Kinga Lis

Analysis of feline and canine allergen components in patients sensitized to pets

BackgroundComponent resolved allergen diagnosis allows for a precise evaluation of the sensitization profiles of patients sensitized to felines and canines. An accurate interpretation of these results allows better insight into the evolution of a given patients sensitizations, and allows for a more precise evaluation of their prognoses.Methods70 patients (42 women and 28 men, aged 18–65, with the average of 35.5) with a positive feline or canine allergy diagnosis were included in the research group. 30 patients with a negative allergy diagnosis were included in the control group. The total IgE levels of all patients with allergies as well as their allergen-specific IgE to feline and canine allergens were measured. Specific IgE levels to canine (Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, Can f 5) and feline (Fel d 1, Fel d 2, Fel d 4) allergen components were also measured with the use of the ImmunoCap method.ResultsMonosensitization for only one canine or feline component was found in 30% of patients. As predicted, the main feline allergen was Fel d 1, which sensitized as many as 93.9% of patients sensitized to felines. Among 65 patients sensitized to at least one feline component, for 30 patients (46.2%) the only sensitizing feline component was Fel d 1. Only 19 patients in that group (63.3%) were not simultaneously sensitized to dogs and 11 (36.7%), the isolated sensitization to feline Fel d 1 notwithstanding, displayed concurrent sensitizations to one of the canine allergen components. Fel d 4 sensitized 49.2% of the research group.64.3% of patients sensitized to canine components had heightened levels of specific IgE to Can f 1. Monosensitization in that group occurred for 32.1% of the patients. Sensitization to Can f 5 was observed among 52.4% of the patients.ConclusionsConcurrent sensitizations to a few allergic components, not only cross-reactive but also originating in different protein families, are a significant problem for patients sensitized to animals.

The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and paraoxonase activity in blood of patients with osteoarthrosis after endoprosthesis implantation

Summary Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocytes and in blood plasma and the activity of blood paraoxonase (PON1) of patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) submitted to endoprosthesis implantation for evaluating oxidative stress. Material/Methods Study was conducted on 55 patients with OA and on 54 total movement-efficient volunteers. The material for the study was venous blood plasma, serum and erythrocytes. Results Increased concentration of MDAe before surgery was observed in the group of men and in patients with a degenerative process affecting hip joints. After an implantation of endoprosthesis, MDAe decreased to the level observed in the control groups. In the study group MDA concentration in plasma was slightly lower before surgery, and after an operation it reached the value of the parameter of the reference groups. Regardless of sex or age, paraoxonase activity was almost twice as high in almost all subgroups as in the reference group. A positive correlation between PON 1 activity and MDAe concentration was demonstrated both before and after surgery in the group of men. Conclusions The increase of PON1 activity in patients’ serum in relation to the control groups indicates a probable pathogenic role of the increased formation of reactive oxygen species in the course of OA and may suggest acute inflammation of the synovial joint. The high level of PON 1 activity after endoprosthesis implantation indicates that surgical treatment may additionally stimulate ROS generation. MDAe concentration indicate more intensive process of lipid peroxidation in the elderly.

Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis in a patient allergic to peach

Determining the single factor that triggered anaphylactic shock can be challenging. We present an interesting case of a 25-year-old female patient with recurrent anaphylactic reactions developing after eating various foods, particularly in presence of co-factors of allergic reactions. Symptoms occurred after consumption of various kinds of foods – peach, pancakes with cottage cheese and fruit, a meal from a Chinese restaurant – all eaten on other occasions without symptoms. During diagnosis, skin prick tests were negative for all tested allergen extracts (both inhalatory and food) from Allergopharma. Prick by prick tests were positive for the peach – wheal diameter – 6 mm, nectarine – 4 mm (histamine 4 mm, negative control 0 mm). Increased levels of asIgE were found for allergens of peach (0.55 kU/L).Open challenge test with one mid-size peach combined with the physical exercise challenge test was positive. ImmunoCAP ISAC test indicated increased levels of IgE specific for the lipid transfer protein (LTP) for walnut (nJug r 3), peach (Pru p 3), wheat (rTri a 14) and plane tree (rPla a 3). The patient was diagnosed with food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis associated with an allergy to lipid transport proteins (LTPs).

Omalizumab improves FEV1 in patients with severe asthma

Introduction Asthma is a multiphenotypic disease, and therapeutic managenment in patients with severe asthma is particulary difficult, with conventional treatment of severe asthma showing poor efficacy. Aim To analyse forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) following the adminstration of omalizumab. Material and methods Six patinents (mean age: 50 ±12.6) with severe, uncontrolled asthma according to the GINA guidelines were enrolled in the study. Results Treatment with omalizumab increased in all subjects FEV1 by 17.28 ±13.4% after months and 18.57 ±13.4% after 12 months of treatment. Conclusions These results provides further evidence that therapy with omalizumab improves spiromtric parameters in severe asthma.

Beneficial Effects of 6-Month Supplementation with Omega-3 Acids on Selected Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1–3

Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6-month supplementation with omega-3 acids on selected markers of inflammation in patients with CKD stages 1–3. Methods Six-month supplementation with omega-3 acids (2 g/day) was administered to 87 CKD patients and to 27 healthy individuals. At baseline and after follow-up, blood was taken for C-reactive protein (CRP) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration and white blood cell (WBC) count. Serum concentration of omega-3 acids—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—was determined using gas chromatography. And 24-hour urinary collection was performed to measure MCP-1 excretion. Results After six-month omega-3 supplementation, ALA concentration increased in CKD patients and in the reference group, while EPA and DHA did not change. At follow-up, a significant decrease in urinary MCP-1 excretion in CKD (p = 0.0012) and in the reference group (p = 0.001) was found. CRP, serum MCP-1, and WBC did not change significantly. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) did not change significantly in the CKD group. Conclusions The reduction of urinary MCP-1 excretion in the absence of MCP-1 serum concentration may suggest a beneficial effect of omega-3 supplementation on tubular MCP-1 production. Trial Registration This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02147002).

The role of the digestive tract in the regulation of hunger hormone (ghrelin) concentration in patients nourished parenterally and enterally

1Katedra i Klinika Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu 2Katedra Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu 3Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Ogólnej i Endokrynologicznej Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu 4Katedra i Zakład Opieki Paliatywnej Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu 5Katedra i Zakład Diagnostyki Laboratoryjnej Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu 6Katedra i Klinika Medycyny Ratunkowej Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu