[Epidemiologic investigation of the pollen allergy to Cupressaceae in a population at risk for atopy]. / Indagine epidemiologica sulla pollinosi da Cupressacee in un campione di popolazione a rischio di atopia.

The so-called emerging allergens have gained particular interest as causes of atopic diseases, and among these the cypress pollen. In fact, several allergens derived from the Cupressaceae family have appeared for the first time in new environments, thus causing unexpected phenomena. From May 2002 to May 2003 we have examined 560 patients who sought medical attention at the Center for allergic diseases in children. The patients came from various towns and villages from Southern Sardinia and all had undergone prick tests for inhaled allergens, irrespective of their complaints. The presenting symptoms were either respiratory (wheezing cough, rhinitis, asthma), cutaneous (eczema, nettle rash, angioedema) or ocular (conjunctivitis). All patients had a prick test for pollens (cypress, olive, wall pellitory, rag weed, composite, mix gross pollen), acari (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus), dog and cat hair, and fungi (alternaria alternata, aspergillus fumigatus). Thirteen percent of patients (73/547) resulted allergic to cypress pollen, and three of them had a mono-allergy (4,1%). Among these, one suffered bronchospasm, rhinitis and asthma more severe in January-February associated with recurring small eczematous lesions. Another one suffered bronchial asthma during winter months and the last one complained of rhinitis and nasal itching also during winter months.

[Clinical effectiveness of a new preparation of sustained-release theophylline]. / Efficacia clinica di un nuovo preparato di teofillina ritardo.

Twenty pediatric patients, age range 7-13 years, affected by asthma, have been treated with a sustained release preparation of theophylline once daily (mean dosage 13 mg/kg). The findings of plasma levels of theophylline below therapeutic range twenty four hours after dosing, in steady-state conditions, underline the need of individualized therapy specially in pediatric patients. The Authors observed a good therapeutic effect of this sustained release preparation, as expressed by improvement of symptomatology and pulmonary function tests, together with the sparing effect on other drugs. No side effects have been observed.

[Efficacy of broxaterol (vs salbutamol) in asthma induced by physical exercise in children]. / Efficacia del broxaterolo (vs salbutamolo) nell'asma indotto da esercizio fisico in età pediatrica.

B2-agonists play a first-rate role in the exercise induced asthma (EIA) prevention for their capacity to modulate the bronchial tone. We studied the efficacy of a new B-sympathomimetic (Broxaterol) in 10 children (7 males and 3 females) with EIA in double blind vs salbutamol. During two consecutive days a basal treadmill incremental exercise test was made for determining bronchoconstriction rate (IB). Subsequently the test was repeated 30' and 150' after the drug's administration. The Broxaterol premedication determined, by comparison with the basal IB value, a mean difference of 11.9 after 30' (p less than 0.05) and 10.0 after 150' (p less than 0.01). No significant correlation was found comparing the salbutamol premedication. In conclusion our data confirms the Broxaterol efficacy in exercise-induced asthma prevention.

[Effectiveness of a new beta 2-agonist (broxaterol) on bronchospasm induced by methacholine (blind study versus salbutamol)]. / Efficacia di un nuovo beta 2-agonista (broxaterolo) sul broncospasmo indotto da metacolina (studio in cieco verso salbutamolo).

A new beta 2-agonists, broxaterol, administered by oral spray has been tested to evaluate its action modifying on the bronchial hyperreactivity to metacholine. Such drug has been administered double blind Vs salbutamol individualizing for both, at 15' and 90' premedication the PD20 FEV1 (doses of metacholine necessary to reduce of 20% the FEV1). The results that we have obtained confirm the protective capacity for both drugs on the bronchoconstriction induced by aspecific stimulus. However, in confront with salbutamol, the broxaterol presents an action more lasting in the time. Such requisite and absence of collateral effects permit to affirm that this new beta 2-agonists is fit for its utilization in the infantile intrinsic asthma.

[Procaterol in the prevention of recurrent asthmatic bronchitis. Double-blind study]. / Il procaterolo nella prevenzione della bronchite asmatica recidivante.Studio in doppio cieco.

In a study in double-blind it has considered if the procaterol, given for a month, had been able to develop a preventive action in children affected from relapsing asthmatic bronchitis. For that the clinical symptomatology, the number of the contagious events and the consumption of the drugs have been valued for two following months. The patients who had taken the procaterol, presented a reduction of the contagious events, of the consumption of the drugs and of the spastic bronchus symptomatology in the first month of the treatment which continued in the second month. In spite of the development of the contagious events, in the third month, the pulmonary symptomatology resulted inferior in comparison with the group of check. It is likely than the treatment with procaterol avoids the arisen of the spastic-bronchus symptomatology for a rise of the threshold of bronchial re-established, consequent to the re-establishment of the mucous lesions.

[Beta 2 stimulants in the therapy of childhood asthma]. / I beta 2 stimolanti nella terapia dell'asma infantile.

Bronchial obstruction, chronic or acute, is due to different anatomical and functional events, mainly to smooth muscular contraction and oedema and secretions. In the first age of life the secretions and thickness of bronchial wool are the most important factors due to small bronchial caliber and poor muscular component. In the older child the most important cause is determined by the reactive spasm of bronchial smooth muscle.