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Biomedical subjects

H B Freye

Publications and source records attributed to H B Freye.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Coexistent anaphylaxis to Diptera and Hymenoptera.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis to the bite of Diptera and specifically the bite of the Tabanidae family (horsefly) have been sparsely documented. The coexistent hypersensitivity to both the order Diptera and Hymenoptera has not been documented. METHODS: We present a patient who experienced anaphylaxis to both insect species. Venom skin testing and RAST revealed sensitivity to several members of the Hymenoptera order. Prick, intradermal and RAST with whole body extracts of Tabanidae species is also documented in this patient. Twenty patients who are sensitive to Hymenoptera and have been bitten by horseflies but have had no reaction to the horsefly bite were used as controls. RESULTS: An anaphylactic reaction to horsefly bite has been documented in a 56-year-old white male. This patient also demonstrated evidence of anaphylactic reaction to Hymenoptera envenomation. In controls consisting of 20 patients with Hymenoptera sensitivity, there was no clinical history of reaction to horsefly bite despite the presence of positive prick and/or positive intradermal tests and/or positive RAST to mixed Tabanidae species extract. CONCLUSIONS: Skin testing to horsefly by prick and/or intradermal testing using whole body insect extract is not useful in making a diagnosis of Tabanidae hypersensitivity. RAST using Tabanidae species as antigen is similarly useless in making a diagnosis of Tabanidae hypersensitivity. In vivo and in vitro diagnosis of horsefly hypersensitivity may be achieved when the salivary gland antigen of the horsefly becomes available.

Adolescent↗

Anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera stings in asthmatic patients.

We evaluated 587 cases with generalized reactions to stings of Hymenoptera. Eighty of these patients and twenty-eight normal controls had radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to venoms of honey bee, yellow jacket, hornet, wasp and to phospholipase A. Those patients with systemic reactions had a significantly greater frequency of positive RAST than normal controls (51.3% vs. 7.1%, P < 0.001). The frequency of atopy (asthma/rhinitis) in case these 587 cases was only 22% and resembled the expected frequency in a general population. Asthmatic patients did not have an increased risk of developing systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings. However, those asthmatic patients with systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings had a significantly more severe anaphylactic reaction to a sting than non-asthmatics. These severe reactions were primarily manifested by acute dyspnoea, which appeared to represent a bronchospastic response to endogenous histamine release.

Anaphylaxis↗

Adverse reactions to cromolyn.

The frequency of adverse reactions (dermatitis, myositis, and gastroenteritis) to cromolyn sodium in asthmatic patients was 2% (B/375). Reactions were non-life-threatening and completely reversible. Immunologic evaluations, including skin and serum tests for immediate and delayed reactivity, all were negative. Adverse reactions to cromolyn do not appear to be based on an immunologic mechanism. Cromolyn appears to be a safe drug for the treatment of asthma.

Adolescent↗

Papain anaphylaxis: a case report.

We report a case which illustrates occupational sensitivity to Papain with life-threatening anaphylaxis. In addition to urticaria and angioedema and glottic symptoms, the patient demonstrated annoying intermittent problems mimicking rheumatoid, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and pulmonary disease. All symptoms and signs disappeared after he removed himself from direct occupational exposure to Papain, and he was able to continue working in a setting five stories removed from the powder. The ubiquitous presence of Papain in our daily lives, in the bathroom, dining room, hospital, or workplace establishes it as a significant contaminant. This case emphasizes the value of including papaya as a scratch testing antigen in clinical practice.

Adult↗

Hymenoptera sensitivity occurring in families.

A total of 248 patients with systemic reactions to Hymenoptera envenomation were studied. There were 138 adults and 110 children. Twenty-eight of these 248 (11.3%) had family members with histories consistent with Hymenoptera anaphylaxis. These included five mothers and sons, two sister pairs, three pairs of sister-brother, one pair brother-brother, and one pair father-daughter. In one extended family, a father, mother, son, and mother's sister had Hymenoptera sensitivity. Ninety-six consecutive allergic patients without Hymenoptera sensitivity served as controls, and of these, 3.1% had family members with Hymenoptera sensitivity. The occurrence of Hymenoptera sensitivity in families of patients with Hymenoptera sensitivity is statistically different from our controls (11.3% vs 3.1%, p = 0.0195). There appears to be a hereditary aspect for Hymenoptera sting sensitivity.

Adolescent↗

Anaphylaxis to the ingestion and inhalation of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Zophobas morio (superworm).

It has been well documented, worldwide, that inhalation and/or contact with airborne particulate insect products has resulted in sensitivity to insect proteins and is manifested by such common entities as dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and asthma. However, the deliberate ingestion of a variety of insects (undertaken to prove their edibility and nutrient value) resulted in subsequent sensitization of some individuals. Such an outcome has not previously been reported in the literature. The objective was to document the anaphylactic reaction to the purposeful ingestion of mealworm in an individual known to be sensitized to the inhalation of beetle larvae. We used the occasion of the Centennial Celebration of The New York Entomological Society to expose members and guests of the Society to the ingestion of various insects. The subjects of the study consisted of: 1) Three members were adversely affected; 2) One individual with Baker's asthma; and 3) A number of controls with no known hypersensitivity to insect products. The investigation was undertaken by food challenges, inhalation challenges, skin testing to the individual insect allergens, a) Tenebrio molitor (TM), b) Zophobas morio (ZM), c) Blattella germanica (BG), skin testing to common indoors and outdoor allergens, and direct bind ELISA and ELISA inhibition. One individual manifesting hypersensitivity both by ingestion and inhalation to mealworm was identified. This sensitivity was documented clinically as well as by objective testing.

Anaphylaxis↗

Variations of pollen and mold concentrations in 1998 during the strong El Niño event of 1997-1998 and their impact on clinical exacerbations of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sinusitis.

Previous studies of pollen and mold dispersal have not correlated meteorological phenomena with clinical exacerbations of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. We utilized the resources of 11 New England Society of Allergy (NESA) pollen collectors, a certified palynologist, over a dozen weather stations for meteorological data, and 10 emergency rooms to explore the effects of the strong "El Niño" of 1997-1998 on our region during the 1998 pollen season. There was a marked increase in the number of clinical exacerbations of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis in April, May, and June of 1998. Several emergency rooms reported a greater increase in visits for sinusitis as compared to asthma. In addition, maximum mold counts occurred two to three months earlier than in 1997. Maximum pollen counts were also higher than in 1997, and occurred two to four weeks earlier for most tree pollen types.

Air Pollution↗