PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Foti

Publications and source records attributed to C Foti.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

3-Dimethylaminopropylamine: a key substance in contact allergy to cocamidopropylbetaine?

In the past year, 1200 consecutive eczematous patients were tested with cocamidopropylbetaine 1% aq. Contact allergy was evinced in 46 subjects (3.8%), while irritant reactions (slight erythema only) were observed in 15 cases (1.25%). 30 out of 46 patients with allergic reactions were subsequently tested with the substances used in the synthesis of cocamidopropylbetaine, together with a sample of cocamidopropylbetaine declared by the supplier to possess a greater purity. In all 30 subjects, positive reactions were obtained to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMPA) 1% aq., while the cocamidopropylbetaine defined of purer grade, at 0.5% and 1% aq., gave positive reactions in 10% and 53% of cases, respectively. These results suggest that the DMPA present at various levels as an impurity in the commercial product is responsible for cocamidopropylbetaine allergy. Owing to the inconsistency of positive reactions to cocamidopropylbetaine of variable purity, and to the consistency of positive reactions to DMPA, it seems likely that these reactions may also be connected with the presence in the product, defined of purer grade, of unknown amounts of DMPA as impurity. Structural similarities between the 2 molecules cannot be considered in this case, because the DMPA structure is radically changed in its transformation to the betaine structure. Further experiments with other molecules related to the above structures are in hand.

Betaine↗
PubMed1994

Sulfite contact allergy.

In the last 2 years, 2,894 consecutive eczematous patients were patch tested with sodium metabisulfite 1% pet. Positive reactions were elicited in 50 subjects (1.7%). All 50 patients were also positive to potassium metabisulfite 1% pet. and sodium bisulfite 1% and 5% pet., while only 2 of them were positive to sodium sulfite 1% pet. Prick tests and intradermal tests with a sodium metabisulfite solution (10 mg/ml) were negative. No flare-ups of dermatitis or patch test were provoked by oral challenge with 30 mg and 50 mg of sodium metabisulfite. The dermatitis was taken to be occupational in 7 cases. In only 5 out of 43 non-occupational cases was the positive reaction considered relevant.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Mercury exanthem.

We have observed 9 male patients with a generalized rash following the topical use of an over-the-counter antiparasitic powder (MOM), containing ammoniated (11.2 g%) and metallic (4.2 g%) mercury, to treat phthiriasis (lice infestation). Primary and intensely erythemato-exudative lesions of the pubic region and genitals were associated with inverted erythema of the upper inner thighs and, in severe cases, involvement of the face, neck, trunk and major flexures. Eruptions included exanthematic, papulo-vesicular, purpuric and erythema-multiforme-like clinical pictures. 7 of the 9 cases presented with general malaise and pyrexia. A positive patch test reaction to ammoniated mercury was observed in all cases. There are probably 3 routes of powder exposure behind this type of rash: (i) direct skin contact; (ii) airborne skin contact; (iii) inhalation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Urethritis caused by neisseria meningitidis: a case report.

Isolation of N. meningitidis from the male urethra has become more common in recent years and this has been attributed to sexual activities and changes in social attitudes. We describe a further case of acute urethritis caused by transmission of N. meningitidis occurring after a single sexual contact (fellatio) in a heterosexual man. The urethritis was initially diagnosed as being caused by N. gonorrhoeae on a presumptive basis, then attributed to N. meningitidis serogroup Y. This case shows the need of accurate diagnostic procedures in all cases resembling gonococcal urethritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Non-gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis from Chlamydia trachomatis: evaluation by means of chlamydiazine and serology].

Infection from Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in men with non gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and in women with cervicitis has been investigated by means of Chlamidiazime and serological tests. 32.5% of 120 men with NGU and 8.3% of 12 men with dysuria were positive to Chlamydiazine test. Serological test using anti-CT IgG antibodies gave positive results in 30% of men with NGU and 33.3% of men with dysuria. Positivity to higher-levels (1:64) of anti-CT IgG antibodies were demonstrated in 14.1% of NGU patients and 16.6% of men affected by dysuria. Of 11 women positive to Chlamydiazine test, 8 were affected by cervicitis and 3 had no symptoms. All female partners of Chlamydiazine-positive men with NGU resulted positive to Chlamydiazime test. Serological tests were more frequently positive in asymptomatic partners of men with NGU. These results give further evidence for the aetiological role of CT, and suggest that antigen detection assay is more sensitive in men with NGU and in women with symptomatic cervicitis. On the other hand, serological tests seem more useful in men with dysuria and in asymptomatic women.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for sensitization to AnisakiS simplex: a multivariate statistical evaluation.

Anisakis simplex is a nematode belonging to the Anisakidae family. The ingestion of third stage larvae in uncooked or undercooked seafood may cause human diseases known as anisakiasis and anisakidosis. A total of 400 (159 atopic and 241 non-atopic) subjects living in an area of southern Italy (Bari district) were consecutively evaluated to identify the association of some factors (sex, age, atopy, consumption of uncooked seafood and sensitization to dust mites) with the risk of Anisakis simplex sensitization. Patients were investigated on history of atopy and allergic diseases and were skin prick tested with commercial allergen extracts of Anisakis simplex, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycyphagus domesticus, Euroglyphus maynei, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. Our results suggest that atopic subjects have a lower risk of Anisakis allergy than non-atopic subjects and show the association of Anisakis simplex sensitization with the consumption of uncooked seafood (anchovies and squid), increasing age and sensitization to Glycyphagus domesticus.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Binding of 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate by open chain polyammonium cations.

The interaction of some open chain polyammonium cations with 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate was studied potentiometrically, at 25 degrees C. For all the investigated systems, the species ALHr(r-3) (r = 1,2 ... n + 2; n = number of aminogroups; A = amine; L = carboxylate) are formed. The stability of these complexes depends on charges in the polyammonium cation and in the carboxylic ligand, and for the reaction HiAi+ + HjL(j - 3) = ALHi + j(i + j - 3) we found a mean free energy contribution for salt bridge -delta G0 = 6.5 +/- 0.3 kJ mol-1 n-1 (n = number of possible salt bridges). The results of this investigation are compared with those of similar systems. By considering also the tricarboxylic ligands citrate and 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate, we found for their complexes with polyammonium cations a fairly close stability. Calculations performed including complexes formed with these two ligands give -delta G0 = 6.6 +/- 0.4 kJ mol-1 n-1.

Benzene Derivatives↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Contact dermatitis of the hands in housewives: the results of a multicenter study].

The survey was carried out between January 1988 and June 1990. It consisted in a clinical and allergological study of 1489 housewives, 880 of which had contact dermatitis at their hands. (group of "cases"). The other 609 represented the control group. The anamnesis was gathered with a guided questionnaire: the questions concerned familiar and personnel pathology, use of detergents and cosmetics, use of means of prevention and therapies. Patch tests with haptens of GIRDCA series and with the most common detergent components were performed. In 98% of cases hands were the lace of beginning of symptoms; in the group of "cases" 46% were positive to at least one patch test. Nickel sulphate gave positivities in the 28% of cases. Results of the search of this metal (and of chrome and cobalt) in detergents are described. Other possible occasions of contact are described. Other causes of sensitization are represented by rubber additives, by perfumes and by preservatives. Cutipositivities for detergents are very really limited. Means of protection, in particular barrier creams, are described as scarcely used.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinico-statistical investigation about cement dermatitis in Italy].

To define the prevalence of cement dermatitis (allergic contact dermatitis-ACD-and irritant contact dermatitis-ICD), two retrospective studies have been carried out in Italy: the first one based on the analysis of dermatitis cases ascribable to cement as defined by INAIL (Italian Institute for Industrial Accidents Insurance) from 1984 to 1992; the second one by surveying cement dermatitis cases in workers in the building industry aged between 16 and 70 carried out by Istituto di Clinica Dermatologica dell'Università di Bari from 1988 to 1994. The survey on INAIL data showed that in the years take into account 5,290 dermatitis cases included in item 41 of the occupational diseases table have been defined. About 80% of these cases have been observed in workers working as bricklayers and floor-layers. Therefore, given the remarkable exposure to cement in these professions, the prevalence of cement dermatitis in Italy has been estimated to 6 cases/province/year, even though it has not been possible recognize the clinical form of cement dermatitis. Moreover, the study showed that disabling cutaneous after-effects eligible for compensation have been observed in 30% of the cases defined by INAIL. The allergologic study carried out by Clinica Dermatologica has not only defined the incidence of contact dermatitis (ACD and ICD), in building workers, but it has also extrapoled dermatitis cases due to cement. As a whole, in the years taken into account, 166 occupational or mixed ACD cases and 77 occupational or mixed ICD have been diagnosed. The incidence of contact dermatitis ascribable to cement has equalled 79% among ACD and 88% among ICD, with a ratio of about 2 to 1 in favour of allergic forms. Among the chemicals tested, potassium bichromate showed the highest frequency of cases positive to patch tests. The skin site the most affected by cement dermatitis is hand, followed by upper limbs, lower limbs and feet. In the province of Bari, in the years taken into account, an average incidence of 28.4 cases per year of the two forms of cement dermatitis has been observed.

Adolescent↗