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Biomedical subjects

S Malka

Publications and source records attributed to S Malka.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

International perspectives on controversial practices in allergic diseases: the South American experience.

A number of unconventional approaches, some of them autochthonous and some imported from other regions of the world, have been used for many years by practitioners and folk healers in Latin America. Most of these methods remain unproven and cannot be recommended for routine use today. However, it must be said that some of them look interesting and need further investigation, since they might provide additional information about the pathogenesis and new ways for the control of allergic diseases and asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1976

The size of airborne dust particles precipitating bronchospasm in house dust sensitive children.

We have assessed the effect of house-cleaning procedures on changes in airborne dust and bacteria counts and correlated these with respiratory function tests in 14 children with bronchial asthma who were known to have developed attacks at home, and who had positive skin tests to house dust and the house-dust mite. We have demonstrated that after cleaning procedures a positive and statistically significant correlation exists between the increase in the numbers of small particles, 2 mum. and less in diameter, in the environment, and reduction in mean peak flow. This indicates that particles of this size penetrate the bronchial tree and are the causative factor in the genesis of bronchospasm.

Asthma↗
PubMed1974

Excess IgD bearing lymphocytes in patients with malignant melanoma.

B lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of 15 melanoma patients and 14 normal adults were studied using immunofluorescence to IgA, IgG, IgD and IgM surface markers. The total number of peripheral blood B lymphocytes was increased in the melanoma patients (1048/mm(3)) compared with normal controls (504) (P<0·01).The expression of excess IgD bearing lymphocytes in these melanoma patients may reflect a derepression of oncofoetal type.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous sensitivity to six mite species in asthmatic patients from five Latin American countries.

The prevalence of positive skin prick tests to the mite species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Blomia tropicalis, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Aleuroglyphus ovatus was determined in 297 asthmatic adults and children living in seven cities of five Latin American countries. A standardized protocol and a common battery of extracts were used at each site. The mean wheal diameters were measured after 15 min, and those > or = 3 mm were considered positive. Sensitization to D. pteronyssinus varied from 60.7% in Cartagena to 91.2% in São Paulo; to D. farinae from 53.3% in Córdoba to 97.2% in Caracas; to A. ovatus from 26.6% in Bogotá to 71.2% in São Paulo; to B. tropicalis from 46.5% in Mexico City to 93.7% in São Paulo; to C. arcuatus from 33.3% in Mexico City to 75% in São Paulo; and to L. destructor from 30% in Mexico City to 76.2% in São Paulo. This study reported the results of skin test sensitivities in both children and adults. The studies from São Paulo and Córdoba were confined to children and thus could be compared; there was a significantly higher prevalence of cutaneous sensitivity to mite allergens in the children of São Paulo than in those of Córdoba (p < 0.001 for all mite species). Cutaneous sensitivity to mite allergens is very common in young and adult asthmatics in Latin America, in areas both at sea level and at high altitudes. Environmental control measures should be reinforced in the treatment of asthmatics in Latin America.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Asthma mortality in Latin America.

There are not enough data concerning asthma mortality in Latin America. The Latin American Society of Allergy and Immunology coordinated this project to provide reliable data for gaining knowledge about our present situation, which is a condition indispensable to changing it. The following countries participated in this study: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. A uniform protocol was designed in Santa Fe, Argentina. Asthma mortality rates were analyzed in accordance with two variables: age-adjusted rates (5-34) and total death rates. The total population studied was 107, 122, 529 inhabitants. The highest death rates were found in Uruguay and Mexico (5.63), and the lowest in Paraguay (0.8) and Colombia (1.35). Age-adjusted (5-34) rates were higher in Costa Rica (1.38) and lower in Chile (0.28). Regarding sex, the analysis of the information provided by seven countries showed a predominance of females (51.8%) over males (48.18%). In the southern Latin American countries such as Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, which have marked climatic differences, deaths occurred mainly in the winter. It is important to emphasize that, in most countries, deaths from asthma occurred at home: Chile (60.7%), Argentina (63.4%) and Paraguay (88%). However, in Uruguay, 58.6% occurred during hospitalization. Mortality rates from bronchial asthma are high in most of the Latin American countries studied, even though further studies are needed. Asthma is a serious global health problem. People of all ages in countries throughout the world are affected by this chronic airway disorder that can be severe and sometimes fatal. The health ministries of each country do not believe asthma is a significant issue. Therefore, we should provide them with sound epidemiological studies to convince them to change their attitude toward this disease.

Adolescent↗