A Simple Double-Spin Closed Method for Preparing Platelet-Rich Plasma

Objective: To describe and analyze a new protocol for the extraction of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for use in clinical practice and compare this technique with methods that have been previously described in the medical literature. Methods: Sixteen blood samples from healthy volunteers were collected. PRP was prepared using our new double-spin technique, consisting of successive centrifugation of blood samples with two different spins, without opening the container. Descriptive analysis of cell counts in baseline and PRP samples was undertaken. Comparison between cell and platelet count in baseline and PRP samples, as well as the statistical analysis, were done. Results: The mean platelet concentration ratio was 3.47 (SD: 0.85; 95% CI: 3.01-3.92; range: 2.48-5.71). The baseline whole blood platelet count correlated positively to the PRP platelet count (rP = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.09- 0.88; P = 0.023). The PRP was enriched for lymphocytes and monocytes but presented significantly lower counts of neutrophils and eosinophils in comparison to baseline. Conclusion: Results show a safe and easily reproducible method to obtain PRP for use in clinical daily practice.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cow's milk allergy can be monitored through the degree of competition between specific IgE and IgG

European-Academy-of-Allergology-and-Clinical-Immunology Digital Congress (EAACI), London, ENGLAND, JUN 06-08, 202

Non-invasive immunological exploration of the premature newborn infant

European-Academy-of-Allergology-and-Clinical-Immunology Digital Congress (EAACI), London, ENGLAND, JUN 06-08, 202

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus norfloxacin in the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is poor, being of great importance its prevention. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus norfloxacin for prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty seven patients with cirrhosis and ascites were evaluated between March 1999 and March 2001. All of them had a previous episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or had ascitic fluid protein concentration <1 g/dL and/or serum bilirubin > 2.5 mg/dL. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 800/160 mg/day of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 5 days a week or 400 mg of norfloxacin daily. The mean time of observation was 163 days for the norfloxacin group and 182 days for the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group. In the statistical analysis, differences were considered significant at the level of 0.05. RESULTS: According to the inclusion criteria, 32 patients (56%) were treated with norfloxacin and 25 (44%) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurred in three patients receiving norfloxacin (9.4%) and in four patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (16.0%). Extraperitoneal infections occurred in 10 patients receiving norfloxacin (31.3%) and in 6 patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (24.0%). Death occurred in seven patients (21.9%) who received norfloxacin and in five (20.0%) who received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Side effects occurred only in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group. CONCLUSION: In spite of the reduced number of patients and time of observation, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and norfloxacin were equally effective in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis, suggesting that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a valid alternative to norfloxacin

Sputum immunoglobulin E: towards a new world ?

International audienceBackground: The role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) –dependent mechanisms leading to exacerbations and respiratory function worsening in cystic fibrosis patients is well acknowledged but not easy to characterize. We hypothesize that the availability of new tools such as allergen microarrays may contribute to a better understanding of disease-related local lung IgE responses.Method: We developed a three-step protocol to characterize specific IgE (sIgE) from cystic fibrosis patients’ sputum. First, sputum was fluxed and filtered before an overnight freeze-drying step. After re-suspending, we performed an allergen microarray with more than 300 allergenic extracts and components.Results: The protocol was applied to sputum samples from 22 cystic fibrosis patients, including 5 lung transplanted patients. The age was similar between non-transplanted and lung transplanted patients, with a median of 29 (IQR 17–72) and 39 (18–53) years, respectively. Non-transplanted patients had a higher overall IgE response against environmental allergens, especially animal dander allergens (p = 0.0004) and house dust mites (P = 0.03). IgE responses against molds did not differ between groups. No correlation was found between each patient’s IgE response to fungal extracts and components and fungal colonization. However, presence of sputum sIgE against fungal allergens, notably Cladosporium herbarum, was correlated with ongoing exacerbation.Conclusion: We have developed a technically simple protocol allowing non-invasive investigation of an extended analysis of local humoral immunity in cystic fibrosis patients. Exploration of sputum through allergen microarray may guide the identification of culprit agents leading to exacerbations and contribute to better management of cystic fibrosis patients

Meeting Abstract: PD0389

International audienc