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Biomedical subjects

F Morell

Publications and source records attributed to F Morell.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Churg-Strauss syndrome: 8 cases in the last 10 years].

The clinical and histopathological findings of 8 patients with a diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome seen in our institution in a 10 year period have been reviewed. All patients had asthma and hypereosinophilia (mean eosinophil count 7.64 x 10(9); range: 0.748 x 10(9)-31.46 x 10(9) eosinophils/l). The organs and systems involved in the late phase of the syndrome (vasculitic phase) were: nervous system (16 cases), respiratory system (5 cases), skin and subcutaneous tissue (5 cases), heart (3 cases), digestive system (3 cases) and kidney (1 case). The diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical and histopathological findings. In 7 cases necrotizing angiitis was shown, tissue eosinophilia in 4, and extravascular granulomas in 2. In most cases, corticosteroid therapy resulted in a favorable course, but cyclophosphamide was required in two patients. In the discussion, the evolution of the criteria for the diagnosis of this condition is analyzed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Case-control study of serum immunoglobulin-E antibodies reactive with soybean in epidemic asthma.

Since 1981, twenty-six asthma outbreaks have been identified in Barcelona, all coinciding with the unloading of soybean in the harbour. Serum from patients with epidemic asthma and individually matched controls with non-epidemic asthma was assayed for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibodies against soybean antigens by means of a radioallergosorbent test. In 64 of 86 cases (74.4%) there was a reaction with commercial soybean antigen extracts, compared with only 4 of the 86 controls (4.6%) (odds ratio = 61; lower 95% confidence limit = 8.1). The statistical significance was greater for reactions with extracts of soybean dust taken from Barcelona harbour (odds ratio, unquantifiably high; lower 95% confidence limit = 11.7). No other serological covariate (total serum IgE levels or specific IgE levels against the commonest airborne allergens or legumes) confounded the association between serum anti-soybean IgE antibodies and epidemic asthma. These results support a causal relation between the release of dust during unloading of soybean at the harbour and the occurrence of asthma outbreaks, suggesting an underlying allergic mechanism.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1989

Time of exposure as a prognostic factor in avian hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Spirometric values were subsequently evaluated in 22 patients suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by avian problems. First spirometric values were abnormal in 18/22 (82%) of patients. A restrictive pattern was observed in 16/22 (72%) of patients and an obstructive pattern in 6/22 (27%). The TLCO was reduced in all cases (12/12). Improvement or normalization of the respiratory function occurred 3.4 +/- 2.4 months after the avian contact had ceased. At the end of the follow-up, parameters were normal in 13/22 (59%) of patients. The restrictive pattern remained unchanged in 7/22 (32%), and the obstructive pattern persisted in 4/22 (18%) of the patients. The TLCO was normal in 6/12 (50%) of patients. Neither age nor treatment with corticosteroids (13 patients) had a significant influence upon the evolution of the lung function. However, total recovery or significant improvement was observed in 12/12 (100%) of patients who had been in contact with birds less than 2 years, in contrast to 6/10 (60%) of patients with more than 2 years of contact (P = 0.002).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Impaired non-specific delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in bird fancier's lung.

The relation between non-specific delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and bird fancier's lung was investigated in 13 patients with the disorder. They were compared with 50 subjects who had no reason to have decreased non-specific delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (control group) and 34 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. In addition, 13 patients with bird fancier's lung (11 of the original group) were tested at least one year after avoiding exposure to the causal antigen. Five antigens (candidine, staphylococcal toxoid, tuberculin purified protein derivative, trichophyton, and streptokinase-streptodornase) were injected intradermally (0.1 ml) and the mean weal diameter was measured at 48 hours. The mean weal size was significantly less in the subjects with bird fancier's lung at the time of diagnosis than in the control group (2.23 v 5.66 mm) but did not differ significantly from that of the subjects with sarcoidosis (2.80 mm) or from that of the bird fanciers with no exposure to the causal antigen for one year (2.75 mm). The impairment of non-specific delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in patients with bird fancier's lung appears to be quantitatively similar to that occurring in sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Protective effect of tulobuterol on methacholine-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic children.

In a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial 19 asthmatic children aged 10-14 years were studied during a stable phase of the disease. All patients were tested with a methacholine inhalation test on two consecutive days, on the first day after oral administration of a placebo, and on the second day following an oral dose of tulobuterol HCl. The cumulative methacholine dose required to produce at least a 20% decrease in FEV1 was significantly higher after tulobuterol than after the placebo. It is concluded that tulobuterol HCl reduces methacholine-induced bronchospasm in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.

Of 222 patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis (PT), studied during a one-year period, we performed fiberoptic bronchoscopy together with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washing and postbronchoscopy sputum smears and Löwenstein cultures in 20 patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage proved to be the most effective method leading to diagnosis in 17 of 20 cases. Diagnosis was obtained in 11 of 20 cases using bronchial washing and postbronchoscopy sputum. The results of this study suggest that bronchoscopy may be required in selected cases for the diagnosis of PT. However, it should be accompanied by BAL, bronchial washings and postbronchoscopy sputum smears. Indications for bronchoscopy as a diagnostic tool for PT may include: (a) patients suspected of having PT with negative smears and in whom treatment must be started due to clinical status; (b) suspicion of associated neoplasia; (c) selected patients with negative Löwenstein cultures; (d) lack of material being obtained by simpler methods.

Adolescent↗