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Biomedical subjects

Santiago Quirce

Publications and source records attributed to Santiago Quirce.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Serologic IgE immune responses against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans in patients with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans in the sputa of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), to assess serologic IgE responses of these patients to the presence of fungi in the sputum, to evaluate what effect this may have on clinical status, and to determine how the above-mentioned factors relate to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). PATIENTS: Seventy-six CF patients (40 male and 36 female patients; age, 15.3 plus minus 8.7 years [mean plus minus SD]) were studied. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,239 sputum samples from 66 patients were cultured for fungi. A fumigatus was grown in 256 sputum specimens (20.7%), and C albicans was grown in 588 sputum samples (47.5%). Forty patients (60.6%) had at least one positive culture finding for A fumigatus, and 58 patients (87.9%) had at least one positive culture finding for C albicans. Forty-nine patients (64.5%) were sensitized to A fumigatus, and 20 patients (26.7%) were sensitized to C albicans. No correlation was found between the finding of A fumigatus in sputum and IgE to A fumigatus. Only patients who had at least one positive culture finding for C albicans had IgE to C albicans develop. Lung function values and chest radiograph scores were not significantly lower in patients sensitized to either A fumigatus or C albicans as compared to nonsensitized patients. Of the 20 patients sensitized to C albicans, 10 patients had confirmed ABPA and 10 patients had some immunologic characteristics of ABPA. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of colonization and sensitization to A fumigatus and C albicans in CF patients was observed. The sensitization to these fungi was not related to the clinical severity. IgE to C albicans may be an immunologic marker related to the development of ABPA in patients with CF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Conjunctival provocation tests in the diagnosis of Anisakis simplex hypersensitivity.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of positive skin tests to Anisakis simplex is high compared with the low incidence of true gastroallergic Anisakiasis. There is little information about the prevalence of positive conjunctival tests in A. simplex-sensitized individuals. This study assesses the predictive value of conjunctival provocation test in two groups of A. simplex-sensitized subjects and negative controls. METHODS: Group A consisted of 28 individuals with a clinical history strongly suggestive of gastroallergic anisakiasis and group B, of 32 individuals without such history. The 60 individuals had positive skin tests and in vitro specific IgE determinations to A. simplex. Skin and conjunctival provocation tests were performed with an extract of A. simplex at a concentration of 1 mg of lyophilized material per ml. RESULTS: Conjunctival provocation tests were positive in 21/28 (75%) of group A patients and in 10/32 (31%) of group B patients. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.015); the odds ratio was 6.6 (2.11-20.5; p < 0.05). The diagnostic value of the conjunctival provocation test was expressed by the following statistical indicators: sensitivity 75% (55.8%-88.6%), false positive 25% (11.4%-45.2%), specificity 68.7% (49.9%-83.2%), false negative 31.2% (16.7%-50%), positive predictive value 67.7% (48.5%-82.7%), negative predictive value 75.9% (56.1%-89%), Yuden index 1.43. There were no statistical differences related to age, sex, or atopic status in patients with a positive or negative conjunctival challenge. Total and specific IgE levels to A. simplex were significantly greater (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) in the group of patients with a positive challenge. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that positive conjunctival provocation tests and high specific and total IgE levels are more prevalent in patients with a clinical history strongly suggestive of gastroallergic anisakiasis. Despite the significant differences obtained in both groups, this test has a limited diagnostic value to clinically discriminate patients with a history consistent with gastroallergic anisakiasis.

Adult↗