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Biomedical subjects

J M Igea

Publications and source records attributed to J M Igea.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Allergy to plant-derived fresh foods in a birch- and ragweed-free area.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to plant-derived fresh foods has often been reported in geographical areas where birch or ragweed pollens are frequent and has been attributed to cross-reactivity to pollens. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has been to evaluate allergy to plant-derived fresh foods among pollen-allergic patients from a birch and ragweed-free area. METHODS: Ninety-five pollen-allergic patients took part in the study. The study consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests and challenge tests. Pollen skin tests to five grasses, eight trees and seven weeds were performed in duplicate. Prick tests (prick by prick) and challenge tests were carried out with the fresh foods. RESULTS: Most patients allergic to pollens were sensitized to grass (Lolium and Phleum; 97.9%), followed by tree (Olea; 82.1%) and weed pollens (Plantago; 64.2%). 35 of the 95 pollen-allergic patients had positive skin test responses to some plant-derived fresh foods, the highest percentage corresponding to several fruits in the Rosaceae family (peach and pear, 26.3%), followed by Cucurbitacea fruits (melon, 13.7%). The 21. 05% of the pollen-allergic patients were allergic to some type of plant-derived fresh food. Peach was the plant-derived fresh food which most frequently elicited allergy symptoms (12.6%), followed by melon (7.36%). The cluster of positive responses to Rosaceae fruits was higher for skin testing than for challenge testing. CONCLUSION: Peach was the most important allergy provoking fruit in a birch and ragweed free-area where apples were consumed at a rate of two times more than peaches and the patients allergic to pollen were principally sensitized to grass pollens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Green bean hypersensitivity: an occupational allergy in a homemaker.

As a member of the legume family, the green bean is frequently associated with food allergy. However, allergic reactions caused by skin contact or by inhalation of vapors from boiling legumes are rare. This article presents a case of occupational asthma in a homemaker; symptoms occurred during preparation and cooking of raw green beans. Skin prick, rub, and bronchial provocation tests were performed on the patient. In vitro tests were done with the serum samples of the patient and 10 control subjects (5 atopic and 5 nonatopic). Test results indicate that the patient has type I hypersensitivity to raw green bean antigen(s). This case is of interest because it demonstrates that a food allergen, when inhaled, can induce respiratory symptoms in sensitized patients and may even be the source of primary sensitization.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Asthma and contact urticaria caused by rice in a housewife.

We report the case of an atopic housewife who presented with rhinoconjunctivitis-asthma and contact urticaria from handling rice and other cereals. She tolerated cooke cereals. Both skin prick tests with a rice extract (20% w/v) and a rub test with raw rice gave positive results. Bronchial challenge test with methacholine revealed a PC20 of 0.45 mg/ml. The challenge test with raw rice resulted in immediate and late clinical and spirometric responses; pretreatment with DSCG inhibited both responses. The histamine release test (HRT) with rice was positive, and we detected rice-specific IgE antibodies by REIA in the patient's serum. Skin prick tests, HRT, and RAST with a battery of cereals gave positive results. Finally, the rice REIA was inhibited by rice (75%), rye (63%), corn (64%), and wheat (51%) extracts.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine.

Ranitidine is a well-tolerated H2-receptor antagonist with a furan ring as nucleus. Anaphylactic reactions are seldom reported despite the wide use of the drug. We report a patient who presented an anaphylactic reaction with ranitidine (Zantac). The positive skin prick test and oral challenge suggest type I hypersensitivity. Specific IgE determination by RAST technique and histamine release test with ranitidine were negative. The patient did not react to other H2-receptor antagonists or to another furan-derivative (nitrofurantoin).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

IgG subclass response to Aspergillus fumigatus.

The exact clinical meaning of the IgG subclass antibodies remains obscure. In order to contribute to the study of the IgG subclass response, specific IgGtotal and IgG subclass antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three groups of patients: 30 asthmatics due to an IgG-mediated hypersensitivity to Af, 30 atopic and 30 nonatopic controls. The results demonstrated that Af-specific IgGtotal, IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies are increased in Af-sensitive patients, although detectable levels of each specific IgG subclass could be found in all the three groups. No differences between atopic and non-atopic controls could be demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Allergy to amoxicillin in patients who tolerated benzylpenicillin, aztreonam, and ceftazidime.

The usual battery of skin tests employed for determining penicillin allergy may fail to detect allergic reactions to side chain-specific beta-lactam agents. We report the cases of six patients who experienced anaphylactic reactions after treatment and challenge with amoxicillin but who tolerated parenteral challenges with benzylpenicillin, aztreonam, and ceftazidime. Results of skin tests for amoxicillin (10 mg/mL) were positive for four of the six patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Bronchial asthma induced by chick pea and lentil.

Allergic reactions to legumes through inhalation have rarely been described. We report the case of a 20-year-old man who experienced asthmatic attacks when exposed to the steam from cooking either chick pea or lentil. Type I hypersensitivity to the antigens in these legumes was demonstrated by means of immediate skin reactivity, histamine release tests, RAST and RAST inhibition. Specific bronchial challenges with the heated (75 degrees for 30 min) extracts of chick pea and lentil elicited isolated immediate responses.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Serum sickness-like syndrome associated with cefaclor therapy.

We describe 2 cases of paediatric patients who developed the main clinical features of a serum sickness reaction, while on treatment with cefaclor. A decrease in complement values was observed in both cases. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of such drug adverse reaction.

Cefaclor↗
PubMed1992

Occupational asthma in a hairdresser caused by persulphate salts.

Persulphate salts, which are common constituents of hair bleaches, have occasionally been reported to cause occupational asthma in hairdressers. We describe the clinical and immunological studies carried out in a hairdresser who developed cutaneous and respiratory symptoms, about 1 year after being employed in a hairdressing salon. Skin prick tests with 1:5 w/v potassium and sodium persulphate extracts were positive in our patient at 15 min and negative in control subjects. The European standard contactans (ECDRG) and a battery of hairdressing agents were patch tested with positive result to KATHON CG (isothiazolinone). The methacholine-inhalation test showed airway hyperresponsiveness. Bronchial provocation test with a 1:50 w/v potassium persulphate extract elicited a nonimmediate asthmatic reaction, followed by recurrent nocturnal fall in FEV1 lasting up to 3 days after the test. Plethysmography results revealed air trapping caused by a marked increase of airway resistance 3 h after the specific bronchial challenge. Histamine release test was not conclusive, and the determinations of specific IgA, IgM, IgG and IgG subclasses by EIA and IgE by RAST against persulphate salts were negative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Allergy to cefazolin: study of in vivo cross reactivity with other betalactams.

We present two cases of hypersensitivity to cefazolin (one anaphylaxis). The skin prick tests with cefazolin at therapeutic concentration were positive. For the in vitro study we used conjugates of cefazolin with human serum albumin, obtaining a positive result in the histamine release test in both patients. In one case, we demonstrated anticefazolin-specific IgE antibodies by RAST. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Finally, we carried out skin tests and challenge tests with other betalactam antibiotics, including benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, aztreonam, cefuroxime and cefotaxime, showing in both patients good tolerance to all these drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Severe anaphylactic reaction to thymostimulin.

Thymostimulin is a partially purified extract of calf thymus, consisting of a group of polypeptides with a total molecular weight of approximately 12,000 D. It is used as an immunologic response modifier in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. We report a patient who had a severe anaphylactic reaction with the first injection of thymostimulin. Type I hypersensitivity to thymostimulin was suggested by an immediate skin test response, specific IgE determination by indirect ELISA and a positive histamine release test. This patient also reacted to bovine serum albumin (BSA), fetal calf serum (FCS) and cow hair and dander. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Clinicians need to be aware that the use of medical products of xenogeneic origin may lead to severe allergic reactions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1991

Adverse reaction to pomegranate ingestion.

We present a non-atopic 85-year-old woman, with a late-onset recidivant tongue angio-edema due to pomegranate intake, as proven by a double blind oral challenge test. This is the first case ever reported about adverse reaction to pomegranate. We have been unable to demonstrate an IgE-mediated mechanism (prick test, histamine release test and RAST with pomegranate were all negative). We emphasize the importance of clinical history and oral challenge test in the diagnosis of food allergy.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Adverse cutaneous reactions due to macrolides.

Macrolides, which are widely prescribed and seldom produce hypersensitivity reactions, are considered to be safe drugs. We present five patients with generalized skin reactions due to erythromycin and/or spiramycin, proved by oral challenge tests. One patient showed reactions to both erythromycin and spiramycin. All skin prick and patch tests and histamine release tests with both macrolides were negative.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Swiss chard hypersensitivity: clinical and immunologic study.

Allergy to vegetables and fruits seems to be more prevalent in atopics, especially in birch pollen-sensitized individuals. We report a case of a grass pollen-sensitized woman, in whom the inhalation of vapor from boiling Swiss chard precipitated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Type I hypersensitivity to Swiss chard was demonstrated by means of immediate skin test reactivity, specific IgE determination by RAST, basophil degranulation, histamine release test, and an immediate bronchial provocation test response to Swiss chard extract. The controls did not react to any of these tests. RAST inhibition assays suggest the presence of some cross-reactivity among Swiss chard and grass pollen antigens, as well as cross-reactivity between vegetables and weed pollens of the chenopod family.

Adult↗