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Biomedical subjects

J Ring

Publications and source records attributed to J Ring.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Atopic disease and its determinants -- a focus on the potential role of childhood infection.

BACKGROUND: Atopic diseases develop on a genetic background and are modulated by environmental factors among which some infectious diseases are thought to have a protective influence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of infectious diseases in younger ages, bacterial and viral, on atopic diseases and sensitization to aero- and food-allergens in adults. METHODS: A population-based sample of 4262 subjects aged 25-74 years were interviewed concerning their history of infectious disease within the first 18 years of life. Information about allergic disease, including atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma was obtained. A blood sample was drawn and analysed for allergen-specific IgE antibodies against food- and aero-allergens. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analyses identified viral infection to be associated with AR (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13-1.72) and sensitization to aeroallergens (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.05-1.41). Bacterial disease was a negative predictor for atopy development in the subgroup of patients sensitized to nutritional allergens with concomitant atopic eczema (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.11-0.99), AR (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.42-1.07), or asthma (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19-0.87). Influences of viral and bacterial infection on AR differed with regard to family history of atopic disease. CONCLUSION: In our study population, history of viral infection was consistently positively associated with AR. Our data suggests that bacterial infections might be preventive for specific subgroups of atopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Does my partner cause my allergy?

BACKGROUND: The study of partners can help to understand the impact of environmental influences on the development of allergies. We aimed to test the hypothesis that subjects whose partners have hay fever are at increased risk for the same disease and that the risk increases with the time subjects live together with an affected partner. METHODS: A nested unmatched case-control study was performed in a random sample of 4261 inhabitants, aged 25-74 years, of the City of Augsburg, Germany, and two adjacent counties. Using standardized computer-assisted face-to-face interviews, we determined the risk of doctor-diagnosed hay fever in subjects who lived together with a partner having the same disease as opposed to subjects living with an unaffected partner. Furthermore, the risk of doctor-diagnosed hay fever depending on the time the subjects had lived together with an affected partner was calculated. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, parental predisposition and social status, the risk of hay fever was more than double in subjects who lived together with a partner having the same disease (odds ratio, OR(adj.), 2.41; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.48-3.92). If subjects lived together with an affected partner, the risk of developing the disease increased with the time the partners lived together (1-11 years, OR 1; 12-23 years, OR 1.8; 24-35 years, OR 7.4; 36-54 years, OR 13.7). CONCLUSION: The risk of developing hay fever is significantly elevated in subjects who live together with a partner having the same disease. The risk further increases with the time the partners live together. This points to important shared environmental influences or behaviours and raises speculations on a transmissible cause.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Specific immunotherapy in honeybee venom allergy: a comparative study using aqueous and aluminium hydroxide adsorbed preparations.

BACKGROUND: For the immunotherapy of Hymenoptera venom allergy various preparations and treatment protocols are in use. However, controlled studies making direct comparisons of the efficacy and safety of different regimens are rare. OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively different venom immunotherapy (VIT) protocols using an aqueous or an aluminium hydroxide adsorbed allergen preparation for the treatment of honeybee venom (HBV) allergy. METHODS: Sixty-five HBV allergic patients (42 males, 23 females; aged 17-75 years) with a history of systemic anaphylactic reactions (SARs) to honeybee stings were treated according to three different regimens. During the incremental phase, patients in group A (n = 21) or B (n = 21) received an aqueous preparation according to a rush protocol. Patients in group C (n = 23) were treated with conventional ("slow") VIT using an aluminium hydroxide adsorbed depot preparation. The maintenance dose was 100 microg venom in all groups. Maintenance treatment in group A was performed with the aqueous preparation administered every 4 weeks, whereas in groups B and C the depot preparation was administered every 8 weeks (group B) or every 4 weeks (group C). A sting challenge test with a living honeybee was performed in 49 patients, 6-12 months after reaching the maintenance dose. Another seven patients were stung accidentally by a honeybee ("field sting"). RESULTS: Treatment with the aqueous preparation evoked large local reactions more frequently than the depot preparation in the dose increase phase [53/693 (7.6%) vs 8/206 (3.9%); P = 0.059] and also in the course of maintenance therapy [85/172 (49.4%) vs 58/478 (12.1%); P < 0.001]. During the dose increase phase, systemic side-effects seemed to occur more frequently in patients on rush VIT with the aqueous preparation compared to patients initially treated with the conventional schedule using the depot preparation [13/42 (31.0%) vs 3/23 (13.0%); not significant). When re-stung by the culprit insect, SARs were observed in 3/20 patients (15.0%) in group A, 2/18 (11.1%) in group B and 3/18 (16.7%) in group C (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: The aluminium hydroxide adsorbed HBV preparation caused fewer large local reactions than the aqueous preparation. The therapeutic efficacy of the three treatment protocols did not differ.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The prevalence of positive reactions in the atopy patch test with aeroallergens and food allergens in subjects with atopic eczema: a European multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The atopy patch test (APT) was proposed to evaluate IgE-mediated sensitizations in patients with atopic eczema (AE). OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and agreement with clinical history and specific IgE (sIgE) of positive APT reactions was investigated in six European countries using a standardized method. METHODS: A total of 314 patients with AE in remission were tested in 12 study centers on clinically uninvolved, non-abraded back skin with 200 index of reactivity (IR)/g of house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander, grass, and birch pollen allergen extracts with defined major allergen contents in petrolatum. Extracts of egg white, celery and wheat flour with defined protein content were also patch tested. APT values were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h according to the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD) guidelines. In addition, skin-prick test (SPT) and sIgE and a detailed history on allergen-induced eczema flares were obtained. RESULTS: Previous eczema flares, after contact with specific allergens, were reported in 1% (celery) to 34% (D. pteronyssinus) of patients. The frequency of clear-cut positive APT reactions ranged from 39% with D. pteronyssinus to 9% with celery. All ETFAD intensities occured after 48 and 72 h. Positive SPT (16-57%) and elevated sIgE (19-59%) results were more frequent. Clear-cut positive APT with all SPT and sIgE testing negative was seen in 7% of the patients, whereas a positive APT without SPT or sIgE for the respective allergen was seen in 17% of the patients. APT, SPT and sIgE results showed significant agreement with history for grass pollen and egg white (two-sided Pr > /Z/ < or = 0.01). In addition, SPT and sIgE showed significant agreement with history for the other aeroallergens. With regard to clinical history, the APT had a higher specificity (64-91% depending on the allergen) than SPT (50-85%) or sIgE (52-85%). Positive APT were associated with longer duration of eczema flares and showed regional differences. In 10 non-atopic controls, no positive APT reaction was seen. CONCLUSION: Aeroallergens and food allergens are able to elicit eczematous skin reactions after epicutaneous application. As no gold standard for aeroallergen provocation in AE exists, the relevance of aeroallergens for AE flares may be evaluated by APT in addition to SPT and sIgE. The data may contribute to the international standardization of the APT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Association of a STAT 6 haplotype with elevated serum IgE levels in a population based cohort of white adults.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown linkage of chromosome 12q 13-24 with atopy related phenotypes. Among candidate genes in this region is STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription), which is essential for Th2 cell differentiation, recruitment, and effector function. METHODS: We evaluated six polymorphisms of STAT6 for evidence of associations with serum IgE levels and atopic diseases in a population based cross sectional cohort of 1407 German adults. Genotyping was performed using the matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry method. Haplotypes were estimated using the SAS/Genetics module, and population-derived IgE percentiles (50% IgE>53 kU/l, 66% IgE>99 kU/l and 90% IgE>307 kU/l) were modelled as outcome variables in haplotype trend regression analysis. RESULTS: All polymorphisms were genotyped successfully. Haplotype reconstruction revealed 8/64 possible haplotypes, reaching estimated frequencies of 1% or more. One polymorphism in intron 2 (rs324011) showed a significant association with total serum IgE (p = 0.015). A STAT6 risk haplotype for elevated IgE showing odds ratios of 1.7 (p = 0.015) for IgE cut-off 100 kU/l, and 1.54 (p = 0.032), 1.6 (p = 0.025), and 2.54 (p = 0.007) for IgE percentiles 50%, 66%, and 90%, respectively was detected. The increased risk of this haplotype was confirmed by linear haplotype trend regression on log transformed IgE values (p = 0.007). Analysis further revealed a risk haplotype for specific sensitisation and a risk haplotype for asthma. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that genetic variants within STAT6 contribute significantly to IgE regulation and manifestation of atopic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Use of CD63 expression as marker of in vitro basophil activation in identifying the culprit in insect venom allergy.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of insect venom allergy and the indication for specific immunotherapy is based on history, skin tests and demonstration of hymenoptera venom specific IgE-antibodies. In cases with contradictory test results additional cellular tests are recommended. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the usefulness of a newly introduced test based on basophil CD63 expression as marker of activation in comparison with the basophil histamine release test (BHR) and the cellular antigen stimulation test (CAST) measuring leukotriene release. METHODS: In 14 patients (10 males, 4 females; age; 12 to 67 years, mean: 42.5 +/- 15.1 years) with systemic reactions to hymenoptera stings in their history skin tests and determination of specific IgE-antibodies (CAP-RAST-FEIA) had shown inconsistent results: No demonstration of specific IgE-antibodies (n = 4), one sting by an unknown insect together with positive skin test and/or positive RAST to both bee and wasp venom (n = 4), several stings of partly unknown insects with positive skin test and/or demonstrable specific IgE-antibodies to more than one insect venom (n = 4), uncertain history and divergent results in skin test and/or RAST (n = 2). BHR, CAST and basophil activation test (BAT) were done according to the manufacturers with negative and positive controls and different concentrations of bee and wasp venom. The BAT is based on double staining with anti-IgE antibodies and anti-CD63 and subsequent determination of the percentage of activated basophils by flow cytometry. RESULTS: BAT and skin test were concordant in 42.9%, BAT and RAST in 57.1%. Concordance of all three cellular tests was seen in 57.1%, of BAT and BHR in 69.1%, of BAT and CAST in 78.6% and of BHR and CAST in 64.3%. In 6 cases where the three cellular tests (BHR, CAST, BAT) were not in accordance the addition of BAT led to a more reliable diagnostic result concerning the relevant insect in 3 cases and added no further information in 3 cases. BAT in controls always was negative. Correlation between CAST and BAT was higher than between CAST and BHR. CONCLUSIONS: In difficult cases of hymenoptera allergy, where history, skin tests and determination of specific antibodies do not allow a clear decision regarding the relevant insect species for immunotherapy, the additional performance of cellular tests (CAST and BAT) may be helpful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Diarrhea as manifestation of allergic diseases. The difficult search for the allergen].

Allergy is a very uncommon cause of diarrhoea. Other mechanisms, medical diseases and infections, psychological and pseudoallergic reactions, intolerance reactions, and enzyme defects/deficiency, and many other conditions are much more common. If food allergy is strongly suspected diagnosis may be difficult, even for allergologists, as it requires a mosaic of history, skin and in vitro tests, diagnostic diet, and even provocation tests. It is important to recognise diarrhoea "accompanying" allergic urticaria and anaphylactic reactions as part of the symptomatology of the primary dermatological or allergic disease and to refer the patient to the appropriate specialist.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Shiny nail, spotted nail. Beau-Reil lines. When dermatoses entrench in the nails].

Numerous skin diseases, for example psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus, Reiter's syndrome or alopecia areata, may also involve parts of the nail. Depending on the structure involved and the nature and duration of the lesion, a certain disturbance pattern presents. Matrix disorders, which are often observed, may manifest as such characteristic lesions as spots, tracheonychia or Beau's lines. Treatment is determined by the respective underlying disease.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2003

[Peristomal dermatitis: a common condition and a differential diagnostic challenge].

Inflammation of the skin in the immediate neighborhood of a stoma (peristomal dermatitis) occurs--at least temporarily--in about two-thirds of all stoma patients. The often apparently uniform clinical presentation may conceal a variety of different pathological conditions, a knowledge of which is a must for the correct diagnosis and therapeutic strategy, which in turn is essential to prevent the development of a vicious circle of dermatitis and stomal insufficiency, which in the worst case may make a surgical intervention necessary.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2003

High prevalence of superantigens associated with the egc locus in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with atopic eczema.

The present study was aimed at identifying a possible correlation between disease severity and colonization with superantigen-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains in patients with atopic eczema. To this end, Staphylococcus aureus strains from 91 patients with atopic eczema were screened for various staphylococcal superantigens such as SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, TSST1, the recently described enterotoxin gene cluster egc (which encodes the enterotoxins SEG, SEI, SEK, SEM, and SEO), and the see, seh, and sej loci. Swabs were taken from seven different sites in each patient. The rate of colonization with Staphylococcus aureus was 87.9%. Of those patients colonized, 35% were colonized with more than one different strain. Of the 120 genetically different strains investigated, the egc locus was found in 48.3% and the sej locus in 7.5%. The see and seh loci were not found in any strain. The presence of the classical superantigens SEA-SED or TSST1 was found in 38.3%. Overall, 71.3% of the Staphylococcus aureus-positive patients harbored at least one superantigen-producing strain on their skin. There was no difference in the prevalence of superantigens between atopic eczema patients and healthy volunteers. Moreover, there was no difference in the extent of disease expression between patients colonized by superantigen-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains and those with superantigen-negative strains as measured by the SCORAD system. However, patients colonized with Staphylococcus aureus had a significantly higher SCORAD score than those not colonized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Effects of inhaled CdO particles on the sphingolipid synthesis of rat lungs.

Surfactant lipids of the alveolar space protect the lung from various environmental stimuli. We investigated the influence of ultrafine (UF) CdO particles inhalation on two key enzymes involved in lung sphingolipid metabolism, serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), and sphingomyelinase (SMase). Rats inhaled either 0.63 mg UF-CdO/m(3) for 6 h (group 1), or 1.08 mg UF-CdO/m(3) 12 h/day for 10 days (group 2). Two corresponding control groups inhaled filtered clean air. Additional rats intratracheally instilled with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as positive controls. Semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of lung tissue showed a significant increase in the level of SPT mRNA (LCB2 subunit) expression in group 2 compared to the corresponding controls (p <.01). Group 1 and LPS were not statistically different from control. No alteration in the mRNA level of SMase was detected in any exposure group. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that SPT (LCB2 subunit) localization was stronger in the alveolar type II cells of group 2 lungs compared to the corresponding controls. These results were correlated with alterations in BALF cellular and biochemical parameters and lung morphology. Since SPT is the key enzyme for de novo sphingolipid synthesis in lung surfactant and SMase is responsible for sphingomyelin catabolism, we can postulate that high-dose UF-CdO exposure for 10 days induces an increase in sphingolipid synthesis in the type II cells of rat lungs that would not be promptly followed by its degradation.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed2003

[Malignant priapism as a sign of a recurrent prostate cancer. Differential diagnosis of induratio penis plastica].

A 62-year-old patient was referred with the suspected diagnosis of Peyronie disease. The patient showed the clinical picture of a beginning malignant priapism with hematogenous metastases from an recurrent prostatic carcinoma. The penile metastases were misdiagnosed as Peyronie disease. Although both clinical pictures show some superficial similarity, Peyronie disease usually fulfills classical criteria which help to clearly distinguish it from neoplastic diseases.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2003

[Alarming skin manifestations: eczema, urticaria or cancer? How to discriminate between benign and dangerous skin changes].

Numerous dermatological lesions can be provisionally diagnosed by the family doctor on the basis of such parameters as location, duration, degree of pruritus, involvement of the epidermis, and the age of the patient. Whenever a lesion is difficult to interpret or suspicious for malignancy, the patient should be referred to a specialist without delay. This is also mandatory in all such cases in which accepted therapeutic measures initiated on the basis of an apparently certain diagnosis on the part of the family doctor fail to cure the problem within a reasonable period of time.

Adolescent↗