bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between rush immunotherapy with a standardized allergen and an alum adjuved pyridine extracted material in grass pollen allergy
Authors: BOUSQUET J. , GUERIN B. , DOTTH A. , DHIVERT H. , DJOUKHADAR F. , HEWITT B. , MICHEL F. B.
Published: April 2006

Rush immunotherapy with a standardized and lyophilized cocksfoot pollen extract was performed in twenty‐three allergic subjects and compared with classical immunotherapy done with an alum adjuved, pyridine extracted cocksfoot pollen extract (fifteen subjects) and a control group of ten patients. The three groups were perfectly matched. Clinical benefits were analysed by means of symptom scores. It was shown that rush immunotherapy gave significantly better results when asthma or rhinitis was considered than either classical immunotherapy (P>0.02) or in the control group (P>0.01 and 0.02). Skin tests were significantly reduced after rush immunotherapy and did not change in the two other groups. After the pollen season the skin test reactivity was increased in the rush immunotherapy group. Cocksfoot pollen specific IgE did not vary significantly in the three groups. Cocksfoot pollen specific IgG was significantly (P>0.05) increased in the rush immunotherapy group before the pollen season and did not vary significantly in the other groups.
Influence of food on the absorption of theophylline from a sustained release formulation (Somophyllin®)
Authors: PEDERSEN S. , MØLLER‐PETERSEN J.
Published: April 2006

The bioavailability and absorption pattern of theophylline from a sustained theophylline sprinkle product (Somophyllin®) were investigated in ten healthy adult volunteers both in fasting conditions and after a standardized solid meal. Theophylline given intravenously was used as a reference. The only effect of the meal was a statistically significant reduction in the rate of absorption of theophylline during the first 2 hr after medication. After that lime food had no effect upon the absorption characteristics of the preparation and the bioava liability was complete after both fasted and fed in take of the product (96.1% and 105.9% respectively).
Occupational asthma due to azobisformamide
Authors: MALO J. L. , PINEAU L. , CARTIER A.
Published: April 2006

Azobisformamide is a low molecular weight a gem used in the plastic industry as a foaming product. Two subjects with a history of work‐related asthma in association with exposure to azobisformamide underwent specific inhalation tests. One subject developed an isolated late asthmatic response, whereas in the other a dual reaction was observed.
Prevalence and features of asthma in a sample survey of urban Goroka, Papua New Guinea
Authors: DOWSE G. K. , SMITH D. , TURNER K. J. , ALPERS M. P.
Published: April 2006

This study found a prevalence of asthma of 2.5% in adults and 0.2% in children in Goroka, the major town and administrative centre of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. The disease features are similar to those found in previous studies in Papua New Guinea: late age of onset and virtual absence of childhood cases; strong association with allergy to house dust mite and high mite‐specific IgE levels; and considerable impairment of resting lung function. However, the prevalence is much lower than that recently found in the nearby rural South Fore linguistic group of the Okapa District. Moreover, it was noted that a preponderance of the urban cases in the present study were originally from Okapa. The implication is that particular local tetiological factors may be responsible for the documented rise in prevalence in the South Fore (Okapa) people, rather than the process of ‘Westernization’per se. This creates a valuable opportunity to learn more about the pathogenesis of asthma.
Optimal use of tube spacer aerosols in asthmatic children
Authors: PEDERSEN S.
Published: April 2006

In a double blind cross‐over study the bronchodilator response after eight different modes of inhalation of terbutaline from a pressurized aerosol with a tube spacer was assessed in fifteen asthmatic children. Slow inspiratory flow rates (15–30 1/min) were found to be associated with a statistically significant increase in response when compared with flow rates higher than 70 1/min (P<0.01). Tilting the head back during the inhalations and a breath‐holding pause of 10 sec after the inhalation had no significant effect upon bronchodilation. In addition, bronchodilation was the same whether the children inhaled from RV or FRC. and whether they inhaled as deeply as possible or only to about half the maximum volume. The results suggest that efforts should be made to develop a new and more simple set of instructions for the use of tube spacer aerosols.
Dynamics of mast cell degranulation in human allergic nasal epithelium after provocation with allergen
Authors: KAWABORI S. , OKUDA M. , UNNO T. , NAKAMURA A.
Published: April 2006

The histamine content in the nasal epithelial layer of twenty‐five patients with nasal allergy was measured before, 10 min after and 1 hr after nasal provocation with allergen. A decrease in histamine content was observed 10 min after provocation compared to the values obtained before provocation (P<0.05). There was a tendency for an increase in the histamine content of the nasal epithelium one hour after provocation when compared with the amounts present 10 min after provocation (P<0.1). Mast cells in the nasal epithelial layer of a further five patients were studied by electron microscopy 10 min and 1 hr after provocation. The rate of mast cell degranulation appeared to decrease 1 hr after provocation when compared with 10 min.

Our study suggests that some mast cells commence their migration to the nasal epithelial layer over a short time period and that they may play a role in the onset of the allergic nasal reaction in patients with allergic nasal symptoms.
Lymphocyte sub‐populations in patients with allergic and non‐allergic asthma
Authors: KUS JAN , TSE KAM S. , VEDAL SVERRE , CHAN‐YEUNG MOIRA
Published: April 2006

The subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes were identified using monoclonal antibodies specific for T lymphocytes (T11 antibodies), B lymphocytes (B1 antibodies), helper/inducer T cells (T4 antibodies) and suppressor/cytotoxic cells (T8 antibodies). Ninety‐six subjects, including twenty‐five patients with allergic asthma, nineteen patients with non‐allergic asthma and fifty‐two controls without asthma, were studied. There was no significant difference in the lymphocyte subsets between the allergic and non‐allergic asthmatics. When comparing patients with asthma as a group with the controls, a decrease in the number of T8‐positive suppressor cells and therefore, an increase in the helper/suppressor cell ratio were demonstrated in the asthamtics. A relative deficiency of suppressor T cells may represent another immunological marker of bronchial asthma.
Gastrointestinal permeability in atopic and non‐atopic mothers, assessed with different‐sized polyethyleneglycols (PEG 400 and PEG 1000)
Authors: FÄLTH‐MAGNUSSON KARIN , KJELLMAN N.‐I. M. , SUNDQVIST T. , MAGNUSSON K.‐E.
Published: April 2006

Gastrointestinal permeability was compared in seventy‐one women, forty‐six allergic and twenty‐five non‐allergic according to case history, by measuring the 6‐hr urinary recovery after an oral load of different‐sized polyethyleneglycols (PEG 400 and PEG 1000). Further classification, atopic and non‐atopic, was obtained by skin‐prick tests to inhalant and food allergens in sixty‐four of the seventy‐one mothers. No significant differences were observed between allergic and non‐allergic women, neither regarding the maximum recovery nor the recovery ratio between a large and a small molecule. The results do not lend support to the hypothesis of a persistently increased gut permeability in atopic subjects, which in turn could possibly imply an increased risk of intrauterine sensitization of the foetus of an atopic mother.
Ketotifen in pollen‐induced asthma: a double blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: BROBERGER U. , GRAFF‐LONNEVIG V. , LILJA G. , RYLANDER E.
Published: April 2006

Twenty‐nine children with an average age of 10.5 years were studied with respect to the protective effect of ketotifen on pollen‐induced bronchial asthma. All of them were sensitive to deciduous tree pollen, the diagnosis being verified by bronchial challenge. The children were stratified in matched pairs and randomly allocated to two treatment groups, placebo or ketotifen 1 mg twice daily. The study was double‐blind and was performed during the whole of the deciduous tree pollen season. Daily pollen counts were made, allergic symptoms were noted, additional medication was given and the expiratory pulmonary flow was recorded. During the birch pollen peak the ketotifen group showed significantly fewer, and less severe asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis than the placebo group. The anti‐asthmatic medication was also used significantly less than in the placebo group. Ketotifen appeared to have good protective properties in the treatment of pollen‐induced asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis.
Effect of hypo‐ and hyper‐osmolarity on basophil histamine release
Authors: RIMMER J. , BRYANT D. H.
Published: April 2006

The pattern of histamine release from peripheral white blood cells in response to hyper‐(sodium chloride, mannitol) and hypo‐osmolar (water) stimuli was studied in order to determine the differences between non‐atopic control and atopic asthmatic patients in histamine release caused by osmolar changes. All subjects showed histamine release to both hyper‐ and hypo‐osmolar stimuli and this response was reproducible. Viability studies and the effect of time and temperature indicated that, at the extremes of hypo‐ and hyper‐osmolality, histamine release was associated with cell cytotoxicity. Asthmatics and controls showed no differences either in their level of spontaneous or hyper‐osmolar sodium chloride induced histamine release, but asthmatics' cells were more responsive to mannitol over 600–800 mOsm/kg and less responsive to a hypo‐osmolar stimulus under 80 mOsm/kg. This suggests that asthmatics' cells may differ from controls in the manner in which they respond to osmotic stimuli and this may be relevant in certain clinical situations.
Primary cell‐mediated immune response in bronchial asthma. Relationship between primary in vitro and in vivo cell‐mediated and antibody responses in patients with asthma and healthy controls
Authors: WELLER F. R. , KALLENBERG C. G. M. , ORIE N. G. M. , WELLER H. H. , JANSEN H. M. , THE T. H.
Published: April 2006

Eleven patients with asthma and ten sex and age matched healthy controls were immunized with the primary immunogen Helix pomatia Haemocyanin (HPH). The amplitude and the kinetics of in vitro cell‐mediated immune response were measured by HPH‐induced lymphocyte proliferation. Lymphocytes were also challenged in vitro with mitogens and recall antigens. In vivo cell‐mediated immunity was determined by inducing delayed type hypersensitivity reactions with HPH. Anti‐HPH antibody responses in the IgE, IgG and IgM classes were measured to gain an insight into the relation between cell‐mediated and humoral immune responses in patients with asthma and healthy controls. The in vitro and in vivo cell‐mediated response and the IgM antibody response did not differ between patients with asthma and controls. The IgE and IgG antibody responses, however, were increased in the patients. IgM antibody response correlated with both the in vitro and in vivo cell‐mediated response (R= 0.45, P<0.05). IgE and IgG antibody responses however were not correlated with cell‐mediated responses. These data suggest that the primary abnormality in immune regulation in patients with asthma concerns the control of the IgE and IgG class antibody responses.
Pneumococcus‐specific immunoglobulin E in cigarette smokers
Authors: BLOOM J. W. , HALONEN MARILYN , DUNN ANITA M. , PINNAS J. L. , BURROWS B.
Published: April 2006

A relationship between elevated scrum immunoglobulin E levels and smoking has been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. Allergy skin test data suggest that the excess immunoglobulin E of smokers is not specific for aeroallergens. It is possible that the excess immunoglobulin E is specific for microorganisms that often infect the lower respiratory tract of smokers. To investigate this possibility we utilized a radio‐allergosorbent test assay for detecting serum immunoglobulin E specific for Streptococcus pneumoniae, an organism commonly isolated from the respiratory tract of smokers with chronic bronchitis. We assayed sera of thirty smokers and thirty nonsmokers for immunoglobulin E specific for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Individual sera were considered positive for pneumococcus‐specific immunoglobulin E if the binding was at least twice the non‐specific binding at the total immunoglobulin E concentration of the particular serum. Eleven of the thirty sera of smokers and two of the thirty nonsmokers were positive for pneumococcus‐specific immunoglobulin E. By chi‐square analysis of these data, the prevalence of pneumococcus‐specific immunoglobulin E was significantly greater in the smoking group compared with the non‐smoking group (P<0·02). These results suggest that the excess immunoglobulin E of smokers is, at least in part, specific for microorganisms that infect the airways.
Effect of nedocromil sodium on histamine airway responsiveness in grass‐pollen sensitive asthmatics during the pollen season
Authors: DORWARD A. J. , ROBERTS J. A. , THOMSON N. C.
Published: April 2006

We examined the effect of nedocromil sodium on histamine airway responsiveness in twelve grass‐pollen sensitive patients during the 1984 pollen season. The study was a randomized double‐blind crossover comparison of nedocromil sodium administered by a pressurized aerosol (4 mg b.d.) with placebo. Crossovers were made at 14‐day intervals throughout 8 weeks of the grass pollen season. Histamine airway responsiveness was assessed twice before the pollen season and at the end of each 14‐day treatment period. Results were expressed as the provocation concentration (PC) producing a 10% fall in FEV1 (PC10 FEV1) and a 40% fall in flow at 30% of the vital capacity (PC40V̇30(P)). During the pollen season all patients developed hay fever and seven had symptoms of asthma. The observed lowest values of PC10 FEV1 and PC40V̇30(P) during the placebo treatment periods were significantly lower than mean preseasonal values although not significantly lower than theoretical expected values. Geometric means PC10 FEV1 and PC40V̇30(P) were significantly higher during nedocromil sodium treatment compared with placebo. These results indicate that nedocromil sodium has a small but statistically significant effect reducing histamine airway responsiveness in grass‐pollen sensitive patients during the pollen season.
Effect of oral colchicine on T cell subsets, monocytes and concanavalin A‐induced suppressor cell function in asthmatic patients
Authors: ILFELD D. N. , MAZAR A. , GARTY M. , FINK G. , SPITZER S. , PECHT M. , NETZER L. , TRAININ N. , KUPERMAN O.
Published: April 2006

Asthmatic patients have a deficiency of concanavalin A‐(Con A) induced suppressor cell function. We tested whether oral colchicine 0·5 mg twice daily for 7 days could correct this immunoregulatory abnormality. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with Con A and then suppression of proliferation was measured by co‐culture of these cells with healthy volunteers’mononuclear cells and phytohaemagglutinin. Sixteen asthmatic patients had significantly (P < 0·002) decreased Con A‐induced suppressor cell function (17·0±17·2%, mean ± s.d.) as compared to 13 healthy volunteers (37·9±14·9%). Oral colchicine significantly (P < 0·05) increased, though only partially corrected, these 16 asthmatic patients’Con A‐induced suppressor cell function (28·1±14·3%). Asthmatic patients had an increased number of monocytes (691±289 vs 388±271/mm3 for normals, P < 0·01) and a normal number of lymphocytes, Leu 4+ total T cells, Leu 3+ helper/inducer T cells, and Leu 2+ suppressor/cytotoxic T cells as well as a normal Leu 3/Leu 2 ratio. Oral colchicine significantly (P < 0·005) decreased the number of monocytes (451±255/mm3) without significantly affecting the number of lymphocytes, Leu 4+, Leu 3+, or Leu 2+ T cells, or the Leu 3/Leu 2 ratio. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the deficiency of Con A‐induced suppressor cell function in asthmatic patients may be due, in part, to an increased number and/or abnormal activity of monocytes. If so, then oral colchicine may have partially corrected the deficiency of Con A‐induced suppressor cell function by decreasing the number and/or modulating the activity of monocytes.
Insect allergy. Predictive value of diagnostic tests: a three‐year follow‐up study
Authors: MOSBECH H. , CHRISTENSEN J. , DIRKSEN A. , SØBORG M.
Published: April 2006

One hundred and six adults with various reactions to yellow jacket (YJ), honey bee (HB) or unidentified insects (UI) were tested for allergy to insect venoms. For various reasons none received immunotherapy. Individuals completed questionnaires annually for three consecutive years and described sting reactions within the previous season. Ninety subjects completed all the questionnaires and 77 of these were re‐tested at the end of the period. Nine out of 25 patients reacted with a systemic reaction when re‐stung. High IgE and low IgG venom‐specific antibody levels indicated an unfavourable prognosis, since eight of 11 individuals who initially presented venom‐specific IgE > RAST class 2 and venom‐specific IgG below detection limit had systemic reactions at re‐sting. No such reactions occurred in subjects with no specific IgE and only one out of six with specific IgE as well as IgG reacted systematically. Skin prick tests (SPT) of <3mm with YJ venom 1,000 μg/ml excluded later systemic symptoms to stings, whereas larger skin reactions gave an equal chance of systemic or local reactions at re‐sting. In individuals not stung by UI, YJ and/or HB the decline in venom‐specific IgG and IgE was significant, median values ranging from 41% to 75% over the 3‐year period. The decline was unaffected by the type of sting reaction prior to the initial test. SPT results did not change significantly. The findings are relevant when testing patients several years after their last insect sting and the results might indicate that the antibody decline is accompanied by a decrease in clinical sensitivity.
Sub‐class of IgG in allergic disease I. IgG sub‐class antibodies in immediate and non‐immediate food allergy
Authors: KEMENY D. M. , URBANEK* R. , AMLOT P. L. , CICLITIRA† P. J. , RICHARDS D. , LESSOF M. H.
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Previous studies have suggested that, apart from IgE‐mediated reactions, some of the symptoms of food allergy may be caused by IgG antibodies to food proteins. This study was carried out to see if there were any distinctive features of the IgG sub‐class antibody response to dietary antigens which occurs in food allergic patients. IgG subclass antibodies were measured using a quantitative enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay (ELISA) to wheat gliadin, ovalbumin and bovine casein in twenty patients who had coeliac disease and in twenty‐eight egg allergic patients. These were compared with twenty‐one atopic dermatitis patients who did not have food allergy and twenty‐six healthy control subjects. Coeliac disease patients tended to have raised IgG antibody levels (especially IgG1) to all three antigens but these overlapped considerably with that seen in egg allergic and atopic dermatitis patients.

Coeliacs who avoided gluten had anti‐gliadin antibody levels which did not differ from those seen in healthy subjects but nevertheless had raised anti‐ovalbumin and casein‐specific antibodies. The IgG antibody was largely restricted to IgG1 and IgG4 sub‐class although the relative amount of each varied with the antigen. Although gliadin‐specific antibodies were mainly IgG1, ovalbumin‐specific antibodies were mainly IgG4. The increased antibody levels to all three antigens in coeliacs were caused by a raised IgG1 response, IgG4 antibodies were usually normal. Egg allergic patients also had raised IgG1 but not IgG4 antibodies to ovalbumin.

These data show that the response to different dietary antigens can vary with the antigen. The fact that IgG1 and not IgG4antibodies were raised to all three antigens in patients with coeliac disease suggests that they are a secondary consequence of the disease, perhaps reflecting increased transport of antigens across a damaged gut mucosa rather than a specific immunopathological reaction. However, the observation that antibodies to gliadin, and not ovalbumin or casein, fell following gluten avoidance shows that the response to gliadin, at least, is dependent upon continued exposure to antigen.
Effect of inhaled histamine on occlusion pressure and breathing pattern in asthmatic patients
Authors: SCANO G. , DURANTI R. , CONTE CINZIA LO , SPINELLI A. , GIGLIOTTI F. , STENDARDI LOREDANA , EMMI L. , SERGYSELS R. , ARCANGELI P.
Published: April 2006

In animals, histamine inhalation is known to increase either respiratory frequency or respiratory drive by stimulation of airway vagal sensitive endings. However, it is not well known whether these changes are concomitant in man. In order to elucidate this point, we carried out the present investigation in thirty‐five asthmatic patients who underwent bronchial provocation test by progressively doubling the dose of inhaled histamine. Bronchial reactivity to histamine allowed two populations of patients to be defined: group I with moderate and group II with mild, increased reactivity. In the twenty‐three group I patients, neuromuscular inspiratory drive, assessed by mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1), was found to be significantly increased while no significant changes in breathing pattern were noted. In the twelve group II patients histamine did not modify P0.1 or breathing pattern. However, we were able to separate in group I a sub‐group of ten patients, as with atopic asthma, in which histamine‐induced increase in P0.1 was paralleled by rapid and shallow breathing (RSB). Changes in P0.1 and breathing pattern did not depend on baseline airway calibre. In group I, after bronchoconstriction had been reversed by inhaling a β2‐agonist bronchodilator agent (fenoterol), P0.1 decreased significantly and RSB was found to be reversed; however, these changes were not interrelated. We concluded that: (i) in asthmatics, histamine‐induced increase in P0.1 is not necessarily paralleled by, nor related with, change in breathing pattern and (ii) in atopics a ‘sensitization’ of vagal receptors could account for the concomitance of enhanced P0.1 with RSB.
Development of a microassay for histamine release
Authors: CLINTON PATRICIA M. , MURDOCH R. D. , KEMENY D. M.
Published: April 2006

A microassay has been developed to measure histamine release from both washed human leucocytes and whole blood, in which blood samples can be diluted down to 1:20 without affecting their sensitivity to antigen. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the single isotope histamine radioenzymatic assay [REA] was compared to the conventional spectrofluorometric histamine assay. The limit of detection was 0.2 and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively, and the agreement between the two assays was good (r = 0.94). There was also a good qualitative agreement between skin‐prick test and histamine release (92%). In order to see if this assay was suitable for small volumes of blood, we measured histamine release to antigen from both diluted whole blood taken by a thumb prick (as a model of the heel prick used in obtaining paediatric blood samples), and undiluted venous blood. There was complete agreement between a positive or negative histamine release response to antigen by diluted thumb prick and undiluted venous blood samples. Leucocyte sensitivity to antigen increased slightly upon dilution, but remained within a ten‐fold antigen dilution. The micro‐histamine release assay described here offers an opportunity to measure basophil sensitivity to allergens where the availability of the blood is limited (in young babies for example) as well as making possible multiple allergen testing.
Positive skin tests to pollen extracts of four species of Pistacia in Israel
Authors: KEYNAN NURIT , GELLER‐BERNSTEIN CARMI , WAISEL Y. , BEJERANO A. , SHOMER‐ILAN ADIVA , TAMIR R.
Published: April 2006

Fifty‐eight atopic and nine non‐atopic volunteers, all residents of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Israel, were skin tested with extracts made from filtered pollen of Pistacia atlantica, P. lentiscus, P. palaestina and P. vera. Twenty‐four out of the fifty‐eight patients examined (41.4% had positive skin reactions to at least one of the four examined species of Pistacia: seven of the patients reacted to all the examined extracts, whereas the other seventeen reacted to only some of them. Fifteen patients reacted to extracts of P. atlantica, sixteen patients reacted to extracts of P. lentiscus, ten patients reacted to extracts of P. palaestina and seven patients reacted to extracts of pollen of P. vera. None of the healthy, non‐atopic volunteers reacted to any of the extracts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of immunological reactions to pollen extracts of the genus Pistacia.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in two populations of Australian schoolchildren. III. Effect of exposure to environmental allergens
Authors: PEAT J. K. , BRITTON W. J. , SALOME C. M. , WOOLCOCK A. J.
Published: April 2006

Two populations of schoolchildren, one living in an area where the predominant allergens are house dust mites and the other in an area where the predominant allergens are pollens, were studied to investigate in more detail the associations between atopy, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and symptoms of asthma. The prevalence of atopy (39%) was the same in both towns but the prevalence of BHR was higher in the inland ‘pollen’ area (19%vs 15%). Atopic children had an increased risk of having BHR and, to a lesser extent, respiratory symptoms, diagnosed asthma and hay fever. The risk of BHR was further increased in children atopic to both pollens and house dust mites, and in children with a high index of atopy (derived from the number and size of the skin reactions to four allergen groups). In addition, the relationship between atopy and BHR was quantitative in that the severity of BHR increased with the severity of atopy. We conclude that there is not a direct causal relationship between atopy and BHR but there may be a common mechanism involved in their development. It appears that, within the atopic population, the type of allergen to which the individual is sensitized, the quantity of aeroallergen present in the environment and the degree of atopy, as measured by the number and size of the skin reactions, are all factors that may interact to increase the risk of BHR.
Topical dermal anaesthesia inhibits the flare but not the weal response to allergen and histamine in the skin‐prick test
Authors: PIPKORN U. , ANDERSSON M.
Published: April 2006

The effect of topical dermal anaesthesia on the immediate allergic skin reaction was evaluated in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study. Twenty‐one patients with strictly seasonal allergic rhinitis, confirmed by a positive skin test for the respective pollen allergen, were studied in the pollen‐free winter months. Skin‐prick tests for one pollen allergen and histamine were performed after pre‐treatment of the skin for 1 hr with an emulsion of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA®) and the equivalent vehicle on different test sites. The skin‐prick tests were made with a preloaded standardized test needle (Phazet®). The area of the induced weal‐and‐flare reaction was measured and subsequently calculated with the help of a digitizer served by a microcomputer. The topical dermal anaesthesia induced a reduction of the flare response to histamine by 49% (P < 0.01) and allergen by 21% (P < 0.05). No reduction of the histamine‐ and allergen‐induced weal response were noted. Our findings indicate that the treatment did not affect the allergen‐induced release of inflammatory mediators and the vascular leakage induced by these mediators. However, this study seems to confirm earlier suggestions that the flare response is partly mediated through neural reflex activity as it was ameliorated by topical anaesthesia. Furthermore, from a clinical point of view, this study shows that it is possible to perform a valid skin test, without any associated itching and pain, if only the weal response is taken into account n i the evaluation of the skin‐prick test.
Theophylline‐induced alterations in cellular immunity in asthmatic patients
Authors: FINK G. , MITTELMAN M. , SHOHAT B. , SPITZER S. A.
Published: April 2006

Twenty patients with bronchial asthma, on long‐term oral therapy with theophylline, demonstrated an increased number of suppressor T‐cells and impaired graft vs host reaction. Ten asthmatics on other therapy, not including theophylline, as well as ten normal healthy controls, failed to show similar findings. Elimination of suppressor T‐cells corrected the above immunological abnormalities in the theophylline‐treated patients, while addition of serum from theophylline‐treated asthmatic patients to lymphocytes from normal healthy controls, affected the graft vs host reaction of these lymphocytes. We conclude that theophylline induces quantitative as well as qualitative immunological alterations by increasing the number and activity of suppressor T‐cells, which most probably secrete a serum factor, responsible for some of the abnormalities observed.
Bronchial allergen challenge: comparison between two different methods of provocation
Authors: FRØLUND L. , SVENDSEN U. G. , NIELSEN N. H. , WEEKE B. , MADSEN F.
Published: April 2006

Bronchial allergen challenge was performed twice in ten well‐defined stable asthmatic patients. On each provocation day the allergen was administered either by a standard method at tidal volume breathing or by a dosimeter method. Ten‐fold increasing concentrations of allergen were administered with an interval of 10 min. Total amount of allergen of 9, 90, 900, 9000 and 90000 SQ units using the standard method, whereas the corresponding amount by the dosimeter method was 0.5, 5, 50, 500, and 5000 SQ units. The bronchial response was determined by forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and by total resistance to breathing (Rt) measured by an opening interrupter method. The provocation was stopped when a decrease of at least 20% of the post‐saline FEV1 and a 4O% increase in post‐saline Rt, was observed. A PC20‐FEV1 and a PC40‐Rt was calculated by interpolation on the log dose‐response curve. The late reaction was recorded and defined as a 20% reduction in peak expiratory flow (PEF) occurring during the 24‐hr period after challenge. The comparability of PC20‐FEV1 and PC40‐Rt obtained with the standard method and with the dosimeter was high. r= 0.89 and r= 0.88. Furthermore, no significant difference was found by comparing Δ FEV1 and Δ Rt during provocation by either method as well as the occurrence and magnitude of the late reaction. We conclude that there exists a high comparability of the bronchial response to an allergen challenge performed either by a standard method at tidal volume breathing by continuous inhalation of the allergen aerosol or by a dosimeter method of inhalation despite the difference in the total allergen doses inhaled.
Efficacy of grass–maize pollen oral immunotherapy in patients with seasonal hay‐fever: a double‐blind study
Authors: VAN NIEKERK C. H. , DE WET J. I.
Published: April 2006

Forty patients with a well‐documented history of seasonal hay fever and a positive skin‐prick test specific to grass pollen, including Bermuda grass and maize pollen (Zea maize), were allocated randomly on a double‐blind basis to receive either an oral mixed grass–maize pollen extract or a matched placebo during the 1981/1982 grass pollen season. After 12 months the code was broken and patients on placebo were transferred to active therapy while patients on active therapy continued with maintenance therapy for another 12 months during the 1982/1983 grass pollen season. The assessment of the effect of the orally administered grass–maize pollen extract was on the clinical symptoms. During the first year the patients on active therapy had significantly fewer hay fever symptoms during the summer months compared with the placebo group. During the second study year, with all patients on active therapy, both groups had markedly milder symptoms compared with the placebo group. Side–effects were negligible. This study concludes that oral immunotherapy with grass‐maize pollen extract in grass pollen‐sensitive seasonal hay fever patients is safe and effective.
Clinical symptoms and IgE responses to common food proteins and inhalants in the first 7 years of life
Authors: HATTEVIG G. , KJELLMAN B. , BJÖRKSTÉN B.
Published: April 2006

A group of eighty‐six children followed from birth to 4 years of age and previously reported was now re‐investigated at the age of 7 years. The prevalence of atopy/allergy was 15%. All of the children with current atopy/allergy had had previous manifestations during their first 4 years of life. No child was allergic to milk at the age of 7 years and only two of the six children with a previous allergy to eggs retained their allergy. No other children had developed allergies to milk or eggs. Only one of the eight children with an elevated level of IgE antibodies to egg white (RAST class I or more) during infancy still had increased concentrations of such antibodies. No child had developed an elevated level of IgE antibodies to egg white or milk after the first year of life. Clinical allergies to inhalants had increased from 1% at 4 years of age to 7% at 7 years. Children with elevated levels of IgE antibodies to inhalants had increased from 7% at 4 years of age to 10% at 7 years. The majority of them had had increased levels of IgE antibodies to egg white during infancy. The specificity of an elevated level of cord blood IgE, i.e. above 0.9 kU/1 for predicting atopy/allergy during the first 7 years of life and for current atopy/allergy at 7 years of age were both 95%. The corresponding figures for presence of elevated levels of IgE antibodies to egg white (positive RAST) during infancy were 98 and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity of the cord blood IgE predictor was 14 and 17%. respectively and for a positive RAST to egg white during infancy 32 and 50%, respectively.
The effect of seasonal and domestic factors on the distribution of Euroglyphus maynei in the homes of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergic patients
Authors: WALSHAW M. J. , EVANS C. C.
Published: April 2006

A survey of the house dust mite population was carried out in the homes of fifty asthmatic Liverpool individuals with strongly positive skin tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. As expected, D. pteronyssinus was the commonest species found. However, Euroglyphus maynei made up 37% of the total adult mite count and was the predominant species in 48% of beds examined. There was a good correlation between increasing numbers of E. maynei and decreasing social class, but only a weak one with percentage relative humidity. Ionic sodium levels in bed dust were found to correlate with decreasing social class and increasing E. maynei levels. In nineteen beds, mites were sampled at 4‐monthly intervals for 1 year—this showed a relative decrease in the proportion of E. maynei compared with other mites in the autumn, when relative humidity was high. A further twenty beds underwent intensive house dust eradication (including the use of plastic covers) for 1 year—these beds showed a progressive fall in the proportion of E. maynei recovered, suggesting that this mite is more vulnerable to anti‐house dust mite measures.

Euroglyphus maynei is a common house dust mite and further work needs to be done to assess its antigenic nature and clinical significance.
Serological and clinical investigation of humidifier fever
Authors: McSHARRY C. , ANDERSON K. , BOYD G.
Published: April 2006

A group of nineteen normally healthy subjects in a microprocessor factory reported various degrees of work‐related respiratory and systemic symptoms that in some were suggestive of humidifier fever (HF). They all had normal serology against a variety of infectious agents, but serum‐precipitating antibody against antigens in the factory humidifier water was present in twelve subjects, primarily those with symptoms most in keeping with HF. There was extensive serological identity between the antigens from this and other confirmed sources of HF. The antibody‐positive subjects were all nonsmokers and had significantly raised serum IgG. Nine months later, following modification of the humidifier system, the symptoms had resolved in fourteen of the nineteen subjects, the precipitins were reduced in seven but persisted in five subjects, and the total IgG levels were significantly reduced in all subjects. The measurement of total, as well as specific, IgG may be of value in assessing this disease.
Histamine‐induced suppressor cell function and nasal sensitivity in hay fever sufferers
Authors: FENNERTY A. G. , JONES K. P. , FIFEFIELD R. , DAVIES B. H.
Published: April 2006

Histamine‐induced suppressor cell function was measured in a group of twenty‐five hay fever suffers and sixteen non‐atopic controls. No difference was found in the suppression index between sufferers and controls. There was, however, a significant relationship between the suppression index and nasal sensitivity to grass pollen, whether measured pre‐ or post‐season, but no correlation between specific or total IgE levels and the suppression index. Histamine‐induced suppressor cell function may influence pollen sensitivity in the most sensitive subjects, but not via an effect on IgE production.
Controlled trial of house dust mite avoidance in children with mild to moderate asthma
Authors: GILLIES D. R. N. , LITTLEWOOD J. M. , SARSFIELD J. K.
Published: April 2006

Twenty‐six asthmatic children participated in a controlled trial of house dust mite avoidance. Group A (n= 14) had 12 weeks’avoidance, provided that they had not deteriorated at the end of the first 6 weeks. Group B (n= 12) had an initial 6 weeks’observation period followed by 6 weeks’avoidance. Mite numbers were extremely variable and often low. There was a significant fall in mite numbers in the first, but not the second, 6‐week period in group A. In group B there was a significant fall in mite numbers in both the first (observation) and second (active avoidance) periods. Active avoidance produced highly significant falls in total serum IgE. There were no significant changes in IgE during the observation period. This impressive immunological effect was not associated with any changes in the radio‐allergo‐sorbent assay (RAST) to house dust mite, or symptom scores; peak expiratory flow rates or histamine induced bronchial reactivity. More rigorous avoidance procedures in more severely affected asthmatic patients warrants further investigation.
Effect of nedocromil sodium on adenosine‐ and methacholine‐induced bronchospasm in asthma
Authors: CRIMI E. , BRUSASCO V. , BRANCATISANO MARINA , LOSURDO ELENA , CRIMI P.
Published: April 2006

The effect of nedocromil sodium on adenosine‐induced bronchospasm was investigated in eight asthmatic patients. Nedocromil sodium (4 mg) administered by aerosol 10 min before challenge, effectively inhibited adenosine‐induced bronchospasm. In another group of six asthmatic patients, nedocromil sodium administered in the same way did not reduce the bronchial response to methacholine. These results support the view that adenosine‐induced bronchospasm may be prevented by a membrane stabilizing drug and is not mediated through cholinergic pathways. The mechanism(s) by which nedocromil sodium inhibits adenosine‐induced bronchospasm requires further investigations.
Effect of terfenadine and placebo on symptoms after nasal allergen provocation
Authors: RÖKENES H. K. , ANDERSSON B. , RUNDCRANTZ H.
Published: April 2006

Terfenadine (60 mg b.i.d.) was compared with placebo in a randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over study in twenty‐three patients with birch pollen allergy. The patients were treated during two 7‐day periods separated by a 2‐week wash‐out period during a season free from birch pollen. Nasal provocations with birch pollen extracts were made at study entry and after each treatment period. Blockage (rhinomanometry), secretion (weight) and sneezings (number) were compared between treatments. The results showed a significant inhibitory effect of terfenadine on secretion and sneezing, but no significant difference between treatments with regard to blockage. Terfenadine showed no signs of sedative properties or inhibition of salivation.
Immune response of the atopic woman and foetus: effects of high‐ and low‐dose food allergen intake during late pregnancy
Authors: LILJA G. , DANNAEUS A. , FÄLTH‐MAGNUSSON KARIN , GRAFF‐LONNEVIG V. , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , KJELLMAN N.‐I. M. , ÖMAN H.
Published: April 2006

The influence of the mother's consumption of cows’ milk and hens’ egg on the immune response (IgE, IgG) in the mother and foetus was studied in 165 pregnant women with atopical respiratory disease with an allergy to pollen and/or animal dander. The women were randomly allocated to four diets ranging from a diet free from hens’ egg and cows’ milk to a diet containing intake of one egg and one litre of milk daily during the third trimester. No significant differences in cord blood IgE levels were noted in spite of differences in maternal diet, and no specific IgE antibodies to ovalbumin, ovomucoid and betalactoglobulin were found in the cord blood. The mother's IgG antibody concentrations to ovalbumin, ovomucoid and betalactoglobulin were influenced by her diet, but cord blood IgG antibody levels to the selected food allergens were unaffected. The data presented on the IgE and IgG antibody levels to ovalbumin, ovomucoid and betalactoglobulin in cord blood suggest that changes in maternal diet during the last trimester of pregnancy in order to prevent atopic sensitization in utero are less likely to affect the foetus than previously supposed.
Systemic adrenaline attenuates skin response to antigen and histamine
Authors: WARREN J. B. , McCUSKER M. , FULLER R. W.
Published: April 2006

Six atopic subjects received either adrenaline (0.3 ml of 1 mg/ml), subcutaneously over the deltoid muscle, or saline on 2 separate days. After 10 min, histamine and antigen were injected intradermally in the forearm. Adrenaline significantly inhibited the flare of histamine and both the flare and weal of antigen (P< 0.05). This anti‐allergic action of adrenaline occurred with a dose that we have previously shown produces plasma concentrations at the upper limit of the physiological range in resting normal subjects.
Sublingual allergen administration. I. Selective suppression of IgE production in rats by high allergen doses
Authors: HOLT P. G. , VINES JULIA , BRITTEN DESLEY
Published: April 2006

Sublingual administration of a protein allergen to immunologically naïve rats suppressed subsequent allergen‐specific IgE responses. Susceptibility to this form of immunotherapy was genetically determined, with some inbred rat strains displaying immunological tolerance in the IgE antibody class alone, whilst others developed concomitant suppression of IgG. Parallel gastric intubation experiments established that the development of tolerance by sublingual allergen administration proceeded independently of events occurring in the gut resulting from swallowing the allergen. These results are consistent with clinical reports which suggest that the oral mucosa is a potentially useful site for therapeutic modulation of allergic reactivity, and indicate that appropriate animal models can be developed to probe this important question. However, further research is required to determine the relevance of these findings to current sublingual desensitization practices.
Hay fever, a post industrial revolution epidemic: a history of its growth during the 19th century
Authors: EMANUEL M. B.
Published: April 2006

Although other forms of allergic disease were described in antiquity, hay fever is surprisingly modern. Very rare descriptions can be traced back to Islamic texts of the 9th century and European texts of the 16th century. It was only in the early 19th century that the disease was carefully described and at that time was regarded as most unusual. By the end of the 19th century it had become commonplace in both Europe and North America. This paper attempts to chart the growth of hay fever through the medical literature of the 19th century. It is hoped that an understanding of the increase in prevalence between 1820 and 1900 may provide an insight for modern researchers and give some clues into possible reasons for the epidemic nature of the disease today.
Relationship between mite densities and the prevalence of asthma: comparative studies in two populations in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea
Authors: TURNER K. J. , STEWART G. A. , WOOLCOCK A. J. , GREEN W. , ALPERS M. P.
Published: April 2006

The recent dramatic rise from 0.1 to 7.3% in the prevalence of adult asthma in the South Fore area of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has not been matched by a similar increase in asthma in the adjacent Asaro valley, where the prevalence remains extremely low at 0.3%. While the living conditions of these two populations appear comparable, the mean density of house dust mite (principally Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) in blankets of residents in the Asaro valley was found to be significantly lower (283/g dust) than that of a corresponding random selection in the South Fore (1371/g dust). Since from 200 to 600 mites per g dust have been reported to constitute a risk factor for asthma, the data suggest that the relative risk for asthma in the Asaro valley population is low compared with that in the South Fore. In randomly selected sera, both IgE and IgG antibodies to D. pteronyssinus from the Asaro valley were comparable with those of a group of non‐asthmatics from the South Fore (mean 4.39 vs 3.43 U/ml for IgE antibodies and 1832 vs 1815 U/ml for IgG antibodies for Asaro valley vs South Fore, respectively) but significantly lower (P < 0.001) than corresponding data for subjects in the South Fore with asthma (108.6 U/ml and 3365 U/ml, respectively). This study emphasizes the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in determining the development of asthma, and highlights the importance of house dust mites in the pathogenesis of asthma in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.