Kouji Asakura

Study on the Profiles of Infiltrating T Lymphocytes and ICAM-1 Expression in Allergic Nasal Mucosa

An immunohistological study was performed on allergic (A) and non-allergic (NA) nasal mucosa to examine the profiles of infiltrating T-lymphocytes and their association with the expression of ICAM-1. Higher numbers of CD4 and CD45RO positive cells were detected in the A group than in the NA group, especially in the superficial portion of the lamina propria (SUP), whereas the number of CD8 positive cells was the same in the two groups. ICAM-1 was noted mainly on the vascular endothelium and on the infiltrating cells in the SUP, and there was no difference in the intensity of its expression between the A and NA groups. However, the infiltration of CD4 and CD45RO positive cells in the SUP and around the glands was significantly greater in patients with intense ICAM-1 expression in the A group. The infiltration of CD8 positive cells did not differ among the patient groups with different intensities of ICAM-1 expression in the A and NA groups.

Effects of cyclosporin A and glucocorticosteroids on antigen-induced hypersensitivity to histamine in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis

Abstract.Objective and Design: In an attempt to study the pathogenesis of mucosal hypersensitivity in allergic rhinitis, we investigated the suppressive effects of cyclosporin A (CyA) and glucocorticosteroids on ovalbumin (OA)-induced hypersensitivity to topical histamine challenge.¶Materials: Actively sensitized Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs.¶Treatment: OA and alum were applied to guinea pigs intraperitoneally 3 times at two-week intervals. After general sensitization, OA inhalation was performed every day for 6 days as topical sensitization. Before inhalation, treatment with CyA (50 mg/kg, p.o.), glucocorticosteroids (beclomethasone propionate (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.), fluticasone propionate (FP, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.)) or vehicle were performed, and the sensitivity to histamine was measured before and after the inhalation. Moreover, in actively (general and topical) sensitized guinea pigs, FP (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was applied every day for 5 days and histamine sensitivity was evaluated before and after the application.¶Results: We found that histamine sensitivity was significantly increased by nasal antigen challenge in this guinea pig model, and that the occurrence of histamine hypersensitivity was inhibited by the pretreatment with CyA and glucocorticosteroids. Although multiple administration of FP gradually reduced the histamine hypersensitivity according to the period of administration, it did not significantly alter the histamine hypersensitivity after the occurrence of hypersensitivity.¶Conclusion: It is concluded that CyA and glucocorticosteroids suppress antigen-induced histamine hypersensitivity in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis.

A Case Report of an Esophageal Foreign Body removed by the External Incision

A case of fifty-one years old female who found to have mediastinitis and periesophageal abscess caused by a foreign body (a fishhook) in the cervical esophagus is reported.The patient suddenly suffered a severe pain in the neck and a difficulty in swallowing while eating fish (a trout). Immediately, she visited some hcspitals and underwent medical examinations, but she was told that no remarkable findings were noted each time. Her condition had been taking downhill course since then. When she visited our clinic after eleven days following the accident, she complained of tender swelling in the neck, dyspnea with strider and fever.After the emergency tracheostomy was perormed for facilitating the passage of air, foreign body was successfully removed by fhe external incision under general anesthesia. The postoperative course was almost satisfactory except for the complication of pyothorax, and she discharged on the fifty-second pcstoperative day with complete recovery.