Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Lleonart

Publications and source records attributed to R Lleonart.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Immunocytologic analysis of nasal cells obtained by nasal lavage: a comparative study with a standard method of cell identification.

For evaluation of two methods of nasal cell identification, cell morphology and immunocytologic analysis, nasal lavage was performed in 16 healthy subjects and 29 patients suffering from rhinitis. Nasal lavage smears were stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG), and cells were identified according to their structure as epithelial cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and metachromatic cells (basophils and mast cells). Immunocytologic analysis was performed with monoclonal antibodies by the immunoalkaline phosphatase method. The following monoclonal antibodies were used: CK1, EG2, and CD3, which identify epithelial cells, activated eosinophils, and T lymphocytes, respectively; CD15, which recognizes mature granulocytic cells; and CD14, which reacts with monocytes and macrophages. A significant difference was observed between the two methods in the number of identified epithelial cells, in both controls (64.6 +/- 7.8% with MGG, 14.2 +/- 3.5% with CK1 analysis) and patients with rhinitis (56.9 +/- 7.6% with MGG, 18.2 +/- 3.7% with CK1 analysis). In contrast, no significant differences were found in eosinophil and neutrophil counts when the two methods were compared. After nasal allergic provocation, a significant increase in the number of eosinophils was observed with both methods in seven patients with rhinitis. The results of this study indicate that: 1) MGG staining is a useful method to identify the cells obtained by nasal lavage, and 2) immunocytologic analysis with monoclonal antibodies accurately identifies granulocytic cells, while only a low proportion of epithelial cells are detected, probably because anticytokeratin monoclonal antibody reacts only with viable cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Coronary artery spasm and acute myocardial infarction in naproxen-associated anaphylactic reaction.

We present the case of a 43-year-old man who suffered an acute myocardial infarction after oral administration of 250 mg of naproxen, prescribed as antiinflammatory-analgesic agent after tooth extraction. Both intradermal skin test and human basophil degranulation test were positive to naproxen. These findings suggest a naproxen-associated anaphylactic reaction with concomitant coronary artery spasm and posteroinferior infarction, a clinical event previously not reported with the use of this drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Food allergy: identification of the major IgE-binding component of peach (Prunus persica).

Since peaches are a relatively common cause of food allergy, we set out to identify the allergens involved. With the use of a panel of 48 sera from patients allergic to peach, we demonstrate that most of the allergenicity of that fruit is confined to the skin, rather than to the flesh of peaches, and corresponds to a protein doublet with an estimated molecular weight of 8-10 kD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Effect of astemizole on allergic asthma.

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study with a washout phase of 2 months between each treatment period, single daily doses of 10 and 30 mg of astemizole were given to 12 patients with extrinsic asthma during 28 consecutive days. Albuterol was allowed as concurrent medication when needed. On days 0, 7, and 28 specific bronchial provocation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cutaneous tests with histamine and D. pteronyssinus extracts were carried out. The requirements of beta-agonist inhalations and the number of bronchospasm episodes were recorded throughout the study period. Inhibition of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction appeared on day 7 with 30-mg doses of astemizole, while it was not observed until day 28 with 10-mg doses. Wheal responses caused by histamine were reduced only after active treatment. The wheal response to the highest allergen concentration was reduced on days 7 and 28 after 30 mg of astemizole, whereas doses of 10 mg only caused a reduction on day 28. It is concluded that astemizole could be useful as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of certain types of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Hypersensitivity reactions to ethylenediamine].

Most allergic reactions to aminophylline are caused by hypersensitivity to ethylendiamine. We present 3 asthmatic patients, 2 of whom had immediate allergic symptoms after the administration of aminophylline. The third patient presented generalized erythrodermia 24 hours after receiving aminophylline. In all three cases sensitivity to ethylendiamine was observed in skin testing. These patients can tolerate other theophylline preparations not containing ethylendiamine.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

A novel, quantitative bioassay for type I interferon using a recombinant indicator cell line.

We describe a specific and quantitative novel assay for biologically active human type I interferon (IFN), the MxR assay. It is based on a Vero cell line containing multiple copies of a hybrid gene consisting of the murine Mx promoter, which is responsive to type I IFN, linked to the human growth hormone (hGH) transcription unit. Exposure of this cell line to IFN-alpha or -beta for 12-48 hours results in the production of hGH that is measured by a commercially available radio-immune assay. The response to IFN-alpha is dose-dependent between 3 and 1000 units/ml. There is no response to TNF, IL-1 and a number of other cytokines and growth factors, and only a negligible response to IFN-gamma.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Subcutaneous nodules and sensitivity to aluminum in patients undergoing hyposensitivity immunotherapy].

Hypersensitivity reactions to aluminium are very rate. Sensitization has been reported to occur during continuous application of aluminium-containing antiperspirants or by aluminium adjuvants in vaccines and hyposensitization immunotherapy. We report 5 patients who developed persistent and itching subcutaneous nodules following immunotherapy. Histologically, the nodules showed a granulomatous reaction consistent with delayed hypersensitivity to aluminium. Patch tests with 2% aluminium chloride in water were positive in three patients, and positive results of patch test with other metals (nickel, cobalt) were frequently associated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sublingual immunotherapy in children. Immunotherapy Committee of the Spanish Society for Clinical Immunology and Pediatric Allergology].

Sublingual immunotherapy is currently attracting growing interest because of its ease of administration and, according to previous studies, its infrequent and mild adverse effects. However, at least in children, the efficacy of this therapy has not been completely demonstrated. In addition, the mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated since few studies have been published and the results have been contradictory and sometimes inconclusive. For this reason, we performed a literature review through the MEDLINE database, selecting double-blind studies carried out in children. Only 10 studies meeting these requirements were retrieved. All the studies were performed by European researchers and nine were published in European journals. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical parameters and by reduction in medication use. The results on efficacy are not homogeneous, although most support the utility of this route of administration. Moreover, reports of allergens other than those used in these studies dust mites and grass pollens are lacking. In conclusion, further studies evaluating the efficacy of this therapy in children are required. Among the general population, if the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in the treatment of sensitization to hymenoptera venoms were demonstrated, as has been the case with subcutaneous immunotherapy, the utility of this route of administration would be definitively confirmed. Finally, sublingual immunotherapy could be used in children who have shown systemic reactions to subcutaneous immunotherapy or who refuse to undergo injections.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A prospective and multicenter safety-monitoring study of a short up-dosing schedule of immunotherapy with a mass-units-standardized extract of mites.

A prospective, multicenter pharmacovigilance study was carried out to evaluate the safety of a new 7-dose treatment schedule of subcutaneous immunotherapy as opposed to the conventional 13 doses normally recommended. The study was carried out in 14 centers and included 261 patients (children and adults) with respiratory allergic disease due to sensitization to mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and/or farinae). A total of 2290 doses were administered under the direct supervision of the participating specialists. One hundred and ten reactions in 63 patients (24.1%) were recorded, representing 4.8% of the total doses administered. Most of the reactions (98) were local. Only 12 were systemic (0.5% of the administered doses) and occurred in 10 patients (3.8% of the sample). Ten reactions reverted quickly with rescue medication. The maintenance dose had to be lowered in one patient and another patient was withdrawn from the study after suffering two asthmatic crises after two consecutive doses. In view of the results obtained, we can conclude that the new schedule shows an acceptable tolerance profile and does not present a greater risk of reactions than the conventional scheme of 13 doses using an identical extract. Moreover, the new schedule represents substantial savings in the number of doses and visits required to reach the maintenance dose.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Atopic dermatitis today.

This review focuses on recent literature regarding atopic dermatitis (AD). New insights in epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, quality of life measures, provocative factors, patophysiology and therapy will be highlighted. New diagnostic criteria for AD set by the UK working party allow easier epidemiologic studies to cope with this increasingly prevalent disease. Immunomodulating therapy with cyclosporine holds promise in the treatment of refractory AD.

Adolescent↗