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Biomedical subjects

Francesca Giusti

Publications and source records attributed to Francesca Giusti.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Reproducibility of atopy patch tests with Dermatophagoides: a study on 85 patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopy patch tests (APTs) are considered a useful addition to standard testing procedures for the identification of allergens triggering the appearance of eczema in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of APTs with house dust mites by simultaneously patch testing AD patients. 85 subjects affected by AD, 36 males and 48 females, aged from 1 to 52 years, were patch tested with Dermatophagoides mix (D. pteron/D. farinae) 20% pet. In our patients, the percentage of agreement between the frequency of positive and negative responses to Dermatophagoides mix was 96.7%. Reproducibility was highly satisfactory, as evaluated by k-value (0.953). As regards the agreement in the intensity of APT responses to Dermatophagoides mix between the right and left sides, we found that reproducibility was also highly satisfactory (k = 0.851). In conclusion, for Dermatophagoides APTs, the agreement rate was similar to that of standard patch tests, and therefore APTs may be considered sufficiently reproducible to be employed as a diagnostic testing procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effects of (+/-) 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) on dopamine system function in humans.

Twelve (+/-) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users, who did not show other drug dependencies or prolonged alcohol abuse (group A), and 12 control subjects (group B) were included in the study. Prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) responses to the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine (BROM) and psychometric measures were evaluated 3 weeks after MDMA discontinuation. PRL decreased both in A and B subjects after BROM suppression, without any significant difference between the two groups. PRL responses to BROM in MDMA users were in the normal range. In contrast, GH responses to BROM stimulation were found significantly reduced in ecstasy users, in comparison with control subjects (P < 0.001; F = 6.26). MDMA users showed higher scores on the Novelty Seeking (NS) scale at the Three dimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), on direct aggressiveness subscale at Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), on subscale D (depression) at Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI 2) and on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) than control subjects. PRL areas under the curves (AUCs) showed a significant inverse correlation with NS scores both in A and B subjects. GH AUCs directly correlated with NS scores in healthy subjects, but not in MDMA users. No other psychometric measure correlated with hormonal responses. GH AUCs were inversely correlated with the measures of MDMA exposure (r = -0.48; P < 0.01). Lower GH response to BROM in A subjects (MDMA users) could reflect reduced D2 receptor sensitivity in the hypothalamus, possibly due to increased intrasynaptic dopamine concentration. Although the hypothesis of dopaminergic changes associated with a premorbid condition cannot be completely excluded, the inverse correlation between DA receptors sensitivity and the extent of ecstasy exposure may suggest a direct pharmacological action of MDMA on brain dopamine function in humans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Hand dermatitis as an unsuspected presentation of textile dye contact sensitivity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate disperse dye sensitization in patients with hand dermatitis. From January 1996 to December 2000, we identified 130 patients with hand dermatitis reacting to one of the 7 dyes included in our standard series. In 82 subjects the dermatitis was localized to the hands alone, whereas 48 patients had lesions both on the hands and on other skin sites. Disperse Blue dyes, and Disperse Orange 3 were the most common sensitizers. Among the 13 subjects allergic to disperse dyes alone, we found 3 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, 1 child with atopic dermatitis worsening after the use of synthetic fibre garments, 4 subjects affected by clothing dermatitis, and 5 individuals occupationally exposed to irritants with a dermatitis involving the hands alone. In the latter, the hands may represent a 'locus minoris resistentiae', and both induction and elicitation of contact sensitization could be caused by impaired barrier function at a skin site repeatedly exposed to sensitizing garments.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sensitization to propolis in 1255 children undergoing patch testing.

To investigate the frequency and the features of contact sensitization to propolis in children, we patch tested 1255 consecutive children suspected of allergic contact dermatitis with propolis 20% petrolatum over an 8-year period (1995-2002). Positive responses were observed in 5.9% of patch-tested subjects, with a significantly higher frequency in boys than in girls. The dermatitis was localized mainly on the face, hands and limbs. A significant linear increase in the annual frequency of propolis allergy was noted. Confirming literature data, a significant association with balsam of Peru sensitivity was present in children reacting to propolis, linked to the presence of common constituents in the 2 substances. In conclusion, based on our data, we suggest that propolis should not be used in topical products for children because of its high sensitization rate at the paediatric age.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contact sensitization in 1094 children undergoing patch testing over a 7-year period.

Contact sensitization in children is frequent. However, because exposure to sensitizing agents varies rapidly, it is of utmost importance to perform a periodic evaluation of patch test results. Our purpose was to compare our data on contact sensitization in children during the past 7 years to our previous 1988-1994 findings, in order to identify emerging allergens and update our pediatric series. From 1995 to 2001, 1094 consecutive children were examined. Of these, 997 patients were patch tested with our pediatric series, which includes 30 allergens, whereas 97 underwent patch testing with 46 allergens. A total of 570 children proved allergic (52.1%). The highest sensitization rate was observed in children under 3 years of age. No differences between atopic dermatitis patients and nonatopic ones were observed in the sensitization rate. Neomycin, nickel, wool alcohols, thimerosal, and ammoniated mercury gave most of the positive responses. With respect to 1988-1995 data, allergy to substances such as neomycin, nickel, wool alcohols, thimerosal, ammoniated mercury, propolis, potassium dichromate, and thiuram mix proved more frequent. In conclusion, as sensitization rates to different allergens show great variations over time, periodic evaluations of patch test results in children is necessary in order to update the test trays.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patch testing with egg represents a useful integration to diagnosis of egg allergy in children with atopic dermatitis.

Our aim was to investigate atopy patch and skin prick test reactions to egg in 85 children with atopic dermatitis, and to evaluate their relevance by performing repeated open challenges with egg. Thirty-one percent of our patients showed an eczematous response to the challenge. Positive reactions to atopy patch and skin prick tests were recorded in 37% and 19%, respectively. Atopy patch test sensitivity proved significantly higher than that of skin prick test (79.6% vs. 46.2%), whereas specificity was lower (81.4% vs. 93.2%). Our data suggest that combined skin prick and patch testing improves screening for egg allergy in affected children, identifying 92% of those who were challenge positive among our patients.

Adolescent↗