In vivo diagnosis with purified tropomyosin in mite and shellfish allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Tropomyosin is the most studied shellfish allergen and has been involved in cross-reactivity among different invertebrates (crustacean, mollusks, mites, insects, and nematodes). OBJECTIVE: To determine the relevance of tropomyosin in mite- and shellfish-sensitized patients using tropomyosin skin testing. METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: group M included mite allergic patients (ie, individuals with respiratory symptoms and a positive result on skin prick testing [SPT] to house dust mites), group S included shellfish allergic patients (ie, individuals who reported symptoms with shellfish), and group MS included mite- and shellfish allergic patients (ie, individuals who simultaneously fulfilled the inclusion criteria for groups M and S). Tropomyosin was purified from shrimp, characterized, and used in SPT for diagnosis in the patient population. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty patients were included in the study: 790 (92.9%) in group M, 21 (2.5%) in group S, and 39 (4.6%) in group MS. Tropomyosin was purified from shrimp with a purity higher than 95%. Forty-two individuals tested positive to tropomyosin: the prevalence was 2.7% in group M, 28.6% in group S, and 38.5% in patients of group MS. Twenty-one (50%) of the tropomyosin-positive individuals had symptoms with shellfish, and 3 (14.3%) reported anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tropomyosin was low in mite-sensitized patients (2.7 %) and high in shellfish allergic patients (28.6%). The higher prevalence of tropomyosin was found in patients sensitized to both mite and shellfish (38.5%). The selection of tropomyosin-sensitized patients by SPT might help in the choice of appropriate treatments or management for these patients.

Recently introduced foods as new allergenic sources: sensitisation to Goji berries (Lycium barbarum).

Goji berries (GB) have been introduced in Western diet. Preliminary reports have demonstrated its allergenic capacity. The objectives of the study were to investigate the frequency of sensitisation and the allergens involved. 566 individuals, with respiratory or cutaneous symptoms were skin-prick tested with GB extract. Thirty three were positive (5.8%). 94% were sensitised to other allergens. Specific IgE to GB, peach, tomato and nut-mix was measured. Thirteen individuals from 24 available sera (54.2%) had positive specific IgE. 92.3% of GB positive patients were positive to peach. Seven individuals recognised 8 bands and six recognised a 7kDa band. This band was identified as a LTP by MS/MS. Cross-reactivity was demonstrated with tomato, tobacco, nutmix, Artemisia pollen and purified Lyc e 3 and Pru p 3. GB are a new allergenic source with high prevalence of sensitisation. LTP seems to be the major allergen involved in sensitisation and cross-reactivity.

Efectividad de una intervención educativa en conocimientos sobre sexualidad responsable en mujeres con discapacidad intelectual / Effectiveness of an educational intervention regarding knowledge on responsible sexuality in women with intellectual disability

Introducción: la discapacidad intelectual constituye un problema social en la salud reproductiva de la mujer. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa en conocimientos sobre sexualidad responsable de mujeres con discapacidad intelectual. Métodos: estudio cuasiexperimental en el policlínico Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía durante 2010 y 2011. La muestra estuvo conformado por 114 mujeres con discapacidad intelectual ligera o moderada previo consentimiento familiar. La información se obtuvo mediante encuesta y entrevistas validadas por expertos. Se identificaron los factores de conducta sexual de riesgo, se diseñó y aplicó una intervención educativa con técnicas participativas y se evaluaron las acciones desarrolladas con los instrumentos iníciales. Resultados: predominaron la paridad 1-2 hijos (47,3 por ciento), la edad de inicio de relaciones sexuales de 15-19 años (42,9 por ciento), déficit de conocimientos sobre uso e importancia de métodos de regulación de fecundidad y la implicación del cambio frecuente de pareja como conducta sexual de riesgo 106 (92,9 por ciento). Las técnicas educativas permitieron modificar el nivel de conocimientos, que se evaluó de adecuado al concluir la intervención educativa (86,8 por ciento) y se demostraron adecuadas prácticas de sexualidad (74,5 pr ciento). Conclusiones: la intervención educativa fue efectiva al mejorar el nivel de conocimientos sobre sexualidad responsable en la esfera reproductiva y lograr estabilidad de la pareja sexual de la mujer con discapacidad intelectual(AU)

Introduction: intellectual disability constitutes a social problem for female reproductive health. Objective: to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention regarding knowledge on responsible sexuality in women with intellectual disability. Methods: quasiexperimental study at Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Polyclinic in 2010 and 2011. The sample consisted of 114 women with mild or moderate intellectual disability, under family consent. We obtained the information by surveys and interviews validated by experts. We identified the factor of risky sexual behavior, designed and applied an educational intervention with participative techniques, and assessed the actions developed with the initial tools. Results: parity 1-2 (47.3 percent), age at which they started sexual intercourse 15-19 years (42.9 percent), lack of knowledge about the use and importance of fecundity regulation methods and the implications of having multiple sexual partners as a risky sexual behavior 106 (92.9 percent) predominated. The educational techniques permitted modifying the level of knowledge, which we assessed as adequate when the educational intervention finished (86.8 percent), and adequate sexuality practices were proved (74.5 percent). Conclusions: the educational intervention was effective when the level of knowledge about responsible sexuality in the reproductive sphere was improved and when stability was achieved of the women with intellectual disability and her sexual partner(AU)

La Psicoprofilaxis Obstétrica en gestantes adolescentes: características y beneficios integrales / Obstetric Psychoprophylaxis in teenage pregnants: Features and benefits

El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer las características y beneficios que ofrece la Psicoprofilaxis Obstétrica (PPO) en gestantes adolescentes. Asimismo, conocer en qué medida asisten al control prenatal, a las sesiones de PPO, qué tipo de parto tuvieron y su actitud respecto de la llegada del bebé y la lactancia materna entre otras variables. Se encuestó a 38 gestantes adolescentes del sector privado encontrándose que el 97% de ellas, asistieron a por lo menos 7 controles prenatales, el 100% asistió a 6 de 8 Sesiones de PPO, 86.84% ingresaron en fase activa de trabajo de parto. Se pudo determinar las características de las sesiones de PPO en adolescentes, las cuales mejoraron los procesos de la preparación y los resultados clínicos. Se concluyó, que la PPO es una preparación integral que beneficia a la madre y el bebé. Debería recomendarse como parte de la atención prenatal.

The aim of this study was to determine the features and benefits offered by Obstetric psychoprophylaxis (OPP) in teenage pregnants. Also, to the extent to attend prenatal care sessions PPO, what type of birth had and their attitude to the arrival of the baby and breastfeeding among other variables. We surveyed 38 pregnant teenagers in the private sector was found that 97% of them attended at least 7 prenatal visits, 100% attended 6 of 8 sessions of PPO, 86.84% were admitted in the active phase of labor. It was determined the characteristics of adolescents PPO sessions, which improve the processes of preparation and clinical outcomes. It was concluded that the PPO is their a comprehensive preparation for the major benefits offered to the mother and baby should be recommended as part of your prenatal care.

Psicoprofilaxis Obstétrica: actualización, definiciones y conceptos / Obstetric Psychoprophylaxis: update, definitions and concepts

La Psicoprofilaxis obstétrica (PPO), reconocida como una herramienta de prevención en la atención obstétrica, tiene un impacto positivo en la salud materna y perinatal. En un mundo globalizado, es necesario y conveniente uniformizar criterios, con la finalidad que el personal que integra el programa, pueda trabajar mejor, bajo los mismos conceptos, comprendiendo el mismo significado y objetivos de la PPO, para lograr un trabajo en equipo, con calidad y de esta manera, conseguir el máximo beneficio para las madres, bebés y su entorno. La unificación de definiciones y conceptos, servirá para lograr una gestión ágil y armoniosa en los aspectos técnicos, administrativos y clínicos. El presente artículo tiene como finalidad revisar y actualizar las definiciones y conceptos en PPO, para que sirva de instrumento de apoyo en la gestión y desarrollo de los programas de PPO tanto públicos como privados...

Obstetric Psychoprophylaxis (OPP), recognized as a prevention tool in obstetric care has a positive impact on maternal and perinatal health. In a globalized world, it is necessary and desirable to standardize criteria, in order that staff integrates the program can work better under the same concepts, understanding the very meaning and objectives of the OPP, for a team work with quality and there by achieve the maximum benefit for mothers, babies and their environment. Unifying definitions and concepts, serve to achieve a smooth and harmonious management in the technical, administrative and clinical aspects. This article aims to review and update the definitions and concepts in OPP, to serve as a support tool in the management and development of OPP programs both public and private...

Bovine serum albumin contained in culture medium used in artificial insemination is an important anaphylaxis risk factor.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cause of the anaphylactic reaction after a standard artificial insemination process in a patient diagnosed with asthma. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Residencia Sanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia, Spain) and University of the Basque Country (Vitoria, Spain). PATIENT(S): A 30-year-old woman with a previous medical history compatible with respiratory allergy who suffered an anaphylactic reaction after an artificial insemination with spermatozoids in capable medium (Upgraded B2 INRA medium; Laboratories CCD, Paris, France). INTERVENTION(S): Cutaneous tests and specific IgE levels to inhalant allergens, grass and Olea pollens, and insemination medium were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Specific IgE levels to mammal epithelia and bovine serum albumin (BSA). RESULT(S): Skin prick tests were positive for inhalant allergens such as mites, cat, dog, horse, and rabbit epithelia, grasses and Olea pollens, and the insemination medium. The beta-lactamic tests were negative. The determination of specific IgE demonstrated positive values to mammal epithelia and mammal serum albumins including BSA. CONCLUSION(S): We report a case of an anaphylactic reaction to the BSA included in the insemination culture medium induced by a subclinical sensitivity to serum albumins of mammal epithelia. A previous testing with the medium is recommended and specific testing might be needed in women who have a history of animal epithelium allergies.