BACKGROUND: Cypress @entity2023 is a major cause of @entity7370 and @entity565 in the Mediterranean area. The nonstandardized cypress allergen extracts currently available for the diagnosis of @entity566 have a low level of activity. The search for an active material has led to the selection of Juniperus ashei (Ja) pollen because of its very high cross-reactivity with cypress extracts and its superior allergenic activity. The aim of this study was to characterize in vitro and calibrate in vivo an in-house reference extract (IHRS) of J. ashei pollen and determine the specificity and sensitivity of a standardized Ja extract for the prick test diagnosis of @entity566 . METHODS: Juniperus ashei pollen extract was analysed by 2-D electrophoresis. The IHRS Ja extract was calibrated by skin prick testing in 28 cypress- @entity56 @entity1 . The sensitivity and specificity of @entity566 diagnosis using a standardized Ja extract was studied by skin prick test in 42 cypress- @entity56 @entity1 and 53 nonallergic @entity1 . Jun a 1 content of the IHRS was determined by a monoclonal antibody-based electrophoretic technique. RESULTS: The Jun a 1 content of the 100 IR/ml Ja IHRS extract was 180 microg/ml. For in vivo diagnosis of @entity566 , Ja pollen extract demonstrated a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 96%, and a positive predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: Standardized Ja pollen extract is therefore a very appropriate tool for the in vivo diagnosis of cypress @entity2023 and good candidate for specific immunotherapy.

Diagnosis of cypress XXXX : in vivo and in vitro standardization of a Juniperus ashei pollen extract.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity7370 :: ('OMIM:613207', 'Disease') :: ['rhinoconjunctivitis'] @entity2023 :: ('MESH:D006255', 'Disease') :: ['pollen allergy'] @entity565 :: ('MESH:D001249', 'Disease') :: ['asthma'] @entity566 :: ('MESH:D006967', 'Disease') :: ['cypress allergy'] @entity56 :: ('MESH:D004342', 'Disease') :: ['allergic']
@entity2023 :: (MESH:D006255,Disease) :: ['pollen allergy']
