10 April, 2015

Blood transfusion can transmit food allergy in kids

Some children may develop anaphylactic allergies to previously tolerated foods after blood/platelets transfusion, a case study reveals.

"It is very unusual to identify someone who experienced passive transfer of allergy from blood products," said Julia Upton from the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto.

"Importantly, this condition has an excellent prognosis and typically resolves within a few months," she added.

Blood donors who have food allergies can transfer immunoglobulin E, an antibody that reacts against allergens, from blood products such as platelets.

"It is important for parents and physicians to be aware of this event in case children have anaphylactic reactions after receiving blood products, particularly after eating peanuts, tree nuts and fish, foods that they could previously consume without reaction," Upton explained.

These reactions -- with symptoms such as facial swelling, throat discomfort or sudden fatigue -- should be treated immediately at an emergency department, said the case study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

When there is passive transfer of allergies after blood transfusion, physicians should follow up with the family after a few months to decide the timing of careful reintroduction of the temporary allergens into a child's diet, Upton said.

It is also important for physicians to report suspected cases of passive transfer of allergies to the hospital's transfusion service to investigate the cause and ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

10.04.2015

Way to detect cancer without biopsy found!

A Brazilian scientist has developed a method to detect cancer before initial symptoms appear and without the need for a biopsy.

Priscila Kosaka, 35, a researcher working at the Microelectronic Institute of Madrid (Spain) for the past six years, has developed a less invasive method that uses a nano-sensor that is "10 million times more effective" than traditional tests on patient blood samples, Xinhua news agency reported citing Brazilian media on Tuesday.

The sensor has antibodies that can capture cancerous cells when they come into contact with an affected blood sample, and as a result weigh more, Kosaka told Brazil's leading G1 news website.

In addition, the process causes the cancerous cells to change colour, indicating the presence of a malignant tumour, she added.

The sensor, not expected to be on the market for 10 more years, may miss only two out of 10,000 samples, and can also be used to detect the onset of hepatitis and Alzheimer's, according to G1.

"Currently, there is no method that can detect very low concentrations of molecules," said Kosaka.

Studies still need to be done to improve the nano-sensor so it can identify the type of cancerous cells present in a sample, such as gastrointestinal or pancreatic.

According to the World Health Organisation, 21.4 million cases of cancer are detected around the globe each year.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

10.04.2015

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time

Thomas Edison