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G Gastaminza

Publications and source records attributed to G Gastaminza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Cross-reactivity between obeche wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) and natural rubber latex.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that allergy to natural rubber latex is associated with cross reactivity to other plants. We have investigated a possible cross reactivity with a tree belonging to the Sterculiaceae family, Tryplochiton scleroxylon, in a patient allergic to obeche wood, that began to suffer symptoms of allergy in contact with latex. METHODS: Determinations of specific IgE by CAP to obeche, natural rubber latex (NRL) and recombinant allergens of latex were done. Immunoblotting was performed to study allergens detected by serum of our patient. CAP-inhibition methods were used to study cross-reactive between NRL and obeche wood. RESULTS: In obeche extract, 4 bands were found of an apparent molecular weight of 18, 38, 75 and 199 kDa. In NRL extract the allergens have a molecular weight around 18, 21, 32, 38, 60, 70 and 199 kDa. IgE to latex was almost completely inhibited (96%) by the obeche extract in CAP-inhibition studies. Using obeche extract as inhibitor, IgE binding to native hevein (nHevb 6.02) was reduced by 25%. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in CAP-inhibition demonstrate the existence of cross-reactivity between proteins in NRL and obeche wood. In our patient, a band of apparent molecular weight of 38 kDa could be the most important allergen.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Systemic reactions to immunotherapy: influence of composition and manufacturer.

BACKGROUND: Although immunotherapy clearly demonstrated the benefit of reducing allergic symptoms, it has the drawback of adverse events, mainly systemic reactions that could be very inconvenient for patients and even life-threatening. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of systemic reactions to immunotherapy in a large number of patients, and its potential relationship with the characteristics of therapy, such as allergen composition or manufacturing laboratory. METHODS: This study analysed the administration of specific immunotherapy during a period of 5 years, involving 1212 patients affected by respiratory hypersensitivity or hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis. Commercial extracts were supplied by five different laboratories. All the patients were attended at an out-clinic immunotherapy unit by the same experienced staff. Immunotherapy was given following a conventional schedule, modified according the usual recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 250 adverse reactions have been recorded, resulting in a frequency of 0.84% over the total number of injections. Seventy-nine of them (32%) were systemic reactions (0.27% SR/injection). The 79 systemic reactions were observed in 60 patients (5% of the patients). The frequency of systemic reactions was significantly lower (P < 0.01) on the group of mites than on the other groups. The frequency of systemic reactions varies according to the manufacturing laboratory. In the case of mite extracts, although one of the laboratories had a lower frequency of adverse systemic reactions, it did not reach the level of statistical significance. However, in relation to pollen extracts, preparations of one of the manufacturers had a significantly lower frequency of systemic reactions. Concerning the time of occurrence, 27% of systemic reactions were delayed, thus they appeared at least 30 min after the vaccine injection, most of them due to pollen extracts. CONCLUSION: This is a preliminary study to evaluate the factors that could facilitate the appearance of systemic reactions demonstrating that not only the composition but also the manufacturer is connected to systemic reactions. Although further studies are needed to clearly establish the influence of manufacturer on frequency and time of appearance of systemic reactions, it seems necessary to reach a wide consensus on allergen extract standardization methods.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Hereditary angioedema and pneumomediastinum.

Gastrointestinal and respiratory involvement is common in hereditary angioedema, laryngeal edema being the main cause of mortality in these patients. We report the case of an 18 year-old woman with a history of hereditary angioedema, who presented an episode of coughing and vomiting the night before, and who was diagnosed with pneumomediastinum as a complication of an episode of angioedema. We review the causes and pathogenesis of the mediastinic emphysema.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Pickled onion-induced asthma: a model of sulfite-sensitive asthma?

BACKGROUND: Asthma elicited by sulfite ingestion has been mainly described in steroid-dependent and in non-atopic asthmatics. We have studied a group of 18 young extrinsic asthmatics who presented with asthma attacks immediately after eating pickled onions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to ascertain if these asthma attacks are elicited by sulfites contained in pickled onions and the influence of the dose and pH of onions. METHODS: The bronchial hyperreactivity of the patients was assessed by a methacholine challenge test. Oral challenge tests were performed with sodium metabisulfite (MSB) diluted in lemon juice at pH 4.2 and at pH 3.3 (only in patients who did not react with pH 4.2). Two types of pickled onions, Spanish and Dutch pickled onions, were used for oral challenge in seven of the patients. The Monier-Williams method was used to measure the SO2 concentration in pickled onions. RESULTS: The oral provocation test with MBS, pH 4.2, elicited a positive response in six patients (33.3%) and the test at pH 3.3 was positive in three out of 12. No significant difference in PD20 values was found between these groups. Three of the seven patients challenged with Spanish pickled onions had a positive reaction but had no reaction with Dutch pickled onions. The SO2 concentration in Spanish pickled onions varied between 765 and 1182 ppm while in Dutch pickled onions were 200 ppm; this exceeded the permitted level (100 ppm). SO2 release in Spanish pickled onion samples was nearly 2.5 times higher when the pH of the sample decreased from 4.2 to 3.3. CONCLUSION: High levels of SO2 in Spanish pickled onions, and their low pH (3.3) would be the responsible factors of the asthmatic outbreaks after ingestion of Spanish pickled onions by these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Quantitation of major allergens in dust samples from urban populations collected in different seasons in two climatic areas of the Basque region (Spain).

We present the results of allergen content evaluation in 80 dust samples from 31 homes of atopic patients from two climatic areas (humid and subhumid), collected in two seasons of the year (autumn and winter). Monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays were used to quantify Der p 1, Der f 1, Der 2, Lep d 1, and Fel d 1. The results were compared according to climate, season, and the type of sensitization (Pyroglyphidae mites, storage mites, or grass pollens). We underline the predominance of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (89% of samples) over D. farinae (16% of samples) in our environment. Der p 1 rates were higher in the humid area (Mann-Whitney P < 0.001), especially in the autumn (Wilcoxon P < 0.05). Lep d 1 was detected in 23% of samples and Lep d 1 levels were higher in the homes of patients sensitized to storage mites (Mann-Whitney P < 0.05), whereas this allergen was not detected in the homes of pollen-allergic patients. Fel d 1 was detected in nine of the 31 homes (16% of samples) although there was a cat in only one home.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Allergic reactions to betalactams: studies in a group of patients allergic to penicillin and evaluation of cross-reactivity with cephalosporin.

A group of 34 penicillin-allergic patients was studied to determine skin test reactivity to the different penicillins involved in inducing the allergic reaction and the cross-reactivity with side-chain-related and side-chain-unrelated cephalosporins. All the subjects selected for the study had to be skin test positive to at least one of the following determinants: benzyl-penicilloyl-polylysine (BPO-PLL), minor-determinant mixture (MDM), amoxicillin (AX), or ampicillin (AMP), or to possess in vitro IgE to the following conjugates: benzyl-penicilloyl-human-serum albumin (BPO-HSA), ampicilloyl-human-serum albumin (AMP-HSA), and amoxicilloyl-human-serum albumin (AX-HSA). Cephalexin (CE) and ceftazidime (CEF) were used to assess cross-reactivity. If skin tests to any of these compounds were positive, the patient was considered to be allergic; if negative, a challenge test was performed. Sixteen patients (47%) were skin test positive to BPO and/or MDM, and nine (26%) exclusively to AX and/or AMP. In three cases (8%), the RAST was positive although the skin test was negative; one to BPO-HSA and two to AX-HSA and AMP-HSA. Six patients (17%) needed to be challenged with the penicillin involved to establish the diagnosis. In five patients (14%), the skin tests were positive to CE and in none to CEF. In all the others, the skin tests were negative to both cephalosporins, and the patients tolerated the drugs when challenged. These results indicate the relevance of side-chain-specific minor determinants in betalactams allergy and provide support for the role of this chemical structure in the evaluation of cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins.

Adolescent↗