Dog factor differences in Can f 1 allergen production.

BACKGROUND: The clinical importance of dog allergy is well known, but it is unknown if all types of dogs represent the same risk for allergic patients. The purpose of this work was to evaluate among 288 healthy dogs if the levels of Can f 1 on fur vary between breeds (German Shepherd, Pyrenean Shepherd, Poodle, Cocker spaniel, Spaniel, Griffon, Labrador retriever and Yorkshire terrier), gender, hormonal status, hair length, and according to the presence of seborrhea. METHODS: Each dog was shaved in a limited area and Can f 1 concentrations were measured in mug/g fur by ELISA. The results (geometric mean values and 95% confidence intervals) were analyzed using analysis of variance and with nonparametric tests. RESULTS: A wide variability in Can f 1 levels was found between dog breeds, from Labradors [1.99 (0.03-129.91)] to Yorkshires [16.72 (3.67-76.16)] and Poodles [17.04 (2.79-103.94)] but only the Labrador levels were significantly different from each other breed. Males produced more Can f 1 than females, 11.75 (1.27-108.40) vs 8.89 (0.91-86.39). No difference was found according to hair length or hormonal status. The seborrheic status highly (P = 0.0019) influenced the presence of Can f 1 on hair: 16.66 (1.59-173.96) vs 9.40 (1.03-85.70). CONCLUSION: Breeds (Labrador retriever), sex and seborrhea seem to influence the levels of Can f 1 on fur.

[Autologous blood donation in obstetrics]. / Eigenblutspende in der Geburtshilfe.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety of autologous blood donation in an obstetric practice. METHODS: A total of 2350 pregnant patients were screened for an increased risk of peripartum bleeding. Excluding patients with contraindications, a total of 71 women participated in this autologous blood donation program. Blood was donated in the 35th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: No problems occurred in the course of blood donation. All newborns were found to be healthy; 41 of the 71 patients received peripartum autologous blood transfusions. Homologous blood was not given to any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our experience demonstrates that autologous blood donation is a safe practice in the setting of obstetrics, when the indications and contraindications are considered. Further studies in larger patient populations are necessary to expand or restrict the indications for autologous transfusion in obstetrics.

[Anaesthesia. Resuscitation problems arising from the surgical treatment of chemodectomas in the carotid fork (author's transl)]. / Les problèmes d'anesthésie-réanimation posés dans la chirurgie des chémodectomes de la fourche carotidienne.

Chemodectomas in the carotid fork are rare and usually benign tumours. Their removal by surgery creates certain problems in terms of operating technique since they are, anatomically, awkwardly situated. An additional problem arises from loss of blood resulting from their removal and possible cardiac disturbance which might affect the functioning of the carotid sinus should the tumours have been situated in this region. Furthermore, the possible eventuality of having to clamp the internal carotid for a short or even long time, should the operation require it, presupposes a perfect knowledge of the patient's cerebral circulation. Hence, therefore, the necessity of a verification of this circulation by centrolateral carotid arteriography to confirm the permeability of the circle of Willis and a potentially good supply of blood when the blood in the region of the tumour is restricted. It is equally necessary to have a complete record of the general state of the patient's cardiovascular, circulatory, respiratory, renal and neurological conditions. These must, within certain limits, be deemed satisfactory before the decision to operate is taken. Indeed, it is these conditions that will determine the per-operative as well as the post-operative condition of the patient.

[Surgery of cancer of the larynx. The patient in the pre-, per-, and postoperative period]. / La chirurgie des cancers du larynx. Le malade en période pré-per et post-opératoire

Surgery of tumours of the larynx requires two main types of operation: -Extensive laryngeal surgery including: -the full pre-operative assessment and preparation of the patient's general condition which is always poor, e.g. due to alcoholism or respiratory failure. -variable techniques, adapted to the lesion, for the control of the patency of the upper airway. -operative risks, such as: reventilation shock, reflex cardiac arrest, disorders of cardiac rythm and gas embolism. -Its complications: -may be immediate and poorly specific, especially respiratory, neurological and infective. -secondary and more specific e.g. Pharyngostoma, and tracheal stenosis. -late complications due to spread of a malignant process. -Laryngeal surgery limited to one vocal cord for which local anaesthetic, improved by neuroleptanalgesia, such as Diethazine-Diparcol, best meets the surgeon and the interest of the patient.