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F Gozalo

Publications and source records attributed to F Gozalo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Oilseed rape flour: another allergen causing occupational asthma among farmers.

BACKGROUND: Farmers are exposed to a wide variety of sensitizers. Since occupational asthma (OA) can lead to permanent disability, exposure discontinuation is the preferred treatment. When this is not possible, the identification of the causative allergen may allow an alternative therapy. METHODS: We present three farmers diagnosed with OA as a consequence of handling fodder. We carried out skin tests with common and occupational allergens and with oilseed rape (OSR) extract. Total and specific serum IgE levels were measured. The patients underwent the OSR-bronchial provocation test (OSR-BPT). The day before and 24 h after the OSR-BPT, the methacholine (M)-BPT and induced sputum were performed. Eosinophil percentages and ECP levels were measured in the sputum samples. RESULTS: OSR sensitization (skin tests and specific serum IgE) was detected in all the patients. The OSR-BPT elicited early responses in two subjects. Methacholine sensitivity, sputum eosinophils, and sputum ECP levels increased 24 h after the OSR-BPT in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that inhalation of OSR flour causes bronchoconstriction, induces an eosinophilic inflammatory bronchial response, and increases bronchial hyperresponsiveness in sensitized asthmatics. OSR flour contained in animal fodder should be considered another potential cause of OA among farmers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical efficacy and tolerance of two year Lolium perenne sublingual immunotherapy.

Last years, in spite of increasing use of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), not enough clinical studies have been published and its efficacy ought to be documented still more. For that purpose, 54 patients suffering seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis--with or without asthma--were allocated to either six month preseasonal SLIT with Lolium perenne extract (n = 35) or to a control group (n = 19). In the following year, thirty from previously treated patients and 12 from former control group, received a nine-month pre-coseasonal SLIT. Skin (SPT) and conjunctival (CPT) allergen response were monitorized several times along the study. Either seric antibodies or intraseasonal eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), as symptom, medication scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were also assessed, fifty-five adverse reactions were recorded (0.7% doses), although only four required treatment. No main changes in CPT, SPT and antibodies were detected. Nevertheless, during the first pollen season, treated patients needed less medication than their control counterparts (p < 0.05). In the second season, the twelve ex-control subjects also required fewer drugs than in the first one (p < 0.01). Moreover, the whole forty-two treated patients showed a lesser intraseasonal ECP than a reference set of grass-allergic individuals (p < 0.05). We conclude that Lolium perenne SLIT is well tolerated and induces fewer drug requirements during pollen season, being eosinophil activation additionally reduced.

Administration, Sublingual↗