1/7. What does anisakis simplex parasitism in gastro-allergic anisakiasis teach us about interpreting specific and total IgE values?BACKGROUND: gastro-allergic anisakiasis is a mostly transitory clinical entity caused by anisakis simplex (A. simplex) and can be suspected by history and confirmed by fiberoptic gastroscopy and specific IgE. OBJECTIVE: we report a case of gastro-allergic anisakiasis, in which the parasite induces a high specific and total IgE response, and want to follow the specific and total IgE values by a serologic follow up over 10 months. methods: an analysis of total IgE and specific IgE against. A. simplex was performed within 24 hours, after 1, 4, 6 and 10 months. At month 4 and month 10 specific IgE against ascaris lumbricoides and echinococcus granulosus was determined in order to value cross-reactivity. RESULTS: there is an important raise in specific IgE against anisakis simplex (up to 903 kU/l) after 6 months and total IgE (up to 15,258 kU/l) after one month. Cross-reactive specific IgE against ascaris lumbricoides and echinococcus granulosus can be detected. CONCLUSIONS: we consider a raise of total and specific IgE as a typical feature of helminth infestation and learn that specific and total IgE values are highly variable in the months following the allergic and parasite-specific reaction. The amount of specific IgE against other cross reactive parasites depends directly on the total IgE values.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. A compound heterozygous mutation of the SPINK5 gene in a Taiwanese boy with netherton syndrome.netherton syndrome (NS) is a severe, autosomal, recessive ichthyosis. It is characterized by congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE), trichorrhexis invaginata (TI) - a distinctive hair-shaft anomaly, and atopic diathesis. Recently, pathogenic mutations were identified in serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5), the gene that encodes lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI), a recently identified type of serine protease inhibitor involved in the regulation of skin barrier formation and immunity. Here we report the mutation analysis of a 7-year-old Taiwanese boy with NS manifesting CIE with pathognomic ichthyosis linearis circumflexa and TI. Direct dna sequencing of SPINK5 demonstrated a compound heterozygous mutation in the proband, 2260A>T (K754X) in exon 24 and 2468delA in exon 26. The former is a novel mutation and was detected in the mother. The latter mutation was detected in the father and has been previously reported in several European families. Both mutations are expected to result in premature termination codons. mutation analysis could provide a reliable prenatal diagnosis of this lethal ichthyosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. Allergic reactions, including asthma, to the pineapple protease bromelain following occupational exposure.A 58-year-old pharmaceutical worker regularly developed asthma and rhinitis when handling bromelain, a purified protease of pineapple (ananas comosus), at her work-place, where she had been employed for about 10 years. RAST and prick test showed strong positive reactions to bromelain. Both inhalation test with 0.03 mg bromelain and peroral challenge by ingestion of 190 g pineapple resulted in asthmatic reactions; the latter challenge was accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Five of six workers sensitized to papain, showed positive RAST and skin test results to bromelain, two of them also showed immediate asthmatic reactions after bronchial challenge with bromelain. Out of sixty asthmatics not exposed to airborne proteases but probably to these as constituents of foods, two had positive skin test results and eight had positive RAST results to bromelain; but in no case was there clear evidence for clinical sensitization. The presented data prove conclusively that bromelain is capable of inducing IgE mediated respiratory and gastrointestinal allergic reactions. Furthermore, there is evidence for immunological cross-reaction between the two plant proteases bromelain and papain in human subjects.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.75keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Distichiasis complicating allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.Three patients had four lid distichiasis and signs and symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The findings consisted of ocular irritation with tearing, photophobia, periodic lid swelling, rhinorrhea, and boggy nasal mucosa. Treatment of the allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was unsuccessful until the distichiasis was relieved. Exacerbations of signs and symptoms recurred when lashes regrew. A neural reflex relationship exists to explain most of the symptom complex resulting from ocular irritation. In the evaluation of patients with rhinoconjunctivitis, trichiasis should be looked for, especially if there is noticeable photophobia present.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. An immunopathologic study of giant papillary conjunctivitis associated with an ocular prosthesis.A 21-year-old woman, whose left eye had been enucleated when she was 2 years old, developed giant papillary conjunctivitis and experienced ocular discomfort and increased tearing when she wore her prosthesis. Cultures grew normal flora, and topical antibiotics failed to relieve her symptoms. Immunopathologic studies of a conjunctival biopsy specimen disclosed plasma cells of all five classes of immunoglobulins in the substantia propria and many IgE-containing cells. Russell bodies found in some of the plasma cells were of the IgM and IgG types. The patient was treated with a 2% solution of cromolyn sodium, applied four times a day. Within one month, her symptoms had resolved, there was less conjunctival congestion, and the papillae were much less prominent. Our findings suggested that there may be a heterogenous humoral response in giant papillary conjunctivitis along with a strong immediate (Type I) hypersensitivity component.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. Probable gastrointestinal toxicity of Kombucha tea: is this beverage healthy or harmful?Kombucha tea is a health beverage made by incubating the Kombucha "mushroom" in tea and sugar. Although therapeutic benefits have been attributed to the drink, neither its beneficial effects nor adverse side effects have been reported widely in the scientific literature. Side effects probably related to consumption of Kombucha tea are reported in four patients. Two presented with symptoms of allergic reaction, the third with jaundice, and the fourth with nausea, vomiting, and head and neck pain. In all four, use of Kombucha tea in proximity to onset of symptoms and symptom resolution on cessation of tea drinking suggest a probable etiologic association.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.25keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. Nutrition: an integral component in the health care of children. The interdisciplinary team in action.The purpose of this paper is not to disseminate new findings or to review past research, but simply to state a progressive clinical philosophy in practical terms. Current emphasis on specialization and the simultaneous need for comprehensive health care seriously challenge the health professional's ability to provide adequate services without a well integrated interdisciplinary approach. In addition, clinical experience strongly points toward the need for individualization of treatment within this broad spectrum of interdisciplinary management. The problems of childhood allergies, epilepsy, and feeding problems are used to illustrate this concept, and the interplay between psychic and somatic factors has been highlighted as rationale for integration of nutrition in an interdisciplinary health care program for children.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |