Rev Alerg Mex

[Eosinophils in peripheral blood and nasal mucus, in asthmatic and healthy subjects]

Year 1998
Vazquez Nava F. Salvador Casados Robledo J. Salazar Herrera F.
Departamento de alergia e inmunologia clinica, Hospital General Regional num. 6, IMSS, Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: 600 subjects were studied, chosen at random, between 1 and 55 years old, 300 asthmatic and the rest apparently healthy. RESULTS: Of 300 asthmatic patients, the average concentration of eosinophils in peripheral blood was of 615.93/mm3 (p = 0.000004, R = 2.13), the asthmatic patients with levels of eosinophils over a 400/mm3 presented: more severe asthma per month and made use of hospital services more often, (p = 0.00001, R = 3.56). In 195 patients were detected eosinophils in nasal mucus with an average concentration of 10.54% (p = 0.04, R = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of asthma seem favored by the lact of predictive sensors. In the study, the blood and nasal eosinophils, in high levels were identified in subjects at high risk, consequently its use is proposed to diagnose and follow up, with the goal of applying measures in the balanced phase of the health-illness chain.

[Asthma associated with gastroesophageal reflux]

Year 1998
Gonzalez Morales JE. Leal de Hernandez L. Gonzalez Spencer D.
Clinica de Asma del servicio de neumologia, Hospital Universitario Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
OBJECTIVE: In order to explore the association between poorly controllable asthma and gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a prospective clinical trial is presented. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This trial included 28 patients with negative atopic indicators who presented difficulty in the management of their disease. All patients underwent a complete medical history as well as skin tests for common airborne allergens, total serum IgE, peripheral blood eosinophils, spirometry, chest X-ray and esophageal barium films. Additionally, esophageal endoscopy was performed on 9 patients, and esophageal manometry in 1 patient. All were submitted to antireflux therapy and received omeprazole and cisapride for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Complete improvement was observed in 24 patients (85.7%), moderate improvement in 3 patients (10.7%), and no improvement in 1 patient (3.6%). Three patients required antireflux surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms reappeared 2-3 weeks after suspending treatment, which led to the recommendation that antireflux measures become a way of life for these patients.