Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Pauli

Publications and source records attributed to G Pauli.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Anaphylactic reactions after therapeutic injection of mistletoe (Viscum album L.).

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a plant that is semiparasitic of several trees: apple, oak, pine trees, etc. Because of the probable cytolytic action of one of the leaf's most abundant composites, in some countries mistletoe is used as a complementary medicine. Although only a few adverse reactions have been noted (cephalea, fever), cases of anaphylactic shock have been described. We present three cases of severe reaction after injection of mistletoe extract. Two of the patients had cancer. The third, whose brother had cancer, used the plant for preventive purposes. We discuss the danger of possible severe reactions due to the use of products employed in so-called alternative therapies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Activity of ebastine (10 and 20 mg) and cetirizine at 24 hours of a steady state treatment in the skin of healthy volunteers.

We have compared the inhibitory effects of ebastine (10 mg), ebastine (20 mg) and cetirizine (10 mg) on histamine-induced wheal and flare skin reactions 24 h following a 6-day-long treatment. This was a double-blind, randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled study involving 24 healthy volunteers (18-65 years) with negative skin prick tests and the absence of specific IgEs to common allergens. Subjects were randomised to receive each of the following treatments once daily for 6 days: ebastine (10 mg), ebastine (20 mg), cetirizine (10 mg) or placebo with a washout period of 5 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose of each treatment, histamine skin prick tests were performed (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 mg/mL), and wheal and flare responses were measured. All active treatments produced significant inhibition of the wheal responses compared to placebo (P < 0.001). Wheal response inhibition was significantly better with 20 mg of ebastine compared with 10 mg of ebastine and 10 mg of cetirizine. In a comparison to histamine concentrations required to produce a wheal surface area of 10 mm2, 20 mg of ebastine was also significantly better than ebastine 10 mg and cetirizine (P < 0.001), and 10 mg ebastine was significantly better than cetirizine (P < 0.05). Highly significant (P < 0.001) effects on the flare response were observed with each active treatment compared to placebo, with no difference between groups. The frequency of adverse events, primarily somnolence, was similar among the four treatment groups. Our results clearly indicate that ebastine, at either recommended dosage of 10 and 20 mg, and cetirizine produced significant inhibition of the histamine-induced wheal and flare reaction compared to placebo for up to 24 h. A superior efficacy of 20 mg of ebastine is observed compared with 10 mg of ebastine and 10 mg of cetirizine on the skin wheal response 24 h after the last dose of a 6-day-long treatment. This study clearly proves ebastine to be an effective, truly once-daily antihistamine.

Adult↗

Different profiles in specific IgE to rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 in patients allergic to birch pollen from six countries.

There are differences in IgE reactivity to rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 among allergic patients from the six countries studied. The complexity of the reactivity profile tends to be greater in individuals from the central/southern parts of Europe compared to Sweden and Finland. There is a good agreement between in vitro diagnosis with Pharmacia CAP System and Skin prick testing when using the same reagents, rBet v 1 and rBet v 2.

Allergens↗

MHC-antigens: constituents of the envelopes of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses.

Immunoelectron microscopy was applied to study the antigenic make-up of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV, SIV) grown in cells expressing either MHC class I (Molt-3) or MHC class I and II (H9) antigens. A variety of antibodies directed against the surface glycoprotein gp120 of HIV and against MHC class I and II antigens were employed. Consistent with earlier observations on the loss of HIV envelope components, gp120 was only weakly demonstrable on the mature virion. MHC class I determinants were present regularly in small amounts on HIV and SIV. Class II antigens, e.g. HLA-DR were found in high density on HIV and SIV grown in H9 cells, but were absent, as expected, on virus grown in Molt-3 cells. These cellular surface antigens are constituents of the virion. The presence of MHC class II antigens in virus preparations used for diagnostic purposes might explain some of the false positive results in HIV serology. Possible biological implications of these virus associated cellular antigens for the pathogenicity of HIV are discussed.

Animals↗

Cross-reactions between respiratory and food allergens.

Cross-reactions between inhaled and food allergens are usually attributed to pollen hypersensitivity associated with fruit and vegetable allergy. However, other allergens are involved in these types of cross-reactions. In a few cases, there is a complete similarity between the inhaled and food allergens (garlic, crustacea proteins). More frequently, partial similarity has been demonstrated: whole inhaled allergens are included in ingested substances. Moreover, immunological techniques can demonstrate common antigenic epitopes in organic substances without any apparent relationship. This has been demonstrated by RAST-inhibition and/or immunoblot techniques, using sera from patients cross-sensitized to (1) pollens and fruits or vegetables or (2) avian sera and eggs. Respiratory sensitization always seems to precede food allergy symptoms.

Allergens↗

Identification of alpha livetin as a cross reacting allergen in a bird-egg syndrome.

We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg allergy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any egg allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, and mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk, egg white, livetin, hen 2 serum proteins, and feathers. Western blotting showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, livetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic methods in allergic asthma].

Analysis of the allergic component in asthma results in a critical comparison of the data provided by the interview, skin tests, possibly completed by carefully selected immunological tests and/or bronchial or nasal stimulation tests. For some allergens, it is also possible to study the allergenic environment of these patients. The skin tests allow an easy analysis of the skin mastocytes carrying specific IgE and degranulating after the allergenic extract has been introduced. Among the in vitro tests, phadiatop represents a screening test of respiratory allergies which is more reliable than total IgE assays. Specific serum IgE assays should be reserved for difficult or conflicting cases. Bronchial allergen stimulation tests confirm the etiopathogenic role of an allergen. A few examples of diagnostic strategies are presented.

Antibody Specificity↗