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Biomedical subjects

L M Scavini

Publications and source records attributed to L M Scavini.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interstitial pneumonitis induced in guinea pigs by Triatoma infestans antigens.

Data concerning the experimental induction of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in guinea pigs with a Triatoma infestans antigen are presented. Glycoproteins obtained from the chitinous structures of T. infestans (79 kd + 11 kd) were aerosolized daily to guinea pigs during 7 weeks. The presence of specific antibodies (IgG and IgE) was detected by serological techniques; histopathological studies of the lungs showed interstitial infiltrates of macrophages and T-cells. Single non-necrotizing granulomas were seen at the seventh week of the experiment. The results from this animal model suggest that this hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a typical delayed-type reaction due to chronic contact with the heterologous glycoproteins of T. infestans.

Aerosols↗

A citrus fruit-exclusion diet in sensitive patients and its influence on specific antibodies.

The presence and kinetics of specific IgE and IgG antibodies against the oranges Citrus aurantium sinensis (CAS) and Citrus silension (CS) were studied in 41 atopic and 20 non-atopic children aged 8-12 years. Diagnostic procedures such as intracutaneous skin tests, IgE PRIST and anti-CAS and anti-CS IgE and IgG RAST were performed in both groups. A citrus fruit-exclusion diet was maintained for 180 days. The comparison of the results before and after the diet showed no significant changes in skin reactivity and RAST values, and even a slight increase was recorded in the latter. We have attempted to explain these puzzling findings.

Antibody Formation↗

Cross reactivity between the antigens of Periplaneta americana and Triatoma infestans.

The cockroach Periplaneta americana (Pa) and the reduviid Triatoma infestans (Ti) are two very common insects in Argentina that pollute indoor and outdoor environments. They are also strongly immunogenic in animals and in atopic men. Several immunological methods such as serological absorption procedures, diffusion gel methods and capillary electrophoresis were applied in order to establish the existence of common glycoprotein epitopes in the cockroach and in the reduviid. The presence of specific antibodies (IgG & IgE) were detected in rabbits as well as in human sera. The RAST and RAST-inhibition confirmed the cross-reactivity between these two antigens. Capillary electrophoresis evoked similar patterns among Pa, Ti and the moults of the nymphs of Ti. All these findings have clinical and epidemiological importance.

Adolescent↗