Biomedical subjects

E Cavallucci

Publications and source records attributed to E Cavallucci.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Probiotics and food-allergic diseases.

The definition of probiotics is always evolving, since it includes natural live micro-organisms, cellular subfractions, as well as genetically engineered derivatives or proteins. The scope of probiotic administration is beneficial change of the intestinal microflora, and improvement of non immune or immune resistance in the intestinal tract. Very few controlled human studies have been reported, but many in vitro and experimental animal studies point to their safety and potentially useful applications. We shall review the published reports and discuss mainly the prospective uses in the field of allergic diseases, with reference to the implication of the natural (innate) immune system as regulator of the development of abnormal responses to ingested food antigens.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effect of natural allergen exposure on non-specific bronchial reactivity in asthmatic farmers.

The aim of the study was to assess the seasonal variability of non-specific bronchial reactivity (NSBR) evaluated with methacholine in asthmatic farmers allergic to pollens. Twenty farmers (16 male and four female) with allergy to pollens, e.g. 'Graminae' and 'Parietaria', entered the study. None of the patients had been previously treated with specific immunotherapy. Patients underwent a methacholine challenge at the first visit and then in the subsequent seasons. Four groups of tests were obtained according to the period when the challenge was performed. Group 1: challenges performed in December, January and February; group 2 in March, April and May; group 3 in June, July and August; group 4 in September, October and November. PD20 values were expressed as the natural logarithm of the cumulative dose of methacholine causing at least a 20% fall in FEV1. Bronchial hyperreactivity was highest in summer, followed by spring and autumn; in winter it was much lower. Multiple group analysis (ANOVA) showed statistically significant differences between the groups (P < 0.01). When the groups were compared individually, statistically significant differences existed only between group 1 (winter) and each of the other groups, respectively 2 (spring) (P = 0.02), 3 (summer) (P = 0.004) and 4 (autumn) (P = 0.02). The results underlined the importance of allergic inflammation in determining changes in NSBR. In the region where the study was carried out (central Italy), the grass and Paretaria pollination lasts from March to November. Therefore, farmers had a progressive increase in NSBR from spring to summer and a decrease in fall as a consequence of the varying pollen concentration in different seasons. The level of allergen exposure is, in fact, the main factor that determines the severity of bronchial inflammation, thus affecting NSBR.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2000

Increase in CD45RO+ cells and activated eosinophils in chronic allergic conjunctivitis.

We assessed the infiltration of CD45RO+ cells in conjunctival biopsies of fifteen subjects affected by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis by means of immunohistochemistry. Correlations between infiltration of CD45RO+ cells and serum and mucosal indices of eosinophilic activation were investigated. The study was performed in autumn and all selected patients showed < > also in absence of sensitising pollens. Fifteen healthy subjects were used as controls. The semi-quantitative count of CD45RO+ cells in biopsy specimens demonstrated that positive cells were higher in allergic patients than in controls (p < 0.001) and EG2+ eosinophils were present only in biopsies of allergic patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.73; p < 0.001) between CD45RO+ lymphocytes and EG2 positive eosinophils, was observed in the biopsies of allergic patients. Total serum IgE significantly correlated with CD45RO+ cells (r = 0.61; p < 0.02) and EG2+ eosinophils (r = 0.67; p < 0.01) in the conjunctiva. On the other hand serum ECP did not correlate with any histological and immunohistochemical parameters in the conjunctival biopsies. The present study shows that mild symptoms in SCA patients out of pollen season are associated with inflammation of the conjunctiva as shown by an increased number of CD45RO and EG2 positive cells.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Influence of total IgE and seasonal increase of eosinophil cationic protein on bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic grass-sensitized farmers.

BACKGROUND: This study correlates biomarkers of atopy (serum total and specific IgE) and inflammation (serum eosinophil cationic protein) with bronchial hyperreactivity assessed after the complete end of pollination, in a group of farmers suffering from grass-allergic asthma. METHODS: A total of 28 asthmatic farmers, with allergy to grass pollen, reporting persistent asthma symptoms after grass pollination, were enrolled. An accurate allergologic screening excluded other sensitizations. Analysis of total and grass-specific IgE and eosinophil cationic protein was carried out before (March) and during (May) the following spring. After the complete end of pollination, bronchial hyperreactivity was assessed. RESULTS: Symptoms (cough, wheezing) persisted during the autumn for a mean period of 41 days (range 13-69). Total IgE was moderately high and grass-specific IgE ranged from 9.25 to 41.12 kU/l without significant differences before and during spring. On the contrary, serum ECP levels significantly increased during the pollination period. PD20 methacholine evaluated after the end of grass pollination was negatively significantly correlated with levels of total IgE (r=-0.73; P<0.01) and the increase (from March to May) of serum ECP (r=-0.75; P<0.01). However, PD20 methacholine did not correlate with grass-specific IgE and serum ECP absolute values of both March and May. A positive correlation was found between number of postseasonal days with symptoms and both spring increase of serum ECP (r=0.75; P=0.04) and levels of total IgE (r=0.76; P<0.01). The number of postseasonal days with symptoms inversely correlated with postseason PD20 methacholine (r=-0.76; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that in grass-sensitized farmers with asthmatic symptoms persisting for several weeks after grass pollination has ceased, the degree of airways hyperreactivity and the duration of postseasonal symptoms are directly related to the spring increase of ECP levels, as well as to the level of total IgE in serum. This allows us to identify two candidate biomarkers for the risk of developing prolonged asthma symptoms, and for the effective monitoring of anti-inflammatory treatment and allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Lymphocyte subset changes in blood and gastrointestinal mucosa after oral nickel challenge in nickel-sensitized women.

This study investigates lymphocyte subsets in both the gastrointestinal mucosa and blood, in patients with nickel allergic contact dermatitis, after 10 mg oral nickel challenge (double-blind, placebo-controlled). 6 such patients with cutaneous symptoms induced only by skin contact with nickel (group A), 6 with a flare-up of cutaneous symptoms after food nickel ingestion (group B) and 6 healthy controls (group C) were enrolled. Blood lymphocyte subsets (CD4, CD45RO, CD8) were analyzed before and after 4 and 24 h from the challenge (test 1, 2, and 3), and intestinal biopsies were performed 2 days later. Challenges were positive in group B and negative in group A and controls. Serum and urine nickel levels significantly increased after nickel ingestion, with no differences between the 3 groups. At test 3, a significant decrease of the all CDs studied was found in group B. Biopsies of this group showed higher levels of CD45RO+ cells in the lamina propria and in the epithelium and lower levels of epithelial CD8+ lymphocytes. This study confirms that ingested nickel may induce flare-up of cutaneous reactions in some nickel-allergic patients, independently of the degree of sensitization and the intake of metal. In these patients, oral nickel stimulates the immune system, inducing maturation of T lymphocytes from virgin into memory cells; these latter cells seem to accumulate in the intestinal mucosa. The immunoreaction also involves CD8+ cells, whose role is not yet clear.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Asthma worsened by benzoate contained in some antiasthmatic drugs.

Here, we report our experience on benzoate hypersensitivity. Drug and food additives are known to induce pseudo-allergic reactions such as urticaria, eczema, asthma and rhinitis. These reactions are often under-diagnosed, above all in allergic patients treated with additive containing drugs. On the contrary, attention to the additives present in some drug formulations and foods may often permit more correct diagnosis.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Seasonal variability of non-specific bronchial responsiveness in asthmatic patients with allergy to house dust mites.

The aim of the study was to assess the seasonal variability of non-specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in allergic asthma. One hundred sixty-five patients (83 male and 82 female) entered the study: 86 subjects (group A) with allergy exclusively to mites and 79 (group B) with concomitant allergy to pollens, e.g., "Graminae" and "Parietaria." Inclusion criteria were the absence of sensitization to other allergens, no smoking habit, withdrawal from steroids, bronchodilators, sodium cromoglycate, and antihistamines for at least four weeks before enrollment, FEV1 > 70% of the predicted value, and absence of other respiratory diseases and of upper and lower respiratory tract infections for at least one month before the methacholine challenge. None of the patients had been previously treated with specific immunotherapy. Subjects of each group (A and B) underwent methacholine challenge at first visit and were divided into four subgroups according to the period when the challenge was performed. Subgroups A1 and B1 performed the challenge in December, January, and February; subgroups A2 and B2 in March, April, and May; subgroups A3 and B3 in June, July, and August; subgroups A4 and B4 in September, October, and November. PD20 values were expressed as the natural logs of the cumulative dose of methacholine causing at least a 20% fall in FEV1. Statistical analysis was carried out using multiple group analysis and Student's t-test. Results showed that the highest non-specific bronchial responsiveness was observed in autumn (ln PC20 = 4.54 +/- 1.51) in patients allergic to mites only (group A), and in summer (ln PC20 = 4.72 +/- 2.11) in those of group B. Multiple group analysis showed statistical significant differences between subgroups within each group (group A, p = 0.039; group B, p < 0.001). In patients allergic exclusively to house dust mites (group A), multiple comparisons and Student's t-test showed statistically significant differences between non-specific bronchial responsiveness (NSBR) assessed in autumn and those of other seasons (winter, p = 0.002; spring, p < 0.001; summer, p = 0.082). These results confirm that the level of allergen exposure may influence NSBR. Mite-allergic patients showed an increase of NSBR in autumn, possibly as a consequence of higher indoor mite concentration. However, mite- and grass-allergic patients had wider variations of NSBR, possibly reflecting changes in seasonal pollen concentration.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A seroepidemiological study of toxoplasma gondii infection in children of northern Greece.

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of toxoplasmosis in children ofthe northern Greece region through the evaluation of serologic examination. Sera of 486 children, aged between 6 months and 15 years, suffering from different clinical entities, were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies, using an ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technique. In this survey, a high percentage (11.1 percent) of the hospitalized children reacted positively to this method. Males and females had equal prevalence, 11 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively. Seropositivity rate was higher in children aged between 6 and 10 years old. In conclusion, our results indicate toxoplasma infection is an important public health problem affecting children and adolescents in northern Greece. We believe that the study described here could be considered for inclusion in existing national screening programs for hospitalized children.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Allergen immunotherapy: an effective immune-modifier.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) consists in administering gradually increasing doses of an allergen extract to sensitive patients. This practice results in ameliorating symptoms associated with the subsequent exposure to the causative allergen. Presently, the lack of therapies which affect the pathogenesis of the disease make IT the only treatment that may improve the natural course of allergic diseases.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immuno-histopathologic changes in the gastrointestinal mucosa in patients with nickel contact allergy].

The study concerns the histological and immunohistochemical findings of the gastrointestinal mucosa of 20 patients (group A) suffering from contact allergic dermatitis (CAD) to Ni, with symptom recrudescence due to food ingested Ni. Results were compared with those observed in 20 patients suffering from CAD to Ni (group B), without sensitivity to food ingested Ni, and in 20 normal subjects (controls). The sensitivity to food ingested Ni, as suggested by history, was demonstrated by placebo-controlled oral-Ni challenge. The biopsies for histological and immunohistochemical study were performed during endoscopy and obtained from the antrum and from the duodenal mucosa. In the biopsies obtained from 16 of group A patients there was evidence of inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells with oedema and vasodilation in the lamina propria. Slight flattening of the villi and enlongation of the crypts were concomitant. These findings were light in the 4 patients of group A and in 11 of group B and instead were absent in the remaining group B patients and in the controls. Immunohistochemically, lymphocytes in the lamina propria were prevalently CD20 + (B cells) and CD4 + (Th cells), some were CD45RO + (memory) and finally few CD8 + (Tc/s cells). CD45RO + cells was found in cluster in patients of group A and in 4 of group B, whereas in the others were isolated. Since some studies have shown that immunological pattern of skin reaction to Ni is characterized by increased CD45RO + cells, it may be hypothesized that in patients suffering from CAD to Ni, the sensitivity to food-ingested Ni may be induced by a type IV immunological reaction in the gut.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Trace elements in biological samples and immunologic parameters in environmentally exposed populations (preliminary study)].

In non-smoking policemen from a town of Central Italy, blood CD4+ lymphocytes were reduced and CD8+ were increased as compared with a control group. This immunological alteration was not evident in the smoking policemen. Urine lead (marker of exposure to toxic agents produced by traffic) and blood natural killer (NK) CD16+ lymphocytes as well as serum copper and HLA-DR+ cells (B, T, NK activated lymphocytes and monocytes) were significantly correlated in the whole group of 42 examined subjects. Another study was performed on 15 healthy men, occupationally not exposed to toxic agents and living in a suburban area. Their urine lead, was positively correlated with the serum IgA immunoglobulins and negatively correlated with blood CD5(+)-CD19+ (a B subset bearing the T CD5 antigen) lymphocytes. On the contrary, urine chromium was negatively correlated with serum IgA and positively correlated with CD16(+)-56+ NK and CD5(+)-CD19+ B lymphocytes as well as with HLA-DR+cells. Serum zinc was also correlated with total HLA-DR+and CD3-HLA+DR+ (activated B and NK lymphocytes and monocytes) cells. These later data suggest that only zinc and copper but also trivalent chromium (to which normal population is mainly exposed in ordinary environmental conditions) may play a role in the mechanisms regulating the immune response.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Allergic contact dermatitis to nickel: modification of receptor expression on peripheral lymphocytes of women after oral provocation tests (preliminary data)].

Blood lymphocyte subset evaluation was performed before after oral challenge with 10 mg of Ni, in 9 healthy women and in 15 allergic to Ni. Following challenge, 7 allergic showed a flare up of eczema and/or urticaria. In the controls, CD4+ lymphocytes were modified 24 hours after Ni challenge: CD4+/CD44RO- "virgin" cells were reduced while CD4+/CD45RO+ "memory" cells increased. The allergic women, not sensitive to oral Ni, showed an increase of B lymphocytes after the test. On the contrary, the oral Ni reacting patients presented a reduction of monocytes 4 hours after Ni ingestion and marked reduction (ranging from 20 to 50%) of T and B lymphocytes after 24 hours. These significant T and B lymphocytes changes suggest a migration of the cells in peripheral tissues, likely skin and GUT mucosa.

Administration, Oral↗