1/7. Episodic gross hematuria in association with allergy symptoms in a child.BACKGROUND: A relationship between allergy and the development of various renal diseases has been postulated, but never proven. MATERIALS AND methods: We present the case of a child with idiopathic episodic gross hematuria. The child also has significant environmental allergies, and his episodes of hematuria coincide with flares of his allergic symptoms. The available literature on hematuria and allergy was reviewed in order to further explore the potential role that allergy may play in the pathogenesis of genitourinary tract disease. CONCLUSIONS: This case, as well as others reported in the literature, suggest that allergy should be considered as a possible diagnosis in children with otherwise unexplained hematuria.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. Aerobiological diagnosis of respiratory allergy by a personal sampler: two case reports.We describe two cases of respiratory allergy (asthma), which were difficult to diagnosis from an etiological viewpoint. The routine diagnostic tests were not able to determine the causal allergens, although the clinical history suggested that allergens were confined to restricted environments. Therefore, an aerobiological sampling by means of a battery-powered portable device was carried out. This approach allowed identification of the responsible allergens, which were alternaria spores in one case and thuja pollen in the other. Once a targeted environmental care had been performed, the patients' symptoms rapidly improved and antiasthma therapy could be stepped down or discontinued. We suggest that, in selected cases of difficult diagnosis the presence of proximity allergens is suspected, aerobiological sampling with a portable device should be considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. Occupational asthma caused by exposure to cooking lobster in the work environment: a case report.A 25-year-old male chef developed symptoms of cough, wheezing, and dyspnea following repeated exposure to cooking lobster in his work environment. skin prick tests to lobster, mixed shellfish, haddock, cod, oysters, and clams were strongly positive. skin prick tests to other routine antigens were negative except for alternaria fungal spores. Bronchial inhalation of aqueous lobster extract resulted in an isolated early asthmatic response.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Respiratory allergy to the indoor ant (Monomorium pharaonis) not related to sting allergy.BACKGROUND: Many studies are available on systemic reactions to ant sting, but few have described the direct role of ants in respiratory allergy. The nonstinging house ant, Monomorium pharaonis (pharaoh ant), is a highly infesting species in indoor environments. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the pharaoh ant is an indoor source of aeroallergens. methods: Two patients with asthma who lived in homes with ant infestation were enrolled. Pharaoh ants were collected at the patients' homes, and crude extracts were prepared. skin prick tests with ant extracts were performed. Specific IgE to pharaoh ant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the allergenic components were determined by using immunoblot analysis. Cross-reactivity among pharaoh ant, imported fire ant, Pachycondyla chinensis ant, and other indoor allergens was evaluated by ELISA inhibition tests. Specific bronchial challenge testing was performed using pharaoh ant extracts. RESULTS: Both patients had positive skin test reactions to pharaoh ant extract and high levels of specific IgE antibodies to pharaoh ant. The ELISA inhibition test results demonstrated significant inhibition by pharaoh ant; however, P. chinensis, cockroach, and house dust mite showed no inhibition of the IgE binding to pharaoh ant. Two important IgE-binding components, 9.4 and 34 kDa, were identified by using immunoblot analysis. Pharaoh ant bronchial challenge test results showed typical early asthmatic reactions in 1 patient and dual asthmatic reactions in the other patient. CONCLUSIONS: ants can induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction regardless of sting in sensitized patients. ants should be taken into consideration as a cause of respiratory allergy in patients living in homes with visual evidence of infestation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. Episodic reactive dysphonia: a case study.This case study exemplifies successful diagnosis through stroboscopic fiberoptic examination, illustrates the critical importance of a careful case history, and demonstrates potential hazards of supposedly benign environmental substances for hypersensitive individuals.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. Occupational hypersensitivity lung disease.A case of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by an air conditioning unit is presented. aspergillus fumigatus and aureobasidium pullulans were cultured from this unit and antibodies to these organisms were found the patient's blood. The case shows that this disease may present in a very subtle form and may be diagnosed by a culture from the patient's environment and an easily performed blood precipitin test. The importance of searching for this type of lung disease and the need for obtaining precipitin tests are stressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. Pulmonary hypersensitivity to Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus).Transient airways obstruction associated with reduction in the transfer factor (diffusing capacity) of the lungs is reported in a patient with a clinical syndrome in keeping with extrinsic allergic alveolitis after exposure to Ramin dust (Gonystylus bancanus). The alterations in pulmonary function were consistently demonstrated on testing the patient in his working environment and were reproduced in the laboratory after inhalational challenge. The importance of the temporal relationship of changes in pulmonary function to contact with suspected allergenic material is emphasized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |