Biomedical subjects

M B Bilò

Publications and source records attributed to M B Bilò.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Shortness of interval between two stings as risk factor for developing Hymenoptera venom allergy.

The aim of the study was to determine whether a short interval (< 2 months) between two consecutive stings influences the development of Hymenoptera venom allergy. The study compared the sting-interval distribution in 120 allergic patients who experienced a first-time systemic reaction to a Hymenoptera sting, and in 100 healthy controls. A significant difference in sting-interval distribution between the two groups was found (P = 0.0001). In 71 of 120 allergic patients, the sting that provoked the systemic reaction had been preceded by another, completely tolerated sting not more than 2 months before. However, in the control group only four subjects out of 100 had received two consecutive stings within less than 2 months. In conclusion, a short interval between two consecutive stings seems to be a risk factor for the onset of Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Efficacy of an air-cleaning device equipped with a high efficiency particulate air filter in house dust mite respiratory allergy.

The efficacy of an air-cleaning device equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (without further avoidance measures) was studied in patients allergic to house dust mite. The effects of the air-cleaner on indoor Dermatophagoides sp. levels, symptom score and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in nine mite-allergic patients were assessed using a cross-over controlled study. No significant effect was demonstrated on indoor Dermatophagoides sp. levels when comparing the period of air-cleaner activity (2 months) with the control period (2 months). The Dermatophagoides sp. levels in the houses studied were lower than the risk level for asthmatic attacks, making it difficult to assess any effect on asthma; however, neither bronchial hyperresponsiveness nor rhinitis symptom score were changed by air-cleaner activity. During the trial period, however the mean level of Dermatophagoides sp. allergen in the houses changed spontaneously from 4.4 micrograms/g (mean level in the first 2 trial months) to 1.75 micrograms/g of dust (second 2 months) (P less than 0.05). Owing to this change, the mean rhinitis symptom score also decreased (P less than 0.05), even if no significant correlation was demonstrated (r = 0.4 P = 0.089). HEPA filter air-cleaners appear insufficient as substitutes for standard avoidance measures in mite allergic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Hyposensitization therapy of Parietaria-sensitive patients with a tyrosine adsorbed allergoid, Pollinex Parietaria (Bencard Parietaria).

Thirty patients suffering from allergy to Parietaria pollen were treated with either a new tyrosine-adsorbed allergoid of Parietaria judaica pollen (Pollinex Parietaria) or a commercially available alum-adsorbed extract (Alavac) as control. A reduced response to nasal provocation was seen in 7 out of 11 patients following treatment with Pollinex and 1 out of 10 after control treatment. 9 out of 11 and 3 out of 10, respectively, showed reduced skin test activity. Patients who received Pollinex tended to have fewer nasal symptoms during the pollen season. Pollinex induced larger increases in P. judaica-specific IgG antibody than did the control product. Side effects of therapy were similar between the two groups of patients. Pollinex Parietaria thus shows good potential for the control of allergy to Parietaria pollen.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of terfenadine and cetirizine in hay fever: assessment of efficacy and central nervous system effects.

A daily dose of either terfenadine 120 mg or cetirizine 10 mg was compared in two parallel groups of patients suffering from hay fever. According to a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized design, 28 patients were treated with one of the two drugs once daily in the morning for 2 weeks during the 1990 grass pollen season. The severity of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasopharyngeal itching and itchy, watery, red eyes was evaluated by the investigator after a 1-week run-in period and at the end of the treatment. The patients made a daily record of the severity of symptoms on a diary card. In addition, drug-related central nervous system (CNS) effects were assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatment by neuropsychological tests aimed at investigating selective and sustained attention, visuomotor abilities and anxiety, and by quantitative, bit-mapped EEG. Both terfenadine and cetirizine produced a significant improvement in symptoms at endpoint without any significant difference between the two drugs. Drowsiness was referred by one patient in each treatment group. No significant impairment of psychomotor performance occurred with either drug. Quantitative EEG showed a significant power increase in the relative (%) delta band in both groups of treated patients. Although the difference was not statistically significant, a tendency towards greater involvement of the CNS was observed with the use of cetirizine. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that terfenadine and cetirizine are equally effective in the management of hay fever. Some differentiated untoward EEG changes were also observed in relation to the drugs used, without any variation in neuropsychological performance.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Early decrease in skin reactivity after rush venom immunotherapy.

Previous studies have documented changes in skin reactivity after specific immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of this phenomenon after rush venom immunotherapy. According to the method of endpoint evaluation, the skin reactivity of 38 patients allergic to venom was studied 24 h before and after the end of a rush venom immunotherapy protocol (7 days). The results were compared with 13 controls. An early significant decrease in skin reactivity was documented (p < 0.001), which was not related to an increase in specific IgG. Thus, rush venom immunotherapy induces a very early decrease in skin reactivity.

Adolescent↗