Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Feb 2000
Comparative StudyComparison of three commercial ultrasonic nebulizers.
The clinical acceptance of the initial ultrasonic nebulizers was impeded by their production of significant quantities of droplets larger than the respirable range that could have resulted in poor pulmonary deposition of nebulized medications. Subsequent modifications in the design of ultrasonic nebulizers have occurred. Overall nebulizer performance characteristics of the newer ultrasonic devices have not been evaluated. ⋯ We conclude that several improvements in the design of ultrasonic nebulizers have resulted in the reduction of the size of the droplets generated. Our evaluation of the three commercially available ultrasonic nebulizers revealed that the majority of droplets generated were within or below the respirable range. There was no concentrating or diluting effect during nebulization for all three nebulizers. The output characteristics of the three devices differ and this will effect the delivery time as well as amount of drug delivered to the lungs.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jan 2000
Increased perception of dyspnea by inhalation of short acting beta2 agonist in patients with asthma of varying severity.
Poor perception of dyspnea in asthma may lead to a delay in starting appropriate treatment which is probably one of the factors contributing to death from asthma. ⋯ These studies demonstrate that inhalation of short acting beta2 agonist treatment decrease dyspnea, but increase perception of dyspnea induced by a resistive load in patients with asthma, and the mechanism of the increased perception may not be related to the increased airflow rate. It may be due to some local or central effects of bronchodilator drug on perception of asthma.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Sep 1999
Clinical usefulness of patch and challenge tests in the diagnosis of cell-mediated allergy to betalactams.
Literature reports dealing with cell-mediated allergy to betalactams have appeared with increasing frequency in the last years. ⋯ Delayed allergy to betalactams (mainly to aminopenicillins) may be exerted by a cell-mediated response. Patch tests and tolerance challenges are extremely useful and safe for diagnosis and further clinical treatment of these patients, helping to identify safe alternative betalactam molecules that could be successfully tolerated by the allergic subjects.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 1999
Case ReportsAdult onset grape hypersensitivity causing life threatening anaphylaxis.
Adverse reactions to foods are encountered much less frequently in adults than in the children. Adult onset hypersensitivity to grapes has not been previously reported. ⋯ Hypersensitivity to a commonly consumed fruit such as grapes can develop late in life causing a near-fatal anaphylaxis.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jun 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRisk factors for acetaminophen and nimesulide intolerance in patients with NSAID-induced skin disorders.
Previous studies show skin reactions after exposure to acetaminophen and/or nimesulide to occur in about 10% of patients with a history of urticaria induced by aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This fact is surprising since cross-reactivity among different NSAIDs should not occur among subjects without a history of chronic urticaria. ⋯ In at least 20% of patients with a history of urticaria/angioedema or anaphylaxis induced by aspirin or other NSAIDs, but without a history of chronic urticaria, cross-reactivity with other NSAIDs occurs. Atopy as well as a history of aspirin-induced anapylactoid reactions seem to represent relevant risk factors for intolerance to alternative NSAIDs. In view of these findings, aspirin-intolerant patients with such clinical features should be submitted to peroral tolerance tests with at least two alternative substances in order to avoid potentially severe reactions.