PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Vives

Publications and source records attributed to R Vives.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Using a new lipidocolloid dressing in paediatric wounds: results of French and German clinical studies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerance and acceptability of a lipidocolloid dressing, Urgotul (Laboratoires Urgo), in the local treatment of acute and chronic paediatric wounds. METHOD: Two non-comparative multicentre prospective clinical studies were conducted using the same protocol in France and Germany. A total of 100 patients were recruited from 16 centres (11 in France and five in Germany), and followed up for four weeks. Seventy wounds (55 burns and 15 other wounds) from France and 30 from Germany (22 burns and eight other wounds) were evaluated by nursing staff at every dressing change and by the medical investigator on a weekly basis. RESULTS: In the French study population, 86% of the burns (superficial and deep partial-thickness) and 53% of the other wounds healed completely within the four weeks. Figures for the German study population were 100% and 88% respectively. Pain was evaluated using pain scales adapted to the patient's age (objective pain scale, faces scale for pain and a visual analogue scale) at each dressing change. Dressing removal was non-traumatic, inducing very limited pain. Minor local adverse events were reported in four children. CONCLUSION: Urgotul is not only efficacious, but also well-tolerated and accepted by children with acute and chronic wounds. The dressing, therefore, might be an appropriate and highly promising alternative to conventional dressings.

Bandages, Hydrocolloid↗
PubMed2002

Reactivity to potential cross-reactive foods in fruit-allergic patients: implications for prescribing food avoidance.

BACKGROUND: Prescribing therapeutic elimination diets in patients with fruit allergy should include recommendations on which other foods of the same family or group may be safely consumed. Evidence-based data on the management of fruit allergy are lacking; therefore, advice may vary from just avoiding the offending fruit, to overly restrictive diets of the entire botanical family. The aims of this investigation were to assess clinical reactivity to potential cross-reactive foods in fruit-allergic patients, and the implications for prescribing specific therapeutic elimination diets. METHODS: Sixty-five adults diagnosed with clinical allergy to one or more fruits were evaluated for IgE-mediated allergy to other related foods, which might share cross-reactive antigens. Those with actual allergy to some Rosaceae fruit (including peach, apple, apricot, plum, and almond) underwent skin prick testing (SPT), food-specific IgE assessment by the Pharmacia CAP-FEIA system, and oral challenges with the entire group. For those with allergy to other fruits (chestnut, melon, banana, kiwi, or avocado) immunologic and clinical reactivity to all five were evaluated. Since a number of people in the study also had proven clinically allergy to some nut or legume (peanut, sunflower seed, walnut, pistachio, or hazelnut), the reactivity to the entire set was investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-four of those tested (52%) were found to be clinically allergic to more than one fruit, so 125 allergic reactions occurred in the 65 patients. Peach, melon, kiwi, apple, and banana accounted for 72% of allergic reactions. Forty-two (65%) had sensitization to pollens, causing seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, and 18 (28%) were sensitized to latex. The 65 with IgE-mediated fruit allergy underwent 351 additional SPT and food-specific IgE determinations with potential cross-reactive foods considered in this study; 223 (64%) of these results were positive. The routine challenges with potential cross-reactive foods uncovered 18 further reactions in 14 (22%) out of 65 (to avocado in seven; apricot in three; plum in one; almond and peanut in one; banana and hazelnut in one; avocado, banana and kiwi in one). Only 8% (18/223) of positive results for SPT, or food-specific IgE levels of greater than 0.35 kU(A)/l to potential cross-reactive foods investigated in this study, were clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: Elimination diets that rely on total group avoidance, or only on the results of allergy testing, might have resulted in unnecessary restriction of 205 foods in the 65 people studied. The lack of routine oral challenges with related fruits--before prescribing dietary restriction--may have allowed 18 food reactions in one-fifth (14/65) of patients to be overlooked.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Atopic dermatitis in paediatric practice].

Atopic dermatitis is the most frequent dermatitis amongst children under 11 years of age. It is an inflammatory cutaneous disease, chronic and recurrent, and it involves numerous outbreaks and relapses that affect the child, and hence his family milieu, generally for several years. Its chronic character and the lack of fully satisfactory therapies force the primary care paediatrician to consider this entity as a factor conditioning the quality of life of the patients and as a warning sign for the possible development of other allergic processes. As we do not have a curative treatment available, special relevance is assumed by family collaboration, by the measures for preventing relapses and by efficacy in their symptomatic treatment.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

Occupational IgE-mediated allergy after exposure to lupine seed flour.

The ingestion of lupine seed flour (LSF) has been reported as a cause of allergic reactions, particularly in patients sensitized to peanut, but there is little evidence of its allergenic potential after inhalation. We sought to evaluate the clinical and immunologic reactivity to lupine in employees working with this seed flour. An occupational history was obtained in 7 subjects (median age, 35 years) working with LSF at an agricultural research center. Three subjects (1, 6, and 7) reported work-related allergy symptoms immediately after being exposed to lupine. Skin prick test results with LSF extract were positive in these 3 patients with work-related symptoms. Moreover, lupine-specific IgE antibodies were detected in subjects 6 and 7. In subject 6, the controlled exposure to LSF elicited immediate naso-ocular symptoms without changes in FEV(1). In subject 7, a bronchial provocation with LSF extract elicited an immediate fall (25%) in FEV(1). Double-blinded, placebo-controlled LSF oral challenge results were positive in subjects 6 and 7. Immunologic reactivity to other legumes was detected in subjects 6 and 7, but specific inhalation testing and oral challenge results were negative. Thus, the inhalation of lupine flour could be an important cause of allergic sensitization in exposed workers and might give rise to occupational asthma and food allergy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Detection and quantitation of raw fish aeroallergens from an open-air fish market.

BACKGROUND: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to fish is a clinically relevant problem, particularly in several European countries. Although most allergic reactions to fish are caused by ingestion, occupational exposures to seafood allergens by inhalation have been correlated with respiratory symptoms. In Madrid, patients with fish allergy have exhibited respiratory symptoms after visits to an open-air fish market. OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the possibility of passively aerosolized fish allergen in an open-air fish market through air sampling and a competitive IgE immunoassay. METHODS: Air samples were collected on polytetrafluoroethylene filters by using air samplers. Samples were collected on 41 different days from both an open-air fish market and an outdoor residential area. Fish allergens were specifically quantified by competitive IgE immunoassay by using pooled sera from fish-sensitive individuals. A raw fish extract (10 mg of dry weight/mL) was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Allergen was quantified in all 39 fish market air samples (2-25 ng/m(3)). The residential air samples contained no detectable allergen. The analytic limit of detection was 2 ng, allowing detection of 0.4 ng/m(3) for the air volumes collected. A concentrated (30-fold) pool of fish market air samples was tested in serial dilutions and demonstrated an identical regression line to that of the raw fish standard. CONCLUSION: By using air sampling and an immunochemical analytic technique, fish allergen is detectable in the air of an open-air fish market. Avoidance of a food allergen, such as fish, should include preventing exposure to aerosolized particles through inhalation in relevant environments.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

Recurrent eosinophilic panniculitis associated with Fasciola hepatica infection.

Eosinophilic panniculitis is characterized by a prominent infiltration of subcutaneous fat with eosinophils. We report a case of Fasciola hepatica infection presenting with eosinophilic panniculitis successfully treated with bithionol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of recurrent eosinophilic panniculitis associated with Fasciola hepatica infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Changes in the alcohol consumption pattern among schoolchildren in Barcelona.

Alcohol consumption is a major health problem in most developed countries. In Mediterranean countries, experimentation with alcoholic beverages typically occurs during the early adolescent years within the family context. In this study we analysed alcohol consumption and its determinants in a survey of a sample of schoolchildren in 1994. The results were compared to those obtained in a previous study in 1987. In 1994 a random, stratified sample of all 8th grade classrooms of a city, public, private or subsidised school was, obtained. Some 759 13 and 14 year old pupils responded to a self-administered questionnaire on health-related habits. Overall, there was a high awareness of alcohol in the environment, as 20.7% of the pupils reported their father was a regular or occasional drinker and 41.6% declared some of their friends were drinking. Compared with the results of the 1987 survey, there was a marked decline in the proportion of schoolchildren reporting alcohol consumption by their father or their siblings. Regarding the pupils' consumption, 66.7% of them had tried drinking alcohol in 1994, 54.7% declared they were allowed to drink in family celebrations, and 17.2% had experienced being drunk. Most of these indicators showed a significant decrease compared with the 1987 data, with the exception of drunken episodes where there appears to be no changes. The results suggest that there are some changes in the Spanish context, where regular drinking among adolescents may be declining.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Clinical cross-reactivity among foods of the Rosaceae family.

BACKGROUND: Foods from the Rosaceae botanical family have been increasingly reported as causes of allergic reaction. Patients frequently have positive skin tests or radioallergosorbent test results for multiple members of this botanical family. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the clinical cross-reactivity assessed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) of Rosaceae foods (apricot, almond, plum, strawberry, apple, peach, and pear). METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive adult patients complaining of adverse reactions to Rosaceae were included in the study. Skin prick tests and CAP System (FEIA) were performed with Rosaceae foods in all patients. Clinical reactivity to Rosaceae was systematically evaluated by open food challenges (OFCs), unless there was a convincing history of a recent severe anaphylaxis. Positive reactions on OFCs were subsequently evaluated by DBPCFCs. RESULTS: Twenty-six and 24 patients had positive skin prick tests and CAP FEIA with Rosaceae, respectively; from these 88% and 100% had positive tests with >/=2. No evidence of clinical reactivity was found in 66% percent of positive skin prick tests and 63% of positive specific IgE determinations to fruits. A total of 226 food challenges (including OFC and DBPCFC) were performed in the 28 patients with positive skin prick tests or CAP System FEIA. Of 182 initial OFCs carried out, 26 (14%) reactions were confirmed by DBPCFCs. Overall, 40 reactions were considered positive in 22 patients with positive skin tests or CAP FEIA. Thirty-eight reactions had been previously reported, the remaining two were detected by systematic challenges. Most reactions were caused by peach (22 patients), apple (6), and apricot (5). Ten patients (46%) were clinically allergic to peach and other Rosaceae. CONCLUSION: Positive skin test and CAP System FEIA should not be taken as the only guide for multi-species dietary restrictions. Nevertheless, the potential clinical allergy to other Rosaceae should not be neglected. If the reported reaction is confirmed, current tolerance to other Rosaceae should be precisely established unless there has been ingestion without symptoms after the reaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Randomized, double-blind, crossover challenge study in 53 subjects reporting adverse reactions to melon (Cucumis melo).

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to melon with details of clinical reactions confirmed by double-blind, placebo-controlled, food challenges (DBPCFCs). OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate clinical features (type and severity of reactions, age at onset, results of skin prick and in vitro tests, and incidence of other allergic diseases and associated food allergies) of acute allergic reactions to melon confirmed by DBPCFCs. METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive adult patients complaining of adverse reactions to melon were included in the study. Skin prick tests and detection of specific IgE were performed in all patients with melon, avocado, kiwi, banana, chestnut, latex, pollen, and other offending foods. Patients first underwent an open food challenge, unless they had a convincing history of severe anaphylaxis. Positive open food challenge reactions were subsequently evaluated by DBPCFCs. RESULTS: Actual clinical reactivity was confirmed in 19 (36%) of 53 patients. The most frequent symptom was oral allergy syndrome (n = 14), but two patients experienced life-threatening reactions, including respiratory symptoms and hypotension. The positive predictive value for a skin prick test was 42%, and that for specific IgE measurement was 44%. Forty-five reactions to 15 other foods were confirmed in 18 patients. The most common foods associated with melon allergy were avocado (n = 7), banana (n = 7), kiwi (n = 6), watermelon (n = 6), and peach (n = 5). Onset of melon-induced allergic symptoms occurred from 6 to 45 years (median, 20 years), preceded by seasonal rhinitis, asthma, or both in 88% (15/17). CONCLUSION: About one third of reported reactions to melon are confirmed by means of DBPCFC, which has been proven to be the most reliable procedure in the diagnosis of clinical fruit allergy. Isolated melon allergy is rare, with most patients either having allergic rhinitis, asthma, or both and associated food allergies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Smoking and school children: context, opinions and behavior].

BACKGROUND: This paper studies smoking epidemiology in school-age students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 8th grade students (13-14 years-old) in the schools of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) in 1987, 1992 and 1994. RESULTS: The perception of smoking in the students environment has decreased. The proportion of regular smokers decreases, from 12.6% in 1987 to 9.5% in 1994 (p < 0.05) (an annual decrease of 3.5%) although the proportion who experiment with tobacco remains table. CONCLUSIONS: There is a decrease in the prevalence of regular smoking in the school-age population (13-14 years-old) in Barcelona (Spain).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Occupational asthma caused by exposure to asparagus: detection of allergens by immunoblotting.

BACKGROUND: Vegetables of the Liliaceae family, such as garlic or onion, have been reported to cause occupational asthma. However, there are few data on adverse reactions to asparagus. We evaluated the role of asparagus as a cause of asthma in a patient with respiratory symptoms occurring at work (horticulture) and studied relevant allergens. METHODS: A 28-year-old man complained of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma when harvesting asparagus at work. Eating cooked asparagus did not provoke symptoms. A positive skin test reaction was observed with raw asparagus, Alternaria alternata, and grass-pollen extracts. The methacholine test demonstrated mild bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The patient had an immediate asthmatic response after challenge with raw asparagus extract. Bronchial provocation tests with boiled asparagus, A. alternata, and control extracts were negative. Two unexposed subjects with seasonal allergic asthma did not react to the raw asparagus extract. RESULTS: The double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge with raw asparagus was negative. Serum asparagus-specific IgE was 13.9 kU(A)/l. By SDS-PAGE immunoblot, at least six IgE-binding components, ranging from 22 to 73 kDa, were detected only in raw asparagus. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of occupational asthma caused by asparagus inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchoprovocation. Immunoblot analysis showed that asparagus allergens are very labile and quite sensitive to heat denaturation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Occupational asthma caused by fish inhalation.

Occupational asthma (OA) due to fish inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchial challenge (SBC), has not been described as yet in medical literature, as far as we know. We describe two patients whose asthma was induced by occupational exposure to fish and confirmed by serial measurements of PEFR and SBC. Two fish-processing workers reported asthma symptoms related to their workplace. They were skin tested with fish extracts and their sera assayed for IgE antibodies to various fish species. Nonspecific bronchial reactivity was assessed by methacholine challenge. The occupational relationship was confirmed by PEFR monitoring in working and off-work periods. SBC with fish extracts was carried out to confirm the diagnosis of OA. Skin tests with raw and cooked plaice, salmon, hake, and tuna in patient 1 and anchovy, sardine, trout, salmon, Atlantic pomfret, and sole in patient 2 were positive. Specific IgE serum antibodies were found to salmon in patient 1 and to trout, anchovy, and salmon in patient 2. PEFR measurements differed significantly (P < 0.001) between work and off-work periods for both patients. A bronchial challenge with methacholine was positive in patient 1. SBC with raw hake, salmon, plaice, and tuna extracts in patient 1 and raw salmon extract in patient 2 were all positive with an immediate response. SBC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was entirely negative in both patients. In three asthmatic, non-fish-allergic controls, SBC with tuna, hake, salmon, and plaice were all negative. These results suggest that fish inhalation can elicit IgE-mediated occupational asthma.

Adult↗