PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Fernández de Corres

Publications and source records attributed to L Fernández de Corres.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Usefulness of currently available methods for the diagnosis of Anisakis simplex allergy.

BACKGROUND: Serodiagnosis of anisakiosis and Anisakis allergy is difficult since many Anisakis antigens show cross-reactivity complications. In the present study, we assess the usefulness of the major immunologic methods currently available for the diagnosis of Anisakis allergy. METHODS: Four tests (skin prick test, CAP-FEIA system, Western blotting, and an antigen-capture ELISA using O-deglycosylated antigen bound by the monoclonal antibody UA3) were applied to Anisakis-free subjects and subjects with confirmed Anisakis allergy. RESULTS: The skin prick test, CAP-FEIA, and the antigen-capture ELISA identified Anisakis allergy sera with 100% sensitivity, while Western blotting showed 96%/ sensitivity. The antigen-capture ELISA also showed 100% specificity, but CAP-FEIA showed a specificity of only 50%. In Western blotting, none of the bands detected were specific for either Anisakis-free or Anisakis allergy subjects. The skin prick test was not applied to the Anisakis-free subjects, so its specificity could not be determined. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, we suggest that the most appropriate procedure for diagnosis of Anisakis allergy suspected on clinical grounds is the antigen-capture ELISA using UA3, or, alternatively, a preliminary skin prick test with a positive result subsequently confirmed by UA3-ELISA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases, mainly pollinosis, has increased within the last decades. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to Poaceae pollen in the Basque Country. This is a region of northern Spain, with an area of 7261 km2 and a population of 2109009 inhabitants. Two different climatic regions may be distinguished in the Basque Country (the Atlantic and the Oceanic). METHODS: A transversal study was carried out on 2216 subjects, aged 10-40 years. A personal interviewwas carried out in order to compile study data, by means of a questionnaire that had been previously validated with a clinical history and an allergy study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country to be 10.6% (C.I. 95% 9.35-11.96%) without significant differences between men and women. The prevalence in the Atlantic climate area (9.71%) was lower than in the Oceanic climate area (13.61%). There were no differences between persons living in a rural environment (10.87%) and those living in an urban setting (10.51%). Pollinosis was more frequent in individuals aged 10-20 (11.41%) and 20-30 (12.54%) than those aged 30-40 years (7.43%). Three features significantly distinguished pollinic from nonpollinic patients: 1) a more common complaint of symptoms after ingestion of Rosaceae fruits or nuts (10.2%) 2) a family history of atopy (8.8%) 3) a greater occurrence of bronchial asthmatic symptoms (23%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The use of IgE immunoblotting as a diagnostic tool in Anisakis simplex allergy.

BACKGROUND: The fish parasite Anisakis simplex is the etiologic agent of anisakiasis and induces IgE-mediated reactions. Skin prick tests (SPTs) and the measurement of specific IgE to A. simplex were, in our experience, not valid tools with which to discriminate between allergic and nonallergic patients because many control subjects also had positive results. OBJECTIVE: The study was carried out to assess the usefulness of IgE immunoblotting in the diagnosis of allergy to A. simplex. METHODS: We have studied 61 patients with acute symptoms of urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis and positive specific IgE to A. simplex. According to the anamnesis, time interval between ingestion of fish and clinical onset of symptoms, and exclusion of other causes of allergy, three different groups of patients were established: group A (allergic), group NA (non-allergic), and group D (doubtful). Fifty-one healthy donors were included as control subjects (group C). IgE immunoblotting with A. simplex whole-body extract was performed in all patients and control subjects. RESULTS: Four patterns of immunoblotting were observed: type 1, with a group of several bands of medium molecular weight and others of low molecular weight; type 2, two or more bands of medium molecular weight; type 3, only one band of medium molecular weight; type 4, without any band. There was a significant predominance of blotting type 1 in group A and type 4 in group C. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IgE immunoblotting is the most useful approach to A. simplex allergy diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Anisakis simplex, a relevant etiologic factor in acute urticaria.

Anisakis simplex, a parasite of fish and cephalopods, can induce IgE-mediated reactions. This study aimed to determine the etiologic role of A. simplex in patients affected by urticaria/angioedema (AE) or anaphylaxis. We studied 100 adult subjects suffering acute episodes of urticaria/AE, by anamnesis, prick tests with A. simplex and fish-mix extracts, and total and specific IgE to both A. simplex and cod. The following criteria of A. simplex allergy were considered: 1) urticaria/AE within 6 h after fish ingestion; 2) specific IgE to A. simplex; 3) positive prick test to A. simplex extract; 4) exclusion of other suspected causes. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was not carried out because ethical considerations forbid challenge with a parasite. Specific IgE to A. simplex (> 0.7 kU/l) was found in 22 subjects, but only eight were diagnosed as having A. simplex allergy. Other allergens were involved in 37 patients, and 55 cases were considered idiopathic. Specific IgE to fish (> 0.7 kU/l) was found in two patients, but only one was diagnosed as having fish allergy. We concluded that A. simplex is an important etiologic factor in acute urticaria. We suggest that it should be considered in cases of urticaria/AE or anaphylaxis, especially after fish ingestion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Pickled onion-induced asthma: a model of sulfite-sensitive asthma?

BACKGROUND: Asthma elicited by sulfite ingestion has been mainly described in steroid-dependent and in non-atopic asthmatics. We have studied a group of 18 young extrinsic asthmatics who presented with asthma attacks immediately after eating pickled onions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to ascertain if these asthma attacks are elicited by sulfites contained in pickled onions and the influence of the dose and pH of onions. METHODS: The bronchial hyperreactivity of the patients was assessed by a methacholine challenge test. Oral challenge tests were performed with sodium metabisulfite (MSB) diluted in lemon juice at pH 4.2 and at pH 3.3 (only in patients who did not react with pH 4.2). Two types of pickled onions, Spanish and Dutch pickled onions, were used for oral challenge in seven of the patients. The Monier-Williams method was used to measure the SO2 concentration in pickled onions. RESULTS: The oral provocation test with MBS, pH 4.2, elicited a positive response in six patients (33.3%) and the test at pH 3.3 was positive in three out of 12. No significant difference in PD20 values was found between these groups. Three of the seven patients challenged with Spanish pickled onions had a positive reaction but had no reaction with Dutch pickled onions. The SO2 concentration in Spanish pickled onions varied between 765 and 1182 ppm while in Dutch pickled onions were 200 ppm; this exceeded the permitted level (100 ppm). SO2 release in Spanish pickled onion samples was nearly 2.5 times higher when the pH of the sample decreased from 4.2 to 3.3. CONCLUSION: High levels of SO2 in Spanish pickled onions, and their low pH (3.3) would be the responsible factors of the asthmatic outbreaks after ingestion of Spanish pickled onions by these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Quantitation of major allergens in dust samples from urban populations collected in different seasons in two climatic areas of the Basque region (Spain).

We present the results of allergen content evaluation in 80 dust samples from 31 homes of atopic patients from two climatic areas (humid and subhumid), collected in two seasons of the year (autumn and winter). Monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays were used to quantify Der p 1, Der f 1, Der 2, Lep d 1, and Fel d 1. The results were compared according to climate, season, and the type of sensitization (Pyroglyphidae mites, storage mites, or grass pollens). We underline the predominance of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (89% of samples) over D. farinae (16% of samples) in our environment. Der p 1 rates were higher in the humid area (Mann-Whitney P < 0.001), especially in the autumn (Wilcoxon P < 0.05). Lep d 1 was detected in 23% of samples and Lep d 1 levels were higher in the homes of patients sensitized to storage mites (Mann-Whitney P < 0.05), whereas this allergen was not detected in the homes of pollen-allergic patients. Fel d 1 was detected in nine of the 31 homes (16% of samples) although there was a cat in only one home.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Allergic reactions to betalactams: studies in a group of patients allergic to penicillin and evaluation of cross-reactivity with cephalosporin.

A group of 34 penicillin-allergic patients was studied to determine skin test reactivity to the different penicillins involved in inducing the allergic reaction and the cross-reactivity with side-chain-related and side-chain-unrelated cephalosporins. All the subjects selected for the study had to be skin test positive to at least one of the following determinants: benzyl-penicilloyl-polylysine (BPO-PLL), minor-determinant mixture (MDM), amoxicillin (AX), or ampicillin (AMP), or to possess in vitro IgE to the following conjugates: benzyl-penicilloyl-human-serum albumin (BPO-HSA), ampicilloyl-human-serum albumin (AMP-HSA), and amoxicilloyl-human-serum albumin (AX-HSA). Cephalexin (CE) and ceftazidime (CEF) were used to assess cross-reactivity. If skin tests to any of these compounds were positive, the patient was considered to be allergic; if negative, a challenge test was performed. Sixteen patients (47%) were skin test positive to BPO and/or MDM, and nine (26%) exclusively to AX and/or AMP. In three cases (8%), the RAST was positive although the skin test was negative; one to BPO-HSA and two to AX-HSA and AMP-HSA. Six patients (17%) needed to be challenged with the penicillin involved to establish the diagnosis. In five patients (14%), the skin tests were positive to CE and in none to CEF. In all the others, the skin tests were negative to both cephalosporins, and the patients tolerated the drugs when challenged. These results indicate the relevance of side-chain-specific minor determinants in betalactams allergy and provide support for the role of this chemical structure in the evaluation of cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis from inhalation of dried cow's milk caused by sensitization to alpha-lactalbumin.

A chocolate candy worker was diagnosed as having occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis on the basis of clinical record and methacholine challenge. Positive conjunctival and bronchial challenge tests with lactalbumin showed that this protein was the pathogenetic agent. Type I hypersensitivity mechanism is demonstrated by means of skin prick test and RAST.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sensitization from chestnuts and bananas in patients with urticaria and anaphylaxis from contact with latex.

We present eight patients allergic to latex and fruit (chestnut and banana), seven of whom are women, and aged 17 to 42 years (mean 25 years). Four had family and five personal atopic histories. The total IgE varied from 41 to 520 Ku/L (mean 263). The symptoms followed ingestion of fruit (anaphylaxis) in four patients and contact with rubber (contact urticaria and anaphylaxis) in the other four. Skin prick test (SPT) with latex and radioallergosorbent test to latex were positive in all the patients. Histamine release (HR) to latex was carried out on six patients and was positive in three. In the six patients with symptoms after having eaten chestnuts the SPT was positive and specific IgE was detected in five of them. Histamine release to chestnuts was positive in three of the six patients tested and one of them (-SPT and + IgE) tolerated the fruit. Two out of five patients with symptomatic banana allergy had negative SPT with banana while the test was positive in one patient who tolerated this fruit, this being the only case with specific IgE to banana. Histamine release with banana was only positive in one case. The important correlation between SPT, RAST, and HR results to latex and chestnut together with the total inhibition of the chestnut RAST with a serum pool by preincubation with latex suggests cross-reactivity among these allergens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Contact dermatitis from Primula obconica Hance.

15 cases of contact dermatitis to Primula obconica Hance are reported, 14 female and 1 male. None were of occupational origin. The incidence among our patients increased from 0.45 to 3.4% when we included an ether extract of primula in our standard series. A doubtful patch test reaction was found in 19.6% of the patients tested. Active sensitization was observed in 5 of 20 patients retested 1-16 months later.

Dermatitis, Contact↗