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Biomedical subjects

P Omodeo

Publications and source records attributed to P Omodeo.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in a chemical worker.

We report a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by inhalation of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, an additive used as a microbicidal in detergent production, in a 26-year-old man employed in a chemical factory producing detergents. The subject's task consisted of pouring raw materials into the recipient of a machine which mixed the substances. Two months after the beginning of this job the patient complained of rhinitis and asthma at the workplace. The specific challenge test with 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, one of the raw materials to which the subject was exposed, provoked an immediate prolonged asthmatic response and nasal symptoms, whereas exposure to other agents (e.g., alpha-amylase, alcalase or bezalkonium chloride) to which the patient was also exposed at work did not. To our knowledge this is the first case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by this compound.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Bronchial responsiveness to ultrasonic "fog" in occupational asthma due to low molecular weight chemicals.

BACKGROUND: In a previous work we have demonstrated that the use of an indirect stimulus such as ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW, "fog") challenge, in addition to methacholine, in the assessment of occupational asthma due to TDI improves our ability in detecting sensitized subjects. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we aimed to determine the validity of "fog" in the assessment of occupational asthma induced by various low molecular weight substances. METHODS: Fourty subjects exposed to low molecular weight substances with work-related respiratory symptoms underwent methacholine, UNDW and specific bronchial challenge tests. Diagnosis of occupational asthma was made in 20 of 40 patients who developed bronchoconstrictive responses to the specific challenges (reactors). Sensitivity and specificity of UNDW alone, of methacholine alone, and of the combination of the two tests were determined at two different cutpoints of PD20FEV1 of methacholine, with the results of the specific challenge as the "gold standard". RESULTS: Frequency and severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness both to UNDW and to methacholine were significantly higher in reactors than in nonreactors. Ultrasonically nebulized distilled water had higher specificity (80% versus 60%) but lower sensitivity (65% versus 75% to 90%) than methacholine. As compared with methacholine alone, the combination in series of the two challenges (both challenges positive) substantially improved specificity (85% versus 60%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in the assessment of low molecular weight chemical-induced asthma diagnosed with the specific challenge as the "gold standard," UNDW challenge proves more specific than methacholine for occupational asthma, but it is considerably less sensitive. The combination of the two challenges results in very high sensitivity and high specificity for occupational asthma, therefore, although further investigations are required for the definitive diagnosis, it should be regarded as a useful means to confirm objectively a suggestive history.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Occupational asthma, rhinitis and urticaria due to piperacillin sodium in a pharmaceutical worker.

A 28 year old man with no history of atopy was referred to our hospital for possible work-related asthma. He had been employed in the production section of a pharmaceutical company for 2 yrs, and in the last 2 months he had complained of dyspnoea, wheezing, chest tightness, symptoms of rhinitis and a cutaneous rash when exposed to powdered antibiotics. Symptoms disappeared after being transferred to the packaging section. When the subject was admitted to our department he was asymptomatic. Basal lung function tests were in the normal range. Bronchial challenges with methacholine and with ultrasonically-nebulized distilled water were negative. Skin-prick test with piperacillin sodium gave a strong positive response at a very low concentration. Specific inhalation challenge with piperacillin sodium resulted in an immediate asthmatic reaction, and also reproduced rhinitis symptoms and the cutaneous rash. A control challenge with lactose, and the specific challenge test with cefuroxime sodium (another antibiotic to which the patient was exposed at the workplace) were negative. We conclude that piperacillin sodium is an agent that can cause occupational asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A Hypercard program for the identification of biological specimens.

A Hypercard-based software tool developed to provide help in the identification of biological specimens is presented. The package implements a matching algorithm that compares alphanumeric strings and runs on Macintosh computers, though its simple architecture can be transferred to other computers and/or other programming environments. The overall performance of the program and its easy customization to specific problems are demonstrated by discussing at length one application in the field of earthworm identification.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Philippo Bonanni and his "Micrographia curiosa".

In this introduction, a short biography of Philippo Bonanni and comments on his "Micrographia curiosa" are presented. P. Bonanni was the first naturalist to describe a phlebotomine sandfly. His work was published in 1691, and on the occasion of the Tricentenary of its publication, the "First International Symposium on Phlebotomine Sandflies" was organized.

Animals↗