1/134. 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 = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/134. 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 = 1.25keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/134. latex allergy in an orthognathic patient and implications for clinical management.A 19-year-old girl with mild asthma had had 16 months of orthodontic treatment as part of the joint orthodontic/orthognathic approach to her 9.5 mm overjet. At the time of banding her second molars she developed latex protein allergy as a reaction to the operator's non-sterile powdered latex gloves. She also gave a history of allergy to other substances as well as of eczema. The patient was confirmed as allergic to latex protein by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for IgE, requiring precautions be taken during further orthodontic procedures as well as during the subsequent orthognathic surgery for the underlying Class II skeletal pattern.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.1589358876306keywords = allergy, latex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/134. 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 = 0.25keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/134. asthma induced by allergy to trichophyton rubrum.The worldwide incidence of asthma and of allergic respiratory diseases is increasing (Akiyama K. 'Environmental allergens and allergic diseases.' Rinsho Byori 1997;45(1):13. D'Amato G, Liccardi G, D'Amato M. environment and development of respiratory allergy. II. Indoors. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 1994;49(5):412. Weeke AR. epidemiology of allergic diseases in children. Rhinol Suppl 1992;13:5. Ulrik CS, Backer V, Hesse B, Dirksen A. risk factors for development of asthma in children and adolescents: findings from a longitudinal population study. Respir Med 1996;90(10):623.) This has been attributed to several factors, including lifestyle changes and an expanding variety of potential causative allergens. Management of asthma entails preventive and acute medications, immunologic therapies, and removal of the identified allergen(s) from the patient's environment. Without the latter, patients may not experience full symptomatic relief. This case report describes a patient who developed bronchial asthma subsequent to an infection of tinea pedis and pedal onychomycosis; antifungal management resulted in full resolution of his tinea pedis, onychomycosis and asthma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.25keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/134. Aluminium allergy in a patient with occupational contact dermatitis.Case of a 57-year-old hospital attendant with hand eczema. patch tests were read at 2 and 3 days using the 1 to 3 scoring system recommended by the Contact dermatitis research Group.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/134. The "Peter Pan" syndrome and allergy practice: facilitating adherence through the use of social support.The complexity of care of some patients in an allergy-immunology practice may be increased by behavioral abnormalities of the patients. Facilitating adherence through the use of social support may be the most effective treatment strategy for some of the most difficult of these patients. We report three patients whose medical management problems were alleviated largely because of the participation of their support system. All three patients were stabilized because of the acceptance of responsibility and support of the physician by the designated member of the patient's support system. The range of social support used to manage nonadherent patients ranged from directly providing instructions to a family member to the consistent presence of a spouse or companion at multiple clinical visits. In all cases, the success in management was attributed largely to the presence of a support system.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.25keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/134. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a rare manifestation of propylthiouracil allergy.OBJECTIVE: To report a case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis as a manifestation of propylthiouracil allergy. methods: We present the history, findings on physical examination, and results of laboratory evaluation in a 25-year-old woman. Associated reports from the literature are reviewed. RESULTS: The patient, with a history of Graves' disease, was referred for evaluation of a purpuric rash on the pinnas and buttocks bilaterally. Findings included exophthalmos and bilateral goiter with neck bruits. She was biochemically hyperthyroid. biopsy of the skin lesions revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. propylthiouracil therapy was discontinued, and prednisone was prescribed. Treatment with radioactive iodine resulted in appreciably diminished skin lesions and reduction in the size of the thyroid gland, but thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels increased. Administration of a second, higher dose of radioactive iodine with concomitant lithium carbonate resulted in clinical and biochemical improvement. Six months after initial assessment, the rash had resolved, and the patient's free thyroxine value had normalized, although the thyrotropin level was still suppressed. CONCLUSION: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis, although rarely seen as a manifestation of propylthiouracil allergy, has been reported in the medical literature and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a vasculitic rash. Treatment consists of discontinuation of the offending medication and administration of a corticosteroid and, occasionally, cyclophosphamide or plasmapheresis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.5keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/134. silver-coated prosthetic heart valve: a double-bladed weapon.A St. Jude Medical Silzone was implanted in a 72-year-old female, suffering from mitral valve disease. Four months later, the patient had acute cardiac failure due to partial detachment of the prosthetic valve. The mitral annulus was ulcerated and there were multiple erosions in the myocardial tissue in contact with the prosthetic valve. Histological examination revealed chronic inflammation with hemosiderine deposits and giant cells. No allergy to silver ions was found. The silver-coated sewing cuff had caused a chronic inflammatory reaction due to a toxic reaction to silver. The Silzone valve was withdrawn from the market on January 2000.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/134. Three cases of childhood nocturnal asthma due to buckwheat allergy.BACKGROUND: Buckwheat flour (BF) is known as a potent food allergen. Sensitization to it usually occurs by ingestion but also by inhalation in occupational or domestic exposure. Buckwheat chaff-stuffed pillows (BCP) can be contaminated with BF during the process of pilling, and many Korean children and adults use BCP for health reasons. methods AND RESULTS: We here present three cases of BF allergy in children using BCP, who had been treated as nonatopic asthmatics after undergoing the routine allergy skin tests and serologic tests. We took careful clinical histories, and performed skin prick tests (SPT), the radioimmunoassay (RIA) for specific IgE, the BCP-elimination test, the BF bronchial provocation test, and IgE Western blot. All three children showed positive skin reactions to BF, but none of them had positive reactions to house-dust mites. Nocturnal asthmatic symptoms were improved during 7 days of BCP elimination, and asthmatic responses were observed by bronchial provocation tests with homemade BF extract. serum BF-specific IgE antibodies and several IgE-binding proteins were detected by RIA and Western blot analysis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, a small amount of BF attached to BCP can induce BF sensitization, and BCP should be considered a main cause of childhood nocturnal asthma in those asthmatics exposed to these pillows.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.5keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
| | Next -> |