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Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2023
Revati Phalkey, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, John O’Hagan, Mutahir Ahmad, Darren Addison, Tracy Gooding, Timothy W Gant, Emma L Marczylo, Caryn L Cox
Neutrophils are the most common white blood cells, and their main function is to recognise, ingest and destroy foreign particles and micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria). Eosinophils constitute 1–6% of the circulating white cells and are involved in allergic reactions. Basophils which are less than 1% of the circulating white cells bind certain antibodies (IgE) and when the specific antigen enters the circulation, there is degranulation (breakdown) of the cells releasing histamine, leukotrienes and heparin. Thus, they play an important role in hypersensitivity reactions. Monocytes are the largest white cells and are best known for their ability to act, like neutrophils as macrophages. Lymphocytes produce antibodies, which are able to react with foreign substances called antigens and destroy them. Thus, they are an important protective mechanism of the blood and of the body. Up to the age of 7 years, lymphocytes are the most abundant white cells in the body.
Clinical Effects of Pollution
Published in William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel, Reversibility of Chronic Disease and Hypersensitivity, Volume 5, 2017
William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel
In the early 1990s, a newly recognized disease began to appear, characterized by eosinophil infiltration into the esophagus, which manifested as dysphagia in adults and refractory reflux symptoms in children.1005 This disease termed eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) is associated with a Th2 immune profile and synthesis of the cytokine IL-13, which has direct cytotoxic effects on epithelial cells. A dose-dependent induction of eosinophilia by intratracheal delivery of IL-13 confirms its association with EOE.1006 An association has been found between EOE and celiac disease.1007 Patients with refractory celiac disease that is not corrected by dietary gluten restriction show an increased production of IL-13 in the gut.1008 The incidence of EOE has increased at alarming rates in Western countries in the last three decades.1009,1010,1233 Most of these specific triggering agents are individual foods by the IGE pathway. However, many other pathways triggered by foods and chemicals can trigger the non-IGE pathway also in chemically sensitive patients.
Pleural disease induced by drugs
Published in Philippe Camus, Edward C Rosenow, Drug-induced and Iatrogenic Respiratory Disease, 2010
Fluoxetine hydrochloride, a commonly used drug for depression, has been reported to cause a pleural effusion in a single patient.26 Approximately 8 weeks into treatment the patient developed pleuritic chest pain and a right pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis revealed 22 500 nucleated cells/μL, with 3 per cent neutrophils, 56 per cent lymphocytes, 5 per cent monocytes and 36 per cent eosinophils. Total protein was 6.1 g/dL with an LDH of 2335 IU/L (the normal upper limit of serum LDH is 580 IU/L). Glucose was 98 mg/dL, the pH was 7.40, and amylase was 44 mg/dL. Pleural fluid cytology was negative. The blood leucocyte count was 6800/μL with 10 per cent eosinophils. Pleural biopsy showed inflammatory changes with mild fibrosis, infiltration of lymphocytes, and minimal mesothelial hyperplasia without eosinophils. Fluoxetine was discontinued with partial resolution of the effusion by 4 weeks and total resolution by 8 weeks. At the time of resolution of the effusion, blood eosinophilia had decreased to 2 per cent. The effusion did not recur. The pleural effusion was thought to be secondary to a hypersensitivity reaction. Fluoxetine has been reported to cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pulmonary phospholipidosis.
A comprehensive summary of disease variants implicated in metal allergy
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 2022
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: The most common variant of allergic esophagitis is eosinophilic esophagitis, which is characterized by significant influx and accumulation of eosinophils within the esophageal mucosa following antigen ingestion (D’alessandro et al. 2015). In patients with suspected disease, histological analysis might be performed, wherein the diagnostic criteria for the condition is the existence of ≥ 15 eosinophils at 400x magnification on a 0.3 mm2 surface of tissue (Kuźmiński et al. 2020). Prototypical Th2 immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis, and similarly, the disease tends to be more common in atopic individuals (Vinit et al. 2019). The major allergens associated with this disease include protein epitopes of milk, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts/tree nuts, and fish/seafood; however, eosinophilic esophagitis may also emerge following the ingestion of metal allergens in some subjects. Nickel was implicated in the majority of these cases and shown to initiate eosinophilic esophagitis alone or in combination with other clinical manifestations of GI allergy (Nucera et al. 2019).
May allergy have a role in primary or recurrent otitis media in Egyptian pediatric patients: a prospective study
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2021
Mohammed El-Shahat, Asser ElSharkawy, Doaa Shahin, Ghada Barakat, Waleed Moneir
Middle ear effusions were collected from children and stored at – 40°C until used. Effusion fluid sample obtained from patients using a special suction tip during myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion under complete aseptic conditions by special suction tip (Figure 1). Samples collected and transported within closed Eppendorf. Middle ear effusion obtained from one or both ears of the same case was considered a single sample. Samples stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin stain to be checked for the presence of eosinophils and counted.