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G Liccardi

Publications and source records attributed to G Liccardi.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical study on Alternaria spores sensitization.

BACKGROUND: sensitization to fungi spores is often associated with sensitization to other allergens and so it is difficult to estabilish the exact cause of illness. OBJECTIVE: the aim of the study was to evaluate a group of patients monosensitized to Alternaria and to establish the prevalence, periodicity and clinical profile of this kind of sensitization. METHODS: 37 subjects who were monosensitized to Alternaria (prick-test positive), according to a previous epidemiological study were evaluated. Clinical symptoms and the period of their occurrence were taken into consideration as well as immunological parameters (RAST). RESULTS: 20 patients (over 50%) included in the study proved to be affected by asthma associated with other allergic symptoms and 22 patients (60%) presented perennial symptoms. The RAST carried out on 34 monosensitized subjects proved positive in 11 and negative in 23. CONCLUSIONS: Alternaria sensitization is characterized by a perennial periodicity with severe respiratory symptoms (asthma) which occur primarily in children. Prick test is preferable to and more reliable than RAST as a diagnostic test.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental risk factors (outdoor air pollution and climatic changes) and increased trend of respiratory allergy.

A wealth of evidence suggests that allergic respiratory diseases such as rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma have become more common worldwide in recent years and a great deal of etiological and pathogenic research has been carried out to evaluate the possible causes of this increasing trend. There is also some evidence that increased atmospheric concentrations of pollutants such as ozone (O3), nitric oxides (NOx), respirable particulate (PM10) and volatile organic chemicals (VOC5), which result from increased use of liquid petroleum gas or kerosene, may be linked to the increased prevalence of allergic diseases which develop more frequently in urban areas of developed countries. Since bronchial asthma is a syndrome which can be aggravated by inhaled compounds, the effects of air pollutants on health have been the focus of attention. In fact, various studies have demonstrated that inhalation of air pollutants such as O3, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), either individually or in combination, can enhance the airway response to inhaled allergens in atopic subjects, thus inducing asthma exacerbations. Moreover, experimental studies have shown that diesel exhaust particulate causes respiratory symptoms and is able also to modulate the immune response by increasing IgE synthesis in predisposed animals and humans. There is also some evidence that air pollutants can interact with aeroallergens in the atmosphere and/or on human airways, potentiating their effects. In fact, by inducing airway inflammation which increases epithelial permeability, some pollutants overcome the mucosal barrier and lead to allergen-induced responses. However, air pollution and climatic changes should also have an indirect effect on allergic response by influencing quantitatively and qualitatively the pollen production by allergenic plants.

Air Pollution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An epidemiological survey on the allergological importance of some emerging pollens in Italy.

Epidemiological studies on the pollens responsible for allergic diseases throughout Italy are lacking. Routine diagnostic panels consist prevalently of grass, Parietaria, weeds, birch, olive and mugwort. Considering the great variety of Italian geographical areas and the observation of the growing allergological importance of new botanical species (e.g., ambrosia), a survey on pollen species considered "minor" was necessary. A panel of "emerging" pollens (birch, hazelnut, alder, hornbeam, cypress, ragweed) and a routine panel were used to skin prick test 2,934 consecutive outpatients with respiratory pathology of suspected allergic origin, in 21 centers across Italy. A specific questionnaire was compiled. It was found that 20.1% of patients did not react to allergens tested, 28.2% were positive for at least one emerging pollen and 51.7% did not react to emerging pollens but tested positive for at least one allergen from the routine panel. The prevalence of single pollen species was related to geographical areas. Ragweed pollen was shown to provoke asthma much more frequently than other pollens. Hitherto scarcely considered pollens play a considerable role in causing allergic diseases in Italy. In the great majority of patients, positivity for these pollens was associated with positivity to the better recognized group of pollen allergens, although in some cases they were the primary pathogenic agent. We suggest that these more recently considered allergens be included in routine diagnostic panels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cat allergen sampling by a new personal collector (Partrap FA 52).

Recent studies carried out by us and others have demonstrated that Fel d 1, the main cat allergen, may be passively transferred by human clothing in cat-free environments. Consequently, the monitoring of the Fel d 1 levels either in indoor environments or on allergen-contaminated clothes of sensitized cat owners should be considered an important tool in prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a personal air sampler (Partrap FA 52) in capturing cat allergen from wool fabrics. Seven identical wool webs (80 x 100 cm) were put in the baskets of seven male cats for 1 week. In our laboratory each web was divided into two parts (80 x 50 cm), the first of which was then divided in two parts (40 x 50 cm) and each was vacuumed directly by one collector. The second part was dry-cleaned at a professional cleaners, divided in two parts and then vacuumed. For the dust collection from wool webs we used a fixed high volume air sampler (CF/20 Gelaire Flow Labs, Milan, Italy) and a personal collector (Partrap FA 52, Coppa Biella, Italy). Fel d 1 content was determined using a two site ELISA (ALK-Abelló Group, Madrid, Spain). Both air samplers collected cat allergens from cat-exposed wool fabrics before and after dry cleaning. There were significant differences between the levels of Fel d 1 before and after dry cleaning by using either CF/20 or Partrap FA52 and between the levels of Fel d 1 before dry cleaning using CF/20 and Partrap FA 52. The results of our study suggest that Partrap FA 52, although its air flow is half that of the CF/20, is able to collect even residual amounts of cat allergen from wool webs after dry cleaning and consequently may constitute a simple and effective means of monitoring the levels of Fel d 1 on the clothes of cat owners.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory allergic diseases induced by outdoor air pollution in urban areas.

A wealth of evidence suggests that allergic respiratory diseases such as rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma have become more common worldwide in recent years and a great deal of etiologic and pathogenic research has been carried out to evaluate the possible causes of this increasing trend. There is also some evidence that increased atmospheric concentrations of pollutants such as ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), respirable particulate (PM10) and volatile organic chemicals (VOC5), which result from increased use of liquid petroleum gas or kerosene, may be linked to the increased prevalence of allergic diseases which develop more frequently in urban areas of developed countries. Since bronchial asthma is a disease which can be aggravated by inhaled compounds, health effects of air pollutants have received attention. In fact various studies have demonstrated that inhalation of air pollutants such as O3, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), either individually or in combination, can enhance the airway response to inhaled allergens in atopic subjects inducing asthma exacerbations. Moreover, experimental studies have shown that diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) causes respiratory symptoms and is able also to modulate the immune response by increasing immunoglobulin (Ig)E synthesis in predisposed animals and humans. There is also some evidence that air pollutants can interact with aeroallergens in the atmosphere and/or on human airways, potentiating their effects. In fact, by inducing airway inflammation which increases epithelial permeability, some pollutants overcome the mucosal barrier and so prime allergen-induced responses. However, air pollution and climatic changes may also have an indirect effect on the allergic response by influencing quantitatively and qualitatively the pollen production of allergenic plants.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of a screening for atopy and aspecific bronchial hyperreactivity in 6-year-old children].

In the course of a clinic-anamnestic study performed from November 1984 to April 1985 by the collaborators of USL 40 Maternal-Infantile Service, among the children (1569) of the first primary school, 622 children has been selected for possible, probable and verified asthma. For making deeper the diagnosis, 358 children had gone to the respiratory allergologic section of division of pneumology and respiratory allergology of Cardarelli Hospital. The control group was formed from 12 children without atopic familiarity and without asthmatic tendency. Among the 358 children, 127 were asymptomatic but with familiar anamnesis positive for atopy; 219 had or had suffered allergic symptomatology. The authors had studied all children by Prick-test with a standard battery of allergens and with by methacholine aspecific bronchial reactivity test. The familiar tendency to atopy was present in 81.1% of studied children, with prevalence of maternal tendency (41,83%) in comparison with this of ascendents and collaterals. Among the asymptomatic subjects with atopic familiarity only 27.56% was skin positive for one or more allergens, while 59.82% of symptomatic subjects was skin positive. The bronchial aspecific reactivity with methacholine was increased in the 62% of asymptomatic and in the 84.69% of symptomatic subjects. The aspecific bronchial reactivity level in mean was higher in the children with bronchial asthma but also the subjects with rhinitis and chronic cough has showed a higher level in comparison with adults affected of similar symptomatology. In 8 children the authors have studied the reproduction of PD20 methacholine which was very high.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergy to Olea europaea pollen: relationship between skin prick tests, RAST, ELISA and bronchial provocations tests.

Olea Europaea is the most important allergenic tree in Southern Italy and in the Naples area. Its pollination period lasts from the middle of April to the end of June. In our pollinosis patients we observed frequency of sensitization of 13.05% to Olea pollen. That means that this pollen follows Parietaria (47.80%) and Gramineae (34.70%) regarding the frequency of allergic sensitization. In an attempt to evaluate the degree of allergic sensitization to Olea pollen and the concordance of various tests, we studied 24 asthmatic patients with skin positivity to only this pollen using commercially available allergen extracts and reagents. The patients were examined by SPT, RAST, ELISA and BPT with allergen. Our study has shown that there is no relationship between the results of SPT and Phadebas RAST; a slight relationship between SPT and Phadezym RAST, and a very good relationship between Phadebas and Phadezym RAST. Bronchial challenge with Olea extract was positive in all patients. These results may be interpreted considering the low degree of purification of Olea pollen extracts available commercially.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of serum specific IgE and skin responsiveness to allergenic extracts of Oleaceae pollens (Olea europaea, Fraxinus excelsior and Ligustrum vulgare) "in patients with respiratory allergy.

In the last few years an increasing interest for Olea europaea (O.e.) pollen has been developed in many countries. Several authors have studied the aerobiological, allergenic, epidemiological and clinical features of this pollinosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate cutaenous and serological responses to other oleaceae pollens allergens (Ligustrum vulgare (L.v.) and Fraxinus excelsior (F.e.) in patients with skin positivity to Olea europaea pollen extract. Twenty-three atopic rhinitis and/or asthmatic patients living in Naples area and with immediate positive skin reaction only to O.e. pollen extract were examined. Patients were tested by skin prick test (SPT) for O.e., F.e. and L.v. with glycerinated allergenic extracts. Serum enzyme immunoassay for the same allergens was also performed. We found a statistically significant correlation between the results of SPT and of specific IgE assay for Oleaceae pollens as well as between the results of the in vivo vs in vitro tests. We suggests the utility, in patients with O.e. pollinosis who travel in Northern europe, to plan SPT and/or specific IgE determinations also with F.e. and L.v. allergenic extracts for the possibility of developing a nasal and/or bronchial symptomatology after the inhalation of these pollen grains.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical significance of allergic sensitization to cockroaches in patients with mite related respiratory allergy.

The aim of our study was the evaluation of the clinical significance of allergic sensitization to cockroaches (C) in subjects with skin prick test (SPT) positivity only to mites, since we previously demonstrated a frequent association of SPT positivity between the allergens of these parasites. We studied 231 patients with mite related respiratory symptoms and living in the Naples area in order to obtain a highly homogeneous sample. All patients underwent anamnestic procedures, physical examination, SPT by using commercially available materials and an extract containing the whole bodies of three C. Specific C IgE assays were carried out only in C SPT positive patients. 34 of 231 subjects showed a SPT positivity to C allergens with a moderate/low degree of SPT responses and serum specific IgE levels. The results of this study confirm our previous report on the slight role of C as sensitizing agents of the respiratory tract in Southern Italy. Further studies should be carried out in subjects with a higher risk of environmental exposure by using better purified and standardized allergenic extracts. We suggest moreover to perform in vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests for C allergens in patients with perennial symptoms, especially in those with slight response to therapy, or potentially exposed to allergens of these insects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Why are nasal and bronchial symptoms mostly perennial in patients with monosensitization to Olea europaea pollen allergens?

In the last few years interest in the clinical aspects of Olea europaea (O.e.) pollen allergy has increased. For many years we have observed in our geographical area a perennial pattern of clinical symptoms in subjects with monosensitization to O.e. allergens without any worsening during the olive pollen season. We tried to demonstrate the clinical relevance of O.e. sensitization in our patients and, moreover, to determine why this pattern is elicited. We selected a group of 26 patients with rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma and an immediate positive skin reaction only to O.e. pollen extract. Using commercially available extracts and reagents, the following diagnostic procedures were performed: Skin prick tests (SPT), specific O.e. IgE assays, nonspecific bronchial provocation tests (NsBPT) and specific nasal provocation tests (sNPT), respectively, in patients with bronchial asthma and rhinitis. Pollen counts and a statistical analysis using Spearman's correlation test were also carried out. 21 of 26 O.e. monosensitive patients showed perennial type of clinical symptoms without any particular worsening during olive pollination season. We found a high degree of statistical significance between the results of SPT/sNPT and serum specific IgE determination. Many patients exhibited a late response after sNPT. No definitive data were derived from our findings, even though the occurrence of many late reactions after sNPT could in part explain the perennial type of nasal symptoms. We would like to emphasize the necessity of better purification and standardization of diagnostic materials and, moreover, suggest further studies with a greater number of O.e. monosensitive patients living in different geographical areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of allergic diseases during pregnancy.

Pregnancy may variously modify the natural history of allergic disorders through occurring endocrinologic, functional and immunological changes. A pharmacologic treatment of allergic diseases (mainly asthma) is often necessary during pregnancy. On the other hand, a drug should be not potentially teratogenic and should not have serious side effects, both for the mother and the fetus. This paper reviews current knowledge about allergic diseases during pregnancy, considering the points of view of the different specialists involved in their management. Topical mucosal agents seem to be the safest, due to their minimal or absent absorption which should reflect reduced side effects. Preferred agents should be topical antihistamines (for rhinitis and conjunctivitis), and cromones and topical steroids (for asthma), as they are both safe and effective.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sensitization to cockroach allergens in a sample from the urban population living in Naples (southern Italy).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of allergic sensitization to cockroach allergens in a group of atopic patients living in the urban area of Naples. Four hundred and fourteen consecutive patients were submitted to the following diagnostic procedures: anamnestic data; clinical examination; and skin prick test by using a standardized pricker and allergenic extracts, one of which contained a mix of whole bodies of Blattella orientatis, Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana. The evaluation of cockroach serum specific IgE antibodies was carried out in the 19 patients (4.58%) who showed a positive skin prick test to cockroach allergens. The majority of cockroach sensitive individuals were males and exhibited perennial respiratory symptoms; 17 of these patients were also sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens. The results of our study demonstrated that the prevalence of cockroach sensitization as determined by skin prick test in our urban area (Naples) is lower in comparison to other European studies. Up to now, it is not clear if the association between cockroach-D. pteronyssinus sensitization can be determined by a cross-reactivity between the allergens or by their coexistence in the same indoor environments. Considering the absence of a visual presence of cockroaches in the indoor environments of our cockroach-sensitive patients we suggest the possibility of unrecognized exposure to cockroach materials and, moreover, the possibility of the carrying of such allergens from infested places on clothing, as we demonstrated for Fel d I.

Adolescent↗