Allergologia et immunopathologia
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Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) · May 1987
Cytologic study of food microaspiration in recurrent obstructive bronchopathy.
Sixty-four cases of infants ranging from 4 to 24 months of age (fed on milk) who suffered from Recurrent Obstructive Bronchopathy and a group of 10 healthy children were studied during 6 months (from May to October, 1984) in order to evaluate the incidence of the microaspiration phenomenon. This was done by means of a quick, easy and very cheap cytological method which etiologically diagnoses the microaspiration through fat elements phagocitized by the alveolar macrophages. They were evident in two different ways: 1) a new method of stained cellulae of a better morphological fidelity. 2) a larger quantity of exploratory smears from each patient which allowed an easier elimination of positive falses and a better individuation of negative falses. The data obtained by the technic were statistically processed using the significance of Chi or Khy square test, so as to make an exploratory-descriptive study of the method through the comparison of the averages obtained from the samples, smears and macrophages.
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Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) · Jan 1984
ReviewDiagnostic and predictive test procedures in patients with life-threatening anaphylactic and anaphylactoid drug reactions.
The main objective of the paper is to discuss the methods by which the severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions to drugs can be detected and mechanism of the abnormal response studied. Three main groups of drugs are discussed: Beta lactams antibiotics, anaesthetics and anaesthetic, adjuvants, and iodinated radiocontrast media. The principles of reaction, mechanisms and tests are discussed, and results of skin and in vitro blood tests compared.
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"Immunopharmacology" evolved as a field of research in its own right when it was appreciated that pharmacological methods can contribute to the understanding of immune mechanisms on the one hand or can be used to influence or even control immune reactions at all stages and levels. The best studied subjects of immunopharmacology are release and effects of the chemical mediator substances which are responsible for the reactions of effector cells thus causing the clinical symptoms in allergic or inflammatory diseases. In the type I allergic (anaphylactic) reactions the primary target cells are tissue mast cells or basophil granulocytes which discharge their granular contents upon interaction of immunoglobulin E fixed to their surface with the specific antigen or--in the anaphylactoid reaction--upon stimulation with an appropriate chemical substance (so-called histamine-liberator). ⋯ In those mainly cytotoxic effects of lipases and hydrolases are involved. cAMP active agents have, therefore, only limited modulating effects and steroid hormones are more effective in inhibiting the acute lesions in type II and III allergies. Only during the last decade the involvement of chemical mediators in type IV (cellular immunity) allergic reactions has been appreciated. 26 different factors called lymphokines have been discovered and classified as mediators of cellular immune reactions. However, rather little is yet known about their chemical nature and about the influence of drugs on their production or action.