Biomedical subjects

M Akl

Publications and source records attributed to M Akl.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Prevalence of latex sensitization in a hospital employee population.

BACKGROUND: Immediate-type allergic reactions to latex products have become increasingly recognized in hospital workers. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of latex sensitization by skin testing and specific IgE testing in a group of hospital employees and compare these with each subject's self-reported allergic history. METHODS: Volunteers were recruited from selected departments. Each was tested with epicutaneous skin test with latex glove extract and commercial environmental allergens, had blood drawn for latex-specific IgE testing (AlaSTAT brand of ELISA), and was given a questionnaire for general and latex allergy history. RESULTS: There were 135 participants. Eleven (8.2% of sample, 95% confidence interval 3.4% to 13.0%) were skin test positive for latex reagent, and seven of these (5.2% of sample) reported allergic symptoms to latex contact. Testing for latex-specific IgE (ELISA) showed 6.7% with class II or higher reaction. There was high correlation of the two tests, with ELISA showing a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 98.4% with reference to skin testing. In this sample, 16% reported some upper respiratory symptoms in association with latex contact, although only one-third of this group was skin test positive. Past history of allergic or atopic disease was poorly predictive of skin or blood test reactivity. A reaction to a greater number of environmental allergens was associated with positive latex skin test reactivity. CONCLUSION: Testing for latex sensitivity in this hospital sample revealed more than 5% of workers developed clinical allergies to latex and continued to remain occupationally in contact with latex. In vitro testing is a potential substitute for the more technically difficult skin testing.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Induction of hepatic egg granuloma hyporesponsiveness in murine schistosomiasis mansoni by intravenous injection of small doses of soluble egg antigen.

This work was designed to test whether hyporesponsiveness to schistosomal egg antigen (SEA) was associated with reduction in size of hepatic granulomas. Multiple small doses of SEA (10 micrograms x 4) were injected intravenously (i.v.) into C57B1/6 mice either at 7 or 30 days prior to cercarial exposure. Eight weeks postinfection, hepatic histopathology and granuloma diameter were studied. SEA-induced lympho-proliferative response, splenic cytokines (IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5) and serum antischistosomal IgG were assessed. Worm burden and tissue egg load were counted. Compared to infected controls, the SEA-treated groups showed decrease in granuloma diameter, remarkable increase in the percentage of degenerated ova within hepatic granulomas and amelioration of histopathological changes. SEA lymphoproliferative response, and levels of Il-2 and IL-4, were lower in SEA-treated groups than infected controls. The levels of IL-5 and antishistosomal IgG were comparable to the infected controls. The intensity of infection was not influenced by i.v. injection of SEA. The present data show that i.v. administration of multiple small doses of SEA induced granulomatous hyporesponsiveness with amelioration of hepatic pathology and acceleration of egg destruction.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Helicobacter pylori among Egyptian patients with chronic liver diseases. A comparative study.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Egyptian patients with different stages of liver diseases was compared to those with normal liver status. Eighty patients subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled. They were divided according to their liver status into two groups; the first patients with liver cirrhosis and the second who had no liver affection. Gall bladder diseases were excluded by abdominal ultrasound examinations. Endoscopic antral mucosal biopsies were used for H. pylori screening by both culture and urease test, and for histopathological examinations. Both groups were matched as regards age, sex, and socioeconomic conditions. Culture was positive in 42.2% and 40.7% of patients in both groups respectively (P > 0.05). Urease test showed positive results in 58% and 76.6% in both groups respectively (P > 0.05). Helicobacter pylori prevalence showed no significant differences between both studied groups as regards age, sex, or type of gastric lesions. Furthermore, liver status in patients with chronic liver diseases does not play a role in distribution of infection. The study shows the high prevalence of H. pylori among Egyptians and the absence of a relation between H. pylori and chronic liver diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Schistosomal orchitis simulating malignancy.

We report a case of schistosomal orchitis simulating malignancy. The patient presented with a unilateral hydrocele, testicular enlargement and loss of testicular sensation. Orchiectomy was performed because of suspected malignancy. Tissue diagnosis was schistosomiasis. The incidence, pathogenesis and pathology of genital schistosomiasis are discussed, and the literature is reviewed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗