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Biomedical subjects

H S Nelson

Publications and source records attributed to H S Nelson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

The effects of weekly versus monthly ragweed allergen injections on immunological parameters.

The practice of administering injections of allergen extract at weekly intervals until maintenance levels are achieved is well established. However, no objective data exist to determine the optimal frequency of immunotherapy during the first few years after reaching maintenance therapy. Nine patients who had reached maintenance immunotherapy within the preceding year participated in a double-blind, crossover study to compare the effects of weekly versus monthly injections of ragweed antigen. The results were assessed by measurements of skin, nasal and conjunctival sensitivity to ragweed and serum levels of IgG and IgE antibodies specific for ragweed--all obtained at monthly intervals. There was a significant increase (P less than .05) in serum ragweed IgG levels when the subjects were receiving weekly injections as compared to monthly injections. There was also a definite trend toward decreased skin and conjunctival sensitivity to ragweed while receiving weekly injections. These data lend immunologic support to the practice of administering weekly injections during the pollen season in the first few years of allergy immunotherapy.

Adult↗

Laboratory tests in chronic urticaria.

One hundred twenty-five patients with chronic urticaria were evaluated with 11 commonly recommended laboratory and radiologic procedures. Abnormal studies were obtained in 26 (20.8%) of these patients, but the majority of these abnormalities were evident from the initial history and physical examination. These results indicate that, with the possible exception of sinus roentgenograms, these laboratory studies are not likely to be helpful in the evaluation of chronic urticaria unless there are suggestive findings in the history and physical examination. The yield and equivalent charge of diagnosis for each procedure used was also analyzed.

Adolescent↗

Theophylline and aerosolized terbutaline in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Double-blind comparison of optimal doses.

The bronchodilator response to aerosolized terbutaline and optimal doses of theophylline, given singly and in combination, was studied in ten patients with perennial asthma. Optimal doses of theophylline were determined (mean peak theophylline level of 20.9 micrograms/ml). Patients then received this theophylline dose plus 500 micrograms aerosolized terbutaline by metered-dose nebulizer qid for one week. Placebo was then substituted for one of the active agents for two weeks, followed by both active agents again for one week, and finally, placebo substituted for the second agent for a two-week period. The therapeutic response was determined by measurement of peak expiratory flow rate four times daily at different intervals following medication and the patient's subjective assessment of each period. The combination was found to be superior to either theophylline or terbutaline alone (P < .05). Theophylline alone and aerosolized terbutaline alone were equally effective. No side effects were encountered with any of the treatment regimens.

Adult↗

Long-term immunotherapy with aqueous and aluminum-precipitated grass extracts.

The incidence of reactions and changes in specific IgE and IgG were measured during three to four years of immunotherapy with the aluminum-precipitated and glycerosaline grass extracts. Therapy with aluminum-precipitated extract resulted in far fewer local and systemic reactions and higher mean extract doses were obtained with this preparation. The decline in specific IgE was similar in both treatment groups. However, the higher individual and total doses in the group receiving the aluminum-precipitated extract were accompanied by significantly higher levels of specific IgG (blocking) antibody.

Aluminum↗

Tissue threshold changes during the first months of immunotherapy.

The cutaneous, ocular and nasal sensitivity to ragweed extract was studied in seven patients during the early months of ragweed immunotherapy. Decreased skin sensitivity (p < 0.01) developed, as well as reduced conjunctival and nasal sensitivity. These changes correlated with the cumulative dose of extract administered and with levels of blocking antibody. However, there was no correlation between changes in tissue threshold and changes in ragweed specific IgE.

Antibodies↗

The effect of theophylline on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure.

The effects of theophylline on lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) were studied on four normal volunteers and six asthmatics with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Manometric evaluations of LESP were obtained before and after an intravenous dose of aminophylline. All subjects had therapeutic theophylline levels at the time of the second measurement of LESP and a significant decrease in LESP occurred in normal and asthmatic volunteers.

Aminophylline↗

Incidence of bronchoconstriction due to aspirin, azo dyes, non-azo dyes, and preservatives in a population of perennial asthmatics.

Forty-five patients with moderately severe perennial bronchial asthma were challenged by ingestion of: acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA); 4 azo dyes (tartrazine, sunset yellow, amaranth, and ponceau); 3 non-azo dyes (erythrosine, brilliant blue, and indigotin); sodium benzoate (NaB); parahydroxybenzoic acid (OHBA); butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). A fall in forced expiratory volume is one second (FEV1) greater than 25% from baseline was considered positive. Seven patients who gave an unequivocal history of aspirin intolerance were not challenged with ASA; an additional 13 had positive open challenges to ASA, giving an apparent incidence of aspirin sensitivity of 20/45. The presence of nasal polyps, simusitis, or the regular use of corticosteroids, either singly or in combination, was not associated with an increased incidence of reactions to ASA. Significant bronchoconstriction to open challenges with agents other than ASA was less frequent. Positive open challenges to all substances except aspirin were followed by double-blind challenges which were positive in only 3 instances: 1 each with erythrosine, ponceau, and NaB/OHBA. Our findings confirm that ASA intolerance is relatively common but suggest on the other hand that reactions to dyes and preservatives are uncommon cause of clinically significant bronchoconstriction in moderately severe perennial asthmatics.

Adolescent↗

Aerosolized terbutaline in asthmatics. Comparison of dosage strength, schedule, and method of administration.

Sixteen patients with bronchial asthma participated in three studies of inhaled terbutaline. Onset of action, duration, and peak effects were compared for a dose of 0.5 mg given in one, two, or four inhalations at 1 min intervals from a freon-propelled, metered-dose aerosol. There was no significant difference in the response between the schedules. Dose-response curves were compared for terbutaline from a metered-dose aerosol, and pressure nebulized with and without intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB). There was no difference between the response with IPPB and simple nebulization. Improvement continued to the total dose administered of 9.0 mg. For a given bronchial response, six to eight times as much terbutaline was required by pressure nebulization as from the metered-dose aerosol.

Adolescent↗

The effect of cimetidine on the immediate cutaneous response to allergens.

The effects of an H2 antagonist cimetidine on the immediate cutaneous response to timothy or ragweed extract were evaluated. Cimetidine had no effect on the immediate cutaneous response to either allergen. These findings suggest that cimetidine need not be discontinued prior to allergy skin testing.

Allergens↗

The effects of acute corticosteroid therapy for asthma on serum immunoglobulin levels.

Immunoglobulin levels were followed in 21 nonsteroid-dependent asthmatics who required corticosteroids for an exacerbation of asthma. Twenty subjects who did not receive corticosteroids were used as controls. Baseline IgM and IgE levels were significantly higher in the corticosteroid-treated group. A fall in IgG level, maximal at 2 to 4 wk, was observed in the corticosteroid group, but not in control patients. Similarly, a significant fall in IgA was observed only in the corticosteroid group, maximal at 6 to 8 wk. There was no significant change in IgM levels in either group. Total IgE levels increased dramatically 1 wk after institution of corticosteroids. This was followed by a decrease to baseline or below at 6 to 8 wk. Changes in specific IgE antibody titers as measured by RAST technique revealed similar changes to those seen with total IgE. The results of the study indicate that asthma therapy with short-term corticosteroids can be associated with prolonged depressions of serum IgG, IgA levels and transient elevations of IgE levels, without apparent alterations of IgM levels.

Adolescent↗

A laboratory evaluation of immune complexes in patients on inhalant immunotherapy.

Patients with allergic rhinitis receiving maintenance inhalant immunotherapy and two control groups were studied for evidence of circulating immune complexes. The first control group contained patients with allergic rhinitis who had never received immunotherapy. The second control group contained normal volunteers. Patients in the treatment group had no proteinuria. When compared with the control group, the treatment group had no statistically significant differences in incidence of Clq binding immune complexes, cryoglobulinemia, rheumatoid factor, or complement depletion. This initial study suggests that maintenance immunotherapy does not result in an increase of circulating immune complexes.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Incidence of IgG short-term sensitizing antibodies in an allergic population.

Heat-stable, immunoglobulin G, short-term sensitizing antibodies (IgG S-T S) were sought in serum from 149 allergic patients who had strongly positive immediate skin tests to inhalant allergens. The sera were tested by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in monkeys. No IgG S-T S antibodies were demonstrated in 169 tests with a variety of allergens. Antibody with the characteristics of IgE was demonstrated in 47% of monkey PCA tests and, in an additional 34% of sera. IgE antibody to the same allergen was demonstrated by radioallergosorbent testing (RAST).

Adolescent↗

Subsensitivity to the bronchodilator action of albuterol produced by chronic administration.

Evidence of bronchodilator subsensitivity was sought in studies using the specific beta2 adrenergic agonist, albuterol. After a period of 1 or 2 weeks off all oral sympathomimetic agents, the mean response of the patients to the first dose of albuterol was consistently greater than the response after a period during which the drug had been administered regularly. Maximal decrease in response occurred after 2 weeks' of treatment, and there was no further decrease after prolonged treatment with the same dose of albuterol for periods as long as 1 year.

Adolescent↗