bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atopy and bronchial reactivity in Australian and Melanesian populations
Authors: WOOLCOCK A. J. , COLMAN M. H. , JONES M. W.
Published: April 2006

In order to compare the prevalence of atopy and bronchial hyperreactivity among Papua New Guinian (P.N.G.) and Australian populations, skin prick tests and methacholine bronchial challenge tests were performed. A civilian and an army population from each country were examined and those with past or present asthma, recent respiratory tract infection and chronic lung disease were excluded. No statistical difference in the prevalence of atopy was found between the four populations. In the P.N.G. population 40 and 49%, and in the Australian population 27 and 39%, were found to be atopic, without symptoms of past or present allergic disease. The house dust mites were the commonest allergens in all populations. In response to methacholine (0·3 mg), only 6% of subjects had falls in 1 sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of more than 12% (upper limit of normal range) and only two were in the asthmatic range. There was no correlation between the degree of bronchial hyper‐reactivity and atopic status; however, the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity was slightly greater in the New Guinea civilian than in the Australian civilian population. In the absence of asthma, atopic status does not appear to cause increased bronchial reactivity, suggesting that some factor other than atopy must be present for the development of bronchial hyperreactivity characteristic of asthma.
Specific IgE estimations by RAST in Japanese asthmatics compared with skin, passive transfer and bronchial provocation tests
Authors: KURIMOTO Y. , BABA S.
Published: April 2006

198 asthmatics and twenty healthy persons were studied by RAST and in vivo tests with four common inhalant allergens, (a) Higher RAST classes were elicited with mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract and lower classes with other allergens. The agreement between positive RAST and skin or P‐K tests was highest with the mite extract. RAST sensitivity was dependent on the kinds of allergens and was most sensitive to mite extract. Positive RAST was most closely related to the prick test reactions, (b) RASTs to house dust and mite extract were examined in terms of the threshold dosage of house dust and also the types of bronchial response (early, dual and late) induced by a certain amount of house dust; higher RAST classes were found in subjects with bronchial response of the dual or early type, elicited by a threshold dosage of diluted extract, while lower RAST classes were found in cases of the late‐type response elicited by the threshold dosage of concentrated extract, (c) Changes in IgE antibodies to house dust and mite extract were estimated in patients with positive house dust provocation. A greater increase occurred in cases of dual or early response, a smaller increase in those with a late response. Despite discordances in skin tests and RAST between house dust and mite extracts, the increases in IgE antibodies to mite extracts as well as house dust were observed in all cases, presumably caused by an allergenic identity between the allergens.
Cellular immunity to a lung homogenate in asymptomatic cigarette smokers
Authors: DILL J. R. , FOX R. A. , LANDRIGAN P. L. , MACSWEEN J. M. , OSBORN D. C. , RAJARAMAN R. , JOHSENHANS W. T.
Published: April 2006

Leucocyte migration in the presence and absence of a soluble lung homogenate has been studied in a group of asymptomatic cigarette smokers. Results were expressed as migration indices. Controls consisted of age‐matched subjects who had never smoked and had no past history of any pulmonary disease. The migration indices, the number of pack‐years* smoked and the results of pulmonary function studies were tested for correlation.

The mean leucocyte migration index of the test group of sixteen smokers was significantly less than was that of the control group (P < 0·001). Inhibition of leucocyte migration in the presence of the lung homogenate was not observed in any of the control subjects. Six of the sixteen asymptomatic cigarette smokers, however, were identified by inhibition of leucocyte migration in the presence of the lung homogenate. The number of pack‐years which had been smoked did not correlate with the migration indices (r=−0·06); however, inhibition of leucocyte migration was not observed in subjects who had smoked less than 6 pack‐years.
Serum IgE levels in Chagas' disease
Authors: GELLER M. , GELLER M. , FLAHERTY D. K. , BLACK PAULA , CAPANEMA‐SOUZA A. P.
Published: April 2006

Elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin E are found in many parasitic diseases caused by helminths. We have previously demonstrated that giardiasis was not associated with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E. In order to determine the influence of Trypanosoma cruzi on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with Chagas' disease and those from matched healthy Brazilian controls. We suggest that protozoan parasitic infections do not increase serum IgE levels.
Relationship between nasal and conjunctival tests in patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: MALMBERG C. H. O. , HOLOPAINEN E. E. A. , STENIUS‐AARNIALA B. S. M.
Published: April 2006

Simultaneous conjunctival and nasal provocation tests, a total of 174 test pairs, were carried out in fifty patients with allergic rhinitis, using serially diluted antigen solutions of birch, Timothy grass and mugwort pollen, as well as cat and dog dander. The nasal mucosa was found to be more sensitive than the conjunctival mucosa in ninety‐six test pairs (55 %). This differs from earlier reports. Nasal reaction only was observed in twenty‐nine instances (17%). Posterior rhinomanometry was also used to evaluate test reactions, but was found to yield little additional information. In 43 % of nasal provocation tests, which according to other criteria were positive, the rhinomanometric results were negative.

Despite a fairly good correlation between the results obtained by nasal and conjunctival challenge, the results point to organ specificity in type I reactions. Provocation tests, if indicated in a thorough allergy evaluation, should be performed in the shock organ.

The provocation methods and interpretation of reactions of this study differ from those of earlier reports. Comparison of results is difficult and standardization of methods is needed.
Relationship between the results of bronchial, nasal and conjunctival provocation tests in patients with asthma
Authors: STENIUS‐AARNIALA B. S. M. , MALMBERG C. H. O. , HOLOPAINEN E. E. A.
Published: April 2006

Skin tests and bronchial, nasal and conjunctival provocation tests with pollen and animal dander allergens were performed in thirty patients with atopic asthma. In vivo test results were compared only when the same batch of allergen had been used. A nasal reaction was mostly elicited at a lower concentration of allergen than was needed to elicit a bronchial reaction (P < 0·01). Positive nasal reactions were often obtained when the corresponding bronchial tests were negative. The conjunctiva reacted to lower concentrations than the bronchi in a third of the instances of testing, with most of these being tests with mugwort allergen (P < 0·05). A positive skin test in cases with a negative bronchial challenge test was often accompanied by a positive nasal test and in some cases by a positive conjunctival test.

It is concluded that nasal or conjunctival provocation tests do not replace bronchial challenge tests. In an asthmatic patient who gives no reaction to bronchial challenge with a particular allergen, a positive skin test may reflect a nasal allergy.
Analysis of cell‐mediated hypersensitivity, immune complexes and monocyte‐released factor(s) in allergic alveolitis and asymptomatic exposed subjects
Authors: GIRARD J. P. , DE WURSTEMBERGER B. , FERNANDES B.
Published: April 2006

Patients with allergic alveolitis to various antigens, asymptomatic exposed individuals and healthy control subjects were studied. The lymphocyte transformation test and the formation of two lymphokines were shown to be positive in almost all affected subjects and only rarely in asymptomatic exposed individuals. In most symptomatic subjects, the presence of antigen‐antibody complexes could be demonstrated. However, such complexes were also present in six of the nine asymptomatic exposed individuals having precipitating antibodies.

Factor(s) released from sensitized monocytes strongly facilitate the in vitro formation of specific antibodies but are poorly effective when incubated with cells from asymptomatic exposed subjects or normal individuals.
Cell‐mediated immune reactions in asthma
Authors: FARRERONS‐CO J. , VELASCO M. FARRERONS , PUIGGROS J. VIVES , GARCÍA CALDERÓN P. A.
Published: April 2006

Abnormally high levels of IgE are produced in various diseases, including atopic eczema, and a functional decrease in the T‐lymphocyte population occurs at the same time. T‐cell function has been studied in a group of asthma patients with high, normal and low IgE levels and in a control group.

T‐cell function appears to be reduced in asthmatic patients with high concentrations of IgE when skin tests are performed with Candida antigen (P<0.05). There was also a decline in the lymphocyte transformation tests with Candida antigen in autologous serum (P<0.05), although not in foetal calf serum. The responses to in vivo tests with streptokinase‐streptodornase were normal, as was the response of the lymphocytes to PHA.
Complement changes during exercise‐induced asthma
Authors: GWYNN C. M. , THOMPSON R. A.
Published: April 2006

Two groups of asthmatic children, one with and one without a history of post‐exercise wheezing, and one non‐asthmatic adult, were exercised on a treadmill, and their complement levels were measured before and after exercise.

The first group of patients had the most obvious fall in FEV1 and all showed a slight rise in haemolytic complement following exercise. Two of the patients of the second group also had a rise in haemolytic complement.

The C4 litre did not change in any of the asthmatic children who did not wheeze after exercise, but there were changes, albeit inconsistent, in the litres of C4 in four of the six patients who exhibiled post exercise wheezing. C3 breakdown products were not detected in any of the sera, following exercise.

The role of complement in exercise‐induced bronchospasm is not clear, but there does appear lo be a greater liability of the complement system in patients who are susceptible lo this form of provocation.
Treatment of infantile atopic dermatitis with a strict elimination diet
Authors: JUTO P. , ENGBERG S. , WINBERG J.
Published: April 2006

Of twenty‐one infants with atopic dermatitis, twenty were treated with a strict elimination diet for a period of up to 6 weeks. Seven infants healed and twelve improved. The infants who healed were less than 6 months old and had had a short duration of dermatitis. For one infant the skin condition was unchanged. Another infant was breast‐fed throughout the period with dermatitis. Blood eosinophilia and/or elevated serum IgE commonly found on admission decreased significantly (P< 0.01) during the diet period. On challenge with cows’ milk, twelve infants were considered as intolerant. At the age of 2 years the dermatitis had cleared in all but four children. Of these four children, two were still cows’ milk intolerant. Another two infants were also cows’ milk intolerant, but without dermatitis.
Papain‐induced allergic reactions
Authors: TARLO S. M. , SHAIKH W. , BELL B. , CUFF M. , DAVIES G. M. , DOLOVICH J. , HARGREAVE F. E.
Published: April 2006

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme with elastolytic activity, which produces emphysemalike lesions when introduced into the airways of animals. It is encountered by humans in numerous occupations, medications and domestic products.

Sensitization to papain in two subjects in different occupations was confirmed with skin tests with chemical‐grade papain and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST), with a papain which had been chemically inactivated by selective active site blockade. Skin tests and RAST were negative in non‐symptomatic co‐workers. Withdrawal from occupational exposure to papain resulted in an improvement in symptoms.

In a survey of 330 subjects at the time they were receiving routine allergy skin tests, seven reacted to papain. Sensitization was confirmed by the RAST. Serum IgG antibodies to papain were detected among sensitized individuals and also in five out of 266 sera obtained from a clinical hospital laboratory.

The findings illustrate immune responses to papain in humans in the form of atopic sensitization and serum IgG antibodies. Moreover, recurrent respiratory symptoms in the presenting persons served to illustrate that they and their co‐workers were repeatedly exposed to air‐borne papain. In view of the potential danger from the proteolytic effects of papain, these observations illustrate the need for further investigations of the effects of human exposure to air‐borne papain.
Computer analysis of allergic histories taken by questionnaire
Authors: PANTIN C. F. A. , MERRETT J. , LEIGHTON M. , ROGERS H. COLTMAN , MERRETT T. G.
Published: April 2006

We report the development of a detailed allergy questionnaire designed so that the answers can be typed into a mini‐computer. Computer programmes have been written to file and to retrieve these answers, and to print a summary which is then ‘weighed’, so as to produce a clinical atopy score which is then further broken down into indoor and outdoor scores.

In a pilot survey of ninety patients, their clinical atopy scores and immunoglobulin E (IgE) profiles have been compared, and additional computer programmes have been written which will (a) assess if a more detailed IgE investigations is warranted, and (b) suggest which allergens, if any, are likely to be responsible for the patients' symptoms.
Asthma, allergy and bronchial hyper‐reactivity to histamine in patients with bronchiectasis
Authors: VARPELA E. , LAITINEN L. A. , KESKINEN H. , KORHOLA O.
Published: April 2006

An allergy examination was made on forty‐eight consecutive bronchiectasis patients, with a mean age of 37 years.

Eleven had confirmed asthma and another nine, making twenty in all (42%), had distinct allergic diathesis. Allergy to a specific allergen was established in five cases. 50% of the patients in the total series had bronchial histamine hyper‐reactivity, eleven without asthma or distinct allergic diathesis.

The results corroborate views previously reported of the role of asthmatic symptoms and allergic diathesis as aetiological factors of bronchiectasis.
Evaluation of severe (anaphylactic) reactions
Authors: BACAL EDITA , PATTERSON R. , ZEISS C. R.
Published: April 2006

The clinical course of twenty‐one patients who presented with life‐threatening symptoms, appearing to be allergic in aetiology, is described. In ten of these patients, clinical evaluation established a diagnosis, for example: drug allergy, food allergy, a curious form of hospital addiction syndrome, an underlying malignancy, systemic mast cell disease or a complement abnormality. In the remaining subjects, it was found that their condition could be stabilized with sympathomimetics, antihistamines and corticosteroids. In those in whom no aetiology could be found, there was usually a spontaneous subsidence of the frequency and severity of attacks or spontaneous remission. No fatalities occurred.
Pigeon breeders’lung lacking detectable antibodies
Authors: SENNEKAMP J. , NIESE D. , STROEHMANN I. , RITTNER C.
Published: April 2006

Whereas fifteen pigeon fanciers suffering from extrinsic allergic alveolitis from avian dust had high titres of antibodies against pigeon antigens, antibodies were not demonstrable, even by immunofluorescence, in the serum of a symptomatic individual exposed to minimal amounts of avian dust. Following exposure to larger quantities of pigeon dust by inhalation challenges, a low titre of antibodies appeared, but disappeared again after avoidance of the allergen. Cell‐mediated immunity was elevated in the lymphocyte transformation test and also decreased after avoidance of allergen contact. Therefore, it seems likely that the antibody is not the only mediator of pigeon breeder's lung. Inhalation challenges and T cell‐dependent immune reactivity may reveal more avian dust sensitive individuals suffering from fibrosis without the typical history of extrinsic allergic alveolitis and without detectable antibodies.
Comparison of histamine bronchial challenges with the Wright nebulizer and the dosimeter
Authors: BEAUPRÉ A. , MALO J. L.
Published: April 2006

In twenty adult asthmatics studied in a stable state, histamine bronchial challenges were carried out at one‐week intervals with the Wright nebulizer and with the dosimeter‐DeVilbiss apparatus. Dose‐response curves were analysed for sensitivity, defined as the minimal histamine dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20), and for reactivity, defined as the slope of the dose‐response curve once the reaction starts to occur. A significant relationship (r=0·80) was found for the sensitivity obtained with the two nebulizers. PC20 was indeed reproducible within a two folds concentration of histamine in sixteen of the twenty patients. A significant difference (P < 0·01) was found in the reactivity to the two different apparatus, reactivity being greater with the Wright nebulizer in twelve out of fifteen patients so tested. Sensitivity and reactivity showed a borderline relationship (r=0·47) with the Wright nebulizer but not with the dosimeter. A significant correlation (P < 0·05) was found to exist between the initial FEV1 (in % of the predicted value) and the observed sensitivity and reactivity as assessed with the Wright nebulizer, but not as assessed with the dosimeter. We conclude that histamine bronchial challenges with the Wright nebulizer and with the dosimeter yield reproducible results if the threshold of a 20% fall in FEV1 is taken as positive. However, the two methods produce different results in terms of reactivity.
Acute bronchoconstriction caused by Beclovent and not Vanceril
Authors: GODIN J. , MALO J. L.
Published: April 2006

A 24‐year‐old asthmatic patient reported acute wheezing immediately after using an aerosol of beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclovent). She was hospitalised for bronchial challenges. Immediate bronchoconstriction was shown after two puffs of this aerosol and after inhalation of the placebo containing all the products of the aerosol less the beclomethasone. Another brand of beclomethasone aerosol, Vanceril, did not produce any reaction. Since the contents of these two beclomethasone aerosols are similar, the authors suggest that rubber or plastic derivative(s) present in the metering valve might have been responsible for the reaction.
IgG4: a possible mediator of anaphylaxis in a haemophiliac patient
Authors: SHAKIB F. , STANWORTH D. R.
Published: April 2006

Immunological investigations have been carried out on a haemophiliac patient who had developed severe anaphylaxis to bovine factor VIII administration. Results have shown that the development of anaphylaxis in this patient was associated with a sudden increase in total and specific IgG4 antibodies. The significance of this observation is discussed in relation to current evidence suggesting the involvement of IgG4 antibodies in some anaphylactic conditions.
Toluene di‐isocyanate‐induced asthma I. Reactions to TDI, MDI, HDI and histamine
Authors: O'BRIEN I. M. , HARRIES M. G. , BURGE P. S. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

A group of twenty‐four workers handling di‐isocyanates and with respiratory disease were investigated by occupational‐type bronchial provocation tests for sensitivity to toluene di‐isocyanate (TDI), to which all were exposed, and to diphenylmethane di‐isocyanate (MDI) and hexamethylene di‐isocyanate (HDI). Sixteen gave asthmatic reactions to TDI and eight of these also reacted to MDI. Four of the eight TDI and MDI reactors had histories of exposure only to TDI, and of them two reacted also to HDI. Of nine subjects tested with HDI, three gave asthmatic reactions, and all three also reacted to TDI and MDI. Thus reactions to MDI and HDI were elicited only in the TDI reactors. The possibility of specific sensitivity to these and other di‐isocyanates requires tests in subjects exposed to them and not to TDI.
IgE and IgG4 subclass in atopic families
Authors: GWYNN C. M. , SMITH J. MORRISON , LEON G. LEON , STANWORTH D. R.
Published: April 2006

Raised levels of IgG4 were present in twelve (35%) of thirty‐four asthmatic children and raised levels of IgE in twenty‐three (68%). Eighteen of 104 first degree relatives also had raised levels of IgG4, thirteen had no history of atopic disease and nine failed to give positive skin reactions to Dermatophagoides pteronyssins or to mixed grass pollens. Fifteen relatives had raised IgE, five without symptoms.

No relationship was noted between either raised levels of IgE or IgG4 and infant feeding. Although these immunoglobulin patterns were not consistently associated with symptoms they did tend to be associated in atopic families and it is suggested that the same polygenic factors may govern the IgE and IgG4 levels.
IgE mediated hypersensitivity to pancreatic extract (PE) in parents of cystic fibrosis (CF) children
Authors: GANIER MITCHELL , LIEBERMAN PHIL
Published: April 2006

On exposure to pancreatic extract (PE), four parents of cystic fibrosis (CF) children developed immediate hypersensitivity‐like symptoms: i.e. rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and/or anaphylaxis. IgE to PE was demonstrated in the subjects by skin testing, leucocyte histamine release and radioallergosorbent test (RAST). No serum precipitating antibodies were found. Bronchial challenge caused an immediate asthmatic response. No delayed asthmatic response or hypersensitivity pneumonitis‐like reaction occurred. The responsible antigen for PE induced asthma is unknown; trypsin failed to inhibit PE‐RAST and is therefore not responsible in these subjects. Caution should be exercised in using PE for skin testing and bronchial challenge in subjects with suspected hypersensitivity to PE. Certain measures were found useful in preventing the occurrence of symptoms in the four subjects.
Immunological parameters in perennial rhinitis
Authors: KNIGHT A. , UNDERDOWN B. J. , CONNELL J. T. , NEDZELSKI J. , ELIE R.
Published: April 2006

As part of a study of the effectiveness of beclomethasone dipropionate in perennial rhinitis five immunologically related parameters were measured. These included skin tests, total IgE, specific IgE, nasal and peripheral blood eosinophil counts. In addition, nasal biopsies were obtained in twenty out of sixty patients.

It was apparent that patients with perennial rhinitis formed a heterogeneous group who could be divided into three groups based on the extent of immunological abnormality detected. Group 1 consisted of twenty patients who displayed no abnormality in any of the five parameters studied. Group 2 consisted of twenty‐six patients in whom specific IgE was not detected but who had varying degrees of abnormal findings in the other laboratory parameters. The remaining fourteen patients formed a third group in whom specific IgE was detected in addition to abnormalities in other parameters.

In general, patients with detectable specific IgE had a higher frequency of abnormal parameters, including abnormal histology of their nasal biopsy, than patients in whom no specific IgE was detected. The heterogeneous nature of perennial rhinitis is discussed. Despite the heterogeneous nature of the total patient group, the majority of patients (80%) treated with beclomethasone dipropionate improved compared to 20% improved in the placebo group. There was no difference in the drug effect between the three groups of patients.
T‐, B‐ and Fc‐γ‐receptor‐bearing lymphocytes in asthma
Authors: CLOT J. , BOUSQUET J. , GUENDON R. , MICHEL F. B.
Published: April 2006

T‐, B‐ and Fc‐γ‐receptor‐bearing lymphocytes were detected using six different membrane markers in patients suffering from asthma having either normal or low serum IgA levels. E rosettes, aE rosettes and a human anti‐T lymphocyte antiserum (HTLA) were used for T cell determination. In patients with low serum IgA levels E rosettes were significantly decreased. B lymphocytes were identified by EAC rosette formation and visualization of surface membrane immunoglobulins (SmIg). No significant difference was seen. Fc‐γ‐receptor‐bearing lymphocytes were assessed by the EA rosette assay and were significantly decreased in asthmatics with normal IgA levels. This result might be explained by the presence of immune complexes.
Mite allergen content in commercial extracts and in bed dust determined by radioallergosorbent tests
Authors: TOVEY EUAN , VANDENBERG RUSSELL
Published: April 2006

Radioallergosorbent (RAST) direct binding and inhibition type assays were used to quantitate the mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergen content of four commercial mite extracts and a laboratory prepared extract from freeze‐dried mites. The content of mite allergen in extracts prepared from twenty samples of dust vacuumed from bedding was measured by RAST inhibition assay. The four commercial mite extracts designated A, B, C and D, and the laboratory extract, designated L, contained 52, 265, 108, 1.5 and 581 arbitrary units of allergen/ml for the direct binding assay and 128, 111, 217, ∼1 and 1083 arbitrary, but different, units of allergen/ml for the inhibition assay respectively. Qualitative differences between at least two extracts were suggested by the different slopes obtained when allergen binding of anti IgE was plotted against the volume of extract used in the direct binding assay. Differences in slope between the two extracts were also apparent when they were used in the inhibition assay. The quantities of mite allergen/gm of bed dust expressed in arbitrary units for the inhibition assay were 24 to 457 (mean 129) units. These quantities are similar to and sometimes greater than the quantity in 1 ml of mite extract and so confirm bed dust as a potent source of mite allergen. There was no significant correlation between the weight of dust, the numbers of dead and live mites and the allergen content of dust.
Group comparative trial of 2% sodium cromoglycate (Opticrom) with placebo in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: LINDSAY‐MILLER A. C. M.
Published: April 2006

A double‐blind group comparative trial comparing Opticrom with a matching placebo, over a four‐week period, in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is reported. Overall assessment of treatment benefit made at the end of the trial by the patients and the clinician showed a statistically significant difference in favour of Opticrom. Of the patients on Opticrom, eighteen (90%) said they improved while in the clinicians opinion, seventeen (85%) improved.

Six patients using Opticrom and five using placebo complained of stinging of the eyes, while one patient using placebo complained of his eyes becoming bloodshot and watering.
Analysis of the non‐immunological activity of allergen extracts in cutaneous tests
Authors: GUERIN B. , TIOULONG S.
Published: April 2006

The technique proposed by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, London (NIBSC, 1977) for the control of allergenic extracts for non‐immunological activity in skin tests has proved to be both sensitive and useful. We have observed ‘false positive’ results to substances such as merthiolate or glycerine and also to lyophilised preparations with sugar, notably glucose, as the carrier substance.

Other factors studied in ‘false positive’ reactions to a given extract were pH, osmotic pressure and the presence of traces of endotoxins or histamine. Individually none of these provided satisfactory explanations for the false positive reactions and the use of antagonists or inhibitors of the release of chemical mediators only confirmed the complexity of the non‐immunological reaction and the participation of factors other than histamine.
Asthma, IgE and environment in northern Nigeria
Authors: MACFARLANE J. T. , BACHELOR MARGUERITE , RIDYARD J. B. , BALL P. A. J.
Published: April 2006

Sixty‐four asthmatics and seventy‐five control subjects from rural villages and various urban settings have been investigated. Rural asthmatics had a significantly higher IgE level than both urban asthmatics and village controls. Urban asthmatics had similar IgE levels to urban controls. There was no relationship between IgE levels and the results of skin tests for asthma allergens. Stool parasites were found as frequently in asthmatics as in controls. Our findings do not support the theory that parasitic infestation, high IgE levels or rural living protect from asthma.
Soy versus cow's milk in infants with a biparental history of atopic disease: development of atopic disease and immunoglobulins from birth to 4 years of age
Authors: KJELLMAN N.‐I. M. , JOHANSSON S. G. O.
Published: April 2006

Forty‐eight children with a biparental history of atopic disease were followed from birth to 4 years of age. One group was fed soy and the other cow's milk from weaning to 9 months of age. Two‐thirds of the children developed symptoms of atopic disease with no significant difference between the groups. No difference was found in the serum immunoglobulins (IgE antibodies, IgA, IgG and IgM) during the observation period. The soy fed children showed transiently lower levels of IgG antibodies to cow's milk but higher levels of IgG antibodies to soy protein. Six children showed cow's milk intolerance and a further five had symptoms possibly related to the use of cow's milk. Withholding cow's milk during the first 9 months did not reduce the incidence of symptoms of cow's milk intolerance from birth to 4 years of age. Thus, no benefit was found from replacing cows' milk with soy. A prolonged breast feeding seems most rational for infants at risk of developing atopic disease, even if the present study did not show evidence of a prophylactic effect of breast milk against the development of atopic disease.
A nitroindanedione mast cell stabiliser in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: a controlled trial
Authors: DAVIES P. S. , RHODES J. , COUNSELL BARBARA , HEATLEY R. V. , NEWCOMBE R. G.
Published: April 2006

An orally absorbed mast cell stabiliser (BRL‐10833) has been compared with placebo in a double‐blind controlled trial in twenty‐five patients with ulcerative colitis; patients received each treatment for one month. There was no significant clinical improvement in symptoms or sigmoidoscopic findings with the drug but there was significant improvement in the histological appearance of rectal biopsies during active treatment.
Haemagglutinating antibodies to cat dander in relation to exposure and respiratory allergy
Authors: KUULIALA OUTI , PALOSUO T. , AHO K. , JÄRVINEN K. A. J.
Published: April 2006

Cat epithelial extract was coupled with chromic chloride to red cells and used as an antigen in a haemagglutination assay. Agglutinins coexisted with IgE type antibodies in 44% of patients with respiratory allergy and sensitivity to cat dander but occurred in only 1% of asthmatic patients sensitized to other allergens or in controls. The agglutinins were detected in six out of 104 cat fanciers, and three of those with agglutinins had asthma. The agglutinins were of IgG type and were heterogeneous in specificity.
Preventive effect of ketotifen, a new antiallergic agent, on histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics
Authors: MATTSON K. , POPPIUS H. , NIKANDER‐HURME R.
Published: April 2006

The preventive effect of ketotifen, a new drug with anti‐histaminic and antiallergic properties, on histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction was studied by open assessment in twenty‐four adult patients with extrinsic asthma. A single oral dose of 1 mg ketotifen reduced the post‐histamine mean drop in peak expiratory flow from 33 to 16% of the basal values (P<0.001). After a 4 weeks' regimen of 1 mg ketotifen twice daily the post‐drug histamine‐induced fall in PEF was further significantly reduced (P<0.001). Tests performed after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment showed no additional decrease in bronchial reactivity to histamine. Tests performed 1 week after cessation of treatment showed return of bronchial reactivity to the pretreatment level. The results suggest that a single dose of ketotifen has a marked preventive effect on histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction and that this effect is enhanced during continued treatment.
HLA haplotypes and hayfever: a possible protective role
Authors: GWYNN C. M. , MACKINTOSH PAULINE
Published: April 2006

The HLA haplotype frequencies of European asthmatic children and their immediate families were studied, and a disassociation between haplotype A1‐B8 and skin sensitivity to grass pollens was found, suggesting that within this allergic population, possession of the haplotype A1‐B8 conferred possible protection against grass pollinosis. There was no association between A1‐B8 and clinical asthma or between it and skin sensitivity to the house dust mite.
Epithelial or dandruff allergen for the diagnosis of dog allergy by RAST?
Authors: MERRETT T. G. , MERRETT J.
Published: April 2006

When used for screening by the RAST technique, dog epithelium provided too few positive results (29.2%) compared with dog dandruff (58.8%), cat epithelium (53.6%) and horse dandruff (52.2%). However, dog dandruff can provide an unexpectedly high incidence of positive RAST results (45.2%) in sera from patients with an allergic history to cat or horse, but not to dog. Dog dandruff allergens were found to cross‐react with some cat or horse serum proteins in about 25% of such patients.

We conclude that dog dandruff is preferable to epithelium for screening by the RAST technique, but if emotional issues involving a family pet arise then confirmation by a trial separation is likely to be more convincing than a provocation test with a possibly non‐specific allergenic extract.
Studies on the specificity of human IgE‐antibodies to the plant proteases papain and bromelain
Authors: BAUR X.
Published: April 2006

The sera of seven patients clinically hypersensitive to papain—in one case also to bromelain—and the sera of sixty asthmatic patients with allergies to other inhalant and food allergens were investigated for IgE antibody activity to the plant proteases papain and bromelain and to common allergens by RAST, confirmed in some sera by RAST inhibition.

There seems to be a relation between the antibody reactions to papain and bromelain, in several cases also between the reactions to these proteases and to grass pollen and flour. Studies by RAST inhibition showed that papain, bromelain, wheat flour, rye flour, grass pollen and birch pollen mutually inhibit IgE antibody to each antigen; but the degree of inhibition varies among the different sera and allergens.

Our results suggest that these allergens from various plants, besides having specific antigenic determinants, also possess similar or even identical antigenically active regions, leading to immunological cross‐reactivity.
Failure to detect circulating immune complexes in allergic patients on injection therapy
Authors: KEMLER B. J. , FRANKLIN W. D. , ALPERT E. , BLOCH K. J.
Published: April 2006

Injection therapy for allergic diseases may create an environment conducive to circulating immune complex formation. Therefore, we examined the sera of eleven patients receiving injection therapy for the presence of circulating immune complexes. A sensitive Raji cell radioimmune assay was used to examine the sera prior to and 4, 8 and 24 hours after allergenic injection. Levels measured in these sera were compared to values obtained from forty‐two healthy controls. Ten of eleven allergic patients receiving injection therapy had values within the normal range prior to maintenance injection. These ten patients also had normal values for circulating immune complexes at each interval after maintenance injection. The data suggest that circulating immune complexes are not a routine consequence of injection therapy for allergic disease.
Asthma in Asian immigrants
Authors: PARTRIDGE M. R. , GIBSON G. J. , PRIDE N. B.
Published: April 2006

Adult Asian immigrants to the United Kingdom attending an asthma clinic have been compared with a control group of non‐immigrant Caucasian asthmatic patients of similar age distribution. The Asian immigrants had a later age of onset of asthma than their non‐immigrant controls. Comparison with studies of asthmatic patients in India suggests that this may be an intrinsic ethnic difference but an effect of migration in early adult life is not excluded. Despite a later age of onset, the frequency of positive skin prick tests to common allergens was similar in the immigrant and control groups and 71% of the Asians had positive reactions to the house dust mite. Most other clinical features, the variability of airways obstruction and the requirements for treatment showed no significant differences between the two groups.
IgE antibodies against penicillin as determined by Phadebas RAST
Authors: BASOMBA A. , VILLALMANZO I. G. , CAMPOS A. , PELÁEZ A , BERGLUND ASTA
Published: April 2006

Serum samples from eighty‐one patients with suspected penicillin allergy were investigated with Phadebas RAST using the penicillin derivatives Benzylpenicilloyl‐human serum albumin (PBO‐HSA) and Phenoxymethylpenicilloyl‐human serum albumin (PMPO‐HSA) and the results were compared with skin test results and clinical data.

Of the sixty‐one patients who had anaphylactic shock and/or urticaria as a possible consequence of penicillin administration, reagins against PBO‐HSA and PMPO‐HSA could be detected in thirty‐four cases (56%). Five per cent of these patients, with positive RAST results, showed negative skin tests; in the other 95% both RAST and skin tests were positive. All, except eight, of the RAST‐negative patients had had their adverse reactions at least 2 years prior to the blood sampling and in some of these cases skin tests were also negative. RAST and provocation test results agreed in 80% of the cases where exposition was performed. It is concluded that the RAST technique is a valuable diagnostic tool for the detection of immediate type hypersensitivity to penicillin.
Hereditary angio‐oedema and C3 nephritic factor—HL‐A study
Authors: SEIGNALET C. , BERTHOUX F. , SEIGNALET J. , MICHEL F. B.
Published: April 2006

In one family of twenty‐four members hereditary angio‐oedema was present in the family for six generations. The protein C1 esterase inactivator found in nine patients proved to be non‐active in a functional test. Another anomaly found in the complementary system was labelled C3 nephritic factor without any renal, or other clinical symptoms.

Study of HL‐A haplotypes did not show any linkage with the loci A, B and C.

Hereditary angio‐oedema is a disease arising from a specific defect in the inactivator of the C1 esterase (CĪ INA) which is a regulating component of the complement system (Donaldson & Evans, 1963). This system is of current interest because of its interaction with other mechanisms of inflammation. Moreover, some links have been discovered recently between HL‐A and hereditary defects of complement.

This paper reports new findings in a family with hereditary angio‐oedema
The use of radioactive isotopes for analysis of cutaneous allergic responses
Authors: JAN K. , NAHMIAS C. , COATES G. , HARGREAVE F. E. , DAVIS C. , DOLOVICH J.
Published: April 2006

Local exudation at the sites of allergic and histamine‐induced cutaneous reactions, was measured with an in vivo double‐labelling procedure, based upon local serial simultaneous measurements of indium‐113 m (113mIn) labelled transferrin and technitium‐99m labelled red blood cells (99mTc RBC). Analyses depended upon the reaction index i.e. comparison of the ratio of 113mIn/99mTc counts at the reaction site with the ratio of 113mIn/99mTc at the corresponding unreacted site in the skin of the opposite arm.

Reaction indices were initially significantly elevated at the sites of histamine and allergic reactions. After the first hour, there was a progressive reduction at histamine sites indicating a tapering of the local accumulation of indium‐labelled transferrin. By contrast allergic reaction sites showed a continuing increase in the reaction index after one hour. During the first hour the curves were comparable, but they diverge and were significantly different after one hour (0.05 > P > 0.02). This is consistent with the known occurrence of late cutaneous responses at the site of allergic but not histamine reactions.
Detection of castor allergens in castor wax
Authors: LEHRER S. B. , KARR R. M. , MÜLLER D. J. G. , SALVAGGIO J. E.
Published: April 2006

The presence of castor bean allergens in castor wax products was determined by in vivo and in vitro analysis of castor wax extracts. Allergens were detected in one extract of castor wax by the PCA reaction in mice, the RAST inhibition reaction, and skin prick test in castor bean sensitive individuals. However, these allergens in the wax were of much lower potency than those in the bean, and were not detectable in a deodorant product utilizing castor wax.
Antibodies in different immunoglobulin classes to Candida albicans in allergic respiratory disease
Authors: EDGE G. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

Measurements by radiometric assay of specific IgE, IgA, IgM, igD and IgG antibodies, in fifty‐six patients with asthma, fifty‐six with rhinitis and twenty with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), showed differences in the patterns of antibody response between the three patient groups, both in terms of levels of class specific antibodies and the proportion of patients giving positive results.

Specific IgE antibody values were similar in all three groups and positive results were found in three‐quarters of the patients in each group. No other class of antibody to Candida albicans gave values which were similar in all three patient groups.

Specific IgG and IgA antibody values were highest in ABPA and lowest in rhinitis; specific IgM antibody values were highest in asthma and lowest in ABPA; specific IgD antibody values were higher in rhinitis than asthma and very low in ABPA.

Specific IgG1 and lgG2 antibodies to C. albicans were higher in rhinitis than in asthma, whereas specific IgG3 and lgG4 values were significantly higher in asthma than in rhinitis.

There was a greater number of positive results for IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 in patients with ABPA than in the other two patient groups where values for IgG1 and IgG2 antibody to C.albicans were mainly negative. Positive IgG3 antibody results occurred with greatest frequency in patients with asthma, half of them giving values greater than the mean + 2 s.d. of the control value; positive specific IgG4 antibody values occurred more frequently in asthma than in rhinitis.
A prospective national study of the safety of immunotherapy
Authors: VERVLOET D. , KHAIRALLAH E. , ARNAUD A. , CHARPIN J.
Published: April 2006

A prospective study was made in France to determine the frequency, nature, causes and consequences of systemic reactions occurring during specific immunotherapy. One hundred and fifty five reactions were recorded in 151, 997, injections given to 19,739 patients; a percentage of 0.1. It was higher with pollen extracts (0.2%) and practically nil with other extracts (house dust, Dermatophagoides, insect body, bacteria). Asthma, spasmodic rhinitis and urticaria were the most frequent, 80% of systemic reactions. In 59% no explanation could be found. The main known causes of adverse reactions were excessive doses of antigen, improper timing of treatment or incorrect technique of injection. After appropriate treatment the immunotherapy was continued in nearly 90% of the cases. Specific immunotherapy with the majority of extracts now being used, namely adsorbed extracts, is not dangerous but it must be precisely and cautiously done because errors are responsible for nearly 50% of the recorded systemic reactions.
A comparative trial of flunisolide and beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: SAHAY J. N. , CHATTERJEE S. S. , ENGLER C.
Published: April 2006

An open, parallel comparison of flunisolide and beclomethasone dipropionate nasal sprays is described. Sixty patients entered the study of whom fifty‐six completed the full 4 weeks' therapy. The dosage of flunisolide was two actuations (25 μg/actuation) into each nostril twice a day (total 200 μg). The dosage of beclomethasone dipropionate was one actuation (50 μg) in each nostril four times a day (total 400 μg).

Both drugs produced statistically significant improvements compared with admission values in sneezing, stuffiness, runny nose, nose blowing and post‐nasal drip. Both drugs significantly decreased the interference by symptoms with routine life and sleep. At the end of the trial both treatment groups showed total or good control of symptoms in the majority of patients. No statistically significant difference was shown between the effects of the two drugs.

Side‐effects did not cause withdrawal from the trial in any patient and were mostly confined to minor headache and nose and throat complaints, in neither treatment group was there any evidence of adrenal suppression or growths of Candida from nasal swabs.
An epidemic of extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by tap water
Authors: MUITTARI A , KUUSISTO P. , VIRTANEN P. , SOVIJÄRVI A. , GRÖNROOS P. , HARMOINEN A. , ANTILA P. , KELLOMÄKI L.
Published: April 2006

In an industrial community, Linnavuori, (population 1000) over 100 people developed fever, cough, and dyspnoea 3 to 6 hours after sauna or bathing. This epidemic began in August of 1978 and ended gradually in December. The water source of the community was a small (0.4 km2) lake; in November it was found that the water was contaminated with several bacteria, fungi, and algae. Precipitating antibodies to these bacterial and fungal antigens were not found in the sera of symptomatic patients. To show that tap water, purified by the local waterworks, had provoked the symptoms, four clinically typical patients were each twice challenged. Two of the patients visited their usual public sauna, the two others took a bath at home. Two patients inhaled home tap water aerosol, one inhaled lake water vapor and one home tap water vapor in hospital. Three to six hours after seven of the eight challenges the patients showed two or more of the following symptoms and signs: chills, fever, dry cough, dyspnoea, and inspiratory crepitant râles. Six provocations increased the amount of segmented neutrophils and in each case the lung diffusion capacity decreased significantly. Although the clinical picture resembles extrinsic allergic alveolitis, it is possible that bacterial endotoxins have induced alternative pathway complement activation and release of leukocyte pyrogens.

A respiratory syndrome much resembling exogenous allergic alveolitis, and caused by micro‐organism‐contaminated water from air humidifiers and ventilation systems, has become more commonly diagnosed in the 1970's. This disease is also called hypersensitivity pneumonitis or humidifier fever. Banaszak, Thiede & Fink (1970) described four office clerks whose symptoms were shown to be caused by contamination of the office ventilation system by a thermophilic actinomycete. Inhalation tests with the homologous antigen provoked similar symptoms. Fink et al. (1971) found
Frequency of occurrence of IgG (S‐TS)
Authors: BRIGHTON W. D.
Published: April 2006

A group of eighty‐four sera from a selected population of patients suspected of hypersensitivity to food and environmental allergens was examined by both RAST and passive transfer in monkeys for IgE and IgG (S‐TS) antibodies respectively. A high proportion (26%) showed IgG (S‐TS) to milk, and this was more than four times the frequency (6%) for IgG (S‐TS) to any other of the antigens tested. IgE and IgG (S‐TS) antibodies behaved as independent biological systems.