Correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and food allergy in chronic gastritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity of gastric inflammatory changes in atopic patients infected with H. pylori, and to find out whether a long-term exposure to a sensitizing allergen intensified the acuteness of inflammatory changes. The examinations were performed on patients with atopic diathesis who suffered from dyspepsia and gastralgia. The examined group included 72 women between 16 and 57 years of age (mean age: 36.5 years) and 38 men from 16 to 60 years of age (mean age: 34.4 years). The control group included 40 patients with no traits of atopy (13 men and 27 women between 18 and 56 years old, mean age: 34.8 years) with chronic gastritis confirmed by endoscopic and histopathological tests. All patients were subjected to endoscopy of the upper alimentary tract. Biopsy specimens were taken for histopathological analyses. They were stained with eosin and hematoxylin (the H&E method), and with a modified Giemsa method. The evaluation included the presence of chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa, its activity and intensity. The presence of H. pylori colonization was determined with the use of histopathological method of staining. Significant differences were found concerning inflammation intensity in atopic patients additionally infected with H. pylori, in comparison with the group of patients with food allergy without bacterial colonization. The differences were found during the evaluation of mucosa of both the prepyloric area and body of the stomach (p < 0.001). Moreover, statistically significant differences were found in the inflammation intensity between the examined group and the control group with no symptoms of allergy. In atopic patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, a long-term exposure to food allergens increases the intensity of gastric mucosa inflammation.

Evaluating the profile of selected cytokines in patients with food allergy and chronic gastritis.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating the profile of selected cytokines in patients with food allergy and chronic gastritis. Cytokines are produced by many cells and they play a role of mediators in the development of local and systemic inflammatory reaction. The aim of the study was to determine serum concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, TNF alpha in patients with chronic gastritis and food allergy, who had been infected with H. pylori. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on patients with atopic diathesis, who were allergic to certain foods. The study group consisted of 71 patients, including 42 females aged 16-54 years (mean age 35.5 years) and 29 males aged 18-60 years (mean age 36.2 years). One control group was formed of 40 non-atopic patients aged 18-56 years (mean age 34.8 years), suffering from chronic gastritis. The other control group consisted of 30 subjects with the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia. Serum levels of selected cytokines were determined with the kits manufactured by ENDOGEN (Cambridge MA, USA) using enzyme immunoassay ELISA. The concentrations of parameters were determined in two tests and they were given as mean value. RESULTS: Mean serum Il-4 level in atopic patients was 27.85 pg/ml, while it was 13.26 pg/ml in non-atopic subjects with chronic gastritis and 4.3 pg/ml in patients with functional dyspepsia. The concentration of IL-5 ranged between 0 and 111.3 pg/ml (mean value: 7.43 pg/ml) in subjects with food allergy. Comparative analysis of IL-4 and IL-5 concentrations in atopic patients and in control subjects showed the presence of statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). The remaining cytokines, i.e. IL-8 and TNF alpha showed a significant increase in serum levels in patients chronic gastritis when compared to the subjects with functional dyspepsia, without inflammatory changes. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exposure of the patients with food allergy to a given food allergen makes the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 rise. In atopic subjects with chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection, the increase in IL-4, IL-5, IL-8 and TNF alpha levels suggests that both infectious and allergic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation.

Macroscopic picture of gastric mucosa in endoscopic examination of patients with chronic gastritis and food allergy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the difference in macroscopic picture of the stomach in patients with food allergy and in non-atopic patients with H. pylori infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, patients with atopic diathesis, suffering from dyspepsia or abdominal pain were analysed. The study group included 72 women aged 16-57 years (mean age 36.5 years) and 38 men aged 16 and 60 years (mean age 34.4 years). Control group was formed of 40 patients without atopy (13 men and 27 women, aged 18-56 years--mean age 34.8 years), with endoscopically and histologically confirmed gastritis. All the patients underwent endoscopy of upper gastrointestinal tract with the use of fiberoscope GIF-E OLYMPUS and video endoscopy monitor OEV 203 OLYMPUS (Japan). The following features of gastritis were considered in endoscopic assessment: oedema, reddening and fragility of mucous membrane, spotted and macular exudate, flat and raised erosions, proliferation and atrophy of mucosal folds, vascular network, intramural extravasation, mucosal structure. The results obtained were verified statistically with chi-squared independence tests for 2 x 2 tables. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis of the incidence of these signs of inflammation in patients with food allergy did not show significant differences in relation to subjects with non-atopic gastritis.

[The frequency of atopy in lung cancer patients]. / Czestosc wystepowania skazy atopowej u chorych na pierwotnego raka pluca.

The controversial opinions on adverse correlation between atopy and incidence of lung cancer made us to undertake the research in that field in patients, treated in Department of Lung Diseases of University School of Medicine in Bydgoszcz. In 45 histologically diagnosed lung cancer patients in III and IV stage of the disease the tendency to atopy was assessed. In above mentioned patients the serum level of total IgE, the number of eosinophyls in peripheral blood and skin tests with popular allergens such as: home-dust, feather, grass particles, fungus and mould. It was established, that atopy in 25% of lung cancer patients was observed. That percents similar in persons without cancer burden. These findings suggest, that pathologically increased immunologic reactions, observed in atopic patients do not protect from lung cancer. From the other hand, the results of these examinations suggest also, that depressions of immunologic reactions, connected with lung cancer are selective in their nature.

[Some clinical symptoms and allergens on asthma-prurigo syndrome]. / Niektóre objawy kliniczne oraz alergeny w zespole asthma-prurigo.

The group of 146 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome (85 adults and 64 children) have been inquired in many various clinical centers. It was established that in 79.6% of the patients the first symptoms of illness appeared already in infancy and only 28.2% of the patients had negative familiar anamnesis on the allergy. In 73.2% of the patients with asthma-prurigo syndrome the symptoms of atopic dermatitis persisted longer than asthma symptoms and in 89.9% of them asthma-prurigo symptoms accompanied other form of allergic diseases. The most important causal allergens provoking asthma-prurigo symptoms were: house dust (in 64.4% of the patients), chocolate (in 42.2%), cat epithelia (in 40.2%) and cow milk proteins (in 29.5% of the patients).

[Changeability of respiratory tract and skin symptoms in patients with asthma-prurigo syndrome under the influence of emotional and environmental factors]. / Zmiennosc nasilenia objawów ze strony dróg oddechowych i skóry u chorych z zespolem asthma-prurigo pod wplywem czynników emocjonalnych i srodowiskowych.

In a group of 228 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome the influence of emotional state, permanent residence and season time on dynamic of the clinical symptoms were studied. The evaluation of emotional state in 80 adult patients was carried-out by means of Eysenck Personality Inventory. The emotional state had less negative influence on the exacerbation of the symptoms upon children then in adults (especially on their skin symptoms). It was confirmed that the patients with high level of neurotic symptoms revealed easier the exacerbation of asthma and skin disorders under the influence of emotional stress. The climatic treatment on the sea-side was more efficient for them than any mountain climatic cure, especially in the treatment of airways symptoms. Similarly, the summer season brought the relief of their symptoms from both the respiratory and skin symptoms.

[Eosinophilic activation based on measurements of eosinophil cationic protein in patients with acute myocardial infarction and patients with angina pectoris]. / Aktywnosc eozynofilów oceniana na podstawie oznaczania wartosci eozynofilowego bialka kationowego (ECP) u chorych ze swiezym zawalem miesnia sercowego i pacjentów z dusznica bolesna.

Increased activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the wideness of irreversible myocardial injury was described by many authors. Released proteolytic enzymes may cause deliquescence of necrotic muscle tissue and attenuate collagenic structure of myocardium, lead to endothelium damage and generate free oxygen radicals. Eosinophilic leucocytes reveal also enhanced proinflammatory activation. They take participation in inflammatory and immunologic reactions, among others, by producing and releasing many biologic mediators. One of the most important and powerful mediators is eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), the specific marker of eosinophil activation in vivo. We studied 17 patients (pts) with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and 21 pts with angina pectoris (AP). The plasma concentrations of ECP and the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood were measured 3 times-near before beginning of the treatment, and on the 4-th and 8-th day of MI. During the first 4 days measurements of CK-MB every 6 hours were made. We observed the significant increase of eosinophils and ECP correspondingly on the 8-th and 4-th day, when compared to the first day of MI (p < 0.05) and the patients with AP (p < 0.01). Despite tendency, the significant correlation of eosinophils and ECP values was not obtained (r = 0.36). In the group of patients with AP the eosinophil and ECP values were significantly higher at the pts with unstable angina, when compared to pts with stable angina (p < 0.001).

[IgE mediated food allergy: pathomechanism, clinical picture and perspectives of new therapy]. / Alergia IgE-zalezna na pokarmy patomechanizm, klinika, nowe perspektywy terapii.

Diagnosis, pathomechanism and therapy of IgE mediated food allergy are discussed in aspects of new the rapentic problems. Stanworth's is noticed as a new tool for control of allergic IgE mediated reactions.

[Early post myocardial infarction syndrome--a trial of assessment based on clinical course and immunologic tests]. / Wczesny zespól pozawalowy--próba oceny w oparciu o przebieg kliniczny i badania immunologiczne.

The study analysed clinical and immunological course of 22 patients (aged 56.3 +/- 9.5) with fever (38.5 degrees C) and greatly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the first week after myocardial infarction. The control group consisted of 25 patients (aged 50.7 +/- 11.2) without inflammatory and infectious diseases. Clinical courses of the disease, chest x-ray, echocardiography, leucocytosis and serial CK-MB levels were analysed. The immunological investigations involved quantitative estimation of IgG, C3 complement, C4 complement and the identification of T and B lymphocytes on the basis of the rosette tests A, E and EAC. Post myocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS) manifested by fever and greatly increased ESR we observed in 64% of examined patients, but fully manifested PMIS in 14% with tendency to recurrences. We found the differences in immunological examinations compared to the control group. Pericardial effusion occurred in 64% of the patients. The treatment with corticosteroids brought dramatic relief of the symptoms with objective improvement of clinical condition. Patients with high temperature with accompanying greatly raised ESR in the first week after MI may demonstrate abortive form of the post myocardial infarction syndrome.

[Efficacy of flunisolide in treatment of patients with bronchial asthma]. / Skutecznosc flunizolidu w leczeniu chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

In 30 patients with bronchial asthma an influence of flunisolid (Bronilide) on spirometric values, bronchial reactivity and pathological signs was evaluated. No changing in spirometric values and bronchial reactivity and decrease complaints during the treatment with higher doses of Bronilide were noticed. No significant side effects were observed.

Anaphylactic histamine release from human gastric and duodenal mast cells.

Mast cells from human gastric and duodenal walls were isolated using a collagenase dispersion technique. The reactivity of both mast cell populations with anti-human IgE antibodies and specific antigens was tested in an in vitro model of anaphylactic reaction. Mast cell populations were sensitive to the action of anti-IgE, and histamine release was 17.4-27.4% (duodenal) and 19.3-29.3% (gastric mast cells). No significant differences between both mast cell populations of the same individuals were observed. Gastric and duodenal mast cells obtained from patients with peptic ulcer and positive intradermal test with allergens (grass pollen, tomato, cocoa) released histamine after challenge with adequate antigens. The reaction was dose-dependent. Gastric mast cells were more reactive than duodenal cells to challenge with antigen.

[Evaluation of heart function during endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract together with a trial of direct provocation of the sensitizing allergen--initial report]. / Ocena czynnosci serca podczas badania endoskopowego górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego polaczonego z próba bezposredniej prowokacji alergenem uczulajacym--doniesienie wstepne.

The heart function was evaluated during endoscopy examination connected with the gastric challenge with the sensitizing allergen. The study involved 13 patients with diagnosed pollinosis and without any disorder of the cardiovascular system. The heart function was evaluated by Holter monitoring, performed both in 24 hours of control before endoscopy examination and in 24 hours of exposure during and after gastric challenge with the sensitizing allergen. In all cases, there was no important heart dysfunction, in spite of positive results of provocation confirmed by histopathological and immunological examinations.

[Clinical characterization of "asthma-prurigo" syndrome with emphasis on risk factors]. / Charakterystyka kliniczna zespolu "asthma-prurigo" z uwzglednieniem czynników przyczynowych.

In a group of 228 patients with Asthma-Prurigo syndrome in 82.5% of patients the onset of skin lesions was earlier than the onset of asthma. It was found that the early onset of atopic dermatitis suggests the greater probability of subsequent asthma. In 88.6% of patients also other allergic diseases were diagnosed, and rhinitis allergica was observed most frequently. In the investigated group of patients urticaria chronica idiopathica or physical urticarias were not observed. Among 228 patients with Asthma-Prurigo syndrome, 74.6% of patients pointed to house dust as one of the most frequent causative factors. The house dust similarly to other inhalant allergens, somewhat more frequently had influence on the course of atopic dermatitis than on the course of asthma. Contrary to this observation according to patients food allergens (milk, eggs, fish, chocolate) aggravated or induced the relapses of skin lesions much more frequently than asthma. It was shown how often patients noticed adverse reactions due to penicillin and sulphonamides.