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Biomedical subjects

M Cuevas

Publications and source records attributed to M Cuevas.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Human T-cell leukemia virus-I and hematologic malignancies in Panama.

Serum samples were obtained in a 2-year period (November 1, 1984-December 31, 1986) from 136 Panamanian patients with hematologic malignancies identified by a population-based registry designed for studies investigating human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I. Only three patients had clinical and serologic findings of HTLV-I-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). The authors conclude that although classical HTLV-I-associated ATLL occurs in the Panamanian population, it is not as prevalent as in other Caribbean populations.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Genital human papillomavirus infection in Panama City prostitutes.

Little is known of the natural history of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women from high-risk populations. Samples were collected from 183 Panama City prostitutes and assessed for HPV (filter in situ DNA hybridization) and for sexually transmitted agents. The cohort was followed for 8 mo; 51% of subjects completed four monthly return visits and 16% were sampled eight times. The proportion of women found infected with HPV increased significantly with increasing numbers of consecutive samples tested; 38 (21%) of 183 women were positive after one visit and 46 (82%) of 56 who completed six visits were infected. The pattern of viral detection over time was not random, which implied that most prostitutes were persistently infected with genital HPVs and that either scattered foci of infection or periodic reactivation of latent virus occurred. Our findings suggest that multiple sampling is necessary to accurately estimate HPV infection rates and to define whether patterns of DNA expression are present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Housewives with raw potato-induced bronchial asthma.

Allergy to white potato has rarely been described. We report two cases of atopic patients, housewives, in whom peeling raw potatoes precipitated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthmatic attacks, and, in one of them, contact urticaria. Type I hypersensitivity to raw potato antigens was demonstrated by means of immediate skin test reactivity, specific IgE determination by RAST, basophil degranulation, histamine release test and an immediate bronchial provocation test response to raw potato extract. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Potato allergenic constituent is currently being investigated but, as far as we know, it is heat-labile and has an MW of more than 10 Kd.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in the Republic of Panama.

Thirty-one documented acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases occurred in Panama during 1984-1987. Twenty-three (74%) patients were homosexual males and all but 2 patients recognized prior to June 1987 have died. To identify risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection, 287 male homosexual residents of Panama City were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Nine had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody. Travel to the United States, homosexual relations with United States nationals in Panama, and sexual contacts in Panamanian clubs and bars were associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection by logistic regression analysis. Number of different male sex partners per year was identified but did not enter the logistic model at a significant level. To estimate seroprevalence in other high risk populations, 183 Panama City female prostitutes and 55 homosexual males from the rural Azuero peninsula were screened; none were seropositive. Eighty-four percent of Panamanian hemophiliacs had antibody; infection was related to factor VIII transfusions. Two of 182 sickle cell anemia patients and 15 of 7,720 volunteer blood donors were positive.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Occupational asthma caused by Voacanga africana seed dust.

We report a case of a nonatopic patient in whom exposure to Voacanga africana (VA) dust precipitated asthma. The patient was indirectly exposed to this dust by her husband, a chemist working in a pharmaceutical plant in which VA is used for the production of vinburnine, an alkaloid derivative. Vinburnine (Cervoxan) is widely used in conditions associated with cerebral circulatory insufficiency. Studies revealed the presence of immediate skin test reactivity to VA dust, and specific anti-VA antibodies were detected in the patient's serum by the reverse enzyme immunoassay technique. Bronchial challenge with a VA extract also resulted in an immediate asthmatic response without late reaction. These findings suggest a type I IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as being responsible for the patient's respiratory symptoms. Unexposed persons did not exhibit reactivity to this seed with any of the tests referred to above. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of occupational asthma caused by VA seeds.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Contact urticaria and rhinitis from latex surgical gloves.

Latex used in the manufacture of surgical gloves should be included in a list of allergens. It is found in the tree Hevea braziliensis. For approximately the last year, minutes after using surgical gloves, a female doctor had severe pruritus followed by a rash and angio-oedema of the contact areas. During the last 4 months, on opening the glove-bag, she experienced severe rhinitis and respiratory distress. The symptoms ceased in 1 h. Standard patch tests and with substances used in the manufacture of rubber were negative. Prick tests with glove and natural latex were strongly positive. The presence of specific IgE against natural latex was demonstrated by means of a histamine release assay as well as by immunoenzymatic methods. The antigen seems to have a MW higher than 30,000 d and is trypsin-sensitive. These facts suggest that the allergen could be a protein present in the "crude natural latex".

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Antigen-induced inhibition of human in vitro spontaneous IgE synthesis. I. Factors and kinetic studies.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with hypersensitivity to L. perenne and D. pteronyssinus were incubated with specific antigen. They were then cultured for 7 days in the absence of antigen and the IgE contained in the supernatants was determined using an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Pre-incubation of the cells with antigen produced an inhibitory effect on the spontaneous IgE synthesis in most of the cases (101 of the 134 individual studied). This inhibition was more pronounced and more frequent in those cultures with an elevated spontaneous production of IgE (3,000-10,000 pg/ml). This effect depended on the dose of antigen and the duration of cell exposure. Both spontaneous IgE production kinetics and antigen-mediated inhibition were studied. A study of the IgE content of the cell pellets indicated that the antigen did not induce inhibition of the IgE release. We therefore believe that the inhibition observed must be due to some kind of IgE synthesis suppression.

Allergens↗
PubMed1984

EGG hypersensitivity as measured by RAST and a reverse enzyme-immunoassay.

The application of a reverse enzyme-immunoassay (REIA) to measure specific anti-egg IgE is described. The results obtained with the REIA and the RAST are shown. The REIA is economical, easy and fast to perform when the conjugate has been made, non-radioactive and offers a new alternative for the in vitro evaluation of egg white-specific IgE.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1983

Reverse enzyme immunoassay for the determination of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus IgE antibodies.

Sera from patients with suspected mite sensitivity were assayed using both the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and a reverse enzyme immunoassay for IgE antibodies (REIA). Of the 133 sera studied, the RAST gave positive results in 48 cases and the REIA in 59. Negative results for both assays were obtained in 72 of the sera. The immunoenzymatic assay described here, using micro-plates as solid phase, has proven to be IgE- and antigen-specific. The allergen conjugate has a prolonged shelf life and the method is easy to perform. The sensitivity of the REIA for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus IgE antibodies is limited by the small amount of IgE bound by the well surface (less than 100 ng). However, we think that the method offers a reliable alternative for the diagnosis of D. pteronyssinus-allergic patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Reverse enzyme immunoassay for the determination of Lolium perenne IgE antibodies.

A microplate enzyme-immunoassay technique for the detection of specific anti-Lolium perenne IgE antibodies is described. This method consists of coating polystyrene wells with goat antihuman IgE (epsilon chain specific) and late selecting the IgE from the patients serum in order to finally reveal the bound specific IgE by means of a crude L. perenne extract conjugated with peroxidase. The optimal conditions necessary to achieve maximum sensitivity and specificity using this system have been studied. After testing 98 sera, the results showed a 97.9% correlation between our technique and the RAST.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1977

[Immunological aspects of pulmonary granulomatosis with special reference to sarcoidosis].

A wide variety of exogenous or endogenous aggressors exhibit the capacity to induce pulmonary granulomatous lesions. This lesion is characterized by exacerbation of phagocytic function and tentative development of a specific immune response. In many clinical situations there is a well developed circulating antibody response with deficient cell-mediated immunity of variable degree. Finally, it is argued that the granulomatous lesion may be due to abnormal cooperation between T and B lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1977

Analysis of immunological features of intrinsic and extrinsic asthma and clinical response to DSCG.

A large range of immunological investigations in patients with extrinsic or intrinsic asthma showed higher leucocyte counts in intrinsic asthma. Blood sputum eosinophilia were almost equally frequent. Immediate skin responses to inhalant antigens are seldom present in intrinsic asthma, but delayed responses to bacterial antigens, endotoxins, Candida albicans ans aspiryl-PPL are frequently positive. This correlates with the frequent presence of precipitins and in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes, and the production of macrophage migration inhibition factor by most of these substances. These results suggest that bacterial factors may play a prominent role as aetiological agents in at least some cases of intrinsic asthma. In intrinsic asthma there was a high incidence of tissue autoantibodies, whereas the incidence was negligible in patients with atopic asthma. The level of serum immunoglobulins was not statistically different between the two groups of patients except for IgE. The patients with intrinsic asthma showed a favorable response to sodium cromoglycate.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Anti-asthmatic properties of a new peroral drug (HC 20-5II).

A clinical trial was performed with a new substance (HC 20-511) derived from the cycloheptothiophene group used in the management of asthma. Twenty-four asthma patients were treated at random, with HC 20-511 or placebo or the antihistaminic substance, clemastin (Tavegyl). A statistical evaluation of the results unequivocally demonstrates good protection with a single dose of 2.0 mg or two times 1.0 mg for 3 days against a challenging antigen, compared with the placebo or the antihistaminic agent. Tolerance was excellent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Effects of anesthesia and surgery on certain parameters of humoral immunity].

Research on certain parameters of humoral immunity was undertaken in 10 patients who had undergone a major surgical operation. The control subjects were chosen among 10 subjects in good health. The tests were carried out within 24-72 hours after the operation. The determination of cytolytic lymphocyte activity, in the presence of specific antibodies, was strongly lowered in the postoperative period. This was also the case with the capacity to form EAC lymphocyte rosettes. Finally total serum complement was lowered significantly whereas factor C3 remained normal. These results show a change in humoral immunity in the postoperative period together with a reduction in complement activity.

Anesthesia↗