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D Vital-Durand

Publications and source records attributed to D Vital-Durand.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Duration of the antihistaminic effect after discontinuation of ebastine.

BACKGROUND: The inhibitory effect of antihistamines on allergen-induced skin reactions can impair the results of allergen skin testing, which are necessary for the diagnosis of atopic diseases. This study was designed to determine the time period required for the inhibitory effect of ebastine on allergen-induced skin reactivity to disappear completely. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study including 23 out of 27 randomized patients. They received either ebastine 20 mg or placebo once daily for 7 days. At the end of treatment, allergen challenge was performed daily for 7 days. Histamine challenge was performed on day 1 (6 and 24 h) and day 5 after treatment. The wheal and flare surface areas were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: Highly significant inhibition of the wheal and flare response induced by allergen was observed after ebastine treatment on days 1 and 2 as compared with placebo (P < 0.01 for both). The inhibition was reduced, although still significant, by day 3 (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed by day 4 between the ebastine and the placebo groups. The effects of histamine challenge were significantly reduced in the ebastine compared with the placebo group at day 1 (6 and 24 h), and were similar at day 5 after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the wheal and flare response to allergen after ebastine discontinuation returns to placebo values after 4 days. Therefore, patients using ebastine need to be antihistamine-free for 4 days before the skin prick test. This is valuable information for the allergologist seeking to diagnose allergen sensitivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cultivation of the bacillus of Whipple's disease.

BACKGROUND: Whipple's disease is a systemic bacterial infection, but to date no isolate of the bacterium has been established in subculture, and no strain of this bacterium has been available for study. METHODS: Using specimens from the aortic [corrected] valve of a patient with endocarditis due to Whipple's disease, we isolated and propagated a bacterium by inoculation in a human fibroblast cell line (HEL) with the use of a shell-vial assay. We tested serum samples from our patient, other patients with Whipple's disease, and control subjects for the presence of antibodies to this bacterium. RESULTS: The bacterium of Whipple's disease was grown successfully in HEL cells, and we established subcultures of the isolate. Indirect immunofluorescence assays showed that the patient's serum reacted specifically against the bacterium. Seven of 9 serum samples from patients with Whipple's disease had IgM antibody titers of 1:50 or more, as compared with 3 of 40 samples from the control subjects (P<0.001). Polyclonal antibodies against the bacterium were generated by inoculation of the microorganism into mice and were used to detect bacteria in the excised cardiac tissue from our patient on immunohistochemical analysis. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene of the cultured bacterium was identical to the sequence for Tropheryma whippelii identified previously in tissue samples from patients with Whipple's disease. The strain we have grown is available in the French National Collection. CONCLUSIONS: We cultivated the bacterium of Whipple's disease, detected specific antibodies in tissue from the source patient, and generated specific antibodies in mice to be used in the immunodetection of the microorganism in tissues. The development of a serologic test for Whipple's disease may now be possible.

Actinobacteria↗
PubMed1998

Disseminated aseptic abscesses associated with Crohn's disease: a new entity?

Our purpose is to describe seven cases of disseminated aseptic abscesses with regard to clinical, biological, radiological, and histological information, treatment, and outcome. Data were collected on seven Caucasian patients who had proven sterile deep abscesses diagnosed in French university hospitals. The onset of the disease related to abscesses began at times from June 1988 to August 1994. Follow-up periods were 1 year, 7 months to 8 years, 2 months. The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 26 years old. At onset, all had fever and six had abdominal pain. Abscesses involved spleen and abdominal lymph nodes in six cases; liver in three; pancreas, brain, and chest in one. All had polymorphonuclear leukocytosis. Pathological examination showed granulomatous abscesses. Direct and indirect investigations failed to identify any causal microorganism. On six occasions, Crohn's disease was revealed 1 to 41 months later and in one case, it preceded the onset of abscesses. One subsequently developed Sweet's syndrome. Various antibiotic regimes were inefficient. Steroids, associated in three cases with immunosuppressive agents, resulted in a rapid improvement in six patients. In one case, splenectomy followed by 5-ASA therapy was used successfully. The dramatic effectiveness of steroids and immunosuppressive agents as well as follow-up suggest that disseminated aseptic abscesses might be an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease. Although the pathogenesis of this condition remains unknown, this entity may be related to neutrophilic dermatosis in which sterile deep abscesses have been reported.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed1994

[Hyperthyroidism at elevated thyreostimulin. A case with pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones].

Simultaneous elevation of thyreostimulin and thyroid hormones values, when associated with clinical hyperthyroidism, raises a dual problem of diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of hyperthyroidism with elevated thyreostimulin in a young adult man. The values of free triiodothyronin and free thyroxin were elevated and the thyroxin binding globulin was normal. A normal pituitary tomodensitometry, the normal values of the alpha sub-unit of thyreostimulin and the dynamic tests of thyreostimulin secretion allowed us to rule out the hypothesis of a pituitary adenoma. Non-tumoral inappropriate secretions of thyreostimulin are at present regarded as syndromes of resistance to thyroid hormones. Their biological translation is a simultaneous elevation of thyreostimulin and thyroid hormones. Peripheral resistance, which is rarely complete, finds its expression in clinical hyperthyroidism or in normal clinical condition, whereas pituitary resistance, which causes the lack of feedback on the secretion of thyreostimulin expresses itself by clinical hyperthyroidism, sometimes with goitre owing to the trophic action of thyreostimulin on the thyroid. Generalized syndromes of resistance are the most common. Our patient had a selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones and less than thirty cases are reported in the literature. Treatment with a beta-blocker remains indicated when facing clinical evidence for hyperthyroidism and oral triiodothyronin seems to be able to slow down the inappropriate secretion of thyreostimulin. Regarding our patient who experienced a clinical and biological relapse after the stopping of the treatment, we join many authors who recommend a prolonged treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Systemic mastocytosis: incidence and risks of vasomotor seizures].

We report on 9 cases of systemic mastocytosis which underline the frequency and the potential severity of this disease. All patients had intercritical signs (usually urticaria). Seven patients had also typical crises with flush and vascular collapses are observed together, doctors should measure histamine blood level and perform correct biopsy.

Histamine Release↗
PubMed1990

[Acute lupus erythematosus disseminatus in adults: clinical aspects & course].

Acute systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a variety of manifestations and by the almost constant presence of anti-nuclear antibodies. In order to distinguish it from other systemic diseases, eleven diagnostic criteria have been laid down, four of which at least must be present. In 50 p. 100 of the cases the disease is revealed by a non-destructive inflammatory polyarthritis which is highly suggestive when associated with a "butterfly" facial erythema. The main prognostic criteria are renal lesions and their histological type. Nervous system involvement seems to be less frequent and less severe nowadays, but it may leave sequelae. Pleuropericarditis and vascular thrombosis are commonly part of the clinical set up. Antinuclear antibodies are detected by immunofluorescence in more than 95 p. 100 of the patients, but they are not specific to SLE. Their absence in the initial phase of the disease may throw doubts on the diagnosis. Antibodies to DNA and Sm are more specific but inconstant. SLE is a chronic disease with intermittent flare-ups: 30 p. 100 of the patients may hope for a prolonged complete remission. At present, the survival rate at 10 and 20 years is higher than 80 p. 100 and 70 p. 100 respectively at the cost of a very close supervision but also of iatrogenic complications in increasing numbers.

Acute Disease↗