Latex allergy in fruit-allergic patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of latex allergy in fruit-allergic patients, and to assess its clinical significance. Fifty-seven fruit-allergic patients and 50 non-fruit-allergic atopic patient controls were studied. All patients were questioned about conventional immediate symptoms after contact with latex products. Patients also underwent skin prick testing and determination of specific serum IgE to latex, as well as a screening test for environmental allergens. Immunologic latex sensitization occurred in 49/57 (85.9%) fruit-allergic patients, who showed a positive STP and/or CAP to latex, but in only two controls (P < 0.001). Six out of 57 (10.5%) fruit-allergic patients suffered from clinically relevant latex allergy. Symptoms included contact urticaria, angioedema, conjunctivitis, generalized urticaria, and moderate anaphylactic reactions. No control reported symptoms with latex products (P = 0.052). In all patients, clinical symptoms to fruits preceded a history of latex allergy. The fruits most associated were melon, peach, and banana. From our data, we conclude that there is a potential for allergic reactions to latex in patients with allergy to fruit. All patients with fruit allergy should be screened for individual risk of latex allergy.

Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 and mucinous carbohydrate antigen immunoreactivities in human seminal plasma.

Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and mucinous carbohydrate antigen (MCA) immunoreactivities were detected in human seminal plasma. Mean values for CA 15-3 (8.2 +/- 3.7 U/ml, range 2.6 - 18.4 U/ml) and MCA (13.8 +/- 8.2 U/ml, range 2.1-31.9 U/ml) in the seminal plasma were of the same magnitude as that found in serum. No correlation was obtained between seminal plasma, either CA 15-3 or MCA immunoreactivities, and volume of seminal plasma, sperm count or percent of motile spermatozoa. Seminal plasma CA 15-3 and MCA levels were significantly (p less than 0.001) correlated (r = 0.55). The nature and origin of CA 15-3 and MCA immunoreactivities in human plasma are unknown.

Inter-relationship between serum potassium and plasma catecholamines and 3':5' cyclic monophosphate in alcohol withdrawal.

Serial analyses of serum potassium and plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) concentrations were measured in 13 patients with alcohol withdrawal, six of whom presented delirium tremens. Patients with delirium showed at admission levels of potassium (3.45 +/- 0.45 mmol/l) lower (P less than 0.02) than patients without delirium (3.81 +/- 0.14 mmol/l). Three patients were hypokalemic, all of them with delirium. Serum potassium increased significantly in all the patients during evolution. A close negative correlation (r = -0.751) between the intensity of withdrawal and serum potassium was observed. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were increased at admission (623 +/- 192 pmol/l), patients with delirium showing greater values (705 +/- 137 pmol/l). As the alcohol withdrawal improved, plasma epinephrine concentration decreased. Plasma norepinephrine concentrations were also increased at admission (3422 +/- 1451 pmol/l), but did not change significantly during evolution, being similar in patients with and without delirium. Plasma cyclic AMP levels were high at admission (40.4 +/- 24.3 nmol/l) and increased significantly (P less than 0.05) during evolution. The data obtained suggest that in patients with alcohol withdrawal, as symptomatology improves, plasma epinephrine decreases, while plasma norepinephrine remains increased. The combined actions of the two facts--less beta-stimulus, maintaining of alpha-stimulus--would comprise a significant increase of kalemia, that in cases of initial hypokalemia would lead to normal values of serum potassium.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and vitamin B6.

Twelve patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were studied. Clinical and electrophysiological data were obtained and an estimation of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) status by an assay of erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase and coenzyme stimulation assay were done. None of the patients was found to have vitamin B6 deficiency. Patients were treated with 150 mg of pyridoxine daily for 3 months. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in all the patients. In 6 patients there were clinical and electrophysiological improvement and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase increased more than in the other 6 patients. The data obtained appear to indicate that although vitamin B6 deficiency is not common in carpal tunnel syndrome patients, pyridoxine supplementation can be recommended as adjuvant treatment in those patients undergoing surgery.