PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A S Santos

Publications and source records attributed to A S Santos.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Short-term efficacy of nasal immunotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nasal immunotherapy in the management of allergic rhinitis. Sixteen patients (10 Female; 6 Male) aged 15-60 years (mean age--31.9) were selected on the bases of clinical history, skin prick tests and RAST positivity. Allergen extract is a "macronized" powder form (Allerkin), it was supplied by Laboratorio Farmaceutico Lofarma (Milano Italy) and administered for 12 months to 8 patients with perennial rhinitis (Dermatophagoides extract) and for 6 months to 8 patients with seasonal rhinitis (grass or Parietaria pollens extract). This treatment was carried out by self administration in two phases: the first one (3 months) consisted of administration of increasing doses; the second phase (maintenance period) was carried out 3 months in seasonal rhinitis and 9 months in perennial rhinitis. All the patients were evaluated before and after immunotherapy and scores from 0 to 3 were attributed according to the symptoms presented and need of drugs for symptomatic relief. Scores before and after immunotherapy were compared using the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test and a significant decrease was observed for every symptom in seasonal and perennial rhinitis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this trial shows that nasal immunotherapy in powder form can be a valuable short-term option in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1998

Programme for the surveillance of influenza in Portugal: results of the period 1990-1996.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the situation of the influenza in Portugal through the estimates of the incidence rates and the identification of the viral strains implicated on it during the period 1990-1996. DESIGN: The integrated clinical and laboratory surveillance system for influenza in Portugal is based on the Portuguese sentinel network. Influenza cases are identified by general practitioners (GP) and notified to Division of Epidemiology (DEP) and to National Influenza Centre. Clinical and epidemiological data based on the clinical diagnosis are recorded and incidence rates are computed for the whole country. Throat swabs and blood samples are taken from the patients with influenza and sent to the National Influenza Centre to identify and classify the viral strains implicated. PARTICIPANTS: Lists of patients of the GPs collaborating on "Médicos-Sentinela" network. RESULTS: In 1990-1991, 1992-1993, and 1994-1995 there was a higher prevalence of influenza B virus and the highest influenza activity occurred in February and March in contrast with 1991-1992, 1993-1994, and 1995-1996 where the highest numbers of influenza cases occurred in November and December, and were associated with influenza A. CONCLUSIONS: During the past six years, 1990-1996, the influenza activity has been moderate in Portugal. From 1990-1996 influenza A and B viruses were prevalent every second year. The prevalence of influenza A was associated with the occurrence of the highest number of influenza cases during December and January and the prevalence of influenza B with the occurrence of the highest number of influenza cases during February and March.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1998

[Pediatric varicocele].

The treatment of pediatric varicocele has recently been given a special importance due to clinical and experimental evidence of testicular atrophy and histological changes in 50% of homolateral and sometimes in contralateral testis. Those changes are progressive and similar to those in infertile adults with varicocele. Between 1st January 1990 and 31st December 1994, 41 boys (five to 15 years old--mean age 11.9 years) were presented for evaluation of primary varicocele at the Pediatric Surgery Department of Dona Estefânia Hospital. The varicocele was left sided in 39 boys, bilateral in one and another on the right, with a predominance of grade II. Forty patients underwent varicocelectomy, 31 (77%) by the Ivanisevìc technique. Varicocele recurred in four cases (10%). The authors discuss the results and make some considerations concerning the management of varicocele in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Frequency of the different mutations causing spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 and DRPLA) in a large group of Brazilian patients.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) and Machado-Joseph disease or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (MJD/SCA3) are three distinctive forms of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) caused by expansions of an unstable CAG repeat localized in the coding region of the causative genes. Another related disease, dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is also caused by an unstable triplet repeat and can present as SCA in late onset patients. We investigated the frequency of the SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 and DRPLA mutations in 328 Brazilian patients with SCA, belonging to 90 unrelated families with various patterns of inheritance and originating in different geographic regions of Brazil. We found mutations in 35 families (39%), 32 of them with a clear autosomal dominant inheritance. The frequency of the SCA1 mutation was 3% of all patients; and 6% in the dominantly inherited SCAs. We identified the SCA2 mutation in 6% of all families and in 9% of the families with autosomal dominant inheritance. The MJD/SCA3 mutation was detected in 30% of all patients; and in the 44% of the dominantly inherited cases. We found no DRPLA mutation. In addition, we observed variability in the frequency of the different mutations according to geographic origin of the patients, which is probably related to the distinct colonization of different parts of Brazil. These results suggest that SCA may be occasionally caused by the SCA1 and SCA2 mutations in the Brazilian population, and that the MJD/SCA3 mutation is the most common cause of dominantly inherited SCA in Brazil.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Nasal allergen challenge and mediators release.

Nasal allergen challenges, despite not reproducing exactly natural allergen exposure, are a very useful method to understand the complex cellular kinetics and cellular interactions that occur in allergic rhinitis. Cell-specific soluble mediator measurements can give useful diagnostic information. In this paper we present data concerning eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase measurements after nasal allergen challenge.

Allergens↗