1/132. Characterization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected natural killer (NK) cell proliferation in patients with severe mosquito allergy; establishment of an IL-2-dependent NK-like cell line.The clinical evidence of a relationship between severe hypersensitivity to mosquito bite (HMB) and clonal expansion of EBV-infected NK cells has been accumulated. In order to clarify the mechanism of EBV-induced NK cell proliferation and its relationship with high incidence of leukaemias or lymphomas in HMB patients, we studied clonally expanded NK cells from three HMB patients and succeeded in establishing an EBV-infected NK-like cell line designated KAI3. immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses revealed that KAI3 cells as well as infected NK cells exhibited an EBV latent infection type II, where EBV gene expression was limited to EBNA 1 and LMP1. As KAI3 was established by culture with IL-2, IL-2 responsiveness of peripheral blood NK cells from patients was examined. The results represented markedly augmented IL-2-induced IL-2R alpha expression in NK cells. This characteristic property may contribute to the persistent expansion of infected NK cells. However, KAI3 cells as well as the NK cells from patients were not protected from apoptosis induced by either an anti-Fas antibody or NK-sensitive k562 cells. Preserved sensitivity to apoptosis might explain the relatively regulated NK cell numbers in the peripheral blood of the patients. To our knowledge, KAI3 is the first reported NK-like cell line established from patients of severe chronic active EBV infection (SCAEBV) before the onset of leukaemias or lymphomas. KAI3 cells will contribute to the study of EBV persistency in the NK cell environment and its relationship with high incidence of leukaemias or lymphomas in HMB patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/132. The treatment of bovine collagen allergy with cyclosporin.BACKGROUND: Bovine collagen is currently the most common substance used in soft-tissue augmentation. Although patients should undergo routine skin testing for allergy to bovine collagen prior to treatment, hypersensitivity reactions may rarely still occur. Previously, there have been no reliable methods of treatment for these reactions, and physicians could only reassure patients that the reaction would slowly disappear. OBJECTIVE. The use of oral cyclosporin in a patient with hypersensitivity to bovine collagen was evaluated. methods: A patient with an allergic reaction to implanted bovine collagen was started on cyclosporin 175 mg p.o. bid (5 mg/kg/day) after no improvement was seen after treatment with oral and topical steroids. The cyclosporin was started on Day 23 of the allergic reaction. RESULTS: Improvement in the itching and redness was noted by Day 28 of the allergic reaction, and complete clinical resolution of the allergic reaction was noted on Day 41. On Day 47, the cyclosporin was stopped without recurrence of symptoms. The patient did not experience side effects from cyclosporin, and her blood pressure and renal function remained normal. CONCLUSION: This case report shows that oral cyclosporin A may be a safe and effective treatment for bovine collagen hypersensitivity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.5keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/132. Demonstration of reactivity to airborne and food allergens in cutaneous vasculitis by variations in fibrinopeptide a and other blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and complement parameters.In a 32-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man with cutaneous vasculitis, etiological allergic responses to foods and airborne allergens were found. During provocation tests, observations were made on blood levels of fibrinopeptide a(FPA) and coagulation factors, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and serum complement components. skin biopsies were taken for microscopic and immunofluorescence analysis. In case 1, anaphylactoid allergy to milk and reaginic and anaphylactoid hypersensitivity to grass pollens were found. Dermal provocations with grass pollens gave arthralgia, hematomas, serum C3 fluctuation, factor vii reduction and fibrinolysis. During peroral milk challenge, transient increases in FPA and FDP levels were observed before symptoms appeared. In case 2, anaphylactoid hypersensitivity responses to bacteria, animal danders, foods and pollens were found. Two inhalations with sheep-wool extract resulted in a typical skin eruption. The first also gave an early reduction of C3 and then FPA liberation. Nasal birch-pollen test gave an increase of FPA in the latent period and then typical nodules. At least no low molecular weight FDP were detected during provocations. In patients with vasculitis reactions to exogenous allergens, FPA and FDP estimations after provocations may discriminate harmful from innocuous allergens and reveal individual response patterns in coagulation and fibrinolysis systems.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/132. Occupational asthma caused by champignon flies.BACKGROUND: Occupational bronchial asthma in mushroom (champignon) workers is unusual, although reports on it appeared in 1938 and 1951; we have not found any others since those dates. Here we report the case of a 52-year-old man who works as a champignon cultivator. He suffered rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma attacks whenever he entered the champignon culture caves. We studied flies as a possible antigen source. We collected these insects from the growing sites in order to identify them, and then prepare an extract; the samples turned out to be of two families of insects of the order diptera, 98% from the Phoridae family (Brachycera suborder) and 2% from the Sciaridae (Nematocera suborder). methods: skin prick tests, conjunctival provocation tests, serum specific IgE, specific IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting, and monitoring of PEFR (at work and off work) were performed. RESULTS: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to these flies was demonstrated by skin prick test, conjunctival provocation test, serum specific IgE, and IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting. Monitoring of PEFR both at work and off work showed a clear relationship between symptoms, or fall in PEFR, and the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: We report the case of a patient suffering from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by hypersensitivity to fly proteins.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/132. Factors contributing to adverse soft tissue reactions due to the use of tartar control toothpastes: report of a case and literature review.Tetrasodium and/or tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (Ppi) is the anticalculus component of most tartar control dentifrices on the market today. While pyrophosphates alone are not responsible for hypersensitivity reactions, several modifications which may lead to adverse oral manifestations may occur when pyrophosphates are added to a dentifrice. First, tetrasodium pyrophosphate in a dentifrice forms a slightly alkaline solution upon oral use which could irritate oral membranes. Second, increased concentrations of flavoring agents, known to be sensitizers, are needed to mask the strong bitter taste of pyrophosphates. Third, increased concentrations of detergents, capable of producing hypersensitivity reactions, are necessary to allow the pyrophosphates to become soluble in the dentifrice. Fourth, a pre-existing condition of reduced salivary flow may augment hypersensitivity to tartar control toothpastes. While pyrophosphates have been approved as additives in dentifrices, these compounds along with the increased concentrations of flavorings and detergents and their higher intraoral alkalinity are strongly implicated as the causative factor in certain hypersensitivity reactions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/132. thalidomide-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis.Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe dermatologic disorder associated with mortality of up to 30%. Withdrawal of the causative agent is crucial in its management. Although thalidomide-induced dermatologic disorders rarely were reported before thalidomide was administered to patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, hypersensitivity reactions including rash are the agent's major dose-limiting toxicities in this population. As it is prescribed for other immunosuppressed patients, such as those with malignancies, the frequency of dermatologic reactions (including TEN) may increase. A 62-year-old woman developed TEN after approximately 5 weeks of thalidomide therapy for the treatment of a glioblastoma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/132. An adult patient with hypersensitivity to mosquito bites developing mantle cell lymphoma.hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) has been known to occur exclusively in the first 2 decades of life and is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and lymphoproliferative diseases. We report here the first adult patient with HMB, a 61-year-old Japanese man who developed mantle cell lymphoma. EBV was detected in the lymph node by polymerase chain reaction and by in situ hybridization. serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were markedly increased, and the T-helper cell (Th)1/Th2 balance determined by intracellular cytokine levels was polarized to Th2. These findings suggest that the Th1/Th2 imbalance could partly be involved in the pathogenesis of HMB.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.5keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/132. Allergic reaction to spinal cord stimulator.OBJECTIVE: The objective was to report on the possibility of allergic reaction to the components of a spinal cord stimulator. DESIGN: We describe a severe allergic reaction after the insertion of a spinal cord stimulator in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome type 1. SETTING: The patient was being followed in an office-based pain management practice. PATIENT: The patient is a 41-year-old woman with complex regional pain syndrome type 1, posttrauma. Intervention: Insertion of a cervical and lumbar spinal cord stimulator. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were a numerical scale of pain intensity and the ability to perform the activities of daily living. RESULTS: Adequate pain control complicated by allergic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a possibility that a patient may experience an allergic reaction to spinal cord stimulator components. Recognition of such contact sensitivity is important for physicians implanting such devices. patients may be misdiagnosed as having infections, which can delay appropriate management; definitive diagnosis can be confirmed with a patch test. Treatment consists of removal of such devices.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/132. hypersensitivity to mosquito bites is not an allergic disease, but an Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disease.Recently, we showed that 5 cases of hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) concealed the clonal lymphoproliferation of Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) dna-positive natural killer (NK) cells. Although the symptoms of HMB have been supposed to derive from Arthus phenomenon, it has become apparent that this unique disorder has the potential to develop into so-called malignant histiocytosis (MH) or related disorders. Accordingly, the criteria for MH have been changed, and a newer diagnostic name, hemophagocytic syndrome, has been described as being associated with viral infection or leukemia/lymphoma. We previously reported that biopsy specimens taken from skin lesions demonstrated infiltration of lymphocytes bearing the phenotype of NK cells. In this study, we found that skin lesions exhibited infiltration of atypical lymphocytes around the small vessels, resembling angiocentric lymphoma, and that these infiltrating cells were positive for EBER-1 by in situ hybridization. These findings support the concept that HMB is the most important manifestation of a certain type of lymphoproliferative disease that presents with an intense local skin reaction and high fever following mosquito bites, and whose essence is the lymphoproliferation of EBV dna-positive NK cells.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.5keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/132. hypersensitivity reactions following laminaria placement.laminaria tents are commonly placed intracervically prior to elective termination of pregnancy. Three women, each of whom had undergone at least one previous abortion in which a laminaria was utilized, developed hypersensitivity reactions following laminaria placement. The reactions included urticaria, angioedema and respiratory distress. All responded to removal of the laminaria and administration of either diphenhydramine, prednisone, inhaled bronchodilators or subcutaneous epinephrine. One of the women subsequently underwent skin testing and was positive to laminaria. patients undergoing laminaria placement may manifest a Type I reaction, IgE-mediated sensitivity. Providers should counsel patients with histories of multiple previous laminaria insertions about this possibility, have alternative methods of cervical dilation available, and be able to promptly recognize and treat reactions when they occur.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
| | Next -> |