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Biomedical subjects

Pirkko Ruoppi

Publications and source records attributed to Pirkko Ruoppi.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Occupational sensitization to storage mites in the personnel of a water-damaged grocery store.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the occupational exposure and sensitization to storage mites (SM) in sales staff working in a moisture-damaged and three healthy reference buildings. METHODS: The study population consisted of the entire personnel (n=12) in the moisture-damaged grocery store. They all suffered from persistent upper respiratory tract symptoms. Twelve (in results 11) symptom-free controls working in three healthy reference groceries were matched with age, sex and occupation. Dust samples from each building were examined for mites. The clinical study consisted of otorhinolaryngological examination and determination of IgE reactivity. Specific serum IgE antibodies were measured against three SMs and two house dust mites (HDM). Skin prick tests (SPT) were made to the same five mites and to five common aeroallergens. If sensitization to any of the SMs was detected, a nasal provocation test (NPT) was performed. RESULTS: SMs were found in all buildings. In all, seven cases and four control subjects showed IgE-mediated reactivity. Sensitization to mites was detected in six cases and in three controls and in 2/12 and 3/11 this was the only IgE antibody response observed. In addition, one case and one control subject were sensitized to common aeroallergens. NPT with SMs was positive in four cases and in one control. CONCLUSIONS: In grocery stores, the personnel are exposed to SMs. The risk of sensitization to mites is obvious and an IgE response can occur without any reactivity to common aeroallergens. SM allergy may in some cases explain the chronic rhinitis related to moisture-damaged buildings.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Deer ked-induced occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Deer keds (elk fly) have not previously been described as a cause of respiratory or conjunctival sensitization. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of IgE-mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis from occupational exposure to deer ked. METHODS: Skin prick testing (SPT) was performed with pollens, animal danders, mites, molds, and deer ked. The serum deer ked-specific IgE level was examined in ImmunoSpot and radioallergosorbent test assays, and deer ked IgE-binding fractions and their specificities were examined in immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition assays. Nasal provocation testing (NPT) and conjunctival provocation testing (CPT) were performed to detect the association between deer ked sensitization and rhinoconjunctival symptoms. Both SPT and NPT were performed with deer ked whole-body extract, whereas CPT was performed with deer ked wing. RESULTS: The results of SPT, NPT, and CPT were positive for deer ked. In laboratory tests, serum deer ked-specific IgE antibodies were demonstrated in radioallergosorbent test and ImmunoSpot assays. In immunoblot, IgE-binding bands were demonstrated at 17, 33, 70, and 85 kDa, which were clearly inhibited with deer ked extract but not with the control extract. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctival allergy to deer ked was confirmed in this patient.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A rapidly progressing periorbital mass in an infant: fasciitis nodularis.

Nodular fasciitis is a benign, rapidly growing proliferation of fibroblasts, which is histologically difficult to distinguish from neoplasms. In several reports, as many as half of all cases have been initially misdiagnosed as a fibrosarcoma or some other malignancy. Although the head and neck is a region of predilection in infants and children, only eight periocular lesions have previously been reported in paediatric patients. We present a case of nodular fasciitis which occurred in the periorbital region in a 1 1/2-year-old girl. The process was excised locally in order to perform a biopsy. The mass was initially classified as a sarcoma but subsequently as infantile fibromatosis. Only after a thorough review of the case and four independent pathological consultations was the final diagnosis of nodular fasciitis confirmed. No further treatment was scheduled. Although the primary surgical removal of the tumour was not radical, no recurrence was observed during a 3-year follow-up period.

Diagnosis, Differential↗