bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific IgG subclass antibodies, IgE and IgG S‐TS antibodies to wheat gluten fraction B in patients with coeliac disease
Authors: RAWCLIFFE P. M. , JEWELL D. P. , FAUX J. A.
Published: April 2006

Antibodies were measured in the sera of fifteen patients with untreated coeliac disease and twenty‐eight patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Increased levels of specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 antibody to wheat gluten fraction B, measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, were shown in the coeliac disease group, but not in the inflammatory bowel disease group. No specific IgE antibody to fraction B was detected but 33% of the patients with coeliac disease had specific short‐term sensitizing (anaphylactic) IgG antibody activity (IgG S‐TS) to fraction B. There was no correlation between the IgG2 or IgG4 specific antibody and the presence of IgG S‐TS activity.
Allergy to guinea pigs: I Allergenic activities of extracts derived from the pelt, saliva, urine and other sources
Authors: WALLS A. F. , TAYLOR A. J. NEWMAN , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L.
Published: April 2006

Guinea pig‐sensitive patients with asthma and rhinitis were skin test positive to extracts of several materials derived from guinea pigs. A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was developed to measure serum IgE specific for the dander, urine, saliva and also for dust from the air‐vent filters of a room housing guinea pigs. A strong correlation was found between positive skin test reactions, and raised serum IgE to these extracts. Furthermore, the relative allergenic potency of extracts was similar when determined by skin‐prick testing and by inhibition of the RAST to guinea pig dust.

Non‐guinea pig‐derived extracts such as the hay, sawdust and diet had negligible activity in skin testing and RAST inhibition; and preparations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, house dust and rat dust did not inhibit the RAST for guinea pig room dust.

The guinea pig dust, dander, fur, urine and saliva were the more potent extracts; while whole pelt, faces and serum were considerably less active. Extracts from different sexes were not appreciably different in potency.

The results of skin testing. RAST and RAST inhibition suggest cross‐allergenicity between the various extracts. Although material shed from the pelt may have been derived from saliva, or even urine, allergenic activities of urinary and salivary preparations were found to be less than those of the dander, fur or dust. This suggests that allergens have become concentrated on the pelt.
Factors affecting the development of precipitating antibodies in workers exposed to contaminated humidifiers
Authors: FINNEGAN M. J. , PICKERING C. A. C. , DAVIES P. S. , AUSTWICK P. K. C.
Published: April 2006

A total of 601 sera from groups of workers exposed to heavily and moderately contaminated humidifiers respectively were examined by the double diffusion test for precipitating antibodies to humidifier extracts. Clinical information was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Skin‐prick tests to control, to three common inhalant antigens and to an extract from the humidifier were performed in 103 subjects exposed to a heavily contaminated humidifier. In this environment a strong inverse relationship between current smoking and precipitins was detected (P < 0.001). Pack years smoked had no bearing on precipitin level. In the larger study there was a clear dose response effect of smoking on precipitins. The effect of smoking appeared to reverse within 3 years. Duration of exposure also had a major effect on the development of precipitins with a clear ‘dose response’ again being seen in the larger study. These relationships did not apply in the groups exposed to moderately contaminated humidifiers. Levels of airborne antigen were measured using a competitive ELISA inhibition assay and were found to be much lower in sites with moderately contaminated humidifiers than at sites with heavily contaminated humidifiers. Our results suggest that the airborne antigen level is crucial in determining the pattern and strength of precipitin response in smokers and non‐smokers exposed to contaminated humidifiers.
Exposure of hay fever subjects to an indoor environmental grass pollen challenge system
Authors: DAVIES H. J.
Published: April 2006

A new indoor nasal allergen challenge system has been developed which allows subjects with hay fever to be exposed to pre‐determined concentration of grass pollen grains in the immediate environment. Thirteen subjects were exposed during the winter months to an atmosphere containing approximately 1000 grains/m3 for 30 min. No changes in nasal airway patency or symptoms of nasal congestion were recorded. It was necessary to increase the pollen concentration to approximately 9000 and 35 000 grains/m3 in two subjects and six subjects respectively, before a positive response was recorded. This response was reproducible in all subjects. Administration of intra‐nasal sodium cromoglycate before exposure significantly inhibited the decrease in nasal airway patency and when administered 1 min before exposure totally abolished symptoms of nasal congestion. This new challenge system may therefore be used as an in vivo screen to assess the potential therapeutic value of drugs in hay fever under controlled conditions.
Allergy in the Mediterranean area III: cross reactivity among Oleaceae pollens
Authors: BOUSQUET J. , GUÉRIN B. , HEWITT B. , LIM S. , MICHEL F.‐B.
Published: April 2006

Pollens of closely related species often share common antigens and allergens although this is not always the case. Four species of Oleaceae pollens commonly found in the Mediterranean area were investigated For cross‐reactivity: olive (Olea europaea), ash (Fraxinus exselsior), privet (Ligustrum vulagare) and Phillyreu augustifolia, a common bush. Twenty individual sera of patients allergic to Oleaceae were investigated for specific IgE antibodies against the four species of Oleaceae pollens. The results indicated a high degree of correlation between RAST titres of Oleaceae pollens but three gave a particular emphasis on one species only. Cross‐reactivity among these four pollen species was sought by means of RAST inhibition, iso‐electric focusing and tandem cross‐immunoelectrophoresis. All tests revealed a high degree of cross reactivity although there is no total identity among these four pollen species.
Effect of cigarette smoking on the antibody response to inhaled antigens and the prevalence of extrinsic allergic alveolitis among pigeon breeders
Authors: McSHARRY C. , BANHAM S. W. , BOYD G.
Published: April 2006

There was a reduced prevalence of symptoms of Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (EAA) among the cigarette smokers in a survey of 102 volunteer pigeon breeders. These smokers had a significantly lower antibody response against the inhaled antigens associated with the disease; only one of twenty‐three smokers (4.3%), but thirty‐nine of sixty‐five non‐smokers (55.4%) had elevated serum IgG antibody levels, despite similar degrees of avian exposure in each group. The appearance of antibody in six of fourteen ex‐smokers (42.9%) suggested that the apparent inhibitory effect of smoking on the antibody response was reversible. The smoking group had lower total serum IgG and IgA, higher serum IgD, and their total IgM and IgE levels were similar to the non‐smokers.
Specific IgE to food and inhalant allergens in intestinal washings of children affected by atopic eczema
Authors: MARCUCCI F. , SENSI L. G. , BIZZARRI G
Published: April 2006

Serum and rectal total and specific IgE were measured in eleven children with atopic dermatitis and eight with atopic dermatitis and associated wheezing. Specific IgE to food and inhalant allergens in rectal washings were found in fourteen patients. Of the seventy‐six allergens which gave positive results, twenty were positive in both serum and intestine, thirty in serum alone and twenty‐six in intestines alone. Specific intestinal IgE were confirmed by food challenge in three out of four patients whose skin‐prick test and serum RAST were both negative. Local production of these antibodies was demonstrated by the ‘double ratio’ of Dcuschl and Johansson [1], and the ‘specific activity ratio’ of Platts‐Mills [2]. Positive ratios (> 1) were obtained with both formulas for twelve of fourteen allergens tested. These data suggest that gut‐associated lymphoid tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disease.
Circulating immune complexes in patients with cystic fibrosis in relation to clinical features
Authors: HODSON MARGARET E. , BELDON IRENE , BATTEN J C.
Published: April 2006

Immune complexes have been previously reported in the serum of patients with cystic fibrosis. This study was undertaken to relate the finding of complexes with the clinical features of the disease.

Immune complexes detected by the I25I‐Clq binding assay were found in the sera of 17/60 (28%) of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). There was no association between the finding of raised levels of immune complexes and duration of chest symptoms, duration of daily sputum production, age, sex, weight, atopy, the presence or absence of malabsorption, pneumothorax, diabetes, Aspergillus precipitins or specific bacterial pathogens in the sputum. There was however a correlation between the finding of increasing circulating immune complexes and decrease in the respiratory function; forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (P< 0.001) and forced vital capacity (P< 0.005); also with weight (P<0.02). It is possible that the finding of immune complexes, at low levels, in cystic fibrosis are the result of tissue damage rather than its cause.
Attenuation of exercise‐induced asthma by pretreatment with nedocromil sodium and minocromil
Authors: ROBERTS J. A. , THOMSON N. C.
Published: April 2006

In a group of atopic adult asthmatic patients the effects of two new inhaled anti‐asthmatic drugs, nedocromil sodium and minocromil were studied in two independent randomized double‐blind trials to assess their efficacy in preventing exercise‐induced asthma (EIA). Exercise testing consisted of steady state running on an inclined treadmill. Neither drug administered 30 min before exercise significantly altered baseline FEV1. Nedocromil sodium (2 and 4 mg) pre‐treatment in nine patients and minocromil (4 mg) in eight patients gave significant protection (P < 0.001) compared to placebo as assessed by the reduction in the maximum percentage fall in FEV1. There was no significant difference in the inhibitory effect of the two doses of nedocromil sodium. These results indicate that both nedocromil sodium and minocromil can attenuate EIA.
Application of microtitre plates and fluorescence reading to shorten handling of Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST®
Authors: PÉCOUD A. , PEITREQUIN R. , DUC J. , THALBERG K. , SCHRÖDER H. , FREI P. C.
Published: April 2006

To enable shorter and more convenient testing, the Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST® procedures for the determination of specific and total IgE were modified in three ways: (i) allergen‐coupled paper discs were tested in microtitre wells; (ii) the incubation times were reduced to 1 hr with serum and 2 hr with the anti‐IgE by shaking the plates at room temperature; and (iii) the fluorogenic substrate used reduced the development time to 15 min. Determination of IgE antibody specific for fifteen inhalation allergens by the modified fluorescence test (FEIA) and by the conventional Phadezym RAST® (EIA) was performed on the serum of thirty‐two patients suffering from asthma/rhinitis: correlation studies for these sera showed that 96.1% of the results fell in the same class. In these patients, both FEIA and EIA detected the same proportion of skin‐prick tests (SPT) positive results (67%). With the FEIA, 4/165 (2.4%) class 1 results were found in eleven non‐atopic subjects (symptom free, fifteen negative SPT, total IgE lower than 80 kU/1), compared to 1/165 (0.6%) with the EIA. In twenty cord sera, both FEIA and EIA found 4/300 (1.3%) class 1 results. For the determination of total serum IgE, the microtitre FEIA showed a detection limit of 0.5 kU/1 and an excellent correlation with Phadezym IgE PRIST® (n= 66 serum, r= 0.99). These data indicate that the adaptation of Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST® to microtitre plates and fluorescence technology has resulted in a time‐saving and easy to perform within‐day assay which provided results as reproducible, sensitive and specific as those of the conventional procedure.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine during airway cooling in normal subjects
Authors: SUZUKI S. , ISHII M. , SASAKI J. , TAKISHIMA T.
Published: April 2006

In order to investigate the effects of airway cooling on bronchial responsiveness in normal subjects, we measured bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine with and without the inhalation of cold air. Two out of seven subjects showed an increase in baseline respiratory resistance (Rrs) during cooling of the airway but the other five subjects showed little change in their baseline Rrs. All subjects increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. Additionally, the threshold dose of methacholine decreased to one‐third of the control dose with cooling of the airway. We speculate that airway cooling increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in normal subjects presumably due to increased vagal tone, increased alpha‐adrenergic activity and/or a release of chemical mediators.
Use of liquid nitrogen in the control of house dust mite populations
Authors: COLLOFF M. J.
Published: April 2006

Laboratory and field studies on the use of liquid nitrogen as an acaricide, combined with vacuum cleaning, demonstrated this inert freezing agent to be extremely efficient in reducing the number of live mites in mattresses when compared to vacuum cleaning only. Preliminary observations suggest this treatment does no physical damage to mattresses. Any strategy in the control of house dust mites should incorporate procedures both for the reduction of the mite population and the removal of the allergen pool of faecal pellets and dead mites.
The changing prevalence of respiratory symptoms in atopic children in response to air pollution
Authors: KAGAMIMORI S. , KATOH T. , NARUSE Y. , WATANABE M. , KASUYA M. , SHINKAI J. , KAWANO S.
Published: April 2006

Following the promotion of anti‐air pollution measures in steam power stations using crude oil, atmospheric concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulates have declined. These changes in atmospheric concentrations were accompanied by a decline in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among schoolchildren living near the power stations. In analysing the correlation between air pollutant concentrations and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, those with positive skin reactions to house dust extract (the positive group) showed a more significant correlation coefficient compared to those who had never had a positive skin reaction (the negative group). In addition, schoolchildren more heavily exposed to air pollutants showed the higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than the others. With regard to the kind of air pollutants, both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were more closely associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms than suspended particulates. This study has therefore demonstrated that the positive group is a useful population for monitoring the health effects associated with low‐degree air pollution of gaseous agents.
Development of a sandwich ELISA to detect IgG and IgG sub‐class antibodies specific for a major antigen (Ag 7) of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: HARVEY CHRISTINE , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L.
Published: April 2006

A sandwich ELISA has been developed, using an affinity purified monospecific antiserum as a capture antibody, to detect specific IgG and IgG sub‐classes to a major antigen (Ag 7) of Aspergillus fumigatus in the sera of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Significantly elevated levels of specific IgG to Ag 7 were detected in 97% of ABPA sera tested, as compared to control sera and to sera from A. fumigatus skin‐prick test positive individuals. IgG sub‐class antibody levels to Ag 7 were also determined in a similar sandwich ELISA, but using specific monoclonal antisera instead of the polyclonal anti‐IgG. Both Ag 7 specific IgG1 and IgG4 levels were found to be significantly raised in the ABPA sera compared to controls. It is proposed that this antigen‐specific ELISA may provide a more specific diagnostic test for IgG antibody detection in sera of ABPA patients.
Assessment of cell‐mediated immunity in a British population using multiple skin test antigens
Authors: MAXWELL A. P. , McCLUSKEY D. R.
Published: April 2006

An in vivo method of assessing the competence of the cell‐mediated immune system (Multitest CMI) was used in 200 healthy volunteers (age range 17–88 years). The profile of reactivity to seven individual antigens was determined. A positive reaction was obtained in 96·5% of the subjects who reacted positively to at least one antigen with 78% reacting to two or more antigens. The number of positive responses and the degree of reactivity was significantly reduced in elderly subjects and in females aged 17–65 years. The Multitest CMI system provides a rapid and convenient method of assessing cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) in vivo and could have a wide range of applications in the investigation of immunological, infective and neoplastic conditions.
Effect of beclomethasone dipropionate on nasal metachromatic cell sub‐populations
Authors: OTSUKA H. , DENBURG J. A. , BEFUS A. D. , HITCH D. , LAPP P. , RAJAN R. S. , BIENENSTOCK J. , DOLOVICH J.
Published: April 2006

Abstract. The effect has been investigated of local administration of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) on cell numbers of nasal epithelial metachromatic cell (NMC) sub‐populations. Twenty‐one patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were studied in four groups according to the duration of treatment or after treatment with BDP. Nasal scrapings were taken after 1 week (Group 1) or 2 weeks (Group 2) of BDP treatment, or after discontinuing BDP for 1 week (Group 3) or 2 weeks (Group 4). Cells were fixed with Mota's lead acetate or 10% buffered formalin followed by toluidine blue staining to count the number of NMC and to classify these according to morphological subtypes (basophils or mast cells). Formalin‐sensitive mast cells and basophils in nasal scrapings were reduced more than formalin‐resistant mast cells with BDP treatment. Formalin‐sensitive mast cells were also more prompt to recover from BDP than formalin‐resistant mast cells. The results suggest that the formalin‐sensitive NMC is a sub‐population of cells which responds to BDP treatment in allergic rhinitis.
An immunoassay for the detection of IgE antibodies to trimethoprim in the sera of allergic patients
Authors: HARLE D. G. , BALDO B. A. , SMAL M. A. , VAN NUNEN S. A.
Published: April 2006

An immunoassay was developed to detect IgE antibodies to the widely used antibacterial drug trimethoprim. Significant levels of trimethoprim‐reactive IgE antibodies were found in the sera of two patients who had experienced life‐threatening allergic reactions following administration of a combination of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. No IgE antibodies reactive with sulphamethoxazole were found in the sera of either patient. Inhibition experiments revealed that a high degree of cross‐reactivity occurs between the drug‐reactive IgE antibodies and two structural analogues of trimethoprim. 6‐hydroxy‐ and 6‐chloroirimethoprim. These experiments also indicated that the combining sites of the trimethoprim‐reactive IgE antibodies in the two sera were probably complementary to different parts of the trimethoprim molecule. The assay should supplement skin testing in determining the offending drug in patients with suspected allergic sensitivity to trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole complex.
Amoebae and humidifier fever
Authors: FINNEGAN M. J. , PICKERING C. A. C. , DAVIES P. S. , AUSTWICK P. K. C. , WARHURST D. C.
Published: April 2006

One hundred and nineteen sera from workers at four different work sites exposed to different contaminated humidifiers were examined by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) technique for antibodies to the amoebae Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Naegleria gruberi. Twenty‐five of the sera were from workers with humidifier fever (HF) and six from workers with work related asthma (WRA) shown to be due to the contaminated humidifiers. A positive IFA test was found to correlate precipitin reaction to humidifier antigen, but did not correlate with smoking habit, work related symptoms (detected by standard questionnaire) or with HF or WRA. Amoebae were identified in all humidifiers studied.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in two populations of Australian schoolchildren. II. Relative importance of associated factors
Authors: PEAT J. K. , BRITTON W. J. , SALOME C. M. , WOOLCOCK A. J.
Published: April 2006

In a cross‐sectional study of 2363 schoolchildren living in two rural areas of New South Wales, we used a questionnaire to collect details of sex, area of residence, social class, early respiratory illness (ERI), parental history of asthma and recent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and we used skin‐prick tests to measure atopic status. The relative importance of these factors on the likelihood of children having bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was assessed using a linear modelling analysis. The extent to which these factors affected the severity of BHR was also examined. We found that social class or recent URTI had no association with BHR, that sex and area of residence (inland or coastal) had a small association and that a history of early respiratory illness, a history of asthma in either parent, and atopic status had an important association with BHR. Atopic status was the most important factor. The proportion of children with atopy, with ERI or with parental asthma increased as the severity of BHR increased. The odds ratio for moderate or severe BHR doubled if either ERI or parental asthma was present in addition to atopy and there was a six‐fold increase if all three factors were present together. The identification of these risk factors makes it possible to predict which children in the community are most likely to have BHR, and which children are at high risk for having more severe levels of BHR.
Provocation test with a living insect as a diagnostic tool in systemic reactions to bee and wasp venom: a prospective study with emphasis on the clinical aspects
Authors: KAMPELMACHER M. J. , VAN DER ZWAN J. C.
Published: April 2006

The use of the sting challenge (SC) in insect allergy has brought into doubt the widely held belief that clinical data, specific IgE and the skin test are reliable tools in diagnosis and decision making with regard to therapy. We subjected ninety patients, known to have a systemic reaction to SC, in the Intensive Care Unit. Of these patients, 28% once more showed a systemic reaction; 72% had only a local reaction. No statistically significant difference could be demonstrated between positive and negative SC patients with regard to age; sex; the presence of allergic disease(s)—other than allergy to insects—and the severity of the preceding systemic reaction; the sting site and the related time interval; or specific IgE, IgG1, IgG4, their ratios and the skin test. A negative skin test and/or specific IgE, however, does not exclude the possibility of a recurrent systemic reaction. The long‐term value of the SC appeared to be good since the results of the revision SC remained unchanged. Skin test and specific IgE are useful as diagnostic tools in establishing the insect concerned. SC provides information on the likelihood of a recurrent systemic reaction.
Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent‐assay (ELISA) for IgG in bagasse workers' sera: comparison with counter‐immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: BOIRON P. , DROUHET E. , DUPONT B.
Published: April 2006

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent‐assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against Thermoactinomyces sacchari associated with bagassosis has been described and compared with the counter‐immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) assay in forty‐five bagasse workers; twenty‐six of whom had symptoms consistent with bagassosis, and ten who were normal blood‐bank donors. The ELISA was more sensitive than CIE in detecting antibodies against the double dialysis antigen used. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of ELISA‐positive individuals (82%) than those who were precipitin positive (60%). Results of the ELISA also gave a significantly better correlation (P < 0.05) with the clinical diagnosis (88%) than did the precipitin test results (58%). The ELISA was useful in quantitating antibodies in the sera. The symptomatic group of bagasse workers did not have significantly higher titres in the ELISA than the group of exposed but asymptomatic subjects. We conclude that the ELISA is a sensitive and specific test, which is readily available and widely applicable for the detection of immunization in bagasse workers.
Challenge tests and specific IgE in hay fever sufferers
Authors: FENNERTY A. G. , JONES K. P. , FIFIELD R. , DAVIES B. H.
Published: April 2006

The relationship between challenge tests, specific IgE and seasonal effects in hay fever sufferers was studied. There were significant relationships between nasal challenge, conjunctival challenge and skin‐prick test threshold doses, although the skin and conjunctiva tended to be less sensitive than the nose. A seasonal effect was apparent on nasal challenge, but not conjunctival challenge or skin‐prick testing, with lower threshold doses recorded after the pollen season than in midwinter. There was a significant relationship between specific IgE and nasal challenge, but not conjunctival or skin‐prick test threshold doses.
Inhibitory effect of cetirizine 2HCl on eosinophil migration in vivo
Authors: FADEL R. , HERPIN‐RICHARD NATHALIE , RIHOUX J. P. , HENOCQ E.
Published: April 2006

The effect of a potent antihistamine, cetirizine, was studied on allergic patients and normal subjects by means of an in‐vivo‘skin window’ technique. All subjects showed significant inhibition of skin‐test responses to grass pollen, compound 48/80, histamine and methacholine, after administration of a single dose (10 mg) of cetirizine. Compared to placebo, cetirizine significantly decreased the eosinophils attraction at skin sites challenged with grass pollen and compound 48/80. In allergic patients no change in eosinophil migration pattern was noted with histamine and methacholine skin‐tested sites. In normal subjects, compound 48/80 and histamine did not induce eosinophil accumulation and cetirizine did not modify cellular patterns as compared to placebo. These results suggest that cetirizine acts on eosinophil migration by inhibiting the release of mast cell mediators or inhibiting the eosinophilotactic mediators themselves.
Skin testing with extracts of fungal species derived from the homes of allergy clinic patients in Toronto, Canada
Authors: TARLO S. M. , FRADKIN A. , TOBIN† R. S.
Published: April 2006

Airborne fungi in the homes of patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma, from a Toronto Allergy Clinic population, were isolated, quantified and identified to species. Allergen extracts were prepared from sixteen of these isolated species and used for skin‐prick testing of twenty‐six patients. Fourteen of the total patients reacted to one or more of these extracts at 1:10(w/v) concentrations. The most common positive skin responses (8/14 to 6/14) were found forCladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria tenuis, C. sphaerospermum, andFusariumsp. The two Cladosporium species were also most commonly isolated in homes, but A. tenuis and Fusarium sp. were found only in 4% and <1 % of the air samples, respectively.Epicoccum purpurascensandC. herbarum, which were isolated on approximately 10% of the plates, showed fewer skin reactions compared with the above. Positive skin‐test response to the other ten study extracts ranged from 5/14 for two species ofAspergillusandPhoma glomerata, to 1/14 forPenicillium viridicatum; of these species,Aspergillus fumigatuswas isolated in 3% of the home samples, the others were less than 1%. The findings suggest that fungal antigens from species found in homes are commonly associated with skin sensitization in an allergy clinic population with upper or lower respiratory allergy. No specific relationships were found, however, between the prevalence of fungal species in the home environment and their prevalence as skin‐test allergens.
IgG antibodies against polyisocyanates in car painters
Authors: WELINDER H. , NIELSEN J. , BENSRYD L. , SKERFVING S.
Published: April 2006

A group of thirty car painters exposed to vapours and aerosols of paint containing prepolymer and monomer of hexametylene diisocyanate (HDI) was investigated. Specific antibodies against monomer HDI and prepolymerized HDI were analysed with RAST (IgE) and ELISA (IgG) assays after conjugation of the haptens with human serum albumin. There was no significant increase of serum IgG antibodies against HDI monomer, nor of specific IgE antibodies against HDI monomer or prepolymer. Specific IgG antibodies against prepolymerized HDI were significantly increased, as compared with non‐exposed referents (medians 0.11 vs 0.03 absorbance (A)). Six car painters were found to have specific IgG antibodies of subclass 4 against HDI prepolymer, four also against HDI monomer. This shows an association between exposure and specific IgG antibodies. Thirteen subjects had suffered symptoms of rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis, and ten had symptoms from the bronchi (two asthma). There was no significant association between symptoms and levels of specific antibodies. Most of the symptoms were slight and unspecific, probably due to irritative effects of the exposure.
Isotype specific immunoglobulin responses to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and the purified allergen Der p 1 in asthmatic and control subjects from the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea
Authors: STEWART G. A. , DOWSE G. K. , TURNER K. J. , ALPERS M. P. , NISBET A.
Published: April 2006

The IgG, IgE and IgA antibody responses to the whole mite extract and a purified major mite allergen Der p 1, in sera from asthmatic and age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects from the South Fore region of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, have been studied. Radio‐allergosorbent studies showed that the majority of the asthmatics, in contrast to control subjects, produced IgE to whole mite extract, and that Der p 1 was a major allergen in this population with 88% of mite allergic asthmatics responding. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay studies on these sera showed that the geometric mean levels of whole mite, but not Der p 1, specific IgG and IgA were significantly higher in the asthmatic group than in the control group. Significant correlations between whole mite specific IgG, IgE and IgA responses were obtained. These data indicate that Papua New Guinean asthmatics are similar to Caucasian asthmatic population with regard to serological responses to mite allergens, despite differences in disease presentation, particularly the late age of onset and severity of symptoms.
Long‐term safety of budesonide nasal aerosol: a 5.5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: PIPKORN U. , PUKANDER J. , SUONPÄÄ J. , MÄKINEN JUDITH , LINDQVIST N.
Published: April 2006

The effects of prolonged treatment with intranasally applied budesonide was studied in twenty‐four patients with perennial allergic or non‐allergic rhinitis. Patients on continuous treatment were followed up for 5.5 years. At entry and follow‐up visits, rhinoscopic findings, nasal symptom scores, blood chemistry, haematology, urine analysis and determination of plasma cortisol levels, before and after stimulation with ACTH (Synacthen®, Ciba‐Geigy AG, Basel, Switzerland), were registered. Biopsies of the nasal mucosa were taken before entry into the study, after 1 year of treatment, and after varying time intervals ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 years during the treatment. The biopsy specimens were examined blindly by an independent pathologist. The analyses revealed no histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa. All nasal symptom parameters assessed by the patients were significantly reduced from the baseline during the entire follow‐up period. No clinically significant changes in the haematological and blood chemistry parameters were observed. Plasma cortisol analyses before and after challenge with ACTH revealed no influence on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study suggests that intranasal budesonide in the dose of 200–400 μg/day is also a safe treatment for prolonged treatment of perennial rhinitis.
Basidiospore allergens: analysis of Coprinus quadrifidus spore, cap, and stalk extracts
Authors: DAVIS W. E. , HORNER W. E. , SALVAGGIO J. E. , LEHRER S. B.
Published: April 2006

Atopic individuals with symptoms of respiratory allergy have been shown to have IgE‐mediated reactions to spores from the basidiomycete fungi. Because our earlier studies suggested that parts of the fungus other than spores may contain allergens, the current study was performed. Extracts of Coprinus quadrifidus spores, caps, and stalks were prepared and fractionated by gel filtration column chromatography on Sephadex G‐75. Analysis of column fractions of each separation by ultraviolet absorption demonstrated at least three peaks of absorbency in spore, cap, and stalk extracts. Pooled column fractions were analysed by direct radio‐allergosorbent test (RAST) using pooled sera from C. quadrifidus skin‐test positive subjects. Enhanced allergenic activity was present in the same portion of the column eluate for cap, spore, and stalk fractionations, corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 10.5–25 kD. Pools with allergenic activity were used to test volunteers by skin prick and RAST. Skin test and RAST activities were similar for each of the three Coprinus extracts, with stalk being the most potent. Evidence of common allergenic epitopes was demonstrated by inhibition of spore RAST by spore, cap, and stalk extracts. These results suggest that C. quadrifidus cap and stalk extracts contain allergens similar to those in spores extract and may provide useful sources of allergen for further study.
Guanine and mite allergenicity in house dust
Authors: PAULI GABRIELLE , HOYET C. , TENABENE A. , le MAO J. , THIERRY R. , BESSOT J. C.
Published: April 2006

Guanine is the major nitrogenous waste product in arachnids. It may serve as an indicator for allergenic mite faecal pellets. The present study assesses the correlation between the mite allergenicity of different house dust (HD) samples and their guanine content. Guanine content in HD samples was evaluated either by the Acarex‐Test or determined quantitatively, especially for in‐vitro methods. Using intradermal tests in selectively sensitized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) patients, we evaluated the mite allergenicity of eight extracts obtained from HD samples with varying guanine contents. The weal area appeared to be proportional to the HD samples’ guanine content. A three‐fold increase in skin reactivity was observed when the guanine content varied from 0.06% to more than 1%. Patients allergic to HD but not to Dpt had no significant reactions with HD extract prepared from a guanine‐rich HD sample. For eighteen different HD samples coupled to paper discs, the percentage Dpt RAST binding values obtained with a Dpt‐selectively sensitized patient serum pool was correlated with the guanine concentrations of HD samples (P < 0.01). The potencies of different HD extracts obtained from HD samples that varied in guanine content were also clearly distinguished on histamine‐release titration curves. House dust obtained from homes at high altitude or from hospitals was generally guanine free. The HD sample guanine contents in homes where twelve Dpt‐sensitized patients experienced symptoms were significantly higher than in homes where these patients were symptom free. The guanine colour test, a quick and easy technique, represents an important new development in indoor environmental investigations. It makes it possible to demonstrate mite faecal exposure and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of mite allergen avoidance measures.
Experiences of specific IgE in asthma due to diisocyanates
Authors: KESKINEN HELENA , TUPASELA OUTI , TIIKKAINEN ULLA , NORDMAN H.
Published: April 2006

The specific IgE antibodies were studied with the Phadebas® RAST technique in 35 patients with asthma due to diisocyanates. Two had been sensitized to toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 17 to methylene diisocyanate (MDI) and 16 to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). In each case the diagnosis was confirmed with a bronchial provocation test (BPT). The asthmatic reaction was immediate in 17 cases, of which three had also a late reaction (dual). Eighteen patients reacted only with a late reaction. Seven (20%) had specific IgE to diisocyanates. All RAST‐positive patients had an immediate asthmatic reaction. None of the late reactors and referents had positive RASTs. RAST inhibition tests with 94–100% inhibition confirmed the specificity of the method. There was cross‐reactivity between different diisocyanates, however. The patients with positive RAST to diisocyanates had a higher level of total IgE than the RAST negative group and the referents.
Prolonged treatment with topical glucocorticoids results in an inhibition of the allergen‐induced weal‐and‐flare response and a reduction in skin mast cell numbers and histamine content
Authors: PIPKORN U. , HAMMARLUND A. , ENERBÄCK L.
Published: April 2006

The inhibitory effects of topical glucocorticosteroid treatment on the immediate dermal allergic reaction were studied in 10 patients in a double, randomized, placebo‐controlled fashion. The aim was to study whether a prolongation of the treatment time would enhance the inhibitory effect beyond the 30–40% reduction previously reported after I week of treatment, and whether any changes in skin reactivity were accompanied by changes in the level of mast cells or histamine at the challenge site. Allergen and histamine skin‐prick tests were performed on both forearms before the start of the study and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with placebo cream on one forearm and with 0.05% clobetasot‐17‐propionate cream on the other. Punch biopsies from the skin treated actively and with placebo were taken after 4 weeks in eight of the patients. The specimens were used for the light‐microscopic evaluation of mast cell density and for the measurement of histamine and protein content. After 4 weeks of treatment we found a reduction in the allergen‐induced weal (72%; P<0.001) and flare (62%; P<0.05) response. There was also a minor reduction in the histamine‐induced weal (38%; P<0.05) but not the flare response, suggesting that the glucocorticoid treatment induced a reduced mediator release at allergen challenge. This could be partially explained by the finding of a reduction in the number of detectable skin mast cells (85%; from 0.78 to 0.11 mast cells per unit area) and in the histamine content of the skin as related to the tissue wet weight (36%; P<0.05). There was also an increase in the protein content of the skin in relation to tissue weight (37%; P<0.05), which was presumably partly caused by a reduction in the water content of the skin, further enhancing the reduction of histamine when related to tissue protein content to 56% (P<0.01). These findings of a glucocorticosteroid induced reduction in the mast cell density of the skin differ from the results of our previous study of airway mucosa, where the mast cell density was not reduced by topical glucocorticoid treatment in a dosage which effectively inhibits the immediate allergic response after allergen challenge. These differences can be interpreted as being due to differences in the steroid responsiveness of different mast cell populations, but may also depend on differences in the pharmacokinetics of the glucocorticosteroids when applied locally to the skin as opposed to the airway mucosa. The present results emphasize the role of the mast cell and histamine in the pathogenesis of the immediate dermal allergic reaction, but also stress that the effects of glucocorticosteroids are largely dependent not only on dosage but also on treatment times. Results from in‐vitro and other studies involving short‐term treatment with glucocorticosteroids should therefore be interpreted with caution.
Relationship between skin‐prick tests, the multiple allergosorbent test and symptoms of allergic disease
Authors: FINNERTY J.P. , SUMMERELL S. , HOLGATE S.T.
Published: April 2006

In 47 atopic subjects, skin‐prick testing to 10 common allergens was performed, and specific IgE to the same allergens was assessed by the multi‐allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST‐CLA). Overall agreement between the tests was 66.4% for conventionally positive skin tests (weal diameter 3 mm), rising to 78.5% when a positive skin test was defined as having a weal diameter greater than or equal to 5 mm. Agreement between the tests was statistically significant for all allergens except Alternaria. A history was obtained from each subject of the presence or absence of allergic symptoms on exposure to cats, and whether there was a history of grass pollen allergy. MAST‐CLA testing for specific IgE to cat dander predicted a history of cat allergy with an efficiency of 74.5%, while a positive MAST‐CLA test for Cocksfoot grass predicted a history of grass pollen allergy with an efficiency of 85.1%. Similar results were obtained on skin testing for these allergens. We conclude that MAST‐CLA gave results comparable to those obtained by skin‐prick testing, and correlated equally well with the history of allergic symptoms.
A new method for IgE detection in nasal mucosa
Authors: MARCUCCI F. , SENSI L.
Published: April 2006

A new method for determining IgE antibodies on mucosal surfaces has been developed with the purpose of overcoming the main problems of nasal secretion sampling and standardization. The method is based on the principle of performing the incubation of the solid‐phase coupled allergen with IgE antibody directly on the mucosal surface by means of a proper applicator. About two times higher values of specific IgE have been obtained with 5 min incubation on septal mucosa, behind the internal ostium, than with 3 hr in‐vitro incubation with native secretion. In a study of 53 children with allergic rhinitis and asthma and 10 healthy non‐atopic controls the sensitivity and specificity of this new method were evident. Because of its reliability and easy execution the new method could be widely used in diagnosis of allergic disease. Further, it seems to offer a good opportunity to study the IgE‐mediated reaction in the target organ more extensively.
Use of an autologous reactionin vitroto assess contributions of T and B lymphocytes to immune hyperreactivity of atopics
Authors: DUKE‐COHAN J. S. , HIRT RALY , ROTTEM M. , BEN‐ZVI A. , RUBINOW A. , NAOR D.
Published: April 2006

Thein‐vitroproliferative reaction of peripheral blood lymphocytes (measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation) to autologous pokeweed mitogen (PWM)‐induced lymphoblasts (PWM‐lymphoblast‐stimulated autologous mixed leucocyte reaction, PWM.AMLR) was used as a measure of immune hyperreactivity for comparison of atopic with non‐atopic individuals. Accordingly, 10/24 non‐atopics responded in the PWM.AMLR, and 19/19 atopics reacting to inhaled allergens responded. Autologous stimulation was associated with release of mitogenic factors from the PWM‐activated stimulating cells (2/15 non‐atopics, 9/15 atopics). For non‐atopics, stimulation delivered by staphylococcus A (SAC)‐activated cells was similar to that delivered by PWM‐induced cells, while in atopics, the SAC.AMLR was never more than 50% of the PWM.AMLR, indicating a possible T cell component. Separation by panning of the stimulation cells into lymphocyte subsets supported the notion that stimulation involved a cooperation between B and T4+T cells. It is proposed that a positive PWM.AMLR is dependent upon an initial B cell activation followed by the PWM stimulus dependent upon a previous T cell activation, where atopics have more lymphocytes in an activated state than healthy non‐atopics. Such a baseline priming may contribute to an innate sensitivity of atopics to environmental allergens.
Lymphocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from stable asthmatics, and their correlations with bronchial responsiveness
Authors: KELLY C. A. , STENTON S. C. , WARD C. , BIRD G. , HENDRICK D. J. , WALTERS E. H.
Published: April 2006

Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine (PD20 FEV1) was assessed in 22 asthmatic subjects approximately 5 days prior to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). A PD20 FFV1 could not be attained in 20 matched controls with normal pulmonary function. BAL was performed in all subjects, 3 ± 60 ml aliquots of buffered saline being Introduced into a segment of the middle lobe and immediately aspirated into siliconized glassware at 4°C. After filtration, cells were counted, and the cell pellet resuspended in medium 199. Cytospin slides were prepared and a differential cell count performed. Lymphocyte subsets were identified by labelling further cytospin preparation with specific monoclonal antibodies (Leu series) against T3, T4, T8 and B cell markers, followed by a fluorescent antibody marker. The slides were coded, and 100 lymphocytes were then randomly scanned for fluorescence on each cytospin preparation. The median total lymphocyte counts were significantly greater in the asthmatic subjects, but this increase was confined to the T cell subgroups. The mean T4/T8 ratio was similar in asthmatic (1.51) and control (1.45) subjects. Log PD20 FFV1 correlated positively with total lymphocyte counts (r= 0.42, P < 0.05), and with total T8 counts (r= 0.60, P < 0.05). Correlations between bronchial responsiveness and T3, T4 and B lymphocyte numbers all failed to reach significance, and there was no correlation with T4/T8 ratios. The increase in BAL lymphocyte counts in asthma appears to be due loan absolute increase in T cell subsets, especially the T8 lymphocyte subgroup, and is most marked in mild asthmatics.
The allergens of dog. I. Identification using crossed radio‐immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: FORD ANNETTE W. , ALTERMAN LESLEY , KEMENY D. M.
Published: April 2006

The antigens present in an extract of dog hair and dander were examined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and the IgE‐binding allergens by crossed radio‐immunoelectrophoresis (CRIE), respectively, using sera from 60 British and Finnish animal‐allergic subjects. The extract was comprised of a minimum of 28 antigens, 11 of which were common to dog serum. IgE antibody in the sera of the dog‐sensitive patients bound to 21 of the 28 antigens at varying frequencies and intensities. Binding of any intensity occurred most frequently to two serum proteins: antigen 23 (IgG) binding IgE in 88% of cases, and antigen 3 (dog serum albumin, DSA) in 77% of cases. Dander antigen 8 bound in 63% and antigen 1 in 42% of the sera. Strong IgE binding, however, was most commonly associated with dander antigen 8 followed by antigens 1 and 23 (IgG) then 3 (DSA). The ranking of the antigens as allergens was similar for the two populations except that DSA was more important for the British than for the Finnish subjects.