Biomedical subjects

Pakit Vichyanond

Publications and source records attributed to Pakit Vichyanond.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Vacuum cleaning does not sufficiently reduce mite allergens from beddings.

INTRODUCTION: Conflicting results exist with regard to the efficacy of vacuum cleaners on the removal of mite allergens from bedding. OBJECTIVES: The authors prospectively compared a short term efficacy of two types of regular vacuum cleaners (National-N and Hoover-H) with a specialized cleaner (Vorwerk-V) in the removal of mite allergens from mattresses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-five dormitory beds with high mite allergen concentrations at the baseline period (month 0) were selected. They were matched into three groups according to group I mite allergen concentrations (N 11 beds, H 12 beds, V 12 beds). Vacuuming was performed on months 1 and 4 by the assigned vacuum cleaner in each group. Immediately after, mattresses were vacuumed by a reference cleaner (another National vacuum cleaner) at both months. Vacuuming was performed over the entire bed for 2 minutes/square meter. Group I mite allergens (sums of Der p 1 and Der f 1) were measured; concentrations and total mite allergens removed by the tested cleaners as well as by the reference cleaner, at various time points, were compared. RESULTS: Ability to remove mite allergens by vacuum cleaners depends on weight of dust removed and also on mite concentrations in the dust samples. Despite the fact that H and V appeared to remove higher mite allergens than N, such differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), both at month 1, and 4. Surprisingly, mattress mite concentrations removed by both high capacity cleaner groups (V & H) increased at month 4, whereas, it remained unchanged in the third group (N). This increase led to a concomitant increase in total allergen removed by V and H. Nevertheless, remaining total allergens in the mattresses in V and H, as judged from the amount of allergens obtained by the reference cleaner, increased at month 1 and 4 compared to baseline values (p < 0.05), whereas, no change was observed in N. CONCLUSION: Although high capacity vacuum cleaners removed a large amount of mite allergens from mattresses, they did not sufficiently reduce mattress mite allergen burden as determined by the reference cleaner during this short term study.

Allergens↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of consistency between local and imported seafood allergen extracts.

BACKGROUND: Seafood is a common cause of food allergy in Thai adults and children. Skin prick test is a safe and convenient way to screen seafood allergy. To date, the Allergy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University uses imported extracts for seafood skin prick test. The extracts are expensive and may not be the same species as seafood in Thailand. OBJECTIVES: To compare the consistency between local seafood allergen extracts prepared by the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University and imported seafood allergen extracts. METHODS: The study was a prospective comparative trial performed in children who attended the Pediatric Allergy Clinic, Siriraj Hospital from March 1999 to October 2000. The skin prick test was performed with the local seafood allergen extracts prepared by a pharmacist from the Department of Pharmacology and the imported seafood allergen extracts included shrimp, fish and crab. Histamine and normal saline were used as positive and negative control respectively. The positive result was recorded when wheal reaction was > or = 3 mm larger than negative control. RESULTS: Eighty eight patients (57 boys and 31 girls) were included in this study. The average age was 7.7 years (1-15 years). Half of the patients had a history of seafood allergy. The study showed probable consistency between imported and local skin prick test of shrimp and crab extracts (kappa = 5-7) but no consistency between imported and local skin prick test of fish extracts (kappa < 5). The study also showed no consistency between history of seafood and skin prick test result. CONCLUSION: Local seafood allergen extracts from the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University are safe but they cannot replace the imported seafood allergen extracts. Further investigations about sensitivity and specificity of both kinds of allergen extracts are necessary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

IgA deficiency: a report of three cases from Thailand.

Selective IgA deficiency has been reported to be the most common primary immunodeficiency disease in Western countries. A markedly lower frequency of this condition has been reported in the Japanese population. While most of the IgA deficient cases are healthy, some patients develop significant recurrent sinopulmonary infections, allergic disorders and autoimmune diseases. Herein, we report three cases of IgA deficiency among Thai patients, all of whom suffered from chronic sinopulmonary infections. Two of the three patients had absolute IgA deficiency while the third had a partial IgA deficiency. The associated conditions found in these three patients were deficiencies of an IgG subclass, allergic rhinitis and lupus nephritis. The youngest child (5 years old boy with lupus nephritis) expired from Pneumocystis carrinii pneumonia complicated with adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The levels of cockroach allergen in relation to cockroach species and allergic diseases in Thai patients.

UNLABELLED: Recently, cockroaches have been established as the second most Important allergen, producing allergic diseases, especially in low socioeconomic populations. In Thailand, about 44-61% of atopic patients were positive to cockroach extract by a skin-prick test. This study examined cockroach allergen levels in relation to cockroach species and allergic diseases in the houses of cockroach-sensitive patients. Sixty households of allergic patients in the Bangkok metropolitan area were surveyed using open- and closed-ended questionnaires. Cockroaches were collected using commercial cockroach traps, while dust samples were obtained from the bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms of the houses using a vacuum cleaner. The cockroaches were counted and their species Identified. The levels of cockroach allergens were determined by specific monoclonal antibodies using a monoclonal antibody-polyclonal antibody based sandwich ELISA kit. Six cockroach species were Identified: Periplaneta americana (American cockroach, 72.15%), Supella longlpalpa (2.75%, found in only one house), Periplaneta brunnea (0.78%), Periplaneta australaslae (0.78%), Neostylopyga rhombifolla (0.78%), Blattella germanica (German cockroach, 0.39%) and nymphs (22.35%). Allergens of the predominant species, P. americana, were detectable in all homes studied, with the highest levels in the kitchen areas. The range of allergen levels in house dust varied from 0.40-162.00 microg per g of dust. The median and mean allergen levels in kitchen dust were 59.16 microg and 62.80 microg per g of dust, respectively, while the median allergen level in bedroom dust was only 15.90 microg per g of dust. The German cockroach allergen (Bla g 2) was undetectable in any of the houses. IN CONCLUSION: P. americana was the most common cockroach and may be the species causing allergic diseases, especially asthma, in Thailand, which differs from the USA and Europe

Allergens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent Campylobacter lari bacteremia in X-linked agammaglobulinemia: a case report and review.

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immune deficiency disease with a B-cell defect. We present the first XLA patient who had recurrent Campylobacter lari bacteremia. High dose intravenous immunoglobulin combined with azithromycin once per week, and a complete avoidance of bacterial reservoirs may be helpful for the prevention of C. lari bacteremia.

Adolescent↗