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Biomedical subjects

L O Smithuis

Publications and source records attributed to L O Smithuis.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

The evaluation of the common diagnostic methods of hypersensitivity for bee and yellow jacket venom by means of an in-hospital insect sting.

Between 1979 and 1983 230 patients visited our clinic in connection with allergic reactions after insect stings. One hundred six patients were subjected to a diagnostic provocation test with a live insect; 86 of these patients had a history of systemic reactions and a positive skin test and RAST with insect venom. Thirty-one of these patients, including one patient with a negative RAST and another with a negative skin test, demonstrated a generalized reaction and were subjected to immunotherapy with pure insect venom. Comparison of the diagnostic data from 31 patients with reactions with those of the 57 nonreacting patients from the 86 patients aforementioned reveals that at this time only a provocation test with a live insect can provide the evidence of an allergy to insect venom leading to such a severe generalized reaction that admission to probably lifelong immunotherapy is justified. The measurement of the venom-specific IgG, the ratio of IgG/IgE, and (for bee patients) the serum antibody titer against the bee venom components phospholipase A and hyaluronidase did not improve the diagnosis of a current hypersensitivity against insect venom.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of lung deposition of a solution after nebulization by three commonly used portable nebulizers.

The efficacy of small portable nebulizers is often assumed by patients, pharmacists and physicians. Three healthy volunteers inhaled a mixture of sodium cromoglycate solution mixed with aqueous technetium-99 nebulized by each of three nebulizers and the distribution of radioactivity was detected by gamma scintigraphy. Unexpectedly large differences in the total amount of tracer delivered to the lungs were detected. The possible mechanisms and implications are discussed but it is clear that more information on the performance of individual nebulizers should be available.

Adult↗