 5 nonallergic children (NA). Other causes of SS were excluded in both groups. Patients had mild asthma and/or rhinitis, and they had never received inhaled or systemic corticosteroid at any time. Tests were performed on different days, at least 1 week apart. [To prevent exercise-induced asthma, 30 min before the exercise test, allergic children inhaled disodium cromoglycate (2 mg)]. GH serum levels (Immunoassay, AIA-PACK HGH, Tosoh Co, Japan) were determined at the following times: exercise (E)--basal, 5, 15, and 30 min after exercising for 6 min; clonidine (C)--basal, 30, 60, and 90 min after clonidine (0.15 mg/m2 body surface) ingestion. A response was considered positive when GH serum levels reached the minimum of 10 ng/ml. Among (the allergic) A patients, four responded to both tests, five to C (clonidine) alone, four to E (exercise) alone and one had no response. Among NA, four had a positive response to both tests and one to C (clonidine) alone. The serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) (DSL-5600 Active TM IGF-I Coated-Tube IRMA [DSL Lab Inc, USA]) and its binding protein (IGF-BP3) (DSL-6600 Active TM IGF-BP3 Coated-Tube IRMA [DSL Lab Inc, USA]) were within the normal range except for one A child. Bone age was delayed in relation to chronological age in all children, but adequate for height age. All children had delayed skeletal age in relation to chronological age, but bone age was normal for height. We concluded that in the children studied a deficiency of GH does not seem to be responsible for SS.

Adolescent↗

International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood: validation of the rhinitis symptom questionnaire and prevalence of rhinitis in schoolchildren in São Paulo, Brazil.

Written questionnaires (WQ) have been widely used in epidemiologic studies. In order to yield comparable results, they must be validated after translation to another language. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) WQ has been previously validated by a comprehensive study, but its validation in Brazil has not been performed. Our objectives were to validate the rhinitis component of the ISAAC's self-applicable WQ following its translation to Portuguese, and to determine the prevalence of rhinitis and related symptoms among Brazilian children living in the city of São Paulo. A group of 10 pediatricians and 10 pediatric allergists graded the questions from 0 to 2 and established a maximum score for each question. The WQ was answered by parents or guardians of children 6-7 years of age with rhinitis (R) (n = 27) and of control children of the same age without rhinitis (C) (n = 27). The WQ was also completed by adolescents 13-14 years of age with rhinitis (R) (n = 32) and without rhinitis (C) (n = 32). Half of these individuals answered the same WQ after 2-4 weeks, to ensure reproducibility. Cut-off scores of 4 and 3 were identified for the 6-7- and 13-14-year-old groups, respectively, as scores predictive of rhinitis. The prevalence of rhinitis was 28.8% in the group of 3005 children 6-7 years of age and 31.7% in the group of 3008 children 13-14 years of age, respectively. Using the global cut-off score, these prevalences were even higher, in the order of 34.7% and 40.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the rhinitis component of the ISAAC WQ was proven to be reproducible, adequate and able to discriminate children and adolescents with and without rhinitis, and revealed that the prevalence of rhinitis among Brazilian children living in the city of São Paulo was as high as the prevalence of rhinitis in other areas of the world.

Adolescent↗

Cow's milk protein intolerance and chronic constipation in children.

Cow's milk protein (CMP) allergy was investigated in 25 children (age-range 3 months to 11 years) with chronic constipation. A diagnosis of constipation was made on the basis of a history of painful elimination of hard stools for at least 1 month, whether or not associated with a reduced frequency of stools or soiling. The children were evaluated using clinical parameters and the following laboratory tests: total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE); specific IgE (radioallergosorbent test [RAST]) for whole cow's milk, alpha-lactoalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, and a food group; and skin-prick tests with whole milk, alpha-lactoalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, and casein. Following the evaluation, the children were submitted to a CMP-free diet for a period of 4 weeks. In seven patients (28%), constipation disappeared during the CMP-free diet and reappeared within 48-72 h following challenge with cow's milk. In two infants a rectal biopsy revealed allergic colitis and they therefore did not undergo the challenge. High serum levels of total IgE were observed in five of the children who showed a clinical improvement (71%), a positive skin-test in two (29%), and detectable specific IgE in two (29%). These results suggest that CMP allergy or intolerance should be considered as a cause of chronic refractory constipation in children, although the underlying mechanism still require further investigation.

Child↗

[Pulmonology in adolescence]

OBJECTIVE: To review concepts, long-term treatment schemes and peculiarities of the approach to adolescents with respiratory allergy, asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. METHODS: The data were obtained by systematic revision of studies published in the BIREME database between 1990 and 2001. RESULTS: Most teenagers with asthma and/or rhinitis prefer to view their disease as episodic and do not accept the need for regular medication. These factors combined with the fear of being different from their peer group are responsible for poor treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS: It is extremely important that adolescent patients affected by asthma and/or allergic rhinitis be well-informed about their condition and receive proper medication; however, the following should also be considered: 1) open communication between the clinician and adolescent patients 2) inquiry into the fears and anxieties of the patient 3) shared responsibility for the treatment.

Journal Article↗

International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC): prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms among Brazilian schoolchildren.

We have studied the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms using a standard written questionnaire (WQ) designed for the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC). The WQ (questions 1 through 8 related to asthma) was applied to 13,604 children aged 6-7 years from six Brazilian cities: Porto Alegre (South, N = 2,976), Curitiba (South, N = 1,664), São Paulo (Southeast, N = 3,005), Uberlândia (Southeast, N = 3,002), Itabira (Southeast, N = 1,551) and Recife (Northeast, N = 1,406). At the age of 13-14 years the WQ was applied to 20,554 schoolchildren living in Porto Alegre (South, N = 3,198), Curitiba (South, N = 3,008), São Paulo (Southeast, N = 3,008), Uberlândia (Southeast, N = 3,001), Itabira (Southeast, N = 2,134), Salvador (Northeast, N = 3,119) and Recife (Northeast, N = 3,086). The parents of the younger children answered the WQ, whereas the adolescents answered the questionnaire themselves. The response rates were 72% and 93% for the 6-7-year-old children and for the 13-14-year-old children, respectively. There was a slight predominance of male children in the population studied. In the group of 6-7-year-olds, the prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 7.3% for boys and 4.9% for girls: in the group of 13-14-year-olds the rates were 9.8% and 10.2%, respectively. Asthma severity was similar for both age groups, and wheezing following exercise was more frequent among the adolescents. In keeping with studies from other parts of the world, comparison between reported symptoms and diagnosed asthma revealed a significantly lower frequency of diagnosed asthma, suggesting that in the study population, asthma is underdiagnosed.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of asthma symptoms in Latin America: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms indicative of asthma in children from Latin America has been largely ignored. As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), 17 centers in 9 different Latin American countries participated in the study, and data from 52,549 written questionnaires (WQ) in children aged 13-14 years and from 36,264 WQ in 6-7 year olds are described here. In children aged 13-14 years, the prevalence of asthma ever ranged from 5.5-28%, and the prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months from 6.6-27%. In children aged 6-7 years, the prevalence of asthma ever ranged from 4.1-26.9%, and the prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months ranged from 8.6-32.1%. The lower prevalence in centers with higher levels of atmospheric pollution suggests that chronic inhalation of polluted air in children does not contribute to asthma. Furthermore, the high figures for asthma in a region with a high level of gastrointestinal parasite infestation, and a high burden of acute respiratory infections occurring early in life, suggest that these factors, considered as protective in other regions, do not have the same effect in this region. The present study indicates that the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in Latin America is as high and variable as described in industrialized or developed regions of the world.

Adolescent↗

Inhaled budesonide for the treatment of acute wheezing and dyspnea in children up to 24 months old receiving intravenous hydrocortisone.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids are highly effective in the treatment of asthma at all ages, and their use in younger children is increasing. There are no data currently available on the treatment of infants with acute wheeze and dyspnea with nebulized budesonide. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the clinical effect of nebulized budesonide in infants with acute wheeze and dyspnea. METHODS: A prospective study was performed comparing the addition of nebulized budesonide 0.25 mg every 6 hours (group A, n = 32) and nebulized ipratropium bromide 0.1 mg every 6 hours (group B, n = 39) with the normal treatment regimen with intravenous fluid, hydrocortisone, and nebulized fenoterol. A clinical score was made at admission and every 12 hours. The score included wheezing and costal retraction (0-6) and respiratory rate (counts per minute). RESULTS: Seventy-one infants aged 3 to 24 months were studied (42 boys). A statistically significant reduction was seen in clinical score and respiratory rate in both groups 12 hours after admission. The children who received budesonide improved significantly faster than the children who received ipratropium bromide, and the hospitalization period was significantly lower in the budesonide group (66.4 hours) compared with the ipratropium bromide group (93 hours) (P <.01). Three patients from the budesonide group and 2 from the ipratropium bromide group were readmitted within the first 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Treatment of infants with acute wheeze with nebulized budesonide is associated with faster clinical improvement and reduction in hospital stay period.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inverse association between skin response to aeroallergens and Schistosoma mansoni infection.

BACKGROUND: Helminthic infections and allergic disease are highly prevalent in many areas of the world. It is known that IgE antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of both helminthiasis and atopy. However, the consequences of the presence of helminthic infections in atopic patients are still not completely understood. METHODS: Subjects infected by Schistosoma mansoni with more than 200 eggs/g of feces (n = 42) and uninfected subjects (n = 133) were selected from an endemic area of schistosomiasis. The history of allergy and results of the immediate hypersensitivity prick tests with inhalant allergen extracts were registered. Total IgE and IgE specific to S. mansoni and aeroallergens were measured in serum by ELISA. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals with a positive skin test to allergens was higher in the uninfected group (24.3%) than in the group with more than 200 eggs/g of feces (4.8%). The odds of atopy (defined as a positive test for at least one of the antigens) were 5 times higher (odds ratio = 7.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.6-31.1%; p = 0.01) in the uninfected group, after taking into account the potential influence of gender and age. While there was a tendency for higher total and S. mansoni-specific IgE levels in infected patients, an opposite trend, that is higher aeroallergen-specific IgE, was observed in uninfected subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong and statistically significant inverse association between the immediate skin test response to common aeroallergens and infection by S. mansoni. The results indicate that immediate hypersensitivity reactions may be suppressed in S. mansoni-infected individuals.

Adolescent↗

Placental transfer of IgG antibodies against Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide in Brazilian term and preterm newborns.

Placental transfer of antibodies to polysaccharide antigens is still a controversial subject. The incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections is high in countries where the vaccine has not been included in routine immunization schedules. In the present work, we proposed to evaluate the natural immune response to Hib capsular polysaccharide in term and preterm Brazilian newborns and their respective mothers. Although the means, medians, and ranges of antibody titres in paired maternal and cord sera from preterm neonates were similar, the maternal levels were slightly higher than the cord levels and a poor correlation between these levels was verified. Term neonates showed similar antibody levels to those of their respective mothers and a very significant correlation between these levels was observed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Transplacental transmission of serotype-specific pneumococcal antibodies in a Brazilian population.

The highest incidence of severe pneumococcal infections in children occurs in the first 6 months of life; however, immunization of infants with the existing polysaccharide vaccines is ineffective. We wished to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) pneumococcal antibodies in unimmunized Brazilian mothers and their transplacental transmission to term and preterm infants. Total IgG, IgG1 and -2 subclass levels, and IgG antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 6B, 9V, and 14 were determined in 15 pairs of mothers and term newborns (gestational age, >/=37 weeks) and in 18 pairs of mothers and preterm newborns (gestational age, 32 to 36 weeks). Serotype-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies were detected by a recently standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay calibrated with the 89-SF reference serum. Varying percentages of the mothers had antibody concentrations below arbitrarily defined protective levels: 33% for serotype 1, 67% for serotype 3, 30% for serotype 6B, 52% for serotype 9V, and 22% for serotype 14. In term newborns, IgG1 concentrations were slightly higher than maternal concentrations; in preterm newborns, the concentrations were much lower. Concentrations of IgG2 in term and preterm infants were significantly lower than in the mothers. Transplacental transmission of antibodies to serotypes 3 and 14 was clearly different from that of antibodies to serotypes 1, 6B, and 9V. Concentrations of IgG antibodies against serotypes 3 and 14 were similar to or higher than those of the mothers; against serotypes 1, 6B, and 9V they ranged from 77 to 83% of maternal concentrations in term newborns and also in preterm infants, although transplacental transmission of antibodies was proportionally lower for each specific serotype in preterm than in term infants. These data are relevant for developing strategies to protect infants against pneumococcal infections in the first months of life. Our findings and a review of existing information stress the importance of understanding the relationships among pneumococcal immunization, IgG subclass antibodies to individual serotypes, transplacental transport, half-life, and antibody function and their protective values against infection.

Adolescent↗