Allergy in the West Indies - abstract

Allergy-related illnesses (respiratory, food and others) occur frequently in West Indians. A prospective study of 1038 Jamaican adolescents revealed high levels (males 52 percent, females 41 percent) of allergy prevalence. The respiratory allergies were the most common; 21 percent of the allergic subjects gave a history of bronchial asthma. Only 19 percent of the latter group had their illness diagnosed by a doctor. A retrospective study of 512 patients in a local allergy practice showed that respiratory allergies usually occurred perenially, and the patients' skin tested positive to house dust mite, moulds and pollens. Immunotherapy was effective if very dilute dosages were used. Laboratory investigations of allergic and non-allergic medical students and technologists at the University of the West Indies revealed normal total serum IgE levels (0-380 kU/L) in 18 of 24 subjects and only moderately elevated levels in the remaining 6 subjects. Total serum IgG4 was unexpectedly found to be increased in most of the study subjects (18 of 24). Further studies are necessary to further clarify these findings (AU)

Year-round total serum IgE and IgG4 levels in allergic and non-allergic West Indian medical students

Twenty-four allergic and non-allergic West Indian medical students and pathology technologists had repeated serum IgE an dIgG4 levels determined over a one-year period. Contrary to previously published reports on this type of population, total serum IgE levels were usually consistently normal (18 of 24 subjects) with little variation throughout the year. The remaining six subjects, all allergic and non-allergic elevated levels (620-1096 kU/1). Total serum IgG4 was elevated in most of the allergic and non-allergic subjects (18 0f 24). Perennial exposure to molds and house dust mite in this tropical environment could possibly produce the chronic antigenic stimulation reponsible for the elevation in serum IgG4 levels found in this study (AU)

Year-round total serum IgE and IgG4 levels in allergic and non-allergic West Indian Medical Students

Twenty-four allergic and non-allergic West Indian medical studients and pathology technologists had repeated serum IgE and IgG4 levels determined over a one-year period. Contrary to previously published reports on this type of population, total serum IgE levels were usualaly consistently normal (18 of 24 subjects) with little variation throughout the year. The remaininh six subjects, all allergic, showed moderately elevated levels (620 - 1096 KU/1). Total serum IgG4 was elevated in most of the allergic and non-allergic subjects (18 of 24). Perinnial exposure to molds and house dust mite in this tropical environment could possibly produce the chronic antigenic stimulation responsible for the elevation in serum IgG4 levels found in this study

Total serum IgE and IgG4 levels in allergic and non-allergic West Indian medical students - abstract

Despite high prevalence rates of allergic illnesses in the region, the laboratory indices of these disorders have not been documented. This prospective controlled study was undertaken to determine the levels of sensitizing antibodies (IgE and IgG4) and their variation over a one-year period. The subjects, 17 allergic and 7 non-allergic pre-clinical medical students and laboratory technologists, were selected by questionnaire. Blood samples were collected at approximately 3-monthly intervals and a stool sample at the beginning of the study. Routine haematological and microbiological investigations were carried out on blood and stool samples respectively. IgE was measured by enzyme immunoassay and IgG4 by radial immunodiffusion. Haematological and coprological investigations were normal in all subjects. Total serum IgE levels were higher in allergic subjects than in controls (geometric means 192ñ4.5 and 77ñ3.5 Ku/1 respectively) and there were no seasonal fluctuations in either group. Both groups had similar IgG4 levels which also showed no seasonal variation (geometric means 0.88ñ2.18 and 1.01ñ1.89g/L respectively). These IgG4 values were elevated in comparison with those reported for Europeans (mean 0.6g/1). The total IgE levels in our study, which were within the normal range for temperate populations, were much lower than those reported for tropical populations. Total serum IgE levels in isolation were unable to distinguish between allergic and non-allergic individuals. There was no evidence of a seasonal allergen. The elevation in IgG4 levels in control and allergic subjects has not been previously reported. Chronic antigenic stimulation is thought to produce elevated IgG4 levels. It is possible that chronic perennial allergenic stimulation may contribute to the raised IgG4 levels found in this study (AU)

The prevalence of allergic disease in Jamaican adolescents

A study of 349 male and 689 female adolescents revealed allergies in 182 (52 percent) and 285 (41 percent) respectively. Many of the allergic subjects reported histories suggesting bronchial asthma, (44 percent of the males and 49 percent of the females), high rates of family involvement and low rates of confirmation by a doctor. Various factors contributing to this high prevalence are discussed. Little research has been done in Jamaica on this important problem.(AU)

Cases of poisoning presenting in the Casualty Department of Cornwall Regional Hospital, Jamaica

Two hundred and eighty-one cases of poisoning were seen over a period of 2 years in the Casualty Department of the Cornwall Regional Hospital of which 226 were admitted and 6 died. Children aged 1-4 years were most frequently affected (56.6 percent of all patients). In toddlers, kerosene was the most involved poison. Ackee poisoning (30 cases) was not uncommon in older children and is believed to have caused 5 of the six deaths. Ganja intoxication was seen in 8 cases but there was no instance of poisoning, 10 of whom were foreign tourists, but only one death occurred. A Poison Information Centre has been established in the Casualty Department and is proving valuable. Continued public education on the dangers of poisoning, especially in children, is necessary (AU)

Adamantinoma

A study of clinical and pathological features in patients presenting with Adamantinoma at the Kingston Public Hospital and the University Hospital of the West Indies from 1958 to 1964 was made. The features found here corresponded with those recorded in the literature and the tumor was found to represent about 42 percent of primary bone tumors in Jamaica (AU)