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Biomedical subjects

C K Naspitz

Publications and source records attributed to C K Naspitz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Treatment of acute wheezing and dyspnea attacks in children under 2 years old: inhalation of fenoterol plus ipratropium bromide versus fenoterol.

Two treatment regimens for the initial treatment of acute wheezing were evaluated in 61 wheezing infants. Thirty-one patients received fenoterol (F) (0.1 mg/kg) and placebo (P) and 30 patients received fenoterol (F) (0.1 mg/kg) plus a fixed dose of ipratropium bromide (IB) (50 micrograms). Both groups received the drugs by inhalation using an ultrasonic nebulizer and face mask. A clinical score system based on wheezing and rib cage retraction was established and evaluations were performed before and at 15, 30, and 45 minutes after treatment. After the last evaluation based on the clinical score, it was decided whether to repeat or not to repeat the treatment. Our results showed that a combination of a beta agonist and ipratropium bromide (FB) was more effective than a beta agonist alone (F) in reducing wheezing and dyspnea during an acute attack (63.4 versus 25.8%; p less than 0.05).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Prevention of asthma by ketotifen in infants with atopic dermatitis.

To evaluate the prophylactic effect of ketotifen against the onset of asthma we selected 121 infants with atopic dermatitis, without any history suggestive of asthma (cough and/or wheezing). Sixty-one children received ketotifen twice daily. Those who weighed less than 14 kg received 0.8 mg; 14 kg or more, 1.2 mg. Sixty children, a placebo syrup indistinguishable from the active syrup. Both groups were followed for 1 year, with bimonthly evaluations. The criteria for onset of asthma were two different episodes of wheezing treated with bronchodilator drugs. Both groups were comparable regarding age, sex, weight, onset, and duration of atopic dermatitis and age at the onset of asthma. During the 1 year study, asthma was observed in eight children of the ketotifen group (13.1%) and in 25 children of the placebo group (41.6%) (P less than .001). Side effects were negligible and routine laboratory tests disclosed no significant alterations. Ketotifen is a very useful drug for prevention of asthma in children with atopic dermatitis and total IgE more than 50 IU/mL.

Asthma↗
PubMed1991

Exposure and sensitization to dust mite allergens among asthmatic children in São Paulo, Brazil.

A group of 20 mite allergic asthmatic children aged 6-12 years old, living in São Paulo, Brazil, was studied regarding their degree of sensitization to house dust mites and exposure to mite allergens in their homes. In 18 out of 20 houses at least one dust sample was obtained which contained greater than 10 micrograms Der p I/g of dust. The highest levels of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens, Der p I and Group II, were measured in bedding samples (geometric mean 38.4 and 36.6 micrograms/g, respectively), followed by bedroom floor, TV room and kitchen. Mite allergen levels in Brazilian houses were as high as those reported to be associated with sensitization and acute attacks of asthma in other parts of the world. In keeping with previous reports that D. farinae is rarely found in Brazil, Der f I was undetectable or found in very low levels (less than 0.5 micrograms/g). Levels of cat allergen Fel d I of greater than 8 micrograms/g of dust were obtained only in 2 houses only. Cockroach allergen Bla g I was detected in five out of 20 houses. Levels of IgE antibodies to D. pteronyssinus were greater than 200 RAST U/ml in 19 out of 20 children (geometric mean 1588 RAST U/ml). IgE antibodies to cat, cockroach, A. fumigatus, ragweed and rye grass pollens were undetectable or less than 80 RAST U/ml. IgE antibodies to the mite Blomia tropicalis were also measured, and levels greater than 200 RAST U/ml were observed in 13 out of 20 sera.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

Effects of nutritional copper deficiency on adult non-pregnant and pregnant rats and their newborns.

The effects of nutritional copper deficiency on weight gain, food intake and fertility of pregnant and non-pregnant adult Wistar rats, and weight of newborns, were studied. The adult animals were subjected to diets with different copper content (control-5 ppm; moderate deficiency -1.2 ppm; severe deficiency -0.3 ppm) for six weeks (non-pregnant) and nine weeks (pregnant). No effect on weight gain or appetite was seen in the groups of animals subjected to copper deficiency. Fertility, as evaluated by the number of conceptuses and liverborns of the pregnant animals, and weight of newborns also, were not impaired. These data show that not only the extent of deficiency, but also the period during which it is imposed, as well as its duration, condition the appearance of alterations of this deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of beta-adrenergic function in normal and asthmatic children.

Low levels of serum glucose have been observed in atopic individuals after a subcutaneous injection of epinephrine. This less than normal hyperglycemia could be evidence of partial beta-adrenergic blockade in atopy. We compared the basal values of glucose with those obtained after 30 and 60 minutes of a subcutaneous injection of epinephrine 1/1000 (0.006 ml/kg; maximum of 0.3 ml) in normal and atopic asthmatic children (mild, moderate, and severe). The glucose-oxidase method was used for the determination of glucose levels in peripheral blood. Glucose serum levels in normal children were significantly higher at 30 and 60 minutes compared with basal values. In patients with mild and moderate asthma, significantly higher values were observed only at 30 minutes. In severe asthmatics, the glucose levels at 30 minutes were not different from the basal values, but higher than those observed at 60 minutes. Comparison among the four groups showed significant differences between the nonatopic normal children and the severe asthmatic children at 30 and 60 minutes. The moderate asthmatic children showed significantly lower levels when compared with nonatopic normal children at 30 minutes.

Albuterol↗
PubMed1990

[Selective deficiency of IgA. Infrequent complications].

The association of selective IgA deficiency and/or autoimmune disease is not uncommon. This article includes two rare associations, recurrent parotiditis and Turner syndrome, in two patients with selective IgA deficiency, IgA; IgA deficiency; recurrent parotiditis; Turner's syndrome.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Abnormal maxillary sinus radiographs in children: do they represent bacterial infection?

Thirty-three children with chronic tonsillitis and/or adenoid enlargement and without previous diagnosis of sinusitis were studied regarding the bacterial flora of their maxillary sinuses. Puncture of maxillary sinus was performed at surgery (adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy) and aspirates were cultured. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from 8 of 12 (66.7%) patients whose x-rays showed completely opacified maxillary sinus. Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were recovered from 6 (28.6%) of the 21 patients with normal maxillary sinus radiographs. Bacterial titers were greater than 10(4) colonies/mL in all but one of the positive cultures. No anaerobic bacteria were isolated. History of bronchial asthma, presence of nasal purulent secretion, elevated blood eosinophils, and elevated serum IgE were found more frequently in children with complete opacification of maxillary sinus. Serum levels of IgG2 were low in 29% of the children, but no correlation was found between low IgG2 levels and positive cultures from maxillary sinus aspirates. We concluded that children with complete radiologic opacification of maxillary sinus had bacterial infection in almost 70% of the cases with symptoms that did not prompt their physicians to consider the diagnosis of sinusitis.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Theophylline serum levels in children with bronchial asthma after administration of slow release theophylline as open or closed capsules.

Theophylline serum levels were studied after oral administration of slow release theophylline (Talofilina) in children with bronchial asthma. The children received the drug as closed capsules or as granules, obtained by opening the capsules, for 1 week in each form. The mean dose used was 8.6 mg/kg every 12 h. The theophylline blood levels at 4, 8 and 12 h after drug ingestion were significantly lower when granules from open capsules were used. Our recommended dose of Talofilina for Brazilian children is 16 mg/kg/day, if administered as closed capsules, every 12 h. On open capsule administration every 12 h, the total daily recommended dose is 20 mg/kg/day.

Asthma↗
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of antimicrobial schemes in episodes of fever and granulocytopenia in children with cancer].

The efficacy of two antibiotic regimens used as initial empiric therapy was evaluated in 299 episodes of fever and granulocytopenia in children with cancer. Of these, 148 were treated with the combination cefoxitin-amikacin-carbenicillin and the remaining 151 with ceftriaxone-amikacin. All of the patients were evaluated at the beginning and 72 hours after starting treatment with laboratory tests and based on their clinical condition. Each was classified according to the type of infection. A few modifications were made to the initial treatment plan and in accordance with the clinical condition of each patient. Over 52% of the episodes were due to fever of unknown origin and 47.2% due to infections, of which 33.8% proved to be positive blood cultures mainly for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The modifications made to the basic treatment regimens were the addition of amphotericin B, clindamycin or vancomycin. An 89.2% therapeutic index percentage was obtained, independent from the use of either antibiotic scheme. The total therapeutic index for the study was 83.6%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of acute attacks of bronchial asthma. A comparative study of epinephrine (subcutaneous) and fenoterol (inhalation).

Two treatment schedules for the initial treatment of acute asthma were evaluated in 150 children. The treatments were randomized so that 75 patients received the beta-2-agonist fenoterol nebulized by facial mask and 75 patients received epinephrine by subcutaneous injection. No significant differences in cardiovascular side effects occurred among the four groups at any time after the initial treatment. We conclude that inhaled fenoterol and subcutaneous epinephrine are equally effective. We recommend the use of inhaled fenoterol for the treatment of acute asthma to avoid the discomfort of injections.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Use of calcium channel blocking agents in the management of childhood asthma.

The function of the cells involved in the genesis of bronchial asthma is calcium dependent. The "Ca2+ hypothesis of asthma" suggests that calcium channel blocking agents may have a beneficial effect in asthma. The clinical trials with the available classic calcium antagonists in childhood asthma are very few and their clinical application remains to be determined. Sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen, which have been in clinical use for many years, can be considered as calcium channel blockers and seem to have a significant role in the prophylaxis of bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Cell mediated immunity in patients with Virchowian hanseniasis before and after treatment with transfer factor.

Cell mediated immunity (CMI), bacterial index (BI), morphological index (MI), skin and lymph nodes biopsies were evaluated in 15 patients with virchowian hanseniasis before and after treatment with transfer factor (TF) obtained from human spleens. The patients were divided in 3 groups: group I (control) received only sulfone, group II received sulfone plus TF and group III received only TF. There was no difference in the numbers of peripherical T and B lymphocytes of patients and normal controls. Before the treatment with TF, there was an impaired response of the patient's peripheral lymphocytes to PHA stimulus, in the presence of autologous or homologous plasma. This depressed response was corrected after treatment with TF in the patients of group III. In none of the patients a positive Mitsuda reaction was observed before and after treatment with TF. The improvement of the MI observed in group III, treated only with TF was remarkably similar to the patients treated only with sulfone. This work points out that TF has a role in the treatment of patients with virchowian hanseniasis, based on the improvement of CMI, MI, on histopathology of skin biopsies and clinical conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Cell-mediated immunity in patients with carcinoma: correlation between clinical stage and immunocompetence.

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was evaluated in 82 patients with non-lymphoid tumors by in vivo and in vitro methods. These included skin test with ubiquitous antigens, 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization, determination of T and B peripheral blood lymphocytes, and lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The patients were divided into two groups: those with localized and those with disseminated disease (LD and DD). The patients with LD showed no significant differences in CMI when compared with normal controls. The patients with DD showed various defects in CMI when compared with controls and patients with LD. There were significant differences in the response to DNCB, and streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD) was the most discriminative of the skin-test antigens. The response to PHA was greatly depressed in patients with DD, whether in the presence of autologous or homologous plasma; in some patients a factor inhibiting to blastogenesis was detected in the serum. In patients with DD, a T-cell lymphopenia was observed. These data showed a correlation between immunocompetence and clinical stage.

Adult↗