Sensitization to rodents (mouse/rat) in urban atopic populations without occupational exposure living in Campania district (Southern Italy): a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Up to now very few data on allergic sensitization to rodent allergens in Western Europe and Italy are available, and there are no information at district level.The aim of this report was to investigate clinical significance and characteristics of allergic sensitization to mouse/rat (M/Rt) allergens in atopic subjects living in Campania district (Southern Italy). METHODS: Allergists from the whole Campania district were required to report the results of skin prick tests of at least 100 consecutive subjects. In 1,477 consecutive outpatients, we selected all subjects with an immediate skin reaction to M/Rt dander. Clinical history including a careful evaluation of the modality of exposure and the results of skin-prick tests (SPTs) were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty seven patients were sensitized to M/Rt dander (5.78%). Two patients were mono-sensitized. Fourteen patients reported indoor conditions suggesting presence of rodents allergens at home. All patients exhibited low-moderate degree of SPT positivity to M/Rt. High frequency of concomitant allergic sensitization to dust mites was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the role of allergic sensitization to rodents is not negligible in atopic subjects without occupational exposure living in Campania district area; these values are higher in comparison to those previously found in Naples area. Highly atopic individuals should be tested by SPTs/evaluation of serum specific IgE to rodents in the case they should begin an occupational exposure to M/Rt or keep these animals as pets.

Avoiding hypothermia, an intervention to prevent morbidity and mortality from pneumonia in young children.

Observations and experiments in animals and human beings grant plausibility to the hypothesis that hypothermia is a risk factor for pneumonia. Exposure of body to cold stress causes alterations in the systemic and local defenses against respiratory infections, favoring the infection by inhalation of pathogens normally present in the oropharynx. Neonates and young infants with hypothermia have an increased risk of death; however, there is no strong demonstration that hypothermia leads to pneumonia in these children. Studies that properly addressed the problem of confounding variables have shown an association between cold weather and pneumonia incidence. Probably the strongest evidence that supports the plausibility of the hypothesis is provided by the controlled comparison between patients with traumatic brain injury treated with hypothermia and those treated under normal body temperature. The association between exposure to cold and pneumonia is strong enough to warrant further research focused in young children in developing countries.

The VISYT trial: Venom Immunotherapy Safety and Tolerability with purified vs nonpurified extracts.

BACKGROUND: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a highly effective treatment but can induce systemic adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of VIT with purified and nonpurified extracts for treating yellow jacket and honeybee allergy. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (mean age, 46 years) with a history of insect venom allergy were randomly allocated to undergo purified extract VIT (group A [44 patients]) or nonpurified extract VIT (group B [50 patients]). Fifty-six patients were allergic to yellow jacket venom (group A: 25; group B: 31) and 38 to honeybee (19 per group). The induction phase was performed using a 2- or 7-day ultrarush scheme. The maintenance phase lasted 11 weeks. Local and systemic reactions were recorded after each injection. RESULTS: A total of 1,401 VIT injections were performed. Six systemic reactions were observed in 4 patients (honeybee-allergic patients only) (4% of patients; 0.4% of injections): 1 patient in group A (2%) and in 3 in group B (6%) (P = .57). Local extensive reactions were recorded after 5 injections in 4 patients (9%) in group A (2 yellow jacket- and 2 honeybee-allergic patients) and after 17 injections in 12 patients (24%) in group B (8 yellow jacket- and 4 honeybee-allergic patients) (P = .02). Total reactions (systemic and large local) numbered 6 in group A (0.9% of injections; 11% of patients) and 20 in group B (2.7% of injections; 30% of patients) (P = .001). CONCLUSION: In patients with honeybee or yellow jacket venom allergy, VIT with purified extracts has a significantly lower propensity toward severe local reactions compared with VIT with nonpurified extracts.

Diagnóstico de lesiones tumorales pulmonares en exámenes sistemáticos de la población / Diagnosis of pulmonary tumors in the course of systematic examinations of the populacion

In the period 1962-1965 the National Tuberculosis Control Center in Santa Fe, Argentina, carried out mass miniature X-ray examinations of 140,051 persons over the age of 14. Out of 135,645 persons who attended for a chest examination, 23 thoracic tumors were diagnosed (1.7 per 10,000) and out of 4,406 persons who attended outpatien departments because of respiratory symptoms 42 such tumors were identified (95.3 per 10,000). The highest prevalence rate was found in symptomatic males over the age of 40 and the lowest in females in the age group 15 to 39

Of the 65 tumors detected, 49 were classified as primary malignant tumors: 46 in males and 3 in females. In the group of males over 40 years of age prevalence was 5.0 per 10,000 in those that attended for chest examinations, as opposed to 321 per 10,000 in cases presenting symptoms

A comparison of the survival rate in the two groups of patients with primary malignant tumors showed that survival is much more likely in those who attend for chest examination than in syptomatic cases. However, the difference was more apparent than real, since clinical histories of the first group showed that in most cases they had had respiratory symptoms to which they attached no importance

If one takes into account the cost of each tumor discovered, mass miniature X-ray examination would not appear to be an efficient public health method for the early ... (AU)

Diagnóstico de lesiones tumorales pulmonares en exámenes sistemáticos de la población / Diagnosis of pulmonary tumors in the course of systematic examinations of the populacion

In the period 1962-1965 the National Tuberculosis Control Center in Santa Fe, Argentina, carried out mass miniature X-ray examinations of 140,051 persons over the age of 14. Out of 135,645 persons who attended for a chest examination, 23 thoracic tumors were diagnosed (1.7 per 10,000) and out of 4,406 persons who attended outpatien departments because of respiratory symptoms 42 such tumors were identified (95.3 per 10,000). The highest prevalence rate was found in symptomatic males over the age of 40 and the lowest in females in the age group 15 to 39

Of the 65 tumors detected, 49 were classified as primary malignant tumors: 46 in males and 3 in females. In the group of males over 40 years of age prevalence was 5.0 per 10,000 in those that attended for chest examinations, as opposed to 321 per 10,000 in cases presenting symptoms

A comparison of the survival rate in the two groups of patients with primary malignant tumors showed that survival is much more likely in those who attend for chest examination than in syptomatic cases. However, the difference was more apparent than real, since clinical histories of the first group showed that in most cases they had had respiratory symptoms to which they attached no importance

If one takes into account the cost of each tumor discovered, mass miniature X-ray examination would not appear to be an efficient public health method for the early ... (AU)

El futuro de la lucha antituberculosa: problemas y perspectivas / The future of the fight against tuberculosis: problems and perspectives

Es realista la estratégia mundial de salud para todos en el año 2000 en lo que se refiere al control de la tuberculosis? Qué habremos logrado en el año 2000? Se comparan algunos pronósticos formulados en el pasado con lo que ha ocurrido en realidad y se intenta señalar nuevas proyecciones

Estado atual dos programas de vacinação pelo BCG na América Latina

O autor não apresentou resumo

Programa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud de infecciones respiratorias agudas en la infancia / The World Health Organization program for acute respiratory infections in children

La elevada incidencia de las infecciones respiratorias agudas en los niños de los países en desarrollo hace necesario establecer estrategias de control. El programa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud a este respecto intenta reducir la mortalidad por esa causa mediante el reconocimiento de los casos graves y la aplicación racional de tratamiento existente