Clinical evaluation of in vitro leukocyte histamine release in allergy to muscle relaxant drugs.

We have evaluated the in vitro leukocyte histamine release tests for the diagnosis of allergy to muscle relaxant drugs in 40 patients (Group A) and a control group of 44 subjects with negative leukocyte histamine release (Group B). Non-IgE dependent histamine release, expressed as a percentage of the total blood histamine, was 3.94% +/- 0.

NARES: a model of inflammation caused by activated eosinophils?

Twenty patients were selected on the basis of perennial rhinitis, the absence of allergy and with an eosinophil count higher than 20% of total leucocytes in nasal secretions (NARES). Nasal endoscopy with biopsies from the middle turbinate and sinus CT were performed. Biopsies were processed for histological examination and for immunofluorescence.

Life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions to propofol (Diprivan).

Fourteen patients who had had a life-threatening reaction within a few minutes after receiving propofol (Diprivan) were investigated for anaphylaxis 4-6 weeks after the incident. Three kinds of immunologic tests were carried out: skin tests (prick tests and intradermal tests with the drugs used and Intralipid, the solvent for propofol), a leukocyte histamine release test, and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) of immunoglobulin E (IgE) against propofol and muscle relaxants, when they had been given with propofol. It had been previously shown that these were always negative in patients anesthetized with propofol without any complications.

[Cytometry of nasal secretory eosinophilia].

Nasal secretory eosinophilia was evaluated in inflammatory chronic rhinitis by a cytometric method. Thirteen control subjects and 97 patients (nasal polyps = 44; chronic sinusitis = 26; chronic rhinitis = 27) took part in this study. Secretory eosinophilia was low in the control group (0.

[Hypersensitivity accidents to thrombin following the use of biological glues].

Biological adhesives are made of human plasma and bovine heterologous proteins. These entail a poorly documented risk of sensitization. We report about two allergic accidents caused by the injection of Tissucol in the pituitary mucosa of patients suffering from the Rendu-Osler-Weber disease.

[Local immunologic system of the nose and paranasal sinuses].

The mucus membranes of the nasal chambers may be compared to a local immune system which has been called the NALT. The submucosa contains a lymphoid infiltration of T-helpers, T-suppressors and a set of plasma cells capable of synthetizing four IgG subgroups, IgM, IgA and IgD. The IgA plasma cells are most numerous.

[Food allergy].

Ubiquitous and relatively frequent, the food allergy corresponds to the clinical features related to an IgE dependent immunological response, directed against food allergens. Food allergens are mostly glycoproteins contained into eggs, fishes, seafood and some vegetables. Often associated with other atopic diseases, food allergies can be diagnosed by the identification of specific IgE and especially by oral provocative tests.

Basophil histamine release in atopic patients after in vitro provocation with thiopental, Diprivan and chlormethiazole.

The degree of histamine release induced by three different anesthetic drugs was studied in vitro using basophil leukocytes from atopic patients (n = 11) and controls (n = 14). In all, eight dilutions (1/2 to 10(-5)) of Diprivan and its solvent Intralipid, thiopental and chlormethiazole in aqueous solution, were used. Histamine was released in four controls with weak dilutions (1/2 to 10(-5)) of Diprivan (n = 2) and thiopental (n = 2).

Evaluation of a new reactive solid phase for radioimmunoassay of serum specific IgE against muscle relaxant drugs.

Until now, immunoassays for detection of anti-muscle relaxant IgE in serum have been performed with the drug coupled to epoxy-activated Sepharose or to RAST papers dics. In the present work we have used a quaternary ammonium-Sepharose in which the quaternary ammonium reactive group (choline chloride) was directly coupled to Sepharose via an ether linkage. 50 microliters of the quaternary ammonium solid phase (QAS) was incubated with 50 microliters of serum for 3 h, washed, incubated 18 h with 125I-anti-IgE and washed again.

[The so-called "idiopathic" anaphylaxis: allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions].

The anaphylaxis that is called idiopathic (A.I.) forms less than 1% of the publications that are concerned with anaphylaxis.

[Clinical and pathogenic aspects of NARES (non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome)].

Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome (NARES) accounts for 14% of rhinitis. It is defined by a syndrome of nasal hyper-reactivity over more than three months, the absence of any atopic factor, and an eosinophilia of nasal secretions 20% greater than the leukocytes. The main features are evidenced by the authors on the basis of 20 observations.

[Rhino-sinusal immunology].

Nose and sinus pathology is frequently related to a chronic inflammation, the mechanisms of which involve different cell types that form the MALT, or effector cells. B-lymphocytes are three times more numerous than the T-lymphocytes, where the CD4+ cells predominate over the CD8+ cells. IgA's are mainly secreted by the plasmocytes.

[Skin sensitivity to respiratory allergens in agricultural workers and wage-earners].

Prick tests were performed with "pneumallergerns" (mites, cereal dusts, animal dander, pollens, moulds--totalling 35 allergens) among 742 agricultural workers of the Meuse department (North East of France) as part of an epidemiological study on respiratory and immuno-allergological problems. Among those with positive skin tests, 47.9% had positive skin tests for mites, 22.

[Insufficiency of ethmoidectomy in the treatment of nasal polyposis].

The authors report 100 ethmoidectomies performed on 50 patients between 01/87 and 09/89. 75% have been treated anteriorly by systemic corticosteroids. 65% have had prior sinus surgery.

Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome a precursor of the triad: nasal polyposis, intrinsic asthma, and intolerance to aspirin.

Fifty-two cases of perennial rhinitis were studied, leading to the diagnosis of seven cases of nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) a frequency of 13.5%. Symptoms of nasal hyperreactivity involving sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus were more severe than in other types of rhinitis.