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Biomedical subjects

S Quirce

Publications and source records attributed to S Quirce.

89 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Severe anaphylactic reaction to thymostimulin.

Thymostimulin is a partially purified extract of calf thymus, consisting of a group of polypeptides with a total molecular weight of approximately 12,000 D. It is used as an immunologic response modifier in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. We report a patient who had a severe anaphylactic reaction with the first injection of thymostimulin. Type I hypersensitivity to thymostimulin was suggested by an immediate skin test response, specific IgE determination by indirect ELISA and a positive histamine release test. This patient also reacted to bovine serum albumin (BSA), fetal calf serum (FCS) and cow hair and dander. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Clinicians need to be aware that the use of medical products of xenogeneic origin may lead to severe allergic reactions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1991

Adverse cutaneous reactions due to macrolides.

Macrolides, which are widely prescribed and seldom produce hypersensitivity reactions, are considered to be safe drugs. We present five patients with generalized skin reactions due to erythromycin and/or spiramycin, proved by oral challenge tests. One patient showed reactions to both erythromycin and spiramycin. All skin prick and patch tests and histamine release tests with both macrolides were negative.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Swiss chard hypersensitivity: clinical and immunologic study.

Allergy to vegetables and fruits seems to be more prevalent in atopics, especially in birch pollen-sensitized individuals. We report a case of a grass pollen-sensitized woman, in whom the inhalation of vapor from boiling Swiss chard precipitated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Type I hypersensitivity to Swiss chard was demonstrated by means of immediate skin test reactivity, specific IgE determination by RAST, basophil degranulation, histamine release test, and an immediate bronchial provocation test response to Swiss chard extract. The controls did not react to any of these tests. RAST inhibition assays suggest the presence of some cross-reactivity among Swiss chard and grass pollen antigens, as well as cross-reactivity between vegetables and weed pollens of the chenopod family.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Occupational asthma due to latex surgical gloves.

Since 1979 several reports of contact urticaria due to natural latex have been well documented. Recent case reports suggest that rhinitis and asthma may also be due to rubber exposure. We describe an operating room nurse who was exposed at work to natural rubber (latex) due to the use of latex surgical gloves. After 25 years, she developed contact urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis and acute asthma following the handling of rubber gloves for surgical purposes. She was symptom-free when on vacation. Skin prick testing demonstrated an immediate skin reaction to latex. Rub testing with surgical gloves was positive. Specific IgE antibodies to latex were found by indirect ELISA. Specific bronchial challenge with latex extract elicited an isolated immediate asthmatic reaction that was inhibited with cromolyn sodium pretreatment. Patch testing to common rubber additives was negative. These results suggest that latex present in surgical rubber gloves and probably acting as inhalant allergen may produce occupational asthma in exposed subjects, probably by means of an IgE-mediated mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Stinging insect allergy: sensitization to vespids in Madrid and surroundings. Cross-reactivity study.

The study comprised 28 patients from the centre of Spain (Madrid and surroundings) who had suffered systemic reactions when stung by vespids. Specific IgE antibodies to Vespula spp. and Polistes spp. venoms were measured by RAST. All patients had positive RAST to Vespula venom and half of them also had positive RAST to Polistes venom. A patient can be sensitive to both venoms due to either a clinical sensitization to both venoms, or common antigenic determinants. To differentiate these states we used a RAST inhibition assay. We could inhibit Polistes RAST with either Polistes or Vespula venom to a similar degree. Inhibition of Vespula RAST was possible with Vespula venom, but only to a limited degree with Polistes venom. Direct RAST and RAST inhibition studies indicate that in our geographic region sensitization to Vespula venom is more common than to Polistes venom and Polistes might have cross-reactivity in our patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Serum sickness-like syndrome associated with minocycline therapy.

A 19 year-old youth was taking oral minocycline and after 8 days he presented all four cardinal symptoms of serum sickness (urticaria, fever, lymphadenopathy and joint symptoms). C3, C4 and CH50 evolution imitate experimental serum sickness complement evolution. We exclude other causes of this syndrome. Although other hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with minocycline usage, to our knowledge serum sickness-like syndrome has not been previously reported with this drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Housewives with raw potato-induced bronchial asthma.

Allergy to white potato has rarely been described. We report two cases of atopic patients, housewives, in whom peeling raw potatoes precipitated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthmatic attacks, and, in one of them, contact urticaria. Type I hypersensitivity to raw potato antigens was demonstrated by means of immediate skin test reactivity, specific IgE determination by RAST, basophil degranulation, histamine release test and an immediate bronchial provocation test response to raw potato extract. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Potato allergenic constituent is currently being investigated but, as far as we know, it is heat-labile and has an MW of more than 10 Kd.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Bronchial asthma caused by Lathyrus sativus flour.

A 10-year-old child with asthmatic attacks related to Lathyrus sativus flour inhalation was studied in our department. Skin test and specific bronchial provocation challenge were positive. Specific IgE antibodies to Lathyrus sativus flour was demonstrated by indirect enzyme immunoassay. We suggest that our patient's allergic symptoms were due to the development of Type I allergic reactivity to L. sativus antigens.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immediate allergy to natural latex: clinical and immunological studies.

Since 1979 several reports of contact urticaria due to natural latex have been documented. In recent years cases of anaphylaxis, rhinitis, and asthma due to latex have appeared. Nine patients, studied in our clinic between 1986-1991, suffered immediate allergic reactions caused by rubber products. All showed an immediate skin reaction to latex extract. Rub testing with surgical gloves was positive in eight patients. Immunological techniques (RAST, ELISA, HRT) demonstrated specific IgE against latex. Specific bronchial provocation testing was performed in one patient who presented with asthma when she used latex surgical gloves. Patch testing to common rubber additives were negative in our patients. These results suggest that natural latex antigens present in rubber objects can cause hypersensitivity reactions probably due to IgE-mediated mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cluster versus conventional immunotherapy in patients allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: a controlled study of in vivo and in vitro parameters.

We designed a cluster schedule of immunotherapy for patients allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus which showed good safety and clinical efficacy. Here we compare the in vivo and in vitro changes 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 received no immunotherapy. A standardized extract was used. Changes in in vivo parameters (skin prick test and conjunctival provocation test) and in in vitro parameters (IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 for the complete extract, Der p 1 and Der p 2) were measured before immunotherapy (T0), on reaching maintenance phase (T1), and after 6 (T2), 12 (T3) and 18 months of maintenance (T4). Cutaneous reactivity showed a significant decrease from T1 in both the cluster and conventional schedules, and conjunctival reactivity was also significantly lowered from T1 in these groups. Specific IgE decreased and specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 increased significantly from T1 in the cluster and conventional schedules. Neither of these parameters showed any changes in the group without immunotherapy. In conclusion, our cluster schedule induced changes in cutaneous and conjunctival reactivity and in immunological parameters that were similar to those achieved with the conventional schedule; these changes did not appear in patients who did not undergo immunotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of nifedipine on skin prick tests.

The immediate skin test due to interaction between allergen and mast cell bound IgE is one of the cornerstones in the clinical allergy workup. The release of histamine and other mediators from basophils and mast cells depends on the influx of Ca2+ into these cells when stimulated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of common therapeutic doses of nifedipine (NFD), one of the calcium channel blockers, on the allergen skin tests. We prick tested 23 grass sensitive individuals with 7 different grass pollens at three times: at basal conditions (T0), 30 min. after having taken 20 mg of NFD s. l. (T1), and 17 of them after a week of receiving twice a day 20 mg of a NFD retard form (T2). The wheal surface obtained for each substance (allergen, histamine) at T0 was considered as basal value and compared with the one obtained at T1 and T2 for the same substance by the Wilcoxon's test. We found a significant increase in the wheal surfaces, both with allergen and histamine, at T1 and T2. In contrast to what could be expected, common therapeutic doses of NFD produce a discrete but statistically significant increase of the PT. Factors such as arteriolar vasodilation could be implicated. The increase of the allergen prick test and the increase of the histamine prick test both at T1 and T2 were not statistically different. Therefore, we do not think it necessary to stop NFD before allergen skin testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Specific bronchial challenge in cockroach asthma.

Clinical characteristics of allergic asthma due to inhalation of cockroach antigens have been reported sporadically in the literature. To assess the patterns of bronchial response in cockroach asthma we performed bronchial provocation tests (BPT) with cockroach extract in 25 asthmatic patients who had positive skin test with this extract. Of 25 patients, 23 had cockroach-specific-IgE-antibodies. Seventeen subjects presented only immediate asthmatic reaction, five patients had dual response (immediate + late), and one patient developed only late asthmatic response. BPT were negative in two patients who did not have cockroach-specific-IgE-antibodies. These results indicate that BPT with cockroach antigen is a very specific test for cockroach asthma. It shows immediate, dual and late responses, and correlates well with the presence of specific IgE antibodies against this allergen.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Susceptibility of a grass-pollen oral immunotherapy extract to the saliva and gastric fluid digestive process.

The oral and sublingual immunotherapy is still a controversial therapeutic procedure. One of the problems is knowing how much allergenic activity could the extracts loss due to the digestive process into the mouth and stomach. Using a grass-pollen oral and sublingual immunotherapy extract, we studied its degradation until reaching the small intestine. For this purpose we employed an in vitro model using the RAST-inhibition assay. We observed a 3.8 fold loss of allergenic activity after a 30 sec-incubation with saliva; a subsequent 5 min-incubation with gastric fluid got a final loss of allergenic activity of 10.3 fold. The incubation times were those expected occurring during the ingestion of the extract. It was surprising that after the enzymatic and acid actions of the gastric fluid, an important degree of allergenic activity still remained in the extract. This issue should be taken into account when considering the dose to be administered in oral and sublingual immunotherapy.

Administration, Oral↗
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↗