Masters Degrees (Physiological Sciences)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Physiological Sciences) by browse.metadata.advisor "Kling, S."

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    Die invloed van die allergiese reaksie op die respiratoriese sisteem, met spesifieke verwysing na die rol van die rondewurm, Ascaris lumbricoides
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1995-03) Vermeulen, Magdalena; Van Rijswijk, A. W.; Kling, S.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Sciences. Dept. of Physiological Sciences.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the allergic reaction on the respiratory system. The influence of parasite infestation (with specific reference to the roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides) on the normal functioning of the respiratory system was also investigated. Firstly a pilot study was done to determine the normal immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels of coloured newborns in the Western Cape. The cord blood IgE values of a group of coloured newborns were determined by using the RIA technique. Although a mean value was reached, it is important for more controlled studies, that would take into account a variety of factors, to be done before determining separate reference values for this population. The levels of one of the most important effector cells in the allergic reaction, namely eosinphils, were determined in a group of asthma patients by using the counting chamber method. In all the cases the eosinophil levels were elevated The influence of Ascaris lumbricoides on the respiratory system was investigated from two different points of view, namely the possible allergic reactions it could induce in the host and secondly by determing the influence of this parasite on one of the parametres of the respiratory system, namely the peak expiratory flow (PEF) values. In the first case the presence of specific Ascaris allergens in a group of asthma patients was determined by using the RAST technique. The incidence of these specific allergens was however not high. Secondly the PEF values of two groups (the one group was infested with the roundworm and the other not) were compared. Wet stool mounts were investigated under a light microscope to identy parasite ova. There was however no significant difference in PEF values between these two groups. This study underlines the complex interaction between parasites and the respiratory system. Further studies in this regard are needed in order to fully understand the nature of this interaction.