Comparison of the bronchodilatory effects of cetirizine, albuterol, and both together versus placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: Many potential users of the H1 antihistamine cetirizine are asthmatic and may be using inhaled albuterol. This study was conducted to assess the possible bronchodilatory effect of cetirizine in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and to determine whether cetirizine interacts with albuterol. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, the effects on pulmonary function of 5, 10, and 20 mg oral doses of cetirizine with and without inhaled albuterol (180 micrograms) were determined in 12 patients at 11 time points over 8 hours. The primary measure of efficacy was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). RESULTS: Cetirizine with or without albuterol significantly increased FEV1, peak expiratory flow rate, and forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of vital capacity relative to baseline and placebo but did not have a significant effect on forced vital capacity. The effect of 20 mg of cetirizine on FEV1 was generally greater than that of 10 or 5 mg, but the difference was statistically significant only at the 30-minute time point (p < 0.05). All three cetirizine doses produced significantly greater increases than placebo in FEV1 and forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of vital capacity for 8 hours and in peak expiratory flow rate for 7 hours (p < 0.02). Albuterol alone had a significant effect on the four pulmonary function variables from 1 to 5 hours after baseline (p < 0.05), which is consistent with albuterol's recommended dosing frequency of every 4 to 6 hours. Albuterol alone increased FEV1 significantly more than 5 mg of cetirizine alone but not 10 mg or 20 mg of cetirizine alone at 60, 90, and 120 minutes after baseline, but all three doses of cetirizine increased FEV1 significantly more than albuterol 7 and 8 hours after baseline (p < 0.05), indicating that the bronchodilatory action of cetirizine lasts longer than that of albuterol. Cetirizine neither potentiated nor inhibited the bronchodilatory action of albuterol, but the two drugs appeared to have an additive bronchodilatory effect. None of the cetirizine treatments caused a worsening of pulmonary function, and all were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Cetirizine has a significant bronchodilatory effect in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and can be used to treat concomitant conditions (e.g., allergic rhinitis) without concern that it will interfere with the bronchodilatory effect of albuterol or cause worsening of asthma by itself.

Immediate and delayed type hypersensitivity to malathion.

Between December 1989 and June 1990, 1,874 reports of alleged malathion application related illness from repeated spraying of a mixture of malathion corn syrup bait to eradicate a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation in Southern California were received by the Toxics Epidemiology Program of Los Angeles County. Among these complaints were 47 reports of urticaria, 38 reports of angioedema and 213 reports of a nonspecific skin rash. In order to determine whether these alleged skin reactions were the result of an immediate or delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction to malathion or to the corn syrup bait we studied ten subjects referred for testing by the local health department. All ten subjects had no reaction on patch testing. One child exhibited a positive reaction to the bait and one child had irritant reactions to malathion and to the bait. This study documented one case of a possible immediate IgE reaction to malathion bait. Due to the low participation rates in this study, no specific conclusions concerning the rate of sensitivity in the population can be drawn, although it appears that such reactions are uncommon.

Recurrent respiratory disease, azoospermia, and nasal polyposis. A syndrome that mimics cystic fibrosis and immotile cilia syndrome.

Three adult men with chronic sinopulmonary disease, nasal polyposis, and azoospermia were studied. All had normal sweat chloride values and pancreatic function. The azoospermia was due to a block in the epididymis that was distinguishable from the defect in the vas deferens seen in cystic fibrosis. Cilia structure was normal in sperm tails from testicular biopsy specimens and in cilia from tracheal biopsy specimens. These cases represent a clinical entity distinct from cystic fibrosis and known immotile cilia disorders.

Effect of midbrain stimulus-induced analgesia on immune function in humans.

Electrical stimulation of midbrain structures produces significant and clinically useful analgesia in humans. However, it has been suggested to have immunosuppressive effects in animals. We evaluated immune function in two women who were utilizing implanted midbrain electrodes for pain control. An elevated B cell percentage was observed in one patient after a 72-h control rest period and this was followed by a reproducible fall in B cells after acute stimulation. However, midbrain electrical stimulation did not appear to have any other acute or chronic effects on these persons' immune functions.

Ocular disorders associated with a new severe acquired cellular immunodeficiency syndrome.

Among the prominent features of a newly described acquired cellular immunodeficiency syndrome that affects previously healthy male homosexuals are multiple opportunistic infections and Kaposi's sarcoma. Immunosuppression induced by cytomegalovirus infection may play a major role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. We have performed ophthalmic examinations on seven such patients and found ocular abnormalities in all cases. Six patients were examined during the course of their illness and one patient at autopsy only. Each patient had several cotton-wool spots in the affected eye. Other ocular findings included cytomegalovirus retinitis, severe retinal periphlebitis, and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma (one case each).

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and mucosal candidiasis in previously healthy homosexual men: evidence of a new acquired cellular immunodeficiency.

Four previously healthy homosexual men contracted Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, extensive mucosal candidiasis, and multiple viral infections. In three of the patients these infections followed prolonged fevers of unknown origin. In all four cytomegalovirus was recovered from secretions. Kaposi's sarcoma developed in one patient eight months after he presented with esophageal candidiasis. All patients were anergic and lymphopenic; they had no lymphocyte proliferative responses to soluble antigens, and their responses to phytohemagglutinin were markedly reduced. Monoclonal-antibody analysis of peripheral-blood T-cell subpopulations revealed virtual elimination of the Leu-3 / helper/inducer subset, an increased percentage of the Leu-2 + suppressor/cytoxic subset, and an increased percentage of cells bearing the thymocyte-associated antigen T10. The inversion of the T/ helper to suppressor/cytotoxic ratio suggested that cytomegalovirus infection was an important factor in the pathogenesis of the immunodeficient state. A high level of exposure of male homosexuals to cytomegalovirus-infected secretions may account for the occurrence of this immune deficiency.