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Biomedical subjects

D Vervloet

Publications and source records attributed to D Vervloet.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
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↗
PubMed1994

[Reactions to iodinated contrast media].

ICPs are used for many radiological examinations but are responsible for 4.6 to 8.5% of secondary reactions, which may perhaps be of the toxic or anaphylactoid types. Asthma, taking of beta-blockers, and previous reactions to an ICP injection are risk factors for an anaphylactoid reaction. Several mechanisms are involved but it seems to be exceptional that there is an IgE-dependent reaction. There is no paraclinical examination for diagnosis or prediction of reactions. There are hyperosmolar ICPs and others, more recent, which are non-ionic, of reduced osmolality. Non-ionic ICPs induce only a quarter of the secondary reactions of all types together and the reactions are often less severe. When a new injection, they reduce the risk of recurrence in patients who have already had reactions. The best subject protection lies in a premedication with corticosteroids and use of a non-ionic ICP. The latter should also be prescribed if possible, in all where increase in osmolality is contraindicated.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1994

[Origin of allergens in the cat].

Danders and animal products have long been recognized as major allergens. One of the most common animals responsible for allergy is cat. Fel d I the major allergen has been detected in fur and a number of authors have claimed that saliva is the principal source of this major allergen and that pelt is contaminated as a result of licking during grooming. We could demonstrate that one of the major sources of Fel d I present on the skin are sebaceous glands and that the production of Fel d I is under hormonal control at least in male cats. Castration decreases significantly the level of Fel d I on the skin and the injection of testosterone reverses the phenomenon. These data lead to continue the work about the regulation of this protein and the knowledge of its biological function.

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

[Acute bronchospasm due to periwinkle alkaloid and mitomycin association].

We report six cases in which patients presented with acute dyspnoea following injections of either vindesine or vinorelbin. These patients were receiving chemotherapy in association with cisplatin, mitomycin, and vindesine or vinorelbin, for inoperable bronchial cancer. Three of the patients had evidence of airflow obstruction before these incidents. The clinical picture suggested bronchospasm and appeared in the two hours following an injection of the vinca alkaloid and a significant time away from the administration of the mitomycin. Additional respiratory support was necessary in one patient, the bronchial spasm stopped spontaneously in three cases, and following bronchodilator in two. The respiratory toxicity of vinca alkaloids (vindesine, vinblastin) was observed in 4% of the cases, uniquely when they were associated with mitomycin. Vinorelbin seems to possess the same respiratory toxicity. The bronchospasm, sometimes very severe, seems to occur in the two hours following the injection in the case of the cytotoxics and some time after the administration of mitomycin. The recurrence of the bronchospasm is a constant feature when the vinca alkaloid is readministered. This side effect is different to the pulmonary fibrosis due to mitomycin. Clinical follow up and spirometry is thus necessary in those patients receiving chemotherapy in which vinca alkaloids and mitomycin are associated and the regime should be followed after each administration of a vinca derivative. After the first episode of dyspnoea, it is probably wise to stop the administration of these anti-mitotics to prevent any further respiratory side-effects which could be more severe.

Acute Disease↗
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

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↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of allergy to hymenoptera stings in different samples of the general population.

To get figures of prevalence of systemic reactions (SRs) to hymenoptera sting in adults between the ages of 18 to 65 years, we performed three different surveys using the same questionnaire from 1984 to 1988. The first one was a door-to-door survey in Southeast France, which included 8271 adults and used a questionnaire. The second one, which included 2067 adults, was performed in a health care center and comprised the same questionnaire and venom skin tests in subjects reporting a history of SRs. The third survey was a national poll performed through a home-based national computer network. The percentage of SRs ranged from 0.66% in the second survey including skin tests to 3.3% in the poll survey. The higher prevalence figure in this latter survey may be related to a false-positive history. There was no urban-rural difference in prevalence of SR.

Adolescent↗