bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local nasal desensitization in allergic rhinitis
Authors: TAYLOR GEOFFREY , SHIVALKAR P. R.
Published: April 2006

Persistent reduction in nasal sensitivity was induced in most subjects suffering from allergic rhinitis by repeated nasal allergen challenge. Patients so treated failed to respond by increases in nasal airways resistance, sneezing or nasal discharge when challenged with doses of allergen which previously provoked such responses. Disodium cromoglycate did not facilitate the induction of local desensitization although it blocked the unpleasant symptoms of nasal challenge. Diminished sensitivity persisted at least for several months and test groups had significantly lower symptom scores during the pollen season when compared with control subjects. It is suggested that a local secretory IgA response may be involved in the reduction in sensitivity.
Asthma due to inhaled chemical agents—tolylene di‐isocyanate
Authors: PEPYS J. , PICKERING C.A.C. , BRESLIN A.B.X. , TERRY D.J.
Published: April 2006

Four patients with asthma due to tolylene di‐isocyanate (TDI) were tested by occupational type exposure to a polyurethane varnish and its TDI activator'. Late asthmatic reactions were given in two patients, the third gave an immediate reaction and the fourth gave a dual, immediate followed by late asthmatic, reaction. The reactions in the last two patients were inhibited by disodium cromoglycate. Two patients encountered the TDI in fumes from soldering polyurethane coated wire. The possibility of sensitization in conditions of limited exposure requires more frequent consideration as none of the four subjects tested gave histories of heavy exposure.
Pulmonary reactions to Micropolyspora faeni in sensitized rabbits*
Authors: KOCHMAN S. , MARTIN J.C. , BUREAU G. , DEMONTREYNAUD J.M. DUBOIS
Published: April 2006

Rabbits sensitized by injection were exposed to an aerosol of Micropolyspora faeni. Death occurred rapidly, and the lungs were immediately fixed and examined. The unprotected animals presented an allergic alveolitis with capillary lesions in which the changes in the endothelium were associated with intravascular coagulation. Heparin completely protected the endothelium but did not prevent the coagulopathy; an anti‐platelet serum abolished this latter element of the reaction. The authors conclude that the alveolitis. which persisted in all the cases, was a Type 1 allergic reaction linked to the liberation of the mediators of immediate hypersensitivity.

The changes in the capillary endothelium are the consequence and not the cause of the intravascutar coagulation. This coagulation is independent of the Type 1 allergic phenomena and it appears to be responsible for the development of the fibrosing granulomata characteristic of “farmer's lung”.
Purpuric dermatosis due to house‐dust mite (Dermatophagoides spp.) allergy: a case report
Authors: HEPPLE SHIRLEY , MACMILLAN A. L.
Published: April 2006

A case of pigmented purpuric dermatosis is reported. The patient was a fit young girl subject to recurrent, generalized, transient purpuric capillaritis appearing 36–55 hr after systemic absorption of house‐dust mite antigen. Her serum contained IgG and IgE antibodies to house dust and to mite antigens. Skin from a test site had IgE on the mast cells, and half of the cells showed anaphylactic degranulation. However, this case was not a typical example of anaphylactic (atopic) sensitivity, and did not resemble any of the classical types of allergy.
Pulmonary granulomatoses due to inhaled particles: personal experience and some immunological considerations
Authors: VILLAR T. G. , ÀVILA RAMIRO , DE ARAÚJO A. TELLES
Published: April 2006

Clinical, radiological, functional, laboratory and pathologic studies on 114 patients with bronchopulmonary granulomatoses due to inhaled particles are presented, together with measurements of the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM found in the sera of seventy‐three of the patients compared with those of forty blood donors used as normal controls. No differences were found between organic or inorganic dusts as causes in any of these parameters. There was, however, a significant increase in IgA and IgG compared with the controls. The possibility of a common pathogenic factor for this disease, independent of the nature of the causal agent is discussed.
A clinical trial of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in children and adolescents with asthma
Authors: SMITH JOHN MORRISON
Published: April 2006

A double‐blind cross‐over trial lasting 4 weeks of beclomethasone dipopionate aerosol in thirty‐nine children and young people with asthma already on oral corticosteroid treatment showed a significant beneficial effect which in most cases was maintained on continued open treatment for a further 4 weeks. An overall assessment based on several clinical observations and measurements suggested that twenty‐four (62%) were improved while having beclomethasone dipropionate. After a month on known beclomethasone dipropionate fifteen patients had stopped oral corticosteroid treatment and five had reduced the dose without relapse. Response to treatment was not related to total IgE levels. No serious side effects were noted.
Forecasting the start and severity of the hay fever season
Authors: DAVIES R. R. , SMITH L. P.
Published: April 2006

Since the season of summer hay fever may last only 4 weeks and rainfall may produce days with virtually no airborne pollen, the timing of clinical trials is important. To facilitate this a method of forecasting the first possible 100% symptom day, and the severity of the season in terms of light, moderate or severe, is presented. The forecast is based on temperature in April and May, and formulae tested by reference to records of grass pollen concentrations over Central London during 1961–70.
Further studies of concordant fluctuation in sensitivity of peripheral leucocytes to unrelated allergens and the meaning of nonspecific ‘desensitization’
Authors: MAY CHARLES D. , WILLIAMS C. SCOTT
Published: April 2006

These studies pertain to the significance and mechanism of concordant fluctuation in sensitivity of peripheral leucocytes to release of histamine by unrelated allergens.

One type of concordant fluctuation occurs during injection of allergen. In this type, reduction of leucocyte sensitivity is only partial and recovery is rapid when injection of allergen ceases, and the reduction is related to degranulation of basophils and decrease in the histamine content. The nonspecific nature of the concordant, proportionate reduction in sensitivity to unrelated allergens suggests degranulation of a population of basophils in the circulation that apparently carries the reaginic antibodies for all allergens to which the subject is hypersensitive.

Another type of concordant loss of peripheral leucocyte sensitivity to unrelated allergens occurs uncommonly, without clear relation to allergen injection. In this type, reduction of leucocyte sensitivity proceeds gradually to the point of unresponsiveness to allergen and persists for prolonged periods. The nonspecific nature of this type is not associated with decrease in histamine content of the peripheral leucocytes (basophils).

In both types, simultaneous determination of other indices of hypersensitivity (sensitivity of skin and bronchi, and reaginic antibody content of serum) showed no significant changes concomitant with fluctuation in peripheral leucocyte sensitivity. This suggests basophils in the peripheral blood behave differently from mast cells in tissues.

The findings point to important limitations in the use of in‐vitro measurement of sensitivity of peripheral leucocytes (basophils) as an index of hypersensitivity of a person and as a means of monitoring the efficacy of injection therapy. The term ‘desensitization’ should be used precisely to distinguish loss of hypersensitivity of tissues throughout the body from reduced sensitivity of only certain cells.
An immunological approach to the diagnosis of food sensitivity
Authors: GALANT STANLEY P. , BULLOCK JOSEPH , FRICK OSCAR L.
Published: April 2006

Nineteen patients with delayed onset food sensitivity were compared with fourteen patients with immediate reactions and twenty‐one non‐atopic subjects in terms of clinical symptoms, foods involved and IgE mediated immunological reactions. The immediate reactors were frequently positive to all tests used: skin tests (71%), allergen induced leucocyte histamine release (71%), radioimmunodiffusion (55%) and skin window (55%). Those with the delayed onset variety were seldom positive by skin testing (13%), or skin window (0%), while 39% were positive by leucocyte histamine release and 48% demonstrated specific IgE food antibodies. Control subjects had negative responses to immunological tests for IgE antibody except for leucocyte histamine release (24%). Reasons for the differences between immediate and delayed onset food sensitivity in clinical symptoms, foods involved and immunologic parameters are discussed. A careful history in conjunction with the elimination and challenge technique remains the most useful tool at present for the delayed onset group. In vitro methods for detecting specific IgE responses may also prove to be helpful.
Photo‐inactivated allergens I. Preparation, physicochemical and biological properties
Authors: BERRENS L. , HÉNOCQ E. , RADERMECKER M.
Published: April 2006

A method is described for the preparation of inactive atopic allergens by irradiation with ultraviolet light. From an analysis of the absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, and with the aid of synthetic model compounds, it is concluded that the allergenic determinant of lysine‐sugar conjugation is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light. Considerable reduction of allergenicity in vitro (diminished capacity to inactivate human complement in fluid phase) and in vivo (impressive reduction of skin‐reactivity in atopic patients and, by passive transfer, in monkeys) was demonstrated. Only slight modification of the antigenic characteristics was detected.
Respiratory disease due to sulphasalazine
Authors: THOMAS PETER , SEATON ANTHONY , EDWARDS JOHN
Published: April 2006

A patient is described who developed a pulmonary hypersensiiivity reaction to sulphasalatzine used in the treatment of his ulcerative colitis. Challenge testing demonstrated that the patient was sensitive to the sulphapyridine component of the drug. The pulmonary response consisted of an immediate bronchial obstructive reaction and a late parenchymal reaction with fall in gas transfer factor. Detailed immunological testing failed to define the mechanisms of drug toxicity.
A metabolizable adjuvant: clinical trial of grass pollen‐tyrosine adsorbate
Authors: MILLER A. C. M. L. , TEES E. C.
Published: April 2006

Grass pollen extract adsorbed on to a suspension of L‐tyrosine has been tested over 2 years as a treatment for hay fever. Eight‐ or nine‐dose courses terminating at doses of between 1000 and 10,000 Noon units were equally effective when compared either with a placebo or with a pyridine‐extracted alum precipitate.
Farmer's lung following inhalation of Aspergillus flavus growing in mouldy corn
Authors: PATTERSON R. , SOMMERS H. , FINK J. N.
Published: April 2006

After a latent period of 3 weeks following an intense inhalational exposure to mouldy corn, a farmer developed pneumonilis apparently of a hypersensilivity pneumonitis type. This illness was associated with serum precipitating antibodies against antigens in the mouldy corn and against antigens of Aspergillus flavus and fumigatus. The former organism was cultured from the mouldy corn and precipilin bands of identity between an extract of mouldy corn and aspergitlus antigen were demonstrated using the patient's serum. Organizing bronchiolilis oblilerans was found in pulmonary tissue after death occurred, the latter presumably due to pulmonary embolism. This case is believed to represent the occurrence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis following massive inhalation of the spores of the genus A. flavus possibly with transient respiratory infection with these organisms but without systemic invasion of the host.
Immunopathological studies in patients with farmer's lung
Authors: GHOSE T. , LANDRIGAR P. , KILLEEN R. , DILL J.
Published: April 2006

Immunohistological study of lung biopsies from four palients with farmer's lung revealed histological evidence of vasculilis along with deposits of immunoglobulins and C3 in and around the affected vessels in the biopsies from two palients. Both these patients were exposed to mouldy hay antigens shortly before biopsy. Both these patients also had considerable numbers of eosinophils in their lung lesions. Immune‐complex mediated vasculitis is probably an early event in the pathogenesis of farmer's lung and might not be detectable in the absence of recent exposure to relevant antigens. The presence of large numbers of eosinophits in these lesions suggests a type I reaction acting as the trigger for a type 3 reaction.
Specific IgE determination by RAST compared with skin and provocation tests in allergy diagnosis with birch pollen, timothy pollen and dog epithelium allergens
Authors: AHLSTEDT S. , ERIKSSON N. , LINDGREN S. , ROTH A.
Published: April 2006

In sixty‐five patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis, intracutaneous tests and provocation tests were performed with birch pollen, timothy pollen and/or dog epithelium allergen. The clinical diagnosis was compared with RAST results obtained with identical allergen preparations for in vivo as well as in vitro testing in two different laboratories. An overall correlation between in vitro and in vivo diagnosis was found in 85% of the cases. It is suggested that a scoring system using the sum of case history score and RAST values could be used for screening allergic patients with different allergens, making in vivo tests necessary only in a limited number of the cases.
The association of lung shadowing with hypersensitivity responses in patients with allergic broncho‐pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: TURNER K. J. , ELDER JANET L. , O'MAHONY JANICE , JOHANSSON S. G. O.
Published: April 2006

The levels of total serum IgE and IgE antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus allergens were highest during an episode of symptoms associated with fresh pulmonary shadowing and a rise in the direct cosinophil count in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Agglutinin titres were greater than those found in the sera of control subjects hut did not always correlate in magnitude with total serum IgE and IgE antibody levels. The highest agglutinin titre was found in the serum of a patient with an aspergilloma in association with allergic aspergillosis. The maximum in vitro histamine release from leucocytes exposed to A. fumigatus extracts or anti‐human IgE was independent of the concentration of total IgE or IgL antibodies. The leucocytes appeared to he relatively insensitive to both allergic and reverse allergic histamine release. This was considered to result from either continuous in vivo desensitization of the leucocytes by antigens shed from the fungal hyphae or, to the effect of drugs used in the treatment of (he disease, It was concluded that serial serum IgE measurements may be of value in monitoring the onset of the active phase of this disease.
Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of seasonal asthma and hay fever
Authors: BROWN H. MORROW , STOREY G.
Published: April 2006

A clinical trial of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in seasonal respiratory allergy is reported. Complete control was never achieved, due to acute antigen challenges at the peaks of pollen or spore counts. In ninety‐live asthma cases 66.3%, had good control, 10.5% moderate control and 23.2% were failures. In seventy‐two hay fever cases, using nasal applicators for the aerosol, 71% had good and 7% moderate control, while 22% were failures of treatment.

Steroid aerosol therapy for seasonal respiratory allergy appears to be a satisfactory treatment, free from side effects, and particularly suitable for patients where there are contra‐indications to oral steroid therapy, such as peptic ulcer or diabetes mellitus.
The inhibitory effect of serum factors on measurement of IgE aspergillus antibodies by RAST
Authors: VERVLOET DANIEL , FUJITA YOSUKE , WYPYCH JOHN I. , REISMAN ROBERT E. , ARBESMAN CARL E.
Published: April 2006

The RAST value obtained in the A. fumigalus system, from sera of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is dependent not only on the reagin titre but also on blocking factors that depress the RAST score. These factors are primarily specific for A. fumigatus and can be removed by an A. fumigatus immuno‐adsorbent. However, some blocking activity could be found in normal sera even after absorption with an A, fumigates immunoadsorbent and seems to be non‐specific. All of these blocking factors influence the specificity of the RAST, and complicate the comparison of the quantitation of IgE antibodies in different sera. The use of discs rather than cellulose particles and the use of dilute sera result in a RAST assay more proportional to the specific IgE antibodies to A. fumigates.
Precipitin test negative farmer's lung—activation of the alternative pathway of complement by mouldy hay dusts
Authors: EDWARDS J. H. , BAKER J. T. , DAVIES B. H.
Published: April 2006

Respirable fractions of mouldy hay and grain dusts were incubated with fresh human serum, Immunoelectrophoresis against rabbit anti C3 activator serum showed a conversion of C3 proactivator to C3 activator indicating that these respirable dust fractions are capable of operating the C3 by‐pass mechanism (alternative pathway). It is suggested that this, or other mechanisms, may contribute towards a disease essentially the same as classical immune complex farmer's lung where exposure is sufficiently heavy.
The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) in the diagnosis of reaginic allergy
Authors: APOLD J. , HAVNEN J. , HVATUM M. , OSEID S. , AAS K.
Published: April 2006

Provocation tests, skin tests, and RAST were performed in 156 asthmatic children, using eleven different allergens (moulds, animal danders, and pollens). A total of 305 positive and 676 negative provocation tests were performed. For positive provocations there was an overall agreement with RAST in 61% of the instances, for negative bronchial tests in 94%. The agreement was found to be allergen dependent. By combining RAST and skin tests, it was possible to arrive at a conclusive allergy diagnosis in a higher number of instances than if either skin testing or RAST was used alone, but in a considerable number of instances provocation tests were found to be necessary to secure the allergy diagnosis. The results obtained with RAST in this study were less favourable than those of other studies, probably because of the use of lower quality allergosorbent material.
Cystic fibrosis—immunological reactions to A. Fumigatus and common allergens
Authors: WARREN C. P. W. , TAI E. , BATTEN J. C. , HUTCHCROFT B. J. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

Immunological studies of forty‐three patients with cystic fibrosis showed that positive prick tests to at least one common allergen were obtained in 70%, to multiple allergens in 28% and to A. fumigatus in 50%. Specific IgE antibodies against these allergens were found in the appropriate subjects. In spite of this evidence of type 1, IgE, sen‐sitization none of the patients had a history of infantile eczema.

Intracutaneous tests with A. fumigatus extract gave types 1 and 3 reactions in sixteen patients (37%), only seven of whom were among the sixteen (37%) who gave positive precipitin tests.

Raised levels of total serum IgG and IgA were found as compared with healthy controls and asthmatic subjects. No differences were found in total serum IgM and IgD levels.

The high incidence of allergy to A. fumigatus in cystic fibrosis is confirmed.
The effect of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on the levels of albumin and the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE in sputum
Authors: TURNER K. J. , REBUCK A. S.
Published: April 2006

Sputum samples from control subjects with cardiac disease and from patients with asthma were assayed for albumin content and immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE. The asthmatics were divided into three groups: one group had received disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) for at least 48 hr prior to sampling, another group was sampled daily after commencing DSCG therapy and the third group were not taking DSCG. Albumin and immunoglobulins accounted for approximately 8% of the total sputum proteins in each of the four groups of subjects. There was no significant difference in the mean sputum levels of albumin or the immunoglobulins, when expressed as a percentage of total sputum proteins, between the subjects in each group. However, the ratios of IgA/albumin and IgA/IgG in the asthmatic group receiving DSCG were significantly lower than the corresponding ratios in sputa from both asthmatics and control subjects with cardiac disease. The sputum IgE levels tended to be higher in the asthmatics than in the control group, but DSCG therapy had little effect upon sputum IgE levels.
Ragweed hay fever: treatment by local passive administration of IgG antibody
Authors: GLEICH GERALD J. , YUNGINGER JOHN W.
Published: April 2006

To determine whether the local administration of IgG antibodies might reduce the symptoms of ragweed hay fever, we tested the effect of this treatment in fourteen patients in a double‐blind pilot trial. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, treatment and placebo, and their symptoms and medication usage were determined during the ragweed pollination season. One group used a nasal spray consisting of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) containing human serum albumin, whereas the other used PBS containing purified IgG from a subject with a high titre of IgG antibody to partially purified ragweed antigen E. Treated and control groups used comparable quantities of nasal spray, and neither noted any ill effects. Comparison of individual symptoms of hay fever, medication usage, and total symptom scores showed no significant differences between the groups except a lessening of eye symptoms (P<0.05) in the treated group. The results suggest that nasal administration of IgG antibody up to five times daily does not alter the severity of symptoms in ragweed hay fever. Furthermore, total serum IgE protein and specific IgE levels increased comparably in both groups, suggesting that passive administration of IgG antibody does not suppress the production of IgE antibody during the pollination season.
Intranasal betamethasone valerate in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis
Authors: ARCHER G. J. , THOMAS A. K. , HARDING S. M.
Published: April 2006

Betamethasone valerate aerosol given in doses of 100 μg into each nostril twice daily was compared with a placebo in a double‐blind, cross‐over trial involving thirty patients with seasonal rhinitis. Patients recorded symptoms of eye irritation and watering, sneezing, rhinorrhoea, and nasal blockage, on a diary card. Analysis of the symptom scores showed that nasal symptoms were significantly better on betamethasone valerate than on placebo (P<0.01) and that nasal blockage in particular was improved (P<0.001). The patients’preference was significantly in favour of the active compound (P < 0.02) and no side‐effects were noted. It is concluded that betamethasone valerate offers a safe and effective form of treatment for seasonal rhinitis.
Effect of alpha receptor blocking drug, thymoxamine, on allergen induced bronchoconstriction in extrinsic asthma
Authors: PATEL K. R. , KERR J. W.
Published: April 2006

In ten patients with extrinsic bronchial asthma, allergen provoked bronchospasm was significantly inhibited by the alpha receptor blocking drug thymoxamine given intravenously. In two of these patients thymoxamine by inhalation also effectively inhibited allergen induced broncboconsiriction. It is suggested that thymoxamine may be acting either by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and thus inhibiting mediator release following allergen challenge or by modifying the airways response to these mediators by altering the bronchomotor tone. The variable responses recorded after allergen challenge in presence of alpha blockade with thymoxamine suggests that the dominant effect is on the bronchomotor tone rather than the mediator release.
In vitro diagnosis of atopic allergy The occurrence and clustering of positive RAST results as a function of age and total IgE concentration
Authors: BJÖRKSTÉN F. , JOHANSSON S. G. O.
Published: April 2006

Specific IgE antibodies were determined on a routine basis in patient sera using the radicallergosorbent test (RAST) with a panel of ten common allergens. Total IgE was also assayed. Of all positive RAST reactions observed, 74% were against the following allergens: horse and cat epithelium, birch and timothy pollen, and house dust. Clustering (occurrence together with significantly elevated frequencies) accompanied both positive reactions to some animal danders and food allergens. Children in all age groups had significantly more positive food RAST results than adults, and this explains the clustering among food allergen results. Children aged 0–4 years had few positive pollen results. Among those with at least one positive RAST result, the mean number of positive results was 3.3, a figure which did not vary with age. In the present patient population 37% had a total IgE above the upper reference (normal) limit, and of these 95% had at least one positive RAST result. A normal or low IgE value was found to be less informative.
Evaluation of a breath actuated pressurized aerosol
Authors: COADY T. J. , DAVIES H. J. , BARNES P.
Published: April 2006

Preliminary investigation suggests that some asthmatic patients find it difficult to synchronize the release of a metered dose from a pressurized aerosol with the correct phase of inspiration. An automatic device has been developed to overcome this problem. Information is presented outlining the physical characteristics of the unit and the methods used to establish its performance in patients. It is suggested that the device may have a place in the management of asthma.
The prevalence of immediate positive skin tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and grass pollen in schoolchildren
Authors: GODFREY R. C. , GRIFFITHS M.
Published: April 2006

The prevalence of immediate positive reactions to prick testing with house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and grass pollen allergens was determined in a random sample of 303 children aged between 8 and 14 years from two Southampton schools. One hundred and two (33.7%) showed positive reactions, fifty to both D. pteronyssinus and grass pollen, thirty to D. pteronyssinus only and twenty‐two to pollen only. Allergic symptoms were present in fifty‐one of the 102 children with positive skin tests; amongst thirty children with D. pteronyssinus skin sensitivity by itself, only six had symptoms suggestive of allergic disorder. Significantly more children with positive than with negative tests were reported by their parents to have suffered from recurrent bronchitis during early childhood.
Comparison of IgE values as determined by different solid phase radioimmunoassay methods
Authors: JOHANSSON S. G. O. , BERGLUND ASTA , KJELLMAN N.‐I. M.
Published: April 2006

Accurate measurement of low IgE concentrations is technically difficult. In this paper results obtained by a direct sandwich and three inhibition methods of radioimmunoassays are compared. For values above 50 U/ml good correlation was obtained with all methods. Below 50 U/ml, however, the inhibition methods tended to yield falsely high values. For very low concentrations, 1–10 U/ml the best correlation was obtained between the direct sandwich test (PRIST*) and the inhibition test using a correction factor to allow for the non‐specific effect of serum.

The four methods were used to quantify IgE in cord serum samples from healthy individuals. The mean value obtained by PRIST was 0.4 U/ml and by the inhibition test, using a correction factor, 0.6 U/ml respectively. Because of its greater simplicity the direct sandwich test is recommended.
Investigation of a respiratory disease associated with an air‐conditioning system
Authors: PICKERING C. A. C. , MOORE W. K. S. , LACEY J. , HOLFORD‐STREVENS VALERIE C. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

This paper describes the investigation of respiratory disease presenting in a group of men employed on the printing floor of a factory. The air‐conditioning units supplying this floor were found to be contaminated with a variety of micro‐organisms. The specific cause of the disease was not identified but an alteration in the system of humidification led to the complete resolution of symptoms.
Hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and tartrazine in patients with asthma
Authors: STENIUS BRITA S. M. , LEMOLA MARKKU
Published: April 2006

One‐hundred and forty asthmatics were tested perorally with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and/or with the azo‐colour tartrazine; a fall in PEF of more than 20% was accepted as a positive result. About one quarter of the patients displayed a positive reaction to one of the two tested agents. No significant correlation was found between the reactions of these, and the presence of atopy, nasal polyposis, sinusitis, rhinitis, sensitivity to cold air, the age at onset, duration of asthma, or history of sensitivity to alcoholic drinks. The history suggested sensitivity to ingested, possibly coloured, food and drink, in only about one third of the tartrazine‐positive cases. The ASA provocation tests were mainly applied to patients with doubtful or negative histories of sensitivity to ASA‐containing drugs. The frequency of cross‐reactivity between the two tested agents was statistically significant; patients reacting to tartrazine were for the most part, also sensitive to ASA. Tests for sensitivity to analgesics and food additives should be conducted as a routine measure in asthmatics, and sensitive patients should be given information on suitable medication and dietary control.
Immediate (type I) allergic responses to platinum compounds
Authors: CLEARE M. J. , HUGHES E. G. , JACOBY B. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

A series of platinum complexes has been used for allergy tests in a number of platinum refinery workers who are known to be sensitive to hexachloroplatinate ([PtCl6]2‐) salts. The results show that the allergy‐eliciting compounds are confined to a very small group of ionic complexes containing reactive halogen ligands. Neutral complexes and those containing more strongly bound ligands are totally inactive. These variations in activity are interpreted in terms of established kinetic and thermodynamic parameters.
Elevated serum IgG4 levels in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: SHAKIB F. , STANWORTH D. R. , SMALLEY C. A. , BROWN G. A.
Published: April 2006

The quantitative measurement of the IgG subclass composition of the sera from sixteen patients with cystic fibrosis has revealed grossly elevated levels of IgG4 in seven patients. The possible significance of this observation is discussed in relation to recent reports of a high incidence of immediate‐type hypersensitivity in such patients.
Retrospective survey of 1271 patients diagnosed as perennial rhinitis
Authors: VINER A. S. , JACKMAN N.
Published: April 2006

Data from 1271 patients with perennial rhinitis has been assessed. This condition predominantly affects children and young adults; 31·5% stated that symptoms first appeared before the age of 10 years, less than 10% were aged 50 years or more suggesting that the disease process may well disappear in later life.

The total sample size was equally divided between the sexes and the mean age for the sexes was similar. In terms of age distribution a sex difference was found in that the peak incidence for males occurred in the age group 10–19 years whereas for females it was in the third decade (P < 0·001).

The duration of the disease was, in most cases, between 2 and 9 years but it can extend to over 15 years and thus become subacute or chronic. The major symptom is blocking which could be due to either histological changes in the mucosa or immunological reactions.

Skin tests showed that 64% had a positive reaction to common allergens; however, nasal challenge tests were of little value in determining whether a patient could be classified as allergic. Eosinophils were noted in 66%. The value of skin tests and nasal smears is discussed.
Lymphocyte sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in pulmonary diseases in man
Authors: HASLAM P , LUKOSZEK A. , LONGBOTTOM J. L. , TURNER‐WARWICK M.
Published: April 2006

In vitro studies of T‐lymphocyte responses using five different batches of Aspergillus fumigatus antigens, were undertaken in twelve patients with A. fumigatus related lung disease and in three normal controls.

Using a leucocyte migration method, five of the twelve patients showed significant inhibition of leucocyte migration with a migration index of 0·80 or less to A. fumigatus, but in only three was this demonstrated with more than one batch of antigen (one patient with aspergilloma and two with bronchopulmonary aspergillosis).

The same antigens were used in lymphocyte transformation tests. Only two patients, one with aspergilloma and one with bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, showed clearly significant transformation although there were several borderline results.

Only three patients had evidence of delayed skin responses to A. fumigatus antigens in vivo, one with aspergilloma, one with bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and one with atypical bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Two of these three patients also had one or more positive in vitro test results.

Thus T‐lymphocyte sensitization to A. fumigatus as demonstrated by these in vitro methods, although present in occasional patients, was not clearly related to any one particular clinical syndrome in this small group of patients with aspergillus related pulmonary disease. There was, however, one of the three aspergilloma patients with positive lymphocyte transformation to all five batches of antigens and having higher transformation indices than in any other patient. This suggests that lymphocyte studies should be extended in this group.

In contrast to the frequent negative results using A. fumigatus antigens, evidence of T‐lymphocyte sensitization to either Candida albicans or Mycobacterium tuberculosis or both, was shown by positive delayed hypersensitivity skin responses and in vitro inhibition of leucocyte migration in the majority of the patients, despite which lymphocyte transformation was often negative. The possibility of impaired capacity to transform is supported by the finding of an impaired response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in four of the twelve cases.
Predisposing factors and the development of reaginic allergy in infancy
Authors: SOOTHILL J. F. , STOKES C. R. , TURNER M. W. , NORMAN A. P. , TAYLOR BRENT
Published: April 2006

In a prospective study of fifty‐eight newborn infants of parents with reaginic allergy, twenty‐seven developed eczema and twenty‐eight positive prick tests to one or more of six antigens during the first year of life. These reaginic manifestations were related to presymptomatic transient IgA deficiency. The development of positive skin tests was also related to HLA A1 B8, and to season of birth. The order of frequency of positivity was Dermatophagoides, grass pollens, cat fur, feathers and cow's milk. The skin tests were often positive in infants in whom serum IgE was not detected. The eczema disappeared and the skin tests became negative in some infants at the end of the first year. This work suggests that sensitization in the new‐born period is important in the subsequent development of disease.
Demonstration of reaginic antibodies on human basophils by immune adherence to allergen‐coated Sepharose beads
Authors: KING M. , ALAYE N. , AUGUSTIN R.
Published: April 2006

Human basophils purified by gradient density centrifugation and differential glass bead adherence were interacted with grass pollen allergen in particulate form prepared by covalent coupling of Dactylis glomerata protein concentrate to Sepharose beads.

Basophils from allergic subjects were found to interact specifically with the allergen‐coated bead surface in a manner so highly characteristic that false negatives with basophils from non‐allergic subjects or subjects with unrelated allergies were not encountered. Microscopic examination indicated that the specifically stained malleable basophils had adapted in a multi‐point attachment to the rigid bead surface by becoming one‐sidedly flattened against it. When using basophils from highly pollen sensitive subjects all the beads carried basophils and sometimes as many as thirty per bead. The percentage of beads with basophils and the number of basophils per bead roughly correlated with clinical history and skin tests. Immunocytoadherence of the basophils to the allergen‐coated beads was specifically inhibited by anti‐IgE and anti‐allergen antibodies, including reagins.
The effect of sodium cromoglycate on analgesic‐induced asthmatic reactions
Authors: DELANEY J. C.
Published: April 2006

The onset of increased airways obstruction after analgesic ingestion by asthmatics with analgesic idiosyncrasy suggests an immediate type 1 allergic response. The effect of sodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on this response was assessed in nineteen patients with this syndrome. DSCG prevented asthmatic attacks in only three patients, all non‐atopic, suggesting that analgesic idiosyncrasy is not an allergic disorder. The effectiveness of DSCG in preventing asthmatic attacks in some patients with analgesic idiosyncrasy would suggest that a trial of this preparation should be undertaken before commencing continuous corticosteroid therapy.
Qualitative and quantitative comparison of pollen calendars for plain and mountain areas
Authors: MICHEL FRANÇOIS B. , COUR PIERRE , QUET LYNE , MARTY JEAN P.
Published: April 2006

A comparison of the quantity and the quality of pollen content in the atmosphere of two regions, one of the plains bordering the Mediterranean sea (altitude 40 m), the other of the mountains of the Pyrenees (altitude 1550 m), was made during the climatological year 1974–1975.

The method which was used intercepts the pollen flux of the atmosphere with a vertical filtering unit, which is exposed facing the direction of wind on the filtering door of the weather‐vane and collects much larger quantities of pollen than the other techniques of collection.

The atmospheric currents displace from one region to another numerous spores and pollens, the trajectories of which are directly influenced by the general circulation of the atmosphere.

The density of these fluxes can be very large, reaching 2500 grains/m3 of air at M.T.P.R. in the last week of January; the taxons collected are very numerous (more than 700).

The atmospheric transfer of pollen modifies largely the pollen content of the atmosphere of different flowering domains. These interferences manifest themselves in the simplest cases by the presence of two peaks of concentration, the principal corresponding to the local efflorescence, the second to the pollen transferred from other regions. The pollen concentrations in the mountains are one‐third of those in the plains.

Pollination in the mountains is several weeks late in comparison to the plain during the first semester, whereas during the second semester, it is the plains that show a certain delay.

These findings show why some allergic patients who go to the mountains during summer are affected twice by pollination.
RAST using crude and purified anti‐IgE
Authors: GOODWIN B. F. J. , HOW M. J.
Published: April 2006

The sensitivity of the RAST using anti‐IgE in 125I‐labelled IgG fractions of sheep antiserum was compared to that using anti‐IgE purified by immunosorbent techniques in tests with three allergens (grass pollens, Aspergillus fumigatus and the detergent enzyme ‘Alcalase’) on sera from 248 workers in a detergent factory. Both anti‐IgE reagents measure the same antibody but the RAST procedure using the crude anti‐IgE reagent is less sensitive than that using the immunosorbent‐purified anti‐IgE in its ability to detect circulating IgE in subjects with positive skin‐prick tests. In general the agreement between positive RAST and positive skin test was improved when only skin tests equal to or greater than 3 mm were considered positive. With Alcalase, antigen non‐specific binding by the crude anti‐IgE reagent may give false positive results. Optimal conditions for the preparation of allergosorbents with this allergen are defined. Predictive equations relating the results of RAST and skin test show that the hitherto arbitrary definition of a positive RAST result is statistically valid.
The inhibition of allergen induced bronchospasm in man by oral BRL 10833
Authors: PAUWELS R. , LAMONT H. , VAN DER STRAETEN M.
Published: April 2006

BRL 10833, a nitroindanedione, with DSCG like activity in rat immediate type hypersensitivity, shows good absorption after oral intake in man. The ingestion of 2 and 10 mg BRL 10833/kg body weight provides protection against the immediate type allergen induced bronchoconstriction in patients with bronchial asthma.

These results confirm the activity of the drug already shown by inhalation.
A comparative trial of hyposensitization in 1973 in the treatment of hay fever using Pollinex and Alavac‐P
Authors: MILLER A. C. M. L.
Published: April 2006

A direct comparison was made in 112 hay fever patients of hyposensitization treatment with glutaraldehyde‐pollen‐tyrosine adsorbate (Pollinex) and with alum‐precipitated pyridine extract (Alavac‐P) which is an accepted form of treatment, its efficacy having been shown by a comparative trial against a placebo preparation.

No significant difference could be detected between the results of the two forms of treatment. Seventy‐seven per cent of patients responded with improvement following treatment with the tyrosine adsorbed vaccine, and 81% of those receiving the alum‐precipitated vaccine. Side effects from treatment, both local and general, were generally of an infrequent or mild nature for both vaccines.
Asthma due to inhaled chemical agents—fumes from ‘Multicore’ soldering flux and colophony resin
Authors: FAWCETT I. W. , TAYLOR A. J. NEWMAN , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

Four patients with occupational asthma associated with exposure to soldering flux or hot‐melt glue containing pine resin (colophony) were subjected to occupational type inhalation challenge testing.

All four gave immediate bronchial reactions to inhalation of the fumes, varying from one breath to 3 min of exposure.

The clinical history and provocation test reactions suggest hypersensitivity to colophony fumes.
Treatment of chronic urticaria with a beta2‐adrenergic stimulant
Authors: KENNES B. , DE MAUBEUGE J. , DELESPESSE G.
Published: April 2006

Twenty‐four patients with chronic urticaria resistant to conventional therapy were treated orally with terbutaline, a specific β2 stimulant. This therapy was much more effective than antihistamines. At the dose of 1.25 mg three times a day, there were few side effects. The efficacy was independent of the IgE levels; it seemed greater in idiopathic cases than in cholinergic or pressure induced urticaria.
Circulating immune complexes in patients with atopic allergy
Authors: CANO P. O. , CHOW M. , JERRY L. M. , SLADOWSKI J. P.
Published: April 2006

Sera from forty‐nine patients with atopic allergy were tested for the presence of circulating immune complexes by the sensitive, quantitative Clq assay. Compared to twenty‐five normal individuals the atopic patients had significantly higher mean values of Clq reactive material, expressed as Clq inhibition values. The highest mean values were seen in the group (twenty‐one patients) who had been on long term maintenance immunotherapy for 5 or more years. When positive sera were fractionated by ultracentrifugation on sucrose density gradients, the Clq reactive material was found in intermediate (7S–19S) and heavy (>19S) regions. The heavy material contained both IgM and IgG. It is suggested that the IgG antibodies known to be produced by chronic hyposensitization procedures in allergic individuals may circulate in the serum as antibody–allergen immune complexes, and could carry out their blocking action in this form.
Specific IgE antibodies in nasal secretion from patients with allergic rhinitis and with negative or weakly positive RAST on the serum
Authors: DEUSCHL H. , JOHANSSON S. G. O.
Published: April 2006

Nasal secretions from eighteen patients with allergic rhinitis with a positive case history, intradermal test and nasal provocation test, but with negative or only weakly positive RAST (radioallergosorbent test) on the serum against a total of thirty‐five allergens, were studied. In the RAST an immunosorbent‐purified anti‐IgE with Dɛ2 specificity was used, which raised the detection limit. Nasal secretion was collected by washing the nasal mucosa with 0.9% and 18% NaCl solution respectively, and the latter secretion was also lyophilized and concentrated. In ten cases RAST was slightly positive on the nasal secretion, and in three of the concentrated secretions the RAST value was higher than on the serum. In none of the serum or nasal secretion samples was RAST positive according to the cut off value for a positive result defined by the reference system used in Phadebas RAST®. From these results it is concluded that RAST analyses of nasal secretion from patients with allergic rhinitis is of no appreciable value in routine clinical allergological diagnosis. However, the increased sensitivity of RAST obtained with isotope‐labelled anti‐Dɛ2 may be useful in the serological diagnosis of patients with low grade allergy having low levels of IgE antibodies in serum.
Eosinophil chemotaxis to an ECF‐A tetrapeptide and histamine: the response in various disease states
Authors: BRYANT D. H. , TURNBULL LINDSAY W. , KAY A. B.
Published: April 2006

Using the micropore filter technique of Boyden, the eosinophil chemotactic responses to an ECF‐A tetrapeptide (Val‐Gly‐Ser‐Glu) and histamine were studied in thirty‐two patients with a peripheral blood eosinophilia. The eosinophilia was associated with extrinsic asthma (twelve patients), neoplasia (seven), helminth disease (five) and a miscellaneous group (eight) which included three patients with pulmonary eosinophilia, one of whom also had asthma. Both the tetrapeptide and histamine gave two types of dose–response. With Val‐Gly‐Ser‐Glu this was either a single peak at 10‐8, or two peaks at 10‐4 and 10‐7 mol/1, respectively. Histamine gave either a linear dose–response with maximal chemotaxis at the highest concentration or a peak response at 10‐5 mol/1 with inhibition at higher doses. The two types of response given by the peptide were not related to the disease state and were reproducible when tested on more than one occasion. However, with histamine, linear dose–responses were observed in ten out of twelve patients with asthma, four out of five with helminth disease and two of the three with pulmonary eosinophilia. This was also reproducible when tested on subsequent occasions. Therefore, in these diseases, which are known to be associated with exogenous antigens and raised IgE levels, eosinophils from 80% of the patients studied (sixteen out of twenty) gave a linear rather than a ‘bell‐shaped’ response to histamine. In contrast, only four of twelve patients(33%) with eosinophilia in association with other diseases (which included seven with neoplasia) gave this type of response. If this observation can be confirmed with larger numbers of patients it may be useful diagnostically in eosinophilia of unknown origin.