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Biomedical subjects

J L Menardo

Publications and source records attributed to J L Menardo.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Immunotherapy with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract. VI. Specific immunotherapy prevents the onset of new sensitizations in children.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of allergic sensitization is complex and poorly understood. A prospective nonrandomized study was carried out in a population of asthmatic children younger than 6 years of age whose only allergic sensitivity was to house dust mites (HDMs). OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to determine whether specific immunotherapy (SIT) with standardized allergen extracts could prevent the development of new sensitizations over a 3-year follow-up survey. METHODS: We studied 22 children monosensitized to HDM who were receiving SIT with standardized allergen extracts and 22 other age-matched control subjects who were monosensitized to HDM. The initial investigation included a full clinical history, skin tests with a panel of standardized allergens, and the measurement of allergen-specific IgE, depending on the results of skin tests. Children were followed up on an annual basis for 3 years, and the development of new sensitizations in each group was recorded. RESULTS: Ten of 22 children monosensitized to HDM who were receiving SIT did not have new sensitivities compared with zero of 22 children in the control group (p = 0.001, chi square test). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SIT in children monosensitized to HDM alters the natural course of allergy in preventing the development of new sensitizations.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Childhood asthma and sports in school: a survey of teachers of sports and physical education].

Exercise induced bronchial obstruction is very common in asthmatic children who represent at least 5% of the general paediatric population. 89 teachers of physical education at school replied to a questionnaire on asthma: 82% knew the existence of exercise induced asthma, all thought that asthmatics can do sport at school; however their knowledge of this disorder seemed insufficient to offer sporting activities in a satisfactory manner; the idea of asthma as a psychological disorder is well ingrained (61.6%), they felt that necessarily the bronchial obstruction should be noticed by the asthmatic (58%) and finally a significant proportion (29%) thought that they had never seen a child in an asthmatic crisis during their lessons. The majority (88%) were favourable to information on asthma given by an information film followed by a discussion.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Evolution of sensitivity to Hymenoptera venom in 200 allergic patients followed for up to 3 years.

Duration of venom immunotherapy still remains questionnable, since some patients outgrow their sensitivity. Two hundred venom-allergic patients (4 to 82 years; mean +/- SD, 37.3 +/- 14.2 years) who were first observed with systemic reactions (SRs) were investigated yearly for up to 3 years. Among these patients, 72 were allergic to honeybee venom, 83 to yellow jacket venom, and 45 to both yellow jacket and Polistes venom. At each visit patients had skin tests and RAST to venom. All patients had the same semirush protocol and a monthly maintenance dose of 200 micrograms. After 1 year of treatment, 19% of bee venom-allergic subjects and 35% of vespid venom-allergic individuals had a negative skin test and RAST to the corresponding venom. The percentage of negativation of tests increased after 3 years to 30.5% in bee venom-allergic patients and to 54% in vespid venom-allergic individuals. This rapid and relatively important negativation of skin tests and RAST may be due to a monthly maintenance dose of 200 micrograms; 76 patients experienced a field sting without any SR, two patients had a severe SR, and three patients had a mild SR. Although we tried to define parameters that might predict the abolition of venom sensitivity before starting immunotherapy, we could not find any parameter except venom species. Children and adults behave similarly in terms of evolution of venom sensitization. Mean serum venom-specific IgG levels were significantly lower in patients who had lost their sensitivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Diathesis and the prevention of asthma and respiratory allergies].

Asthma and respiratory allergies arise from the union of innate (predisposing and hereditary) and acquired factors (e.g. environmental). Without yet being perfectly elucidated there will in the future be a better understanding of the basic concept of the "diathesis" of allergic asthma. It includes the hereditary transmission of sensitising capacity to various major allergens and also of bronchial hyperactivity whose congenital predisposition is shown by studies of groups of twins; but perhaps it is not indispensable to the genesis of asthma, since it apparently may be acquired, as for example in occupational asthma. The understanding of the diathesis enables the prediction of respiratory allergic risk and consequently the early initiation of preventative measures in those new-born at high risk. Together these preventative steps consist of quite a heavy burden, whose efficacy remains imperfect but always timely.

Asthma↗
PubMed1984

Complex thoracic fistula in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula are not an uncommon finding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia; however, systemic pulmonary fistulas are exceptional. A case, characterized by its complex anatomical constitution, is described; the right suprascapular artery is the afferent systemic vessel and the efferent systemic and pulmonary drainage network sprung from a cirsoid aneurysmal tangle. The reasons for the development of the fistula are uncommon and probably multifactorial. Clinical diagnosis and management problems are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Effects of diluents on skin tests.

The role of diluents and preservatives on skin tests was examined in 41 allergic patients. The effect of glycerol in intradermal tests was studied. Concentrations of five percent glycerol were shown to induce a significant wheal which was not inhibited by clemastine fumarate, suggesting a direct toxic effect without the participation of histamine release. Twenty five Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergic patients were prick tested with standardized and lyophilized extracts reconstituted either in saline, 50% glycerol or human serum albumin. The wheal size induced by saline or HSA diluted extracts was very similar but greater than that elicited by extract dissolved in 50% glycerol. The correlation between prick tests induced by the three types of extracts tested was always significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Respiratory-tract-directed immunostimulation by a vaccine administered by the oral route].

For testing the respiratory immunizing efficacy of an oral vaccine, 61 volunteer subjects were vaccinated with a double blind ribosomal vaccine. Although no clinical progress was observed in the treated group, there was however a significant rise in specific antibodies against each bacteria. In contrast, no rise in total seric immunoglobulins could be observed. The study of 115 salivary and bronchial IgA showed a significant rise in bronchial 11s IgA in the treated children's group. This data suggested the hypothesis of a stimulation of the whole immunosecretory system (mucous) by the vaccinotherapy alone by the oral route.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A review of loratadine in the treatment of patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

Patients with seasonal or allergic bronchial asthma experience an immediate allergic response caused by allergen-specific immunoglobulin E-mediated histamine release. The release of histamine and other chemical mediators may trigger airway hyperresponsiveness and exaggerated bronchoconstriction, characteristic features of allergic bronchial asthma. Traditional antihistamines have demonstrated only moderate activity of short duration against this disease. In contrast, loratadine, a potent, nonsedating, histamine-1-receptor antagonist with activity in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, has demonstrated effective control of asthma symptoms, improved pulmonary function, and long duration of action in patients with allergic bronchial asthma. This review summarizes preclinical evidence for the antiallergic activity of loratadine and the results of clinical studies with oral loratadine in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergy in beekeepers.

Beekeepers represent a high-risk group for allergic disorders. They are affected by beestings but only a very limited fraction of the population develops severe anaphylactic symptoms. On the other hand several beekeepers have slight anaphylactic symptoms when they start working. Immunologically they are like "spontaneously desensitized subjects". They often have bee-venom specific IgE and all of them have very high titers of bee-venom specific IgG. Beekeepers may present an atopic sensitization to bee-hive dust and develop asthma and rhinitis. Finally, they may present a contact dermatitis to a bee-product: the propolis. This type of allergy is not very frequent.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Desensitisation with hymenoptera venom in children].

The efficiency of immunotherapy with hymenoptera venom is well known in adults. Its clinical tolerance and its immunologic consequences during an accelerated desensitization program were studied in children with bee venom (n = 12, average age: 9.4 +/- 4.6 years) or wasp venom (n = 6, average age: 10.4 +/- 3.7 years) hypersensitivity. Results were compared with those obtained in adults susceptible to bee venom (n = 15, average age: 36.6 +/- 10.4 years) or to wasp venom (n = 18, average age: 36.2 +/- 7.4 years). Despite doses identical to those used in adults, clinical tolerance was better in both groups of children. Provocation tests (6 children, 10 adults) after immunotherapy showed a similar efficiency of the treatment in adults and children. The immunologic study showed a significantly greater increase in specific IgG in children, and a significant decrease in specific IgE (p less than 0.05) only in children treated with bee venom.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Allergy to Hymenoptera venom (author's transl)].

The venom injected with the sting of female Hymenoptera may be very dangerous to man. It contains toxic compounds similar to those of snake venom but these only affect men in case of numerous stings at the same time. In contrast, about 25% of the population may become sensitized to venom proteins (enzymes), the least common, but most serious, allergic reactions being anaphylactic shock, rarely fatal. Diagnosis rests upon questioning, skin tests with Hymenoptera venom and immunological investigations for specific IgE and IgG, the latter being considered as protective antibodies. First-aid treatment consists of adrenaline by inhalation and injection. The latest prophylactic treatment, which may protect 97% of the patients, is injections of Hymenoptera venom extracts.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of loratadine syrup and terfenadine suspension in the treatment of 3- to 6-year-old children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The efficacy and safety of loratadine and terfenadine in the treatment of 3- to 6-year-old children with seasonal allergic rhinitis were compared in a third-party-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. A total of 96 children were included in the efficacy analysis: 49 children received 5 or 10 mg of loratadine once daily, and 47 received 15 mg of terfenadine twice daily, for 14 days. The mean total score for both nasal and non-nasal symptoms was decreased significantly from baseline at days 3, 7, and 14 in both treatment groups. At endpoint, these scores had improved 73% in each group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the total symptom scores at any point during the study. Both treatments were effective in relieving individual nasal and nonnasal symptoms. Therapeutic response to treatment was good or excellent in 82% of loratadine-treated children and in 60% of terfenadine-treated children. Few adverse events were reported during the study; all were mild or moderate and were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. There were no reports of sedation or dry mouth in either group. Once-daily treatment with 5 or 10 mg of loratadine was as effective as twice-daily treatment with 15 mg of terfenadine in improving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children 3 to 6 years old. Both treatments were well tolerated.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗