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Biomedical subjects

R K Bush

Publications and source records attributed to R K Bush.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Asthma due to Central American walnut (Juglans olanchana) dust.

The purpose of our study was to describe a case of asthma due to Central American walnut (Juglans olanchana) dust and to ascertain whether an IgE antibody mechanism was implicated. The subject was a 48-year-old man who developed asthma following exposure to Central American walnut dust. Although intradermal testing with an aqueous extract of walnut dust produced no response, inhalation challenge with the extract produced significant bronchoconstriction. Another asthmatic person exposed to the wood dust had a positive skin test, but did not respond to the bronchial challenge. A direct radioallergosorbent test (RAST) on both subjects showed no evidence of serum IgE antibodies to Central American walnut dust. Consequently, the mechanism responsible for the sensitivity to the walnut dust remains unknown.

Asthma↗
PubMed1982

Immunological studies on Alternaria sensitivity. Use of crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis, precipitins and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Characterization of the immunological response to Alternaria in sensitive subjects is not complete. We used crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) to identify antigens in Alternaria extracts reacting with IgE antibody in five patients with Alternaria-sensitive asthma, four with Alternaria-induced rhinitis, three non-allergic asthmatics, and three normal controls. All five Alternaria-asthma patients and three of four Alternaria-rhinitis patients showed IgE binding to a third antigen. These results suggest an analogy of Alternaria antigens with that found in ragweed pollen extracts, i.e. that IgE antibody is directed against more than one antigen. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found a significant difference (P less than 0.05, unpaired Student's t-test) in IgG binding between Alternaria-sensitive asthmatics and normal controls. There was no apparent difference in IgG binding between untreated Alternaria-sensitive asthmatics and those receiving high-dose immunotherapy.

Alternaria↗
PubMed1978

Effects of experimental rhinovirus 16 infection on airways and leukocyte function in normal subjects.

We infected 7 normal volunteers with rhinovirus 16. In general, the symptoms and alterations in airways were minimal although all subjects had upper respiratory symptoms. Three subjects developed in addition lower respiratory and systemic symptoms accompanied by either an increase in the volume of isoflow or a positive methacholine response. Furthermore, these three had a decrease in beta adrenergic and H2 histamine receptor responses of their granulocytes. Since the peripheral airway obstruction and decreased beta adrenergic and H2 histamine responses occurred together, these two phenomenon may have a common cause. All seven subjects had a decrease in number of circulating E rosette-forming lymphocytes, and in 6 of 7, there was a decrease in the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity capacity of mononuclear cell preparations. It is not clear whether these changes reflect redistribution of mononuclear cells or alteration of their function.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Asthma due to African zebrawood (Microberlinia) dust.

Inhalation of wood dusts can cause immediate and late onset asthma. The list of woods responsible for such reactions is continually increasing. We report a patient with asthma induced by exposure to the dust of African zebrawood (genus Microberlinia). Sensitivity to this dust was confirmed by immediate skin-test reactivity, a positive bronchial challenge, and a positive radio allergo-sorbent test to an aqueous extract. The bronchial response was inhibited by sodium cromoglycate. Unexposed persons did not exhibit skin or bronchial reactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

A comparison of a theophylline-ephedrine combination with terbutaline.

In a single-blind, crossover study 10 adult asthmatic patients received a theophylline-ephedrine combination tablet (theophylline 90 mg, ephedrine 16 mg and phenobarbital 25 mg in an immediate release layer and theophylline 90 mg and ephedrine 32 mg in a sustained release layer) twice daily or terbutaline 5 mg three times daily for two weeks. There was no significant difference in bronchodilator response to a single dose of the study drugs on either the initial day of treatment or after two weeks of continuous therapy. Mean increases in serum cyclic-AMP levels produced by both drugs were not significantly different. Mean peak plasma theophylline levels were 2.9 +/- 1.3 microgram/ml following the initial dose and 7.3 +/- 3.4 microgram/ml after two weeks of continuous dosing with the combination drug. No adverse effects on blood pressure or pulse rate were observed to either drug. Overall, the incidence and severity of reported side effects (tremor, nausea and nervousness) were less with the theophylline-ephedrine combination.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Response to corticosteroids in the hypereosinophilic syndrome. Association with increased serum IgE levels.

Severe blood eosinophilia (16,500/cu mm and 6,500/cu mm) accompanied by involvement of the lungs, pleura, heart, pericardium, liver, gastrointestinal tract, peripheral nerves, or skin developed in two patients with bronchial asthma. Associated with the eosinophilia were elevated serum IgE levels (1,400 IU/ml and 10,500 IU/ml), depressed serum C4 complement levels (13 mg/100 ml and 6 mg/100 ml), and high titers of rheumatoid factor (1:2560 and 1:640). Symptoms improved after treatment with prednisone and the eosinophil counts and serum IgE and C4 complement levels returned to normal.

Asthma↗
PubMed1977

Immediate and late onset asthma from occupational exposure to soybean dust.

Most patients sensitive to soybean experience gastrointentinal symptoms, urticaria, angioedema, and asthma after ingestion. However, we report here a previously non-allergic patient who developed immediate and late onset asthma after breathing soybean flour used in the manufacture of food supplements. She exhibited positive immediate and late skin test sensitivity as well as a positive bronchial challenge to a soybean flour extract. In contrast to another patient with an anaphylactic response after soybean ingestion, the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to soybean antigen was negative in our patient.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnosis of sulfite and aspirin sensitivity.

In addition to the well-recognized allergic responses of individuals to high mol wt substances, such as pollens, molds, and animal dander, susceptible asthmatics may also experience adverse reactions to low mol wt substances such as sulfites, ASA, and NSAIDs. The diagnosis of sulfite and aspirin sensitivity can only be made by appropriately conducted provocative challenge. Every precaution should be taken to assure the safety of the patients, since life-threatening reactions can occur. A better understanding of the mechanism or mechanisms involved in the adverse reactions to these substances will not only provide information to better diagnose the reaction, but also improve our understanding of the treatment of asthma.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Peanut sensitivity.

Peanuts are one of the most allergenic foods. The allergic reactions may vary in severity from mild urticaria to severe anaphylactic episodes and death. The prevalence of peanut sensitivity is unknown, but it may affect as many as 10% of allergic individuals. The chemistry of peanut proteins has been extensively studied. Two major protein fractions have been prepared from saline extracts of peanut flour, arachin and conarachin. A major peanut allergen termed "Peanut-1" has been isolated. However, a number of protein constituents, including the arachin and conarachin fractions, have been shown to be allergenic. The ability to diagnose peanut sensitivity accurately has been hampered by the lack of standardized peanut extracts. However, efforts are under way to prepare such standardized reagents. Treatment consists of avoiding peanut protein products and using self-administered epinephrine. A number of peanut protein-containing products are allergenic, although peanut oil is not. The peanut-allergic consumer should be instructed to carefully read labels of foods. This can at times, however, be misleading, because certain foods may be inadvertently contaminated by peanut proteins.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergic reaction to latex: a risk factor for unsuspected anaphylaxis.

Allergic reactions to latex, including anaphylaxis may be a problem in certain individuals exposed to latex. Four atopic patients with symptoms of rhinitis, asthma, anaphylaxis, and/or urticaria upon contact with latex products were studied. The patients showed IgE binding to latex RAST disks ranging from 1.0 to 27.3 times the negative control. Latex products (gloves, balloons, and condoms) directly bound IgE from all four patients. Eluted proteins from the latex products inhibited IgE binding to commercial latex RAST disks. SDS-PAGE demonstrated multiple latex protein bands by Coomassie Blue staining between 14 and 66 kD. Immunoblotting showed specific IgE binding to latex proteins at 30 and 66 kD. These results indicate that latex-allergic patients have IgE directed against specific latex proteins. Allergy to latex can pose a substantial health risk to susceptible individuals.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fungal extracts in clinical practice.

Sensitivity to fungi is a common clinical problem. Although many commercial extracts for diagnosis and treatment of fungal sensitivity are available, there is a lack of standardized materials. New research into the isolation and purification of fungal allergens may improve upon this situation. Controlled immunotherapy trials with fungal extracts have identified selected populations who may benefit from this type of therapy.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunology of a serum sickness/vasculitis reaction secondary to streptokinase used for acute myocardial infarction.

We have studied six patients who received streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction (MI). One of these patients experienced a serum sickness/vasculitis reaction nine days after receiving the drug. Immunologic investigation of serum obtained from these individuals demonstrated that IgE and IgG anti-streptokinase antibody concentrations (measured by radioimmunoassay) were significantly elevated, both pre and post (IgE antibody, 36-fold increase) drug exposure, in the individual having the serum sickness/vasculitis reaction. Two of five of the remaining MI patients receiving the drug had post-exposure elevation of IgE anti-streptokinase antibody, but no patient had the immunologic profile seen in the individual with vasculitis. One should be aware that the serum sickness/vasculitis reaction can occur late after administration of streptokinase when the acute MI patient is recuperating.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Avoidance diets--how selective should we be?

Selective avoidance diets are the most common means of treatment for food allergies and other types of food sensitivities. With IgE-mediated food allergies, adverse reactions can occur in some patients to very small amounts of the offending food; therefore, strict avoidance of the offending food must be accomplished. With other, non-immunological types of food sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance and sulfite sensitivity, the patients are able to tolerate some, although variable, amounts of the offending substance. Thus, the degree of tolerance is an important concern in the construction of safe and effective avoidance diets. Another issue in the development of selective avoidance diets is the presence of the allergen in specific foods. For example, the peanut allergen is a protein which is not present in peanut oil. Consequently, peanut oil is safe to consume for peanut-allergic patients. Cross-reactivity is yet another concern in the development of selective avoidance diets. Cross reactions can occur between related species of legumes, crustacea, eggs, and milk for example. The construction of a safe and effective avoidance diet for food allergies and sensitivities requires consideration of several important issues and is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

Cross Reactions↗