Biomedical subjects

J Delohery

Publications and source records attributed to J Delohery.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1987

Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma.

Ingested chemicals, including aspirin and sulfites, are becoming increasingly recognized as provokers of acute severe asthma. In order to investigate the asthma-provoking potential of the widely used flavor enhancer, monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), we challenged 32 subjects with asthma, a number of whom gave histories of severe asthma after Chinese restaurant meals or similarly spiced meals. The subjects received an additive-free diet for 5 days before challenge and were challenged in hospital, after an overnight fast, with 500 mg capsules of MSG. They were challenged in a single-blind, placebo-controlled fashion with increasing doses of MSG from 0.5 gm to 5.0 gm. Thirteen subjects reacted. Seven subjects (group 1) developed asthma and symptoms of the Chinese restaurant syndrome 1 to 2 hours after ingestion of MSG. Six subjects (group 2) did not develop symptoms of Chinese restaurant syndrome, and their asthma developed 6 to 12 hours after ingestion of MSG. These challenge studies confirm that MSG can provoke asthma. The reaction to MSG is dose dependent and may be delayed up to 12 hours, making recognition difficult for both patient and physician.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

The relationship of inhaled sulfur dioxide reactivity to ingested metabisulfite sensitivity in patients with asthma.

When ingested in acid solution, the preservative sodium metabisulfite (MB) provokes asthma within minutes of ingestion in a proportion of asthmatic subjects. Freshly prepared acid solutions of MB liberate significant quantities of gaseous SO2. In order to test the hypothesis that asthma provoked by ingestion of acidified solutions of MB was due to supersensitivity to SO2 inhaled during swallowing, 3 groups of 10 subjects were studied. Groups 1 and 2 were asthmatics. Group 1 subjects were reactors and Group 2 were nonreactors to ingested MB. Group 3 subjects were nonasthmatic control subjects. Subjects were challenged, on separate days, with 50 mg of MB in citric acid and SO2 gas, via a steady-state system, at increasing concentrations (0.5, 1.5, 3, 5 ppm). The mean percent fall in peak expiratory flow rates after ingestion of MB for Group 1 was 35 +/- 14, Group 2 was 6 +/- 6, and Group 3 was 5 +/- 3. The mean SO2 provocation concentration (Pc20.SO2) for Group 1 was 1.19 +/- 0.78 ppm, for Group 2 it was 2.25 +/- 1.42 ppm, and for Group 3 it was greater than 5 ppm. The means for Pc20.SO2 of Groups 1 and 2 were not statistically different (p = 0.075), although the possibility of a Type 2 error is recognized. Five MB-sensitive subjects were subsequently challenged with the MB solution by mouthwash and nasogastric tube. Asthma was provoked in all 5 subjects by mouthwash but not by gastric challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Fulminant meningococcemia.

A case of fulminant meningococcal septicemia is reported in which an acute gastroenteritis was the presenting symptom. Disseminated intravascular coagulation, profound hypotension and a haemorrhagic skin rash were the dominant clinical features. Successful treatment was directed towards the replacement of coagulation factors, treatment of the underlying infection and reversal of hypotension with the inotropic agent, dopamine. Corticosteroids were used in pharmacological doses, but heparin was not used. The pathogenesis of several abnormalities in this disease is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗