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Biomedical subjects

J C García Robaina

Publications and source records attributed to J C García Robaina.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Skin tests and conjunctival and bronchial challenges with extracts of Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are important mite species in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Several studies have demonstrated a variable degree of allergenic cross-reactivity in vitro. However, only a few have addressed their allergenic cross-reactivity using challenge tests. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct conjunctival and bronchial challenge tests with B. tropicalis and D. pteronyssinus extracts in a group of 42 patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinoconjunctivitis sensitised to house dust mites (31 females, 11 males; mean age 21.7 +/- 7.02 years). METHODS: Prick tests using standardised extracts and specific IgE determinations using the CAP system were performed. Bronchial and/or conjunctival challenges were conducted using freeze-dried extracts of both mite species. A patient was considered sensitive to a mite species if she/he had a positive prick and/or CAP test result. A total of 32 conjunctival and 15 bronchial challenges were performed with both mite species. RESULTS: Prick tests were positive to B. tropicalis in 23 patients (54.7%) and to D. pteronyssinus in 41 (97.6%). One patient (2.4%) was exclusively sensitive to B. tropicalis. The CAP test was positive for B. tropicalis in 28 patients and for D. pteronyssinus in 41. Conjunctival challenges to B. tropicalis were positive in 20 patients (18 sensitised and 2 non-sensitised) and negative in 12 (5 sensitised and 7 non-sensitised patients). Conjunctival challenges with D. pteronyssinus were positive in all 31 D. pteronyssinus-sensitised patients who underwent conjunctival challenges. Bronchial challenges with B. tropicalis were positive in 9 sensitised patients and negative in 6 patients (2 sensitised and 4 non-sensitised). Bronchial challenges with D. pteronyssinus were positive in all patients except 1, who only reacted to B. tropicalis. CONCLUSIONS: Allergens of the mite species B. tropicalis induce positive conjunctival and bronchial challenges in B. tropicalis-sensitised individuals. Our results suggest that although there is a low to moderate degree of in vivo cross-reactivity between B. tropicalis and D. pteronyssinus, B. tropicalis seems to be a relevant source of allergens in areas where patients are exposed.

Acari↗

Clinical cross-reactivity between Artemisia vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile).

Artemisia vulgaris is a common weed and an important source of allergens on the subtropical island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. It pollinates mainly from July to September, although, due to some local climatic conditions, it may flower throughout the year. Cross-reactivity with hazelnut, kiwi, birch, several Compositae (Ambrosia, Chrysanthemum, Matricaria, Solidago) and grass allergens has been suggested. Few studies have addressed the issue of in vivo cross-reactivity between A. vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla. The objective of this study was to perform conjunctival and bronchial challenges with A. vulgaris and M. chamomilla and oral challenge with chamomile in 24 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis sensitized primarily to A. vulgaris. Skin prick tests with M. chamomilla were positive in 21 patients. Eighteen patients had a positive conjunctival provocation test with a A. vulgaris pollen extract and 13 patients had a positive conjunctival provocation test with a M. chamomilla pollen extract. Bronchial provocation tests with A. vulgaris were positive in 15 patients and with M. chamomilla pollen in another 16 individuals. Oral provocation tests, conducted with a commercial chamomile infusion were positive in 13 patients. Nine of these individuals were skin test positive to food allergens and 17 to others pollens of the Compositae family. This study confirms a high degree of in vivo cross-reactivity between A. vulgaris and M. chamomilla. Sensitization to A. vulgaris seems to be a primary risk factor for experiencing symptoms after the ingestion of chamomile infusions. Based on the results of bronchial provocation tests, M. chamomilla pollen could be a relevant inhalant allergen.

Administration, Oral↗

Hyper-IgE syndrome. Presentation of three cases.

Three cases of Hyper-IgE syndrome are herein described, corresponding to patients aged six, twelve and 4 years, who from infancy, had suffered a variety of recurrent pulmonary infections, staphylococcal cold abscesses and chronic dermatitis. IgE counts were superior to 2.000 u/ml and eosinophilia surpassed 0.6 x 10(9) cells/l in all three cases. Deficits in the mytogen and chemotaxis responses were also seen. These patients were treated with I.V. gammaglobulin, anti-biotherapy and ascorbic acid. The possible physiopathology of this syndrome and its association with different alterations to pulmonary immunity are discussed in this paper. Hyper-IgE Syndrome is characterized by recurrent dermal and pulmonary infections (pneumonia and abscesses), dominated by elevated IgE levels, and in 1974, this Syndrome was included within the "immunodeficiencies" group, and Hill and Quie described this as a process involving recurrent bacterial infections and eczemas accompanied by elevated IgE levels, together with a defect in the mobility of neutrophils. Previously, in 1966, Job described this Syndrome in fair-skinned, red-headed young girls, suffering from eczemas and recurrent cold abscesses of staphylococcal ethiology, found on the skin, in subcutaneous tissue cells and lymph nodes. Later, Dr. Buckley defined this Syndrome by an increase in serum IgE levels, chronic dermatitis and severe repetitive infections. This Syndrome today, is still an immunological mystery, defined by two clinically compatible criteria and an increase in IgE. Other analytical abnormalities, including neutrophilic mobility, the appearance of IgE antibodies anti-Candida or staphylococcus, are non-constant findings.

Age of Onset↗

The capturing of pollens in the atmosphere of La Laguna City, Tenerife, Canary Islands 1990-1995.

This paper forms part of a Doctorate Thesis, carried out in the Allergy and Immunology Department of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Hospital, Tenerife, entitled "Epidemiology of Pollens on the Island of Tenerife. Allergy to Pollen". This paper deals with the capturing of pollen in the atmosphere of the city of La Laguna, Tenerife, during the period 1990-1995, and demonstrates that the Occidental Islands of the Canarian Archipelago are similar to a miniature continent with a special microclimate and a large amount of vegetation, where all classes of pollen can be found given the large variety of plants and trees including native species. High concentrations of more than 50 grains of pollen per m3 can be found in the air of the Occidental Islands, above all wild grasses, cultivated grasses, weeds, Artemisa vulgaris, Parietaria officinalis and Plantago lanceolata, and in a lowe proportion, Cupressaceae, Pinaceas, Mercurialis and Rumex. We have pollen concentrations very similar to other parts of the continent.

Air Pollution↗