bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal allergic symptoms and their relation to pollen exposure in south‐east France
Authors: CHARPIN D. , HUGHES B. , MALLEA M. , SUTRA J‐P. , BALANSARD G. , VERVLOET D.
Published: April 2006

In order to evaluate the relationship between pollen exposure and prevalence of allergic respiratory symptoms, we performed a cross‐sectional epidemiological study in 2 areas with contrasted exposure to cypress and grass pollens. The study population consisted of 5427 subjects 18 to 65‐years‐old representative of the general population. All answered an abridged version of the 1978 ATS questionnaire and a sample had a skin test evaluation including grass and cypress pollens. Prevalence of hay fever symptoms was equal to 31.5% and 14.1%, respectively, in exposed and less exposed community (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hay fever symptoms together with a positive skin test to pollen was also significantly higher in the exposed (13.6%) vs less exposed community (5.5%, P<0.001). In contrast, overall prevalence of asthma was equal to 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Prevalence of asthma with positive skin tests was also not statistically significant, equal to 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Thus, high exposure to pollen is a risk factor for developing hay fever but not asthma.
Trypsin‐like protease of mites: purification and characterization of trypsin‐like protease from mite faecal extract Dermatophagoides farinae. Relationship between trypsin‐like protease and Der f III
Authors: ANDO T. , HOMMA R. , INO Y. , ITO G. , MIYAHARA A. , YANAGIHARA T. , KIMURA H. , IKEDA S. , YAMAKAWA H. , IWAKI M. , OKUMURA Y. , SUKO M. , HAIDA M. , OKUDAIRA H.
Published: April 2006

A serine protease from mite faecal extract, Dermatophagoides farinae, was purified using DEAE‐Sephacel anion exchange chromatography and Supcrdex 75 pg gel chromato‐graphy. The molecular weight of this protease was 34 kD on SDS‐PAGE under reducing conditions. The optimal pH and temperature of the protease were 8‐0 and 47 C, respectively. In addition, this protease cleaved arginyl or lysyl residue containing substrates selectively and was only inhibited by aprotinin, PUT‐175, tind soy bean trypsin inhibitor and not by chymostatin, E‐64 and iodoacetic acid. These results show that our purified serine protease belongs to the trypsin‐type. Purified trypsin‐like protease was shown to be allergenic by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Antigeni‐city of trypsin‐like protease was completely different from those of Der f I and Der f II. Both, 20 N‐terminal amino acid sequence and amino acid compositions of the purified protease were very similar to those of Der f III. Good similarities were found between trypsin‐like protease and Der f III concerning physicochemical properties such as molecular weight on SDS‐PAGE and ammonium sulphate solubility. Summarizing the above data, it can be concluded that a trypsin‐like protease from mite faecal extract is actually the Der f III allergen and that it may be involved in the digestive process of the mite as it was found not in mite body but in mite faeces.
Ciliated cell damage in the bronchial epithelium of asthmatics and non‐asthmatics
Authors: MONTEFORT S. , DJUKANOVIĆ R. , HOLGATE S. T. , ROCHE W. R.
Published: April 2006

The importance of bronchial epithelial shedding in the pathogenesis of asthma has been highlighted by many investigators as a potential mechanism for bronchial hyperresponsiveness. It has been suggested that this disruption is the result of cytotoxic injury leading to shedding of damaged cells. To investigate whether damaged ciliated epithelial cells can be detected within the bronchial mucosa. we used tannic acid which only permeates disrupted cellular membranes, as a marker of cell damage. Bronchial biopsies from seven asthmatic and six normal subjects, were processed in tannic acid prior to preparation and sectioning for electronmicroscopic examination. Ciliated epithelial cells staining darkly with tannic acid were seen to comprise a similar proportion of the intact portion of bronchial epithelium in both normals and asthmatics (medians 31% vs 40%). We suggest that ciliated epithelial cells are not shed from the bronchial mucosa immediately after damage and that mechanisms other than granulocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity may account for epithelial disruption in asthma, possibly involving the selective damage or reduced expression of intraepilhelial intercellular adhesion molecules.
Mite allergen content in mattress dust of Dermatophagoides‐allergic asthmatics/rhinitics and matched controls
Authors: PAULI G. , QUOIX E. , HEDELIN G. , BESSOT J. C. , OTT M. , DIETEMANN A.
Published: April 2006

It has been suggested that the mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D.farinae are important indoor environmental factors facilitating both the sensitization of atopic subjects and asthmatic attacks of house dust‐sensitive patients. Contradictory results have been reported about the current exposure to mites or their allergens among patients and control groups of atopic or non‐atopic subjects. In order to determine whether there is a difference in mite exposure levels between D. pteronyssinus‐sensitized asthmatics and/or rhinitis and control subjects we considered a case‐control study of 70 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis and positive skin test reactions to D. pteronyssinus and twice as many control subjects who were matched as to age and sex. The first control subject for each patient was an immediate neighbour of the patient and the second was a patient arbitrarily chosen among hospitalized patients. Mite allergen exposure was measured in mattress dust collected under standardized conditions, by measuring Der p I +Derf I content and by performing a semiquantitative guanine determination (Acarex‐testR). The content of Der p I and Der f I was very high both in the homes of patients and those of healthy individuals: 69% of the total samples contained more than 10 μg Der p I + Der f I/g of dust. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to Der p I, Der f I, Der p I + Der f I content and AcarexR class distributions. The calculated odds‐ratios associated with the Acarex testR and the mite allergens did not differ significantly from the level 1.0. Our findings show that in a Rhine valley city such as Strasbourg with a high mite allergen load there is no difference in mite exposure between D. pteronyssinus‐sensitized patients and controls who can be considered not to differ from the general population with respect to atopy.
Elimination diet and intestinal permeability in atopic eczema: a preliminary study
Authors: CAFFARELLI C. , CAVAGNI G. , MENZIES I. S. , BERTOLINI P. , ATHERTON D. J.
Published: April 2006

We measured small intestinal permeability to lactutose and rhamnose in 18 healthy children and in 15 children with atopic eczema, before and after a 14‐day elimination diet. The children with atopic eczema had higher initial urinary lactulose/rhamnose ratios than the controls. After dietary restriction, there was no overall change in permeability. Dietary therapy did however result in a large reduction in permeability in three of the nine children whose skin disease was improved, but a statistically significant decrease in permeability was not observed in the diet‐responsive group as a whole. Larger studies would be required to confirm that dietary restrictions can reduce intestinal permeability in some children with atopic eczema.
Improvement of food‐sensitive atopic dermatitis accompanied by reduced lymphocyte responses to food antigen following natural measles virus infection
Authors: KONDO N. , FUKUTOMI O. , OZAWA T. , AGATA H. , KAMEYAMA T. , KUWABARA N. , SHINODA S. , ORII T.
Published: April 2006

Five patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who were sensitive to hen's egg were observed before and after natural measles virus infection. Within 4 weeks of natural measles virus infection, the eczematous lesions clearly improved in four of the five patients in whom neither offending foods were eliminated, nor anti‐allergic drugs, systemic steroids and steroid ointment administered. This was accompanied by reduced proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to ovalbumin (OA). Another patient showed a transient improvement of AD symptoms, from severe to mild, and thereafter returned to severe accompanied by increased proliferative responses of PBMCs to OA. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) scores for hen's egg in all five patients did not change in each level in each patient, except the transiently decreased RAST scores for hen's egg in one patient, after the infection. Thus, in patients with AD who are sensitive to food, the improvement of AD symptoms that appeared within 4 weeks of natural measles virus infection was related to reduced proliferative responses of PBMCs to the food antigen following the infection.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α and leukotriene E4 production in wheezy infants
Authors: BALFOUR‐LYNN I. M. , VALMAN H. B. , WELLINGS R. , WEBSTER A. D. B. , TAYLOR G. W. , SILVERMAN M.
Published: April 2006

It is not clear why certain infants wheeze during viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) but it is possible that they have a tendency to mount an exaggerated inflammatory response leading to production of mediators that induce airway narrowing. We studied nasal tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) and urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) production during infection and after recovery in 31 wheezy infants (median age 6.2 months). Urinary LTE4 production was not altered during wheezy episodes or URTIs. However, the concentration of TNFα in nasal lining fluid (NLF) was significantly increased during acute episodes of wheeze compared to recovery (median [interquartile range] of 293 [42‐1753] vs 0 [0‐203] pg/ml NLF). TNFα was detectable more often and in higher concentration when wheezing was due to respiratory syncylitil virus. TNFα was also present in 7/30 asymptomatic wheezy infants who had recovered from infection (> 100 pg/ml NLF) and in 4/7 non‐wheezy siblings during URTIs (> 200 pg/ml NLF). This suggests that upregulation of TNFα production is not the only factor that makes some infants wheeze.
Cefotiam‐induced IgE‐mediated occupational contact anaphylaxis of nurses; case reports, RAST analysis, and a review of the literature
Authors: TADOKORO K. , NIIMI N. , OHTOSHI T. , NAKAJIMA K. , TAKAFUJI S. , ONODERA K. , SUZUKI S. , MURANAKA M.
Published: April 2006

Cefotiam (CTM) is one of the most popular cephem antibiotics in Japan. Recently we experienced two cases of nurses with CTM‐induced contact anaphylaxis. When they were preparing drip infusions of antibiotics or working around other nurses doing so, they suddenly fell into shock with other symptoms such as flushing, urtiearia, abdominal distress, vomiting, dyspnoea and or loss of consciousness. The symptoms never occurred after they avoided exposure to CTM. Passive cutaneous or open patch tests were positive for CTM. Histamine release was induced by CTM from washed leucocytes. RAST analysis using CTM‐human serum albumin‐coupled dises showed high % RAST count, suggesting that these reactions were mediated by IgE antibodies. A RAST inhibition test suggested that the methyl‐thiotetrazol side‐chain was the main antigenic determinant. Both patients had hand dermatitis that had appeared preceding the episodes of anaphylaxis. Although the dermatitis had been resistant to treatments, it also disappeared after they avoided exposure to CTM, It seemed likely that it was also induced or exacerbated by CTM and facilitated the penetration of CTM to cause anaphylaxis. The literature is also reviewed.
Passive smoking amongst asthmatic children. Questionnaire or objective assessment?
Authors: CLARK S. J. , WARNER J. O. , DEAN T. P.
Published: April 2006

An increasing number of studies have implicated passive smoking as a definite threat to non‐smokers' health. Self‐reports of smoking status may not always be reliable, particularly in situations where the smoker feels under pressure to give up smoking. In this study questionnaire and salivary cotinine, an objective measure of nicotine exposure, were studied in asthmatic and age‐matched control children. We have consequently developed a sensitive assay for cotinine using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantitate environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in a group of 5‐ to 7‐year‐old asthmatic and control children. We chose to use mixed unstimulated saliva collected by absorption into dental rolls in the mouth for 5 min. Our modified extraction procedure was highly reproducible with a >90% retrieval rate of cotinine from spiked saliva. The parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire on atmospheric pollutants to obtain an estimate of declared ETS exposure in the home. Results showed that 31% of the asthmatic patients were exposed to ETS, according to the parents, but by HPLC 69% had been so exposed (n=19). From the control group the figures were 40% and 50% of patients, respectively. Therefore, an objective assessment is essential as ETS is more ubiquitous than is apparent from the questionnaire alone. Finally, in this small number of individuals our objective assessment demonstrates that ETS exposure is more prevalent in asthmatic children (69%) than age‐matched controls (51%).
The importance of appropriate challenges in diagnosing food sensitivity
Authors: KAPLAN M. S.
Published: April 2006

Two patients with clinically significant immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated reactions to cow's milk which occur only under special circumstances are described. Although double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenges or open food challenges are generally very helpful, certain patients who react only under special circumstances might be missed when these office tests are used. The two reported incidences occurred in older children who seemed to outgrow their cow‐milk allergy but still had clinically significant allergic reactions under certain circumstances.
Is deficiency of interferon gamma production by allergen triggered cord blood cells a predictor of atopic eczema?
Authors: WARNER J. A. , MILES E. A. , JONES A. C. , QUINT D. J. , COLWELL B. M. , WARNER J. O.
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferative responses and interferon‐γ product ion to anti‐CD3, cat fur extract, betalactoglobulin and ovalbumin were determined al birth in a group of 34 babies born to families where at least one parent was; atopic. The development of atopic eczema with positive allergy skin‐prick tests to cows’ milk and egg at 1 year of age, where the symptoms improved on an egg and milk‐free diet, was significantly associated with raised proliferative responses and defective IFN‐γ production to stimulation with betalactoglobulin with a trend for similar responses to ovalbumin. This was not observed in those who did not develop atopic eczema or those with atopic eczema not associated with foods. Responses to cat fur extract were not significantly different between those with and without atopic eczema. This has important implications for the prediction at birth, not only of the probability of being allergic, but also of the specific allergens which will cause problems. The implementation of specific targeted allergen avoidance during the critical period in infancy, therefore, should be more easily applied and should facilitate attempts to prevent disease.
The role of cereal and fungal aṁylases in cereal flour hypersensitivity
Authors: SANDIFORD C. P. , TEE R. D. , TAYLOR A. J. NEWMAN
Published: April 2006

Abstract. To investigate the role of cereal α. and β‐amylase in bakers’ asthma, we have compared the IgE response of 30 wheat‐flour‐allergic individuals to barley α and β‐amylases with that of fungal α‐amylase using radioallergosorbenl test (RAST), RAST inhibition assays and Western blotting. RAST analysis showed 29 of the 30 subjects with inhalant induced cereal allergy had positive IgE to cereal amylases, but only 16 were positive to fungal α‐amylase. Regression analysis showed an association between specific IgE to wheat‐flour and to barley α‐amylase (r = 0.70) and barley β‐amylase (r= 0.92) but a poor association with fungal α‐amylase (r = 0–34). RAST inhibition showed minimal crossreactivity between barley α or β‐amylase and barley and fungal α‐amylase. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and Western blotting showed that non‐reduced barley α‐amylase had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and barley β‐amylase a molecular weight of 64 kDa. Reduced fungal α‐amylase had a molecular weight of 54 k Da. Cereal α and β‐amylase appear to be important allergens in patients with allergy to flour.
Immediate allergic reactions to Myrmecia ant stings: immunochemical analysis of Myrmecia venoms
Authors: STREET M. D. , DONOVAN G. R. , BALDO B. A. , SUTHERLAND S.
Published: April 2006

Abstract. IgE antibody reactivities to the venoms of Myrmecia pilosula, Myrmecia nigrocincta, Myrmecia tarsata, Myrmecia pyriformis, Myrmecia simillima and Myrmecia gulosa have been identified in sera from subjects allergic to ant venom. Sera with IgE reactivity to only a single Myrmecia venom most often recognize M. pilosula venom although all six venoms appear capable of inducing IgE antibodies. The six different Myrmecia venoms were electrophoretically separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel etectrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), Western blotted to nitrocellulose and probed with sera from ant venom‐allergic subjects. Four to six IgE‐binding components ranging in size from 2 to 25 kDa were identified in each of the venoms. Similarities in molecular weights of the IgE‐binding components exist and close taxonomic relationships between the species suggest that common or similar peptides may be present in the different venoms.
Disproportionate fetal growth and raised IgE concentration in adult life
Authors: GODFREY K. M. , BARKER D. J. P. , OSMOND C.
Published: April 2006

Summary. A follow‐up study was carried out to determine whether either impaired or disproportionate fetal growth are associated with a raised total serum IgE concentration in men and women aged 50 years. The serum IgE concentration was measured in 146 men and 134 women born in Preston (Lancashire, UK) between 1935 and 1943, whose size at birth had been measured in detail.

Sixty‐two subjects were found to have an IgE concentration above 80 IU/ml. Compared with subjects with a normal IgE on average they had a 0.30 inch larger head circumference at birth (P ‐0.004) and weighed 5.6 ounces more at birth (P= 0.04). People with a raised and with a normal IgE were of similar crown‐heel length at birth, indicating that in utero those with a raised IgE had had disproportionate growth of the head in relation to the trunk and limbs. The prevalence of a raised IgE rose from 14% in subjects whose head circumference at birth was 13 inches or less to 37% in those whose head circumference was more than 14 inches. This association was independent of gestational age at birth and of the mother's pelvic size and parity. It was also independent of adult physique, social class and smoking, and was similar in men and women. In multiple logistic regression analyses odds ratios of a raised IgE rose progressively to more than 4 as head circumference at birth increased from 13 inches or less to more than 14 inches.

One possibility is that these associations reflect the long‐term effects of sustaining fetal brain growth at the expense of the trunk, in particular the thymus. This may be a consequence of fetal under‐nutrition in late gestation.
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), histamine and tryptase in peripheral blood before and during inhalation challenge with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in sensitized subjects
Authors: MAPP C. E. , PLEBANI M. , FAGGIAN D. , MAESTRELLI P. , SAETTA M. , CALCAGNI P. , BORGHESAN F. , FABBRI L. M.
Published: April 2006

To determine whether the measurement of specific markers of inflammatory cells in peripheral blood might be used to detect the inflammatory activity in the airways in asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI). we measured the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), histamine and tryplase in peripheral blood before and during inhalation challenge with TDI or methacholine in two groups of subjects who exhibited or did not exhibit an asthmatic reaction after exposure to toluene diisocyanate in the laboratory. When the subjects developed a late asthmatic reaction after exposure to TDI, the\ showed an increase in their ECP serum levels. By contrast, there were no signilicam changes in serum ECP levels after exposure to TDI in the control group or after methacholine challenge in either group. Tryptase levels in serum were not detectable before or during inhalation challenge with TDI or methacholinc. There was no significant increase in plasma histamine levels during inhalation challenge with TDJ or methacholine. These results suggest that eosinophils arc ‘activated’ in subjects who develop a late asthmatic reaction after exposure to TDI and that the measurement of ECP levels in peripheral blood may be a useful marker to monitor airway inflammation.
Immune reactivity to Der p I and Der p II in house dust mite sensitive patients attending paediatric and adult allergy clinics
Authors: O'BRIEN R. M. , THOMAS W. R.
Published: April 2006

A comparison was made of immune responses to house dust mite allergens in symptomatic patients from paediatric and adult allergy clinics. IgE‐specific immune reactivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was examined by Western blotting and, for Der p I and Der p II. by radioimmune dot‐blot using purified allergens. Nineteen mite‐sensitive children (mean age 9 years) and 26 adults (mean age 31 years) were compared. Positive IgE responses by dot‐blot were found to Der p I and Der p II in 79% of children, whereas reactivity was only present in 23% and 19% respectively of adults, and densitometry indicated a weaker response. In children. Western blotting indicated that the majority of the serologic reactivity was directed to Der p II (17/19, 89%) or a 100 kDa fraction whereas in adults, reactivities were generally directed to other fractions with only 15/26 (58%) recognizing Der p II. Consistent with results of others, a fraction corresponding to Der p I was poorly detected on Western analysis despite positive dot‐blots. To determine whether the relative lack of IgE serological immune reactivity in adults was associated with a similar lack of cellular recognition, T‐cell proliferation studies were performed, also using purified allergens. Interestingly, these revealed that cellular responsiveness, without serological reactivity, was present in 29% of subjects to Der p I and 50% to Der p II. Proliferative responses were evident in all individuals with specific IgE.
A major continuous allergenic epitope of bovine β‐lactoglobulin recognized by human IgE binding
Authors: BALL G. , SHELTON M. J. , WALSH B. J. , HILL D. J. , HOSKING C. S. , HOWDEN M. E. H.
Published: April 2006

Hexapeptides of sequential overlapping sequences of β‐lactoglobulin (BLG) were used to probe scrum from children with immediate‐type cow milk allergy for IgE binding to continuous epilopes of BLG in an enhanced enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Six regions of IgE binding were identified on the BLG molecule and these were synthesized as dodecapeptides. Inhibition of IgE binding to whole BLG was used to confirm the BLG‐specific binding of IgE to each of the synthesized peptides. One of the peptides. peptide 4, showed inhibition in an IgE anti‐BLG radioimmunoassay to all 16 sera tested. The patterns of inhibition with the native BLG molecule and peptide 4 were significantly correlated (P =0.005). suggesting that this peptide contains a major continuous IgE binding epitope of BLG.
Mite antigen in house dust: relationship with different housing characteristics in the Netherlands
Authors: VAN STRIEN R. T. , VERHOEFF A. P. , BRUNEKREEF B. , VAN WIJNEN J. H.
Published: April 2006

As part of a case‐controlled study on the relationship between home dampness and respiratory symptoms of children, the concentration of the major allergen of Dermato‐phagoides pteronyssinus (Der p I) in floor dust and mattress dust in 516 dwellings in the Netherlands was measured. A checklist, completed by the investigators, was used to obtain information on home and occupant characteristics, which may have an impact on the Der p I concentration in house dust. The geometric mean mite antigen concentrations were 2370 ng Der p I/g floor dust for the living room, 2201 ng Der p I/g floor dust for the bedroom and 5075 ng Der p I/g mattress dust. In 86% of the houses the maximum concentration was higher than 2000 ng Der p I/g dust, that is regarded as representing a risk for genetically predisposed individuals for the development of specific IgE to house dust mite allergen. In 55% of the houses the maximum concentration exceeded 10000 ng Der p I/g dust, regarded as a risk factor for acute attacks of asthma for mite allergic patients. The Der p I concentrations in dust from carpeted floors were six to 14 times higher than in dust from floors with a smooth floor covering. Higher Der p I concentrations in floor dust were also significantly associated with increasing age of the dwelling and of the floor covering, with an increasing number of occupants, and with the absence of floor insulation. For mattress dust, the age of the mattress, the presence of an outer cavity wall and mechanical ventilation were important factors. Older mattresses had higher levels, and mattress dust from bedrooms with solid brick outer walls had higher levels than that from bedrooms with outer cavity walls. Mattresses in homes with continuous mechanical ventilation had almost twice lower levels than mattresses in homes with natural ventilation. There was a tendency towards higher Der p I concentrations in dust in homes with reported or observed signs of dampness. The Der p I concentrations in dust from carpeted bedroom floors and mattresses were positively associated with the average relative humidity in the bedroom over a period of 3–6 weeks in a subset of the homes where relative humidity was measured. Similar results were obtained using the concentrations of Der p I in ng/m2 instead of ng/g dust. The results obtained in this study are of importance for planning and evaluating allergen avoidance measures advised to mite allergic patients.
Nedocromil sodium 2% eye drops for twice‐daily treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: a Swedish multicentre placebo‐controlled study in children allergic to birch pollen
Authors: MÖLLER C. , BERG I.‐M. , BERG T. , KJELLMAN M. , STROMBERG L.
Published: April 2006

This was a multicentre, double‐blind, randomized group comparative study in which 77 children, aged 6–16 years, received 2% nedocromil sodium eye drops and 72 received placebo, one drop into each eye twice daily. The treatment period was 4 weeks, covering the peak birch pollen season. Prior to the start or the season, patients who had mended the clinic the previous 2 years because of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) to birch pollen, entered a one week baseline period during which symptoms were assessed, diary cards completed, and routine sampling of blood and urine earned out. The double‐blind treatment period then commenced at the onset of the birch pollen season. Patients parents kept daily diary record cards of eye symptom severity and concomitant therapy. Conjunctivitis was mild in both treatment groups but nedocromil sodium was more effective than placebo in controlling symptoms. During the 2–3 weeks of peak pollen counts, this therapeutic effect was statistically significant for itching (P <0–01), watering (P <0.05) and total symptom score (P <0.01), but was not significant for grittiness (P= 0.08) or redness (P = 0.06). Global opinions of efficacy showed no difference between treatments, due to a high placebo effect (however, the diary card data indicated a significant improvement with nedocromil sodium). We therefore conclude that nedocromil sodium 2% eye drops, administered twice daily, is an effective treatment for SAC in children.
Human nasal absorption of 51Cr‐EDTA in smokers and control subjects
Authors: GREIFF L. , WOLLMER P. , ANDERSSON M. , PERSSON C. G. A.
Published: April 2006

Passive exposure to cigarette smoke has emerged as a significant risk factor in the development of asthma and allergic airways disease. The pathogenetic mechanisms are not known, but increased absorption across the airway epithelial lining has been suggested as one possible mechanism of this effect of cigarette smoke. This study examines the absorption‐permeability of the nasal epithelial lining in cigarette smokers and non‐smokers. For comparison, the effect of a detergent, dioctylsodium sulfosuccinate (DS), is also examined. A solution containing 51Cr‐EDTA (51‐chromium labeled ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) (mol. wt. 372 Da) was instilled and maintained in the nasal cavity in six smokers and 12 non‐smokers for 15min. Urine was collected for 24 h after the instillation. The accumulated amount of excreted 5lCr‐EDTA was measured and expressed as millilitre nasal instillate. In six non‐smokers the procedure was repeated when DS has been added to the instillate. The median recovered amount of 51Cr‐EDTA in smokers 0.07 ml (range 0.04‐0.32) was not significantly different from that in non‐smokers 0.16 ml (0.01‐1.22). The recovered amount of 51Cr‐EDTA increased from a median of 0.18 ml (0.01‐1.22) to 1.13 ml (0.53‐1.80) after addition of the detergent (P= 0.028). We conclude that the nasal airway absorption‐permeability is not increased in smokers. Hence, passive exposure to cigarette smoke may not produce an impairment of airway barrier functions.
Identification of allergens from the mite Blomia tropicalis
Authors: CARABALLO L. , PUERTA L. , MARTÍNEZ B. , MORENO L.
Published: April 2006

In some tropical areas the mite Blomia tropicalis is a clinically important allergenic component of house dust, inducing specific IgE immune response in patients with allergic respiratory diseases such as asthma and rhinitis. The identification of allergens of this mite is necessary to obtain appropriate reagents for diagnostic and treatment procedures. We carried out this study using immunoblotting to detect the allergens of B. tropicalis. Our results demonstrate that this mite has one major allergen (11–13kDa) and three other important allergens with about 50% binding (64, 36 and 33 kDa). Therefore, B. tropicalis should be regarded as an important source of allergens in the house dust in tropical areas, besides those derived from other mites.
Increase of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Swedish schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991
Authors: ÅBERG N. , HESSELMAR B. , ÅBERG B. , ERIKSSON B.
Published: April 2006

Background: A previous study has shown a twofold increase in prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Swedish recruits during the 1970s. The increase was higher in more northerly colder regions.

Objectives To follow up the previously found trend to increasing prevalences with time as well as the climatic variations within the country.

Methods: The prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were assessed using two questionnaire studies, 12 years apart (1979 and 1991) with identical questions about the diseases. The study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the south‐western coast (in 1979: 7‐year‐olds, n= 4255, in 1991: 7‐year‐olds, n= 1649) and in Kiruna, a mining town in the northernmost inland mountains (in 1979: 7‐year‐olds, n= 427, in 1991: 7‐9‐year‐olds, n= 832). In 1991 there was also a personal interview and a skin‐prick test (SPT) on subsamples.

Results: The prevalence of all these diseases present over the last year had roughly doubled over the 12‐year period. On both occasions, most symptoms were more prevalent in the northern area. In 1991, the prevalence of one or more symptoms in Goteborg was 23.8% and 32.5% and in Kiruna 29.9% and 44.8% in the questionnaire and the interview, respectively.

Conclusion: Asthma, AR and eczema increase continuously in prevalence in Sweden and the climatic distribution of the prevalences suggests possible major risk factors to be found in a closed indoor climate.
Sensitivity to two major allergens (Cry j I and Cry j II) in patients with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis
Authors: HASHIMOTO M. , NIGI H. , SAKAGUCHI M. , INOUYE S. , IMAOKA K. , MIYAZAWA H. , TANIGUCHI Y. , KURIMOTO M. , YASUEDA H. , OGAWA T.
Published: April 2006

Background: Japanese cedar (Cryptmeria japonica: CJ) pollinosis is one of the most important allergic diseases in Japan. Recently, the second major allergen (Cry j II) was isolated from CJ pollen. There have been no prevalence studies of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II among a large number of patients with pollinosis.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II. We measured specific IgE antibodies to these allergens in the sera of 145 patients. Furthermore, comparison of the sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II was examined by the hisiamine release assay.

Methods: Specific IgE antibodies to Cry j I and Cry j II were assayed by a fluorometric ELISA. Allergen‐specific histamine release was measured by a radioimmunoassay kit,

Results: More than 90% of 145 patients had specific IgE antibodies to both allergens. the remainder had specific IgE to either one or the other. There were seasonal changes in the level of specific IgE. The changes in the levels of anti‐Cry j II IgE antibodies were parallel to those of anti‐Cry j I IgE. The histamine release assay with leucocytes from the patients demonstrated that the allergenic potency of the two allergens is almost the same.

Conclusion: Cry j II is an as important a major allergen as Cry j I.
Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity reducing ICAM‐1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in patients with pollen allergy
Authors: CIPRANDI G. , PRONZATO C. , RICCA V. , VARESE P. , GIACCO G. S. DEL , CANONICA G. W.
Published: April 2006

Background: Rhinoconjunetivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during the pollen season. It has recently been demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell‐to‐cell interaction during the inflammatory response which follows allergic reactions.

Objective: The aim of the present study (placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, randomized) was the evaluation of the antiallergic activity of Terfenadine in the model of the allergic rhinitis due to natural pollen exposure.

Methods: Two groups of patients with pollen allergy were enrolled in this study. Ten patients were treated with Terfenadine (120mg/die) for 7 days and 10 with placebo. Evaluation criteria were: (a) clinical: signs and symptoms (recorded daily in a dian card by patients): (b) cytological: inflammatory cell count (neutrophils, eosinophils, metachromatic cells) from nasal lavage at T0 and T7; (c) immunocytochemical: ICAM‐1/CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells at T0 and T7; and (d) mediators dosage (ECP‐MPO) on nasal lavage at T0 and T7.

Results: As opposed to the placebo group, patients treated with Terfenadine showed a significant improvement of both symptoms (P< 0.022) and signs P< 0.001), a significant reduction of inflammatory cells infiltrate (P< 0.005), of ECP levels (P < 0.002) and ICAM‐I expression on nasal epithelial cells (P < 0.005).

Conlusions: In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity since it is able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltrate and downregulates ICAM‐1 expression.
Characterization of allergenic components from house dust mite Dermatophagoides siboney. Purification of Der s 1 and Der s 2 allergens
Authors: FERRÁNDIZ R. , CASAS R. , DREBORG S. , EINARSSON R. , BONACHEA I. , CHAPMAN M
Published: April 2006

Background
Allergic reactions to house dust miles of the genus Dermatophagoides play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma and other atopic diseases. Dermatophagoides siboney has been described as a species from Cuba. Together with D. pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis, it is frequently found in house dust from homes of asthmatics.

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the allergenic composition from the house dust mite D. siboney.

Methods
The charactcrization of D. siboney extract was performed by SDS‐gPAGE and immunoblotting. Purification of individual components was performed by affinity ehromatography.

Results
At least 16 components between 13 and 98 k Da stained by Coomassie Blue were found. Using a panel of 35 sera from a topic mile sensitive patients 13 components reacted to different extent with patient IgE. Two components, 25 and 14 kDa, bound to specific IgE strongly and frequently, i.e. 80 and 91% of the patients, respectively. Affinity ehromatography using crossreacting monoclonal antibodies to group 1 and 2 allergens resulted in purified preparations of 25 and 14 kDa proteins, which showed IgE‐binding with the majority of the human sera when tested by immune‐dot.

Conclusion
Based on the IgE binding profile of D. siboney and on the capacity to react with crossreacting monoclonal antibodies for groups I and 2, it is proposed to name these two allergens, 25 and 14 k Da, Der s 1 and Der s 2, respectively.
Collaborative study on the genetics of asthma in Germany
Authors: WJST M. , WICHMANN H. E.
Published: April 2006

In several clinical centres in Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and others) a collaborative study on the genetics of asthma is being performed. It started at the beginning of 1995, when 100 nuclear families with two or more affected siblings were recruited. The participants are being characterized by interview information, methacholine challenge, peak flow variability, skin‐prick test, total and specific IgE.
Mast cell distribution and neutral protease expression in acute and chronic allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: BADDELEY S. M. , BACON A. S. , McGILL J. I. , LIGHTMAN S. L. , HOLGATE S. T. , ROCHE W. R.
Published: April 2006

Allergic eye disease has a variety of clinical manifestations including seasonal atopic conjunctivitis (SAC), perennial atopic conjunctivitis (PAC), atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC). and atopic blepharoconjunctivitis (ABC). We have investigated the number, distribution and protease expression of mast cells in normal and diseased conjunctiva with the use of immunohistochemistry in water‐miscible resin sections. The median mast cell densities in normal subjects were 17mm ‐2 in the bulbar substantia propria and 9mm‐2 in tarsal substantia propria. Mast cells were absent from the normal conjunctival epithelium at both sites. Mast cell densities were increased in the bulbar substantia propria in SAC, AKC and ABC. Tarsal substantia propria showed a significant increase in mast cells in ABC and AKC disease states. Mast cells express a range of proteases which varies according to their anatomic site. Mast cells in connective tissue are described to contain tryptase, chymase. cathepsin‐G and carboxypeptidase‐A, whereas mucosal mast cells contain only tryptase. In the diseased conjunctiva there was a marked reduction in proteases other than tryptase in the intraepithelial mast cells. There were also significant reductions in protease expression other than tryplase in the bulbar substantia propria in AKC and ABC. There appear to be specific alterations in the distribution of mast cells in the sub‐categories of allergic eye disease. The distinction between mucosal and connective tissue mast cell pheno‐types is not clear‐cut and may depend on the functional state of the mast cells in relation to the microenvironment.
The effect of changes in house dust mite allergen exposure on the severity of asthma
Authors: MARKS G. B. , TOVEY E. R. , GREEN W. , SHEARER M. , SALOME C. M. , WOOLCOCK A. J.
Published: April 2006

To measure the association between changes in house dust mite (HDM) allergen Der p I exposure and changes in the severity of asthma, we re‐analysed data from a clinical trial in which 34 HDM‐allergic subjects with asthma (18 women, mean age 35 years) were followed for between 3 and 12 months. The concentration of Der p I in fine dust from the bed, the bedroom floor and the living room floor was measured at 3‐monthly intervals along with assessment of subjects' spirometric function and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR, measured by histamine inhalation test). Daily symptom scores, morning peak expiratory flow rate and peak flow variability were measured throughout the study period. The mean Der p I concentration in the bed at baseline was 25.4 μg/g (95% CI: 15.8–40.6). During the course of the study large within‐subject fluctuations were observed in allergen concentrations and in the measurements of the severity of asthma. Changes in allergen concentration in the bed were significantly correlated with changes in AHR (P= 0.003) and symptom score (P= 0.04). Changes in allergen concentration in the living room floor were correlated with changes in symptom scores (P= 0.01). Although these correlations were significant the magnitude of the effect was relatively modest. We conclude that a large reduction in HDM allergen concentration, particularly in the bed, results in a modest reduction in AHR and improvement in symptoms in HDM‐allergic subjects with asthma.
Identification of profilin as an IgE‐binding component in latex from Hevea brasiliensis: clinical implications
Authors: VALUER P. , BALLAND S. , HARF R. , VALENTA R. , DEVILLER P.
Published: April 2006

Considering the high occurrence of profilin as an allergen in many plant species, the assumption was made that profilin might be an allergen in Hevea brasiliensis, a member of the latex producing Euphorbiaceae family. Using IgE‐binding inhibition by purified profilins we demonstrated that profilin is an IgE‐binding component in the cytosolic fraction of natural latex and, to a lower extent, in the rubber fraction. Thirty‐five out of 36 sera containing IgE to ragweed‐profilin reacted with profilin from latex, indicating structural homologies between profilins from latex and ragweed. A large percentage (59%) of these sera were found to be positive in CAP latex assay. The preincubation of these sera with purified ragweed profilin greatly inhibited the CAP latex. Because profilin is also present in banana extract, it is likely to be involved in cross‐sensitivity to banana and latex. In a group of 19 individuals allergic to latex only two had antiprofilin IgE antibodies. Profilin was barely detectable on glove extract immunoblots, whereas some sera from patients allergic to latex reacted with a 15 kDa allergen which was not profilin. Consequently, IgE antibodies to latex‐profilin is a questionable factor for sensitization of occupationally‐exposed patients; however, sensitization to profilin should be taken into account when interpreting the results of latex IgE antibody assays.
TNF α is localized to nasal mucosal mast cells and is released in acute allergic rhinitis
Authors: BRADDING P. , MEDIWAKE R. , FEATHER I. H. , MADDEN J. , CHURCH M. K. , HOLGATE S. T. , HOWARTH P. H.
Published: April 2006

Allergic mucosal inflammation is characterized by tissue infiltration with eosinophils, and associated activation of mast cells and T lymphocytes. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha/cachectin is a candidate cytokine relevant to the pathogenesis of these events through its capacity to upregulate the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, mediate granulocyte chemoattraction, and activate eosinophils, mast cells and T cells. To investigate the presence and localization of TNF α in the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis, nasal biopsies from perennial rhinitic (n=13) and non‐rhinitic volunteers (n=11) were embedded in glycol methacrylate and immunostained with a monoclonal antibody directed against TNF α, and adjacent 2μm sections stained for tryptase, CD3 and eosinophil cationic protein. This identified positive immunostaining for TNF α in the submucosa of both the rhinitic and normal subjects (median cell counts 13 and 23 cells/mm2 respectively, P=0.24) with cellular localization to mast cells but not to T‐lymphocytes or eosinophils. In a subsequent study of seven atopic subjects, nasal allergen challenge produced increases in lavage levels of histamine and albumin, which was associated with significant release of TNF α as early as 2 min post‐allergen when compared with the saline control day (P=0.5). This difference was also apparent when studying the area under the curve both at 30 and 60 min post‐challenge t‐test (P=0.015 and 0.02 respectively). These findings which both locate immunoreactive TNF α to nasal mast cells and identify its release following in vivo exposure to allergen, provide evidence for mast cells as an important source of this cytokine in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Podocarpus gracilior and Callitris verrucosa—newly identified allergens that crossreact with Cupressus sempervirens
Authors: BAR DAYAN Y. , KEYNAN N. , WAISEL Y. , PICK A. I. , TAMIR R.
Published: April 2006

Thirty‐six symptomatic patients, with positive skin reactions to Cupressus sempervirens pollen extract were skin‐tested with pollen extracts of Podocarpus gracilior and Callitris verrucosa, of these 17 (47%) had positive responses to P. gracilior, nine (25%) to C. verrucosa, and six (17%) to both. None of the non‐atopic healthy controls had positive reactions to either of the extracts. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)‐inhibition studies were performed with pooled sera from three patients. Fifty per cent inhibition was obtained with 11 μg protein of C. sempervirens, 54μg of P. gracilior, and 71 μg of C. verrucosa; however, when pollen extract of Olea europaea, an unrelated allergen, was tested, 265μg protein were needed to obtain 50% inhibition. One‐dimension sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) analysis of pollen extracts from the three species revealed that they had several very similar protein bands. Using Western blot analysis, several closely related IgE binding proteins were identified in the three species. It was concluded that the pollen grains of P. gracilior and of C. verrucosa are potentially allergenic. The presence of common allergenic proteins indicate partial crossreactivity with C. sempervirens.
Serum levels of interleukin‐4, soluble CD23 and IFNγ in relation to the development of allergic disease during the first 18 months of life
Authors: BORRES M. P. , EINARSSON R. , BJÖRKSTÉN B.
Published: April 2006

Serum levels of Interleukin (IL)‐4, Interferon (IFN)‐γ and soluble CD23 (sCD23) were analysed in a prospective study of 64 infants who were monitored from birth to 18 months of age. The findings were related to family history of atopy and the development of allergic disease in the infants. Low levels of IL‐4 were detected in 10 of 63 cord blood samples (median 0.14 and range 0.32 μg/1). The levels then increased, both in healthy and atopic infants, reaching a peak at either 6 or 9 months and then decreased up to 18 months of age. The children who developed atopic disease during the first 18 months of life had significantly higher IL‐4 median levels than those who did not, i.e. 0.24 (range 0.40) vs <0.10 μg/1 at 3 months, (P< 0.001), 0.40 (range 0.95) vs 0.13 (0.19) μg/1 at 6 months (P < 0.01), 0.46 (range 0.78) vs 0.10 (0.24) μg/1 at 9 months (P< 0.001) and 0.30 (range 1.38) vs 0.10 (0.36) μg/1 at 18 months (P< 0.001). The IFNγ levels were below the detection level, i.e. < 100 ng/1 in all but 49 of the 196 serum samples that were analysed. There was no significant relationship with clinical outcome, nor with S‐IgE levels. Soluble sCD23 levels increased in the infants with age. There was no association with either atopic disease, family history of allergic disease or IgE antibody levels. In conclusion, IL‐4 levels in serum, but not sCD23 and IFN7 are associated with allergic disease in infancy. Elevated levels were recorded before the onset of clinical symptoms. The findings support that atopic disease is associated with a primary abnormality of T‐cell function.