Toshihiko Obata

Incidence of Latex Allergy in Atopic Children and Hospital Workers in Japan

The incidence of latex-induced allergy has been reported to be increasing in Europe and the US but not in Japan. We thus measured latex-specific IgE antibodies and latex-specific IgG antibodies in sera from 196 atopic children with low serum IgE levels (under 1,000 U/ml; group 1), 108 atopic children with high serum IgE levels (over 1,000 U/ml; group 2) and 601 hospital employees (group 3). Atopic children were diagnosed as having asthma, atopic dermatitis and/or food intolerance. One out of group 1 (0.5%) and 11 out of group 2 (10.2%) were found to have latex-specific IgE by radioallergosorbent assay (RAST), and 7 were further found to be positive for latex antigen by skin test. Fifty-five percent of group 1, 65% of group 2 and 9.7% of group 3 were found to have latex-specific IgG over 100 units/ml by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Prior to our diagnosis most of the children and employees did not realize they were allergic to latex. These data suggest that caution should be taken regarding latex allergy when atopic children have to be operated upon as atopic children tend to be sensitized to the latex antigen after even minimal contact with latex products.

Continuous Isoproterenol Inhalation Therapy in Children with Severe Asthmatic Attack

We studied the 1-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy for patients with severe asthmatic attacks who were admitted at the Department of Allergy of National Childrens Hospital from 1981 to 1991. One hour after l-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy, statistically significant effects were noted with regard to the asthmatic status. Moreover, no side effect was found amoung the subjects. From these data, 1-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy is thought to be effective for severe asthmatic attacks.

Changes in Histamine/Tryptase Levels in Skin Chambers: Application for Clinical Evaluation of Atopic Dermatitis

We measured changes in histamine and tryptase levels in fluid of children with atopic dermatitis using skin chamber methods and evaluated the correlation with clinical symptoms. Skin chambers were app

Various Protective Trials for Exercise‐Induced Late Asthmatic Response (EILA)

The management of asthmatic children who complain of EIA is very important and many reports have been made on this subject. In some of the reports dealing with EILA, many investigators focused on the early response to an exercise task. However, from our repeated exercise tests, our opinion on exercise-induced asthma has recently changed [ 11. We have previously demonstrated that certain asthmatic children develop a biphasic decrease in FEVl .O and increase in neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) following exercise. From such data, we believe that some asthmatic children show EILA after an exercise task. In this paper, we will show several patterns of exercise task and drug effects on EILA. (Table 1). The exercise task was held under the conditions described in Table 2 121.

Chemical Mediator in Exercise‐Induced Asthma and Exercise‐Induced Late Asthmatic Responses

In this paper, we describe chemical mediator fluctuation in exercise‐induced asthma (EIA) and exercise‐induced late asthmatic responses (EILA).

CONTROL AND DAILY CARE OF SICK CHILDREN AT SCHOOL: The Management of Asthmatic Children at School

In dealing with school children suffering from asthma, one of the most important and difficult matters is in how we can allow the child t o lead a satisfactory school life. If a child has asthma attacks during school hours, the management of such a child and treatment with respect to other children will definitely require support from the faculty members at school. In reality, many school teachers are quite unfamiliar with such phenomena as the EIA (Exercise-Induced Asthma attack), and find the management of their student extremely difficult if the child becomes ill during physical education classes. Many asthmatic children are prohibited from participating in such events as school trips or school camps with other children. In this paper, we report on what guidance to give to children for asthma attack prevention together with some of the asthma-inducing factors of which we must be aware in the child’s school life environment.

Bronchial Response Study of Asthmatic Patients Using an Atmosphere-Changing Chamber

We studied the bronchial response to low-pressure conditions by using an atmosphere-controlling chamber. When asthmatic patients were put in a chamber in which the pressure was reduced gradually, thei