Fatal alveolar echinococcosis of the lumbar spine.

For the last 10 years, the southern part of Belgium has been recognized as a low-risk area of endemicity for alveolar echinococcosis. This infection, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, usually induces a severe liver condition and can sometimes spread to other organs. However, alveolar echinococcosis involving bones has been described only very rarely.

[Elimination of airborne allergens from the household environment].

Exposure to allergens could be either a risk factor of sensitization and nonspecific hyperresponsiveness in genetically predisposed patients or a risk of onset of asthma attack in certain allergic asthma. During the past 20 years, in western countries the houses have become higher and the number of furred pets have increased and have been more kept inside the house which makes probable that exposure to indoor aeroallergen has increased. The development of new methods of allergen measurements allows a more precise identification of allergen source and reservoirs, an assessment of allergen exposure and a monitoring of allergen eviction methods.

Repeated inhalation of low doses of cat allergen that do not induce clinical symptoms increases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil cationic protein levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether repeated exposure to subclinical doses of cat allergens, not inducing asthma symptoms, could affect eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or in peripheral blood, without the appearance of clinical symptoms. Twelve patients with mild asthma, all sensitized to cats and not exposed to cat allergen at home, underwent a series of inhalations of cat allergen or placebo for 8 days over 2 weeks. A methacholine challenge was performed before and after the allergen and saline exposures, and BAL and blood were sampled for ECP measurements and eosinophil counts.

[Occupational asthma caused by a coloring reagent].

A case of occupational asthma associated with rhinitis and conjunctivitis occurred in a patient working in a textile factory and exposed to different coloring reagents is reported. Symptoms appeared in phases correlated with changes in the use of the coloring reagents. Prick tests were carried out with the different coloring reagents and were positive for the yellow color.

Effects of various vacuum cleaners on the airborne content of major cat allergen (Fel d 1).

Background: It has been shown that a vacuum cleaner (VC) can increase airborne cat allergen levels. This study aimed to compare the degree of leakage of airborne Fel d 1 levels among five different VCs, both under laboratory conditions and in an apartment with cats.

Methods: Three of the VCs were marketed as antiallergic: a HEPA filter VC (VC A), a water impingement and HEPA filter VC (VC B), and a foam fabric filter VC (VC C).