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Biomedical subjects

S Acero

Publications and source records attributed to S Acero.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Identification of allergens involved in occupational asthma due to carmine dye.

BACKGROUND: Carmine has been implicated as an etiologic agent of occupational asthma, but the allergens involved have not been yet identified. OBJECTIVE: To identify the allergens involved in occupational asthma due to carmine dye. METHODS: An in vitro study based in SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting with carmine and cochineal extracts was performed. Sera from three carmine dye workers diagnosed with occupational asthma induced by carmine dye and from seven nonatopic subjects were used. RESULTS: Three proteins of around 30, 28, and 17 kD in raw cochineal extract and another protein of 50 kD in the boiled one were demonstrated by SDS-PAGE. Two proteins of around 50 and 28 kD were observed in the carmine extract by the same technique. Specific IgE binding bands at 17 kD in cochineal raw extract, at 50 kD in the boiled one, and at 28 kD in carmine extract were demonstrated by IgE immunoblotting. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified three allergens of around 17, 28, and 50 kD implicated in occupational asthma of three carmine workers.

Asthma↗
PubMed2000

Effect of current exposure to Der p 1 on asthma symptoms, airway inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mite-allergic asthmatics.

The existence of a dose-response relationship between indoor allergen exposure and sensitization has been widely described, but the effect of allergen exposure on asthma activity (symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness [BHR], and inflammation) is not clear. Our aim was to determine the existence of an association among current exposure to mite allergens and symptoms, BHR, and airway inflammation assessed in blood and sputum from asthmatic patients sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. We selected 31 mild and recently diagnosed (12-24 months) asthma patients sensitized to D. pteronyssinus. Allergenic exposure (Der p 1, Der 2) was assessed by a commercial assay based on monoclonal antibodies (mAb), carried out on the dust samples collected from patients' beds in a standardized way. Patients completed an asthma symptom questionnaire and underwent skin tests, methacholine bronchial challenge, and sputum induction. Sputum cell profile was analyzed and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), tryptase, albumin, and interleukin(IL)-5 levels were quantified in sputum supernatant. Total eosinophil numbers and ECP levels were measured in blood samples. Most patients were exposed to Der p 1 levels under 2 microg/g of dust. Der p 1 exposure was higher among the subjects with positive sputum tryptase detection (P = 0.020). Der p 1 levels showed a trend toward correlation with asthma symptoms (P = 0.066, r = 0.36) and correlated with sputum tryptase levels (P = 0.032, r = 0.42). No relationship between BHR, eosinophilic inflammation, and allergenic exposure was found. Our results suggest that asthma symptoms and lung mast-cell activation are at least partially dependent on current allergen exposure. The lack of correlation between mite exposure, eosinophilic inflammation, and BHR supports the role of other factors that enhance the immunologic response initiated by allergen, increasing the activity of asthma.

Allergens↗
PubMed1998

Occupational asthma and food allergy due to carmine.

Carmine (E120), a natural red dye extracted from the dried females of the insect Dactylopius coccus var. Costa (cochineal), has been reported to cause hypersensitivity reactions. We report a case of occupational asthma and food allergy due to carmine in a worker not engaged in dye manufacturing. A 35-year-old nonatopic man, who had worked for 4 years in a spice warehouse, reported asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis for 5 months, related to carmine handling in his work. Two weeks before the visit, he reported one similar episode after the ingestion of a red-colored sweet containing carmine. Peak flow showed drops higher than 25% related to carmine exposure. Prick tests with the cochineal insect and carmine were positive, but negative to common aeroallergens, several mites, foods, and spices. The methacholine test was positive. Specific bronchial challenge test with a cochineal extract was positive with a dual pattern (20% and 24% fall in FEV1). Double-blind oral challenge with E120 was positive. The patient's sera contained specific IgE for various high-molecular-weight proteins from the cochineal extract, as shown by immunoblotting. Carmine proteins can induce IgE-mediated food allergy and occupational asthma in workers using products where its presence could be easily overlooked, as well as in dye manufacture workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Sweet's syndrome. Presentation of six cases and review of the literature].

The acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis or Sweet syndrome, initially described in 1964 by Robert Sweet (1). It is characterized fever, neutrophilic leucocytosis, abrupt appearance of erythematous, painful, cutaneous plaquets and dense dermal infiltrate consisting of mature neutrophils without vasculitis sings. Malignancy has been described in the 10-15% of the reported cases. We report our series of 6 patients diagnosticated of this illness in our department. One of this patients has Sweet syndrome associated with a malignancy disorder. All of them had diagnostic criteria of the described disease and had good response to corticotherapy. We also report a bibliographic review of this infrequent syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Anaphylaxis from cow's milk casein.

The case of a 35-year-old woman who suffered anaphylaxis after the ingestion of milk or milk-containing products is presented. Symptoms also appeared after the patient used a cosmetic which contained casein. Skin prick tests, specific IgE measurement, and immunoblotting were carried out with cow's milk extract, and its purified proteins: casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and alpha-lactalbumin. Specific IgE to cow's milk casein was detected with the three tests. Immunoblotting revealed one band of 24 kDa approximately corresponding to the beta-fraction of casein. Negative results to beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin were obtained with the three methods. Symptoms were controlled by rigorous dietary and behavior measures.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus cluster immunotherapy. A controlled trial of safety and clinical efficacy.

We designed a cluster schedule of immunotherapy for patients allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus to reach the maximal recommended dose in 7 weeks. We compared its safety and clinical efficacy with those of a conventional schedule in a controlled trial. Sixty-three patients were randomized as follows: 29 were treated with the cluster schedule, 15 with a conventional schedule and 19 without immunotherapy. A standardized extract was used. Clinical efficacy was measured by visual analog scale, clinical severity score, symptom/medication diary cards and control of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in asthmatic patients, before immunotherapy (T0), on reaching the maintenance phase (T1), and after 6 (T2), 12 (T3) and 18 months of maintenance (T4). The safety of immunotherapy was found to be good. Visual analog scale improved significantly at T4 in the cluster and conventional schedules, and clinical severity score also improved from T1 in these schedules. Diary cards improved from T1 in the cluster schedule and from T2 in the conventional schedule in asthmatic patients. Significant improvements in diary cards in rhinitis patients and PEF were found only in the cluster schedule. There were no changes in the group without immunotherapy. In conclusion, our cluster schedule showed as good tolerance and clinical efficacy as the conventional schedule in patients allergic to D. pteronyssinus. These clinical improvements did not appear in the group without immunotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indoor allergens and dwelling characteristics in two cities in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Indoor allergens are common causes of sensitization and asthma. Climatic and home conditions can modify their levels. OBJECTIVE: We studied the influence of climatic conditions and home characteristics on the exposure to indoor allergens of mite allergic asthmatic subjects in two Spanish cities with different climates (Las Palmas and Pamplona). METHODS: We included 65 subjects diagnosed with asthma caused by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. A questionnaire about their dwellings was completed. Home dust samples were collected. Mite (Der p1, Der f1, Der 2) and cat (Fel d1) allergens were measured by a monoclonal-antibodies based ELISA. RESULTS: Characteristics of dwellings were similar in both areas. Der p1 was the main allergen (0-44 micrograms/g). Der p1, Der f1 and Der 2 levels were higher in the homes in Las Palmas (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Damp homes in Pamplona had higher Der p1 levels, similar to those detected in homes in Las Palmas. Fel d1 levels (0-78.90 micrograms/g) were only related to the presence of cats in the dwelling (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: D. pteronyssinus allergen exposure was influenced by climatic conditions and dampness in homes in temperate regions. Humidity in homes can generate an ideal environment for mite growth despite unfavorable outdoor climatic conditions. Fel d1 levels were only related to the presence of a cat in the house.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome: two case reports.

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is a type of asthma that develops in subjects without prior pulmonary disease, following single or multiple exposure to high levels of nonimmunogenic irritants. The main difference from classic occupational asthma is the absence of a latency period. Non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness is characteristic of the disease and usually persists after cessation of exposure. We report the cases of two subjects in whom RADS developed after occupational exposure to irritants.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to airborne spiramycin.

We report the case of a man who worked in a feed factory. He developed allergic contact dermatitis due to airborne spiramycin, a commonly used antibiotic in veterinary medicine. The patient suffered recurrent outbreaks of eczematous lesions on uncovered areas during working periods. Diagnosis was made based on history, positive patch tests to spiramycin and to some feed compounds containing spiramycin, and on disappearance of lesions on leaving the work place.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗