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Lo spettro delle malattie occupazionali da allergeni alimentari comprende principalmente l'asma occupazionale (e/o la rinite), l'alveolite allergica estrinseca, e la dermatite. Sono discusse le differenze tra le Reazioni Occupazionali da Allergeni Alimentari e l'Allergia Alimentare che consistono in differenti meccanismi immunologici implicati, vie di esposizione all'allergene e la concentrazioni ambientali allergeniche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum of occupational disease seen in the food industry mainly includes occupational asthma (and/or rhinitis), hypersensitivity pneumonitis and dermatitis. The differences between the Occupational Reactions to Food Allergens and Food Allergy are discussed.

Reference is made to a series of 620 cases of Raynaud's phenomenon observed at the University of Milan between 1951 and 1977. The following parameters are analysed: sex, age, aetiology (where known), incidence of involvement of the four limbs, presence or otherwise of a complete sign, percentage of trophic lesions, arteriographic picture, lab examinations performed. 534 thoracic sympathectomies were performed in 464 patients with Raynaud or Raynaud-like forms. The results are described.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence of allergic reactions to drugs compared to other kinds of medical emergencies admitted to the main Hospital in Milan during a 6 months period. At the same time we drew a list of drugs most frequently involved in allergic reactions, and a list of the most frequent symptoms. Using special forms, the medical staff collected patients' data: age, history of atopy, identification of the drug causing the reaction, and any previous reactions. Among 11,407 cases of medical emergencies, we found 163 (1.43%) patients showing drug reactions: the mean age was 27.3; 58.90% were female; atopy was present in 16.56%. The drugs most frequently involved were: pyrazon group (22%); ASA (20.86%); penicillin and derivatives (9.20%); sulfa drugs (6.14%); group B vitamins (4.30%); tetanus toxoid (4.30%); hyposensitizing extracts (3.68%); propionic acid derivatives (2.46%); paracetamol (1.84%); indomethacin (1.23%); rifampicin (1.23%); erythromycin (1.23%); glafenine (1.23%); others (17.80%). Urticaria and/or angioedema were the most frequent symptoms (86.51%), then anaphylactic shock (9.81%) and asthma (3.68%) with regard to anaphylactic shock only 6.20% of the patients had had a previous reaction to the same drug. From these data we can see that the incidence of drug reactions is very low compared to other medical emergencies; penicillin evidenced fewer reactions than expected, while the pyrazon group and ASA confirmed the data from literature.

A serologic study was carried out in 27 children.-- 12 females and 15 males -- affected with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), systemic and polyarticular type, in active phase and in remission. Beside the routine assays (ESR and haemometry), a dosage of serum immunoglobulins (IgA, M, G) and complement components (C3 and C4) was carried out; antinuclear antibodies with immunofluorescence, rheumatoid factors with classical method (latex test and Waaler-Rose reaction) and antigamma factors (AGGF) according to modified Schur's method were looked for. Polymorphonuclear function was assayed employing NBT test, phagocytosis and killing with Klebsiella. The results confirmed that the most reliable activity index is the ESR, while the WBC count is move variable and that the rheumatoid factors according to the usual techniques are almost always absent. As a whole, in JRA the levels of IgM, IgG, IgM-AGGF, C4 assayed higher than in controls. In the different subgroups, the systemic disease is characterized by higher serum IgA and IgG-AGFF. The PMN function was globally normal.

The clinical and radiological features in 100 patients with collagen diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sclerodermia, dermatomyositis, and panarteritis nodosa) were compared with respiratory performance. 56 patients were drawn from the series of Pende et Al. and 44 from a personal series. The results are set out in tables and graphs. It was found that lung lesions due to collagen disease have no special clinical and radiological features. Respiratory performance is that of a restrictive syndrome that gradually progresses from A.R. to E.S., S. and P.M., accompanied by obstruction of the large airways, as shown by hyperinsufflation in sclerodermia and reduced specific conductance in rheumatoid arthritis.