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Biomedical subjects

K C Bergmann

Publications and source records attributed to K C Bergmann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Different threshold concentrations for sensitization by cattle hair allergen Bos d 2 in atopic and non-atopic farmers].

Several threshold values for indoor allergens leading to IgE sensitization were proposed. Currently such values exists for allergens of house dust mite, cat, dog, and cockroach and cattle. A high sensitization is known as an important risk factor in the development of asthma. This study was undertaken to examine threshold values of major cow hair allergen Bos d 2 in the house dust of atopic and nonatopic cow hair asthmatic farmers. 45 patients with cow hair asthma were visited at their homes. House dust samples were taken from corridor, living room, and bedroom. The concentration of Bos d 2 was determined by means of rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Additionally, samples of venous blood were taken to demonstrate specific IgE towards cow epithelia by CAP-RAST. Five patients were excluded from further investigations because they have given up their cattle for less than 6 months. In 21 patients occurred typical atopic stigmata like infantil history of atopic eczema, hay fever or milk crust, while the other 19 subjects did not show an atopic diathesis. High sensitization towards cow epithelia (specific IgE > 0.7 kU/l in CAP-RAST) occurred significantly more often in atopics than in nonatopics. In atopic subjects the allergen concentrations leading to IgE sensitization amounted to 1-20 micrograms Bos d 2/g dust, whereas in nonatopics were found higher Bos d 2 threshold values (25-50 micrograms/g dust). The present study suggests that in nonatopic cow hair asthmatics high indoor Bos d 2 levels lead to IgE sensitization as well as the close contact to cattle.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1996

[Patient expectations of pulmonary rehabilitation].

Expectations of 315 adults concerning flexible medical rehabilitation were assessed in the framework of a four-week inpatient rehabilitation programme. Especially younger patients (15-40 years) showed greater acceptance to participate in a two-week inpatient rehabilitation programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Phagocytosis and oxidative burst of blood phagocytes in chronic obstructive airway disease.

Acute diseases and chronic conditions might be associated with altered blood neutrophil functions. The aim of this study was to investigate teh effects of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and superimposed acute bacterial bronchopneumonia (ABP) on the phagocytosis and oxidative metabolism of blood phagocytes. The 129 participants were assigned to 6 groups: group 1, healthy controls; group 2, previously healthy controls with ABP; group 3, patients with stable COPD on inhaled corticosteroids (IC); group 4, individuals with stable COPD on IC and ABP; group 5, patients with stable COPD requiring oral corticosteroids (OC); group 6, individuals with COPD on OC and ABP. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst was measured. Both tests showed a significant difference between the groups without acute infection when compared to the patients with ABP. No differences were observed between patients with stable COPD without ABP (groups 3 and 5) and group 1. The number of phagocytized E. coli/cell was 9.1 +/- 0.37, 7.9 +/- 0.27 and 8 .2 +/- 0.28 (groups 2, 4, and 6, respectively) reversed the observed changes. We conclude, that acute bacterial bronchopneumonia is associated with an impairment of phagocytosis and oxidative metabolism in blood. We suggest, that stable COPD has no influence on phagocytosis and oxidative burst.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

[Extreme self-medication: a case report].

On the background of insufficient allergological diagnostic a case of serious cowhair asthma was misinterpreted as intrinsic asthma which led to an extreme form of selfmedication. The excessive daily intravenous selfapplication of 2000 mg theophylline and 24 mg fenoterol per inhalationem for about 4 years was tolerated without any serious side effects. The continues smoking of 40 cigarettes per day may have protected the patient from a toxic dose of theophylline. This case report demonstrates the importance of basic diagnostic as well as the continuous control of the proposed medication.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1992

Oral immunization with polyvalent bacterial lysate and infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae: influence on interferon-gamma and PMN elastase concentrations in murine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

We recently demonstrated that oral immunization with a polyvalent bacterial lysate (Paspat oral) significantly reduces mortality rates in mice, infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza A virus. In this study it is demonstrated that oral immunization with the same bacterial lysate reduces the intrapulmonary inflammatory reaction to infection with S. pneumoniae, assessed by measurement of PMN elastase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that oral immunization with Paspat oral increases intrapulmonary IFN-gamma concentrations.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Sports and allergy.

Allergic and asthmatic individuals may have exercise-induced respiratory problems and sports may induce, in some cases, allergic problems. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) differs from common asthma only in its causative factor. It is a typical asthmatic attack following physical exercise, lasting 5-10 min, most often in cold and dry weather. The prevalence in asthmatic children is high, in adolescents not yet firmly established. Cold air and/or hypertonic bronchial challenges during exercise are discussed as pathophysiological mechanisms. Nonpharmacological and drug treatment of EIA must preferentially be preventive. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (urticaria, pruritus, edema) occurs mainly in children, triggered by exercise alone or by the combination of sensitizing food and exercise. Antihistamines before exercise are recommended. The use of sport equipment can induce contact dermatitis in rare cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Factors affecting correct use of metered dose aerosols].

Pressurized bronchodilators (PB) play an important role in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases. Therefore, the correct use of PB is a decisive factor for a successful therapy. In our study 207 patients were tested concerning their ability to use PB correctly. Nearly half of the patients (47%) used their PB inadequately, women more frequently then men. Most frequent errors had been an insufficient expiration before the use of PB (33%) and a lack of synchronization between inspiration and the ventilation of the drug. The value of demonstration and role of a medical employee in teaching the correct use of PB is underlined because of the frequency of errors using PB in untaught patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1990

A placebo-controlled blinded comparison of nedocromil sodium and beclomethasone dipropionate in bronchial asthma.

Two hundred and two patients aged 12-78 with chiefly moderate to severe asthma took part in a multicenter randomized blinded group comparison of nedocromil sodium (NS) 4 mg four times daily, beclomethasone dipropionate (BD) 0.1 mg four times daily, and placebo. Patients were assessed at the start and end of a two week baseline and after three and six weeks of treatment. Compared with placebo, both NS and BD significantly improved daytime dyspnoea and day and nighttime cough, as assessed by diary card scores. Lung function (FEV1) was significantly improved in the BD group. In the NS group there was also a significant reduction in concomitant use of inhaled beta 2-agonists. Overall opinions of efficacy by clinicians and patients were significantly in favor of both active treatments over placebo. There were no significant differences between the three treatments for peak expiratory flow rates, morning tightness or nighttime dyspnoea. Comparison between the two active treatments showed no significant differences in any of the variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Oral immunization with bacterial lysate against infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice.

The protective effect of oral immunization against infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated in mice. Two bacterial lysates, one with an additional lysate of Candida albicans, were investigated. Intranasal inoculation of adult Balb-C mice with a S. pneumoniae type I strain resulted in a lethal infection, with deaths occurring from the 2nd until the 6th day after infection. Oral immunization resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rate (18-48% reduction). No significant difference in mortality rates was observed between the groups immunized with different lysates in the same concentrations.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗