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K Reijula

Publications and source records attributed to K Reijula.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Specific IgE to reindeer epithelium in Finnish reindeer herders.

Reindeer herding is a major source of living for more than 4200 inhabitants in northern Finland. To determine the prevalence of allergic symptoms among reindeer herders clinical examinations and skin prick tests (SPT) with nine inhalant allergens were performed in 211 randomly selected men from 21 to 69 (mean 45) years. Specific IgE antibodies to reindeer epithelium (RE) and total serum IgE were evaluated in 99 herders, five persons who handled reindeer leather indoors, 21 atopic patients with cow allergy and another 20 subjects with specific IgE to other inhalant allergens. Positive SPT to RE was detected in one and specific IgE by using enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) (greater than or equal to 0.8 PRU/ml) in seven herders. Specific IgE to RE was also demonstrated in one control. Using RAST inhibition a patient with cow allergy did not show cross-reactivity between cow and RE while another patient did. Thus, RE should be included in the allergy test panel when hypersensitivity to RE is suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among Finnish reindeer herders.

Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in relation to occupation and smoking habits were evaluated in 211 randomly selected male reindeer herders in Northern Finland. Clinical examination with skin prick tests (SPT) and spirometry was conducted in 23 local health centers. No significant differences could be determined in respiratory symptoms, smoking habits or ventilatory function between full-time reindeer herders and their controls. Positive SPT reactions to common allergens in reindeer herders were to some extent lower than expected. Only one test subject had positive SPT to reindeer epithelium. 35% were non-smokers, 32% smokers and 33% ex-smokers. Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 10% in non-smokers and 28% in regular smokers, while the prevalence of cough was 18% and 23%, and that of the phlegm 10% and 34%, respectively. 14% had dyspnoea caused by cold air inhalation. In the age groups of 21-39 FVC and FEV1 increased by age in ex- and non-smokers but decreased in smokers. The mean FEV1% was lowest in regular smokers. Further studies are needed to establish the possible disadvantage of cold air to reindeer herder's working capacity.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Cold weather work].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed1986

Ultrastructure of extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis.

Electron microscopic findings in open lung biopsies of 13 patients with extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis (EABA) were studied. Eleven of the patients had farmer's lung and two had been exposed to other mouldy dust. Numerous lymphocytes, macrophages and giant cells were found both in the alveolar and bronchiolar lumina. Bronchiolar changes included loss of microvilli on the ciliated cells, granulomas, detachment of basal cells from each other, as well as disintegration of the basement membrane. In the alveoles hyperplasia and hypertrophy of type II (granular) pneumocytes often loosely connected with the basement membrane, were frequently demonstrated. Disintegration of the basement membrane accompanied by detachment of the pneumocytes occurred occasionally. In the interstitium lymphocytes, mast cells and plasma cells predominated. The size and shape of lymphocytes were variable. In addition, some lymphocytes with pseudopods were detected both in alveolar lumen and in the interstitium. Mast cells were found in close connection with plasma cells occasionally. Granulomas consisting of these cells and giant cells were usually present. Foreign material resembling hyphal fragments was found in the giant cells of two patients. The present series emphasizes the role of lymphocytes, macrophages, giant cells and mast cells, in the pathogenesis of EABA. The presence of numerous plasma cells in the lung parenchyma suggests the possibility of local antibody response caused by exposure to inhaled antigens.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1985

Detection of antigens in lung biopsies by immunoperoxidase staining in extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis (EABA).

Open lung biopsy specimens of 14 patients with extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis (EABA) were studied by immunoperoxidase staining with avidin-biotin-complex method using nonconjugated antisera to Micropolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus umbrosus. Antigenic intracellular material was found in macrophages and giant cells of granulomas in the lung tissue of 8 patients. This finding supports the hypothesis which suggests that macrophages and T-lymphocytes contribute to the tissue injury in EABA.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1984

Immunohistochemical identification of Aspergillus fumigatus in farmer's lung.

Fragments of fungi in a granuloma were demonstrated in lung biopsy specimens of two patients with farmer's lung by using an avidin-biotin-complex method with non-conjugated rabbit antiserum to Aspergillus fumigatus. Our findings suggest that the type IV or cell-mediated immunity at least partly explains the pathogenesis of farmer's lung.

Antigens, Fungal↗
PubMed1983

Pulmonary fibrosis, with sarcoid granulomas and angiitis, associated with handling of mouldy lichen.

We report a case of extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis associated with handling of mouldy lichen. The patient had periodic dyspnoea, cough and mucoid sputum, and a micronodular infiltration of both lungs with slight restrictive ventilatory insufficiency. An open lung biopsy showed interstitial inflammation and fibrosis with sarcoid granulomas and angiitis. The symptoms disappeared during long term corticosteroid therapy, but reappeared every year when the patient participated in the handling of lichen (Cladonia alpestris). Precipitating antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. umbrosus, and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, were detected in the patient's serum, and against a mixture of fungi including A. terreus, Rhizopus spp., Cladosporium spp., and Penicillium spp., isolated from mouldy lichen storage boxes. After she retired, her symptoms disappeared and the lung function tests showed a slight improvement. In Northern Finland, farmers generally participate in lichen collection. Antigens from mouldy hay and from mouldy lichen may represent a double occupational hazard for them.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis: serology and biopsy findings.

Because the diagnosis of extrinsic allergic bronchiolo-alveolitis is usually on a clinical and serologic basis, recent histopathologic descriptions of the syndrome are rare. As the etiology may vary in different countries, so perhaps may the histopathology? Clinical and serological examination was combined with histopathology of open lung biopsy from 14 northern Finnish patients. All of them, after exposure to mouldy dust, had a typical clinical syndrome with cough and/or dyspnoea, some radiographic changes, and a reduced VC and/or DCO. Precipitating antibodies were demonstrated in 11 patients. Histopathologically, oedema, macrophages and granulomas were found in all patients, as were lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltrates. Inflammatory changes were alveolar, interstitial and bronchiolar, including bronchiolar granulomas in all but one case. None of the patients had severe fibrosis or emphysema. There were no examples of clear-cut acute or chronic stages as described in previous studies. Instead, most of our specimens represented an "intermediate" stage, indicating differences in exposure or susceptibility of the population compared with other countries.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Skin disorders and prick and patch test reactivity in Finnish reindeer herders.

In addition to an interview, skin tests and clinical examinations were performed on 211 randomly selected reindeer herders from 21 to 77 years of age (mean 45 years). Skin tests consisted of skin prick tests (SPT) with 9 allergens: cat and cow epithelium, dog, horse and reindeer epithelium, house dust mite, birch pollen, meadow grass pollen and mugwort pollen, as well as patch tests with 31 allergens. Of the 211 tested, 19 (9%) had positive SPT reactions to at least one allergen, and 19/173 (11%) showed a positive patch test result. Thirty-six of the 211 (17%) had past or present atopic dermatitis. These findings suggest that the prevalence of immediate and contact allergies and skin diseases is roughly the same as that of other Finns. A positive SPT reaction to birch pollen was encountered less frequently than in a previous Finnish study conducted in southeastern Finland.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational allergies in Finland in 1981-91.

In 1981-91 in Finland, the number of cases with occupational asthma increased from 156 to 352 (125%), and with occupational rhinitis from 61 to 318 (421%), while the number of all cases of occupational diseases increased from 5060 to 8828. A total of 755 new patients with occupational allergic respiratory diseases and 558 with occupational allergic skin diseases were reported in 1991. This means that occupational allergies represent 15% of all cases of occupational diseases in Finland. The mean annual incidence of occupational respiratory diseases was 31 per 100,000 workers, 374 per 100,000 bakery workers, and 241 per 100,000 farmers. These data emphasize the important role of clinical allergy in the diagnosis of occupational disease during the time when some previously common occupational diseases such as toxic reactions to mercury and lead have become uncommon. Improved diagnosis of occupational allergic diseases would result in an improved control of the environment and reduction of diseases. Of particular interest is the establishment of the importance of occupational rhinitis, an issue that has been underemphasized as an occupational health problem in many countries.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗