ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic value of two commercial in vitro tests for the detection of latex-specific IgE antibodies. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from latex-allergic and nonlatex-allergic individuals. Persons were classified as latex allergic if they had a positive clinical history and a positive skin prick test with a latex extract. Persons with no latex-related symptoms and negative skin tests were classified as nonlatex allergic. The serum samples were tested in a blinded fashion by a laboratory using the CAP (Pharmacia-Upjohn) and AlaSTAT (Diagnostic Products Company) assays. Values of 0.35 kA U/L or greater were considered positive in both tests. RESULTS: The 143 sera studied came from 83-latex allergic and 60 nonallergic persons. The in vitro tests were found to have sensitivities of 79.5% and 73.8%, and specificities of 90.2% and 91.7%, for CAP and AlaSTAT, respectively. The positive predictive values were 91.7% and 92.5%, while the negative predictive values were 76.4% and 71.4% for the CAP and AlaSTAT, respectively. CONCLUSION: In individuals classified by the combination of clinical history and skin test results, both the Pharmacia CAP and the DPC AlaSTAT demonstrated acceptable sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values for detection of antilatex IgE antibodies. These findings suggest that both assays can be useful adjuncts to the diagnosis of latex allergy.
Subject(s)
Latex Hypersensitivity/blood , Skin Tests/instrumentation , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Skin Tests/methodsSubject(s)
Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Hospitalization , Latex/adverse effects , Asthma/etiology , Female , Humans , Infant , RecurrenceABSTRACT
Vancomycin pharmacokinetics were studied in four patients with peritonitis undergoing chronic intermittent peritoneal dialysis. Serum levels exceeding 4.0 micrograms/ml were maintained for 8 and 13 days after a single 1-g intravenous dose. Vancomycin serum concentrations measured before, during, and upon completion of dialysis revealed no appreciable decline. Peritoneal fluid concentrations in two patients exceeded 4.0 micrograms/ml for more than 12 days.
Subject(s)
Peritoneal Dialysis , Peritonitis/metabolism , Vancomycin/metabolism , Aged , Ascitic Fluid/metabolism , Humans , Kinetics , Middle Aged , Time Factors , Vancomycin/administration & dosageABSTRACT
A case of hydroxyzine toxicity following accidental ingestion in a 13-month old female infant has been presented. A plasma hydroxyzine concentration 8.5 hours after the acute ingestion was 102.7 micrograms/ml and toxicity was manifested primarily by generalized seizures and sinus tachycardia. General supportive care and seizure control with physostigmine resulted in complete recovery within 72 hours. This case represents the first documented report of hydroxyzine toxicity following acute ingestion in a child.
