Hypersensitivity to mites and house dust

The paper deals with the current data on hypersensitivity to house dust allergens, particularly to house dust mite allergens. Hypersensitivity to house dust mites is more prevalent than hypersensitivity to any other allergen. Ecologic factors for mite survival are cited, particularly emphasizing the importance of air humidity. Over the last 50 years there have been several changes in construction and furnishing of houses in developed countries which fostered mite proliferation. Mite allergens are identified and cloned, monoclonal antibodies to these allergens are produced. There are methods for estimating mite allergen concentration in homes which made possible to investigate the relationship between mite allergen exposure and development of bronchial hyperreactivity. Various methods for mite allergen avoidance are developed and their efficacy is under investigation.     

Hypersensitivity to the local anesthetic articaine hydrochloride

A patient developed skin erythema and wheals within 1 h after local dental anesthesia with articaine hydrochloride. Pretreatment with oral terfenadine or topical betamethasone dipropionate prevented her reaction to articaine. In contrast, neither pretreatment with oral aspirin nor topical capsaicin affected her reaction to articaine. The results of radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to articaine and a passive transfer test were negative. The reaction was probably caused by a complement-mediated mechanism leading to the degranulation of mast cells. The patient tolerated local anesthesia with lidocaine.     

Hypersensitivity reactions to use of mebeverine]

Twenty-one cases of adverse reactions to mebeverine use were reported to the Inspectorate for Health Care in the Netherlands since 1978. In 12 patients (five men and seven women) this was an immunological hypersensitivity reaction. All patients recovered after drug withdrawal. The time between start and onset of symptoms varied from several minutes to 14 days. Most reactions consisted of urticaria or maculopapular rash, sometimes accompanied by fever, polyarthritis, thrombopenia or angioedema. In contradiction to the manufacturer's claims adverse reactions to the use of mebeverine do occur.     

Hypersensitivity to social interactions in bulimic syndromes: Relationship to binge eating.

This study used a 6- to 22-day experience-sampling procedure to test for hypersensitivity to social interactions in bulimic individuals. Ratings on daily social interactions, self-concepts, moods, and eating behaviors from 55 actively bulimic, 18 formerly bulimic, and 31 noneating-disordered women were obtained. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed negative social interactions to be associated with significant increases in self-criticism (SC) and deteriorations in mood in all participants. However, bulimic participants (active or in remission) showed larger increases in SC following negative social interactions than did normal eaters (and thus seemed to be hypersensitive to interpersonal experiences). Additional analyses indicated that binge episodes tended to be preceded by poorer than average social experiences, self-concepts, and moods and followed by deteriorations in self-concept, mood, and social perception. The authors discuss possible perpetuating influences of interpersonal sensitivity in bulimic syndromes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hypersensitivity to airborne allergens common in the central region of Coahuila

A retrospective review of 247 clinical files of patient that have responded to the office allergy and immunology since 1990 to 1993 in Monclova, Coah., for allergy illness. This study was to determine the frequency of Aeroalergens and foods sensitization in Monclova, Coahuila, mediated Allergy Test Skin (intradermo reactions, and Prick) and MAST immuno Systems (Multiple Allergy System Test). The patients were highly sensitive to house dust (13.5%) others aeroalergen pollen grains, were; rusian thistle (7.1%), Pigweed (5.4%), Cynodon Dactylon (4.9%), Pecan (4.8%), Ragweed Mix (4.8%), Rye grass (4.8%) other polen (32.4%). The molds: Candida (3.2%), Alternaria (2.7%), Rhizopus (3.6%), Penicillium (2.1%), Fusarium (2.1%), other molds (8.7%). The foods more important were: Wheat (21.3%), Cheese (10.0%), Shellfish Mix (10.0%), Pork (8.8%), Egg Yolk (7.5%).     

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to humidifier disease: seek and ye shall find

A rare case of "complex" cardiac myxoma is reported. Complex cardiac myxoma manifests with more constitutional signs than the sporadic type. These constitutional signs are known to be associated with the overproduction of interleukin-6 by cardiac myxomas. In our study, immunohistochemical staining of the myxoma for interleukin-6 was strongly positive. The serum interleukin-6 level decreased after surgical removal of the tumor and has remained undetectable for the past 2 years.     

Hypersensitivity as a cause of dermatologic and vaginal moniliasis resistant to topical therapy

The finding of multiple respiratory or skin allergies together with a high rate of improvement by desensitization leads the author to conclude that allergy is a predisposing factor for the chronicity or recurrence of vaginal or dermatologic moniliasis. Desensitization with Candida albicans antigen was the mainstay in the treatment of resistant dermatologic or vaginal moniliasis and the sole form of therapy in cases of nail involvement with deep seated lesions out of the reach of topical agents.     

Sauna-takers disease. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to contaminated water in a home sauna

Daily saunas taken by a young man were followed by fever, chills, malaise, dyspnea, cough, and myalgia from six to eight hours later. Symptoms, which were related to pouring water from a sauna bucket over the heating element, progressed to chronic dyspnea and fatigue. Serial serum samples showed precipitin reactions to bucket water and extracts of bucket mold. IgG antibody activity, demonstrated by radioimmunoassay, suggested that Pullularia was a major antigen.     

Hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents associated with up-regulation of glucose-regulated stress protein GRP78

We have shown previously that NAD/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-deficient cells that overexpress Mr 78,000 glucose-regulated stress protein (GRP78) are resistant to topoisomerase II inhibitors, such as etoposide, m-amsacrine, and doxorubicin. However, these cells have been found to be hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking agents, including melphalan, cisplatin, and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). These observations prompted us to examine whether overexpression of GRP78 is associated with modulation of cytotoxicity of clinically useful DNA-cross-linking agents such as melphalan, BCNU, and cisplatin. We up-regulated GRP78 in V79 Chinese hamster cells by 2-5-fold using two independent approaches that include exposure to 6-aminonicotinamide, or 2-deoxyglucose. Subsequently, these GRP78-overexpressing cells were trypsinized, plated in regular medium without GRP78-inducing agents, and allowed a 5-h attachment time before being treated with melphalan, BCNU, or cisplatin for 1 h to determine clonogenic survivals. In addition, repair of DNA cross-links induced by those agents were determined by alkaline elution assay. Our results show that the GRP78-overexpressing V79 cells are hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking agents compared to the control V79 cells. Furthermore, repair of drug-induced DNA cross-links appears to be considerably slower in these cells relative to that found in control V79 cells. Thus, our results suggest that (a) up-regulation of GRP78 is associated with an impairment of DNA cross-link repair, (b) up-regulation of GRP78 is associated with potentiation of cytotoxicity induced by alkylating and platinating agents, and (c) up-regulation of GRP78 can be considered as a potentially useful tool to modulate the cytotoxicity of clinically useful alkylating and platinating agents.     

Hypersensitivity reactions to etoposide. A report of three cases and review of the literature

Etoposide (VP 16) is an antineoplastic agent that has major activity against a number of tumors, including germ cell neoplasms, small cell lung cancer, and malignant lymphoma. It is a derivative of podophyllin, and acts by inhibiting mitosis. Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, alopecia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Hypersensitivity reactions are uncommon however, and the underlying mechanism is unclear. We report three cases of etoposide hypersensitivity and review the literature.     

蜜蜂球囊菌分泌多种胞外酶侵染蜜蜂幼虫

对健康和患病蜜蜂幼虫血淋巴进行SDS-PAGE电泳和蛋白酶、酯酶的活性染色,以研究蜜蜂球囊菌分泌的胞外酶种类及对蜜蜂侵染的作用.结果表明:健康蜜蜂幼虫血淋巴中的蛋白含量丰富,主要由4种高分子质量的蛋白组成,而患病幼虫血淋巴中的蛋白含量很少,主要蛋白组分被降解;在患病幼虫血淋巴中可以检测到健康幼虫所没有的多种蛋白酶和酯酶的活性.可见,蜜蜂球囊菌在侵染蜜蜂幼虫的过程中涉及到胞外酶的作用,这些胞外酶参与降解蜜蜂的组织,为蜜蜂球囊菌的生长提供营养.     

Index of suspicion. Case 1. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

We report a case of a 17-year-old white girl with Marfan's syndrome and generalized absence-type seizures since 11 years of age. A video EEG recording for six hours demonstrated 52 episodes of clinical generalized absence-type seizures and three-per-second spike and wave epileptiform discharges, characteristic of petit mal epilepsy. Sodium valproate therapy was successful in controlling her seizures. In this article, we review various possible causes of epilepsy in patients with Marfan's syndrome.     

Hypersensitivity interstitial pneumopathy and ulcero-hemorrhagic rectocolitis: role of methotrexate

The authors report the case of a 46-year-old man with refractory ulcerative colitis treated with methotrexate who was admitted in the hospital for asthenia, fever, cough and dyspnea. Owing to the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome despite broad spectrum antibiotherapy, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. A diagnosis of pneumonitis due to methotrexate was made. Patient's condition improved after discontinuation of the drug, mechanical ventilation, and corticosteroids. The increasing use of methotrexate in several gastroenterological diseases warrants further consideration of the potential devastating side effects of this drug, particularly on the lungs. A review of the literature on this topic is provided in the "discussion" section.