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Biomedical subjects

M J Rodrigo

Publications and source records attributed to M J Rodrigo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Case-control study of serum immunoglobulin-E antibodies reactive with soybean in epidemic asthma.

Since 1981, twenty-six asthma outbreaks have been identified in Barcelona, all coinciding with the unloading of soybean in the harbour. Serum from patients with epidemic asthma and individually matched controls with non-epidemic asthma was assayed for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibodies against soybean antigens by means of a radioallergosorbent test. In 64 of 86 cases (74.4%) there was a reaction with commercial soybean antigen extracts, compared with only 4 of the 86 controls (4.6%) (odds ratio = 61; lower 95% confidence limit = 8.1). The statistical significance was greater for reactions with extracts of soybean dust taken from Barcelona harbour (odds ratio, unquantifiably high; lower 95% confidence limit = 11.7). No other serological covariate (total serum IgE levels or specific IgE levels against the commonest airborne allergens or legumes) confounded the association between serum anti-soybean IgE antibodies and epidemic asthma. These results support a causal relation between the release of dust during unloading of soybean at the harbour and the occurrence of asthma outbreaks, suggesting an underlying allergic mechanism.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical characteristics of chronic autoimmune hepatitis. Study of 51 cases].

The clinical and histological features of the 51 patients affected with chronic autoimmuno hepatitis are analyzed. 65% of them were over 50 years old. 41% were without symptoms. The incidence of systemic symptoms was of 25.5%. 84.3% had antinuclear antibodies superior of 1/40 and 53% had positive LMA. The incidence of HCA and CH was similar. 26.7% of the patients had complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Cryoglobulinemia and fibronectin.

Isolated and washed cryoglobulins obtained from 30 patients with different diseases were studied for the presence of fibronectin by immunoelectrophoresis. Two of the isolated cryoglobulins were of the type I, 3 were of the type II, while the other 25 were of type III. Despite extensive washing, fibronectin was detected in all the cryoprecipitates. Our results indicate the constant presence of fibronectin in the cryoprecipitates from patients with different diseases and types of cryoglobulin. The possible mechanisms by which fibronectin could act in the precipitation of immunoglobulins are discussed.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗
PubMed1984

Diagnosis of parietaria pollinosis.

A prospective study of 54 patients showed that pollinosis due to parietaria is prevalent in Spain and frequently causes asthma and rhinitis. Because of its atypical clinical features, patients are often erroneously thought to have intrinsic asthma. False negative skin tests may occur, probably related to the type of extract used. This may contribute to a faulty diagnosis. The RAST is most useful for diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Complement activation in septic shock due to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

Whole serum complement (CH50) and C3, C4, and C3PA plasma values were studied in 48 patients: 9 with nonseptic shock; 20 with sepsis; 14 with septic shock caused by gram-negative bacteria; 5 with septic shock caused by gram-positive bacteria. All were compared with a control group of 25 healthy individuals. Determinations were made upon admission and again 48 and 96 h later. No significant differences in complement values were found between the patients with nonseptic shock and the control group. In the patients with sepsis, decreased CH50 (p less than 0.001) and increased C3PA (p less than 0.02) values were observed, while C3 and C4 remained unaltered. In the patients with septic shock, markedly decreased levels of CH50, C3, and C4 were seen (p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.001, respectively) without changes in C3PA levels. There were no differences between septic shock due to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, or between patients who died and those who survived. After 96 h, the altered values returned to the normal range. This underlines the transitory activation of the complement system through the classic pathway and suggests its possible role in the pathogenesis of septic shock in man.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1981

[Transitory IgM monoclonal gammopathy associated with brucellosis and tuberculosis (author's transl)].

Two cases of transitory IgM monoclonal gammopathy associated with infectious disease are presented. One patient was a 29 year-old woman with acute brucellosis; electrophoresis showed a homogeneous spike of slow gamma mobility constituted of IgM lambda. The second case was a 52 year-old male with milliary tuberculosis, in whom a homogenous spike of rapid gamma mobility constituted of IgM kappa was found. The monoclonal component disappeared in both cases after treatment of the infections; at 2 and 21/2 months respectively. The fact that the association of transitory IgM paraprotein and infection is not common, especially with brucellosis, is commented upon and a direct relationship between the infection and the monoclonal component is suggested.

Adult↗