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Biomedical subjects

G Fruhmann

Publications and source records attributed to G Fruhmann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Baking ingredients as a contributory cause of baker's asthma].

140 bakers with occupation-related asthma symptoms and/or rhinoconjunctivitis were tested for specific IgE antibodies against various enzyme-containing baking components. 5-24% of subjects were sensitive to several carbohydrate-splitting enzymes obtained from mould fungi (amyloglucosidase, hemicellulase and alpha-amylase), as well as/or against soya flour. But allergies against the proteolytic enzymes papain and B. subtilis protease were rare (about 1%). These results indicate that various baking components, especially mould enzymes, play a not insignificant role in the causation of baker's asthma.

Allergens↗
PubMed1988

Humidifier lung and humidifier fever.

The aim of our study was to evaluate clinical diagnoses in symptomatic persons exposed to aerosols from humidifiers or air conditioners. In addition, we tried to identify the causative antigens. Results of clinical investigations, including inhalation challenge tests, demonstrated a typical hypersensitivity pneumonitis (humidifier lung) in 9 persons and isolated systemic symptoms without significant changes in lung function and chest x-rays (humidifier fever) in 3 persons. Microbiological studies revealed a variety of fungi and bacteria in the water supplies of humidifiers and air conditioners at patients' workplaces. The detection of 4 members of the order Sphaeropsidales (Deuteromycotina), not previously associated with humidifier-induced diseases, is of special interest. By means of an improved polystyrene tube-immunoradiometric assay, high concentrations of IgG antibodies against extracts prepared from water of patients' humidifier systems were found in all cases. In addition, patients demonstrated low concentrations of IgG antibodies against thermophilic Actinomycetes, and usually also against various fungi, such as Alternaria tenuis, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergilli, and fungi of the order Sphaeropsidales, which were isolated and cultured from humidifier water supplies. The much higher concentrations of antibodies against humidifier/air conditioner water extracts seem to result from sensitization to a variety of antigens from different fungi and bacteria. For in vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests in humidifier-induced lung diseases, we especially recommend using extracts from water systems installed at the corresponding workplaces.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Lung-reactive antibodies in sera of patients with farmer's lung disease.

Lung-reactive antibodies were detected in sera of patients with farmer's lung disease and in sera of healthy persons. A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was adapted for measurement of titers of human antibodies to sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-solubilized lung proteins. The titers of antilung antibodies in patients sera were 2-5 times as much as those of healthy persons. Using the immunoblotting technique, antibodies to individual lung polypeptides could be detected. Although the specificity patterns of antibodies to lung polypeptides differed from one serum to another, patients sera contained, in general, antibodies to larger numbers of lung polypeptides as compared to sera of healthy persons. The relationship between antilung antibodies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis is discussed.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1987

Pulmonary involvement in zinc fume fever.

A patient with the clinical history of recurring zinc fume fever underwent an experimental welding exposure; this resulted in a systemic reaction and a distinct self-limiting response in the periphery of the lung, demonstrated by pulmonary function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage. These pulmonary changes observed for the first time in man were reproducible.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Detection of immunologically sensitized isocyanate workers by RAST and intracutaneous skin tests.

Antibody estimations by RAST were performed on 621 partially selected isocyanate workers whose case histories were well-documented. Two hundred forty-seven of the workers were clinically suspected to be sensitized to isocyanates since they had suffered from occupationally related recurrent asthmatic attacks, chronic obstructive lung diseases, bronchitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, and/or fever. RAST studies with seven different isocyanates conjugated to human serum albumin (HSA) demonstrated that 14% of these symptomatic subjects had significant levels of specific-IgE antibodies. On the other hand, only one of the 374 asymptomatic workers had such antibodies. In contrast to toluene diisocyanate (80:20% mixture of 2, 4 and 2, 6-isomers, if not otherwise mentioned)-HSA, a toluene diisocyanate-ovalbumin conjugate exhibited no antigenicity in nearly all of the cases. Intracutaneous skin testing with five different isocyanate-HSA conjugates performed in 203 workers produced immediate-type wheel-and-flare reactions in 14 of the 53 symptomatic persons but in none of the 150 asymptomatic probands. There was a good overall correlation between RAST and skin test results. Our findings provide strong evidence for IgE-mediated sensitization to isocyanates in a subgroup of the subjects with isocyanate-induced diseases. By means of RAST and/or skin testing these immunologically sensitized persons can be identified.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1984

Lung involvement in scleroderma.

Lung involvement (LI) was studied by lung function (LF) in 101 scleroderma patients (circumscribed scleroderma, n = 17; progressive systemic scleroderma [PSS], n = 84; with the subtypes I, acroscleroderma [n = 19]; 2, proximal ascending scleroderma [n = 61]; 3, trunk scleroderma [n = 4]). Eighteen percent of morphea, 32 percent of type 1, 56 percent of type 2, and 75 percent of type 3 patients had impaired LF. The LI was more frequent (57 percent vs 45 percent) and more severe (20 percent vs 3 percent) in PSS with systemic inflammation (form A) compared to those without (form B). Elevated lymphocytes/neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were found associated with form A and severe LI. The LF of patients showing an inflammatory cell pattern in initial BAL (n = 3) worsened, whereas those with normal BAL findings (n = 4) did not. Collagenase activity in BAL was significantly elevated in those with elevated lymphocytes/neutrophils in lavage. Patients with type 2 or 3 of PSS, especially form A, carry a higher risk of developing severe LI than circumscribed scleroderma, type 1, or form B patients. Differential cell count and collagenase activity in BAL is correlated with active disease and provides prognostic information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Right ventricular hemodynamics and lung function following amrinone injection].

UNLABELLED: Amrinone is a positive inotropic agent which has been widely used for treatment of left heart failure. As this drug has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle cells, we considered that hemodynamics and ventilatory mechanics could be simultaneously improved in patients with right heart failure caused by obstructive lung disease. Swan-Ganz catheters were used in 11 patients. Following injection of 1.5 mg/kg Amrinone, cardiac output increased from 6.1 to 6.9 l/min (p less than 0.05). Stroke volume showed only a slight increase; pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced from 407 to 308 dynes . s . cm-5 (p less than 0.01). Body plethysmographic examination revealed a decrease of specific airway resistance from 33 to 24 cm H2O . s (p less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients with right heart failure due to obstructive lung disease Amrinone application can result in an improvement in both hemodynamics and ventilatory mechanics.

Airway Resistance↗