bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptoms of Chronic and Allergic Rhinitis and Occurrence of Nasal Secretion Granulocytes in University Students, School Children and Infants
Authors: Malmberg H.
Published: May 2007

The prevalence of chronic and allergic rhinitis was studied in an unselected population sample consisting of 315 university students and 319 school children. History was taken by questionnaire, nasal appearance was examined by rhinoscopy, and a nasal smear was studied in all subjects. For comparison, nasal smears were also collected from 60 normal infants. Allergic rhinitis complaints were reported by 28% of the students and by 13% of the school children, with no significant difference in sex distribution. The cytological examination revealed secretion eosinophilia in 28%, of the students, 28% of the school children, and 22% of the infants. Secretion eosinophilia correlated significantly with allergic rhinitis history, and with nasal mucosal swelling and nasal secretion seen on rhinoscopy. Nasal secretion neutrophilia, which occurred in 47% of the students, 79% of the school children and 97% of the infants, seemed to have an adverse effect on the reliability of secretion eosinophilia as an indicator of active nasal allergy. Possible reasons for the rising prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis are discussed.
Studies on Histamine Metabolism in Intrinsic Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Löwhagen O. , Granerus G. , Wetterqvist H.
Published: May 2007

Histamine metabolism was investigated in patients with intrinsic asthma, during the acute phase and in remission, by determination of the urinary excretion of histamine metabolites. During acute attacks the excretion of methylhistamine (MeHi) and 1‐methyl‐4‐iniidazoleacetic acid (MeImAA) was significantly increased compared with healthy subjects. The excretion of MeHi was significantly increased during acute attacks compared with remission. The excretion of MeImAA was also increased, but the difference was not significant. The correlation between the excretion of MeHi and MeImAA was highly significant. Corticosteroids, given to some patients during remission, did not affect the excretion of histamine and its metabolites. Smoking and respirator’ infection during the acute attacks were both accompanied by increased excretion of MeHi. The results indicate that there is an increased histamine turnover in acute attacks of intrinsic bronchial asthma.
Cyclic AMP in Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Vervloet D. , Anfosso F. , Vellieux P. , Charpin J.
Published: May 2007

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was capable of inducing non‐cytotoxic histamine release from human leucocytes. In the presence of deuterium oxide (D2O), PHA caused significantly greater histamine release. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP id‐cAMP) could enhance the histamine release in the presence of D2O although it was an inhibitor of the release if used alone. However, a β agonist, isoproterenol, which increases intracellular level of cAMP was inhibitory with or without D2O. These data ask the question about dual effect of cAMP and suggest the possibility of different pools of cAMP in the target cells.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Allergy in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Skov P. Stahl , Norn S. , Schiøtz P. O. , Permin H. , Høiby N.
Published: May 2007

Basophil histamine release by P. aeruginosa standard antigen was examined in cystic fibrosis patients chronically infected with mucoid P. aeruginosa (CF + P) and with pronounced antibody response against these bacteria, and in patients without P. aeruginosa infection (CF ‐ P). All the patients showed eosinophil counts and total IgE, which did not differ significantly from that of normal persons. In the absence of patient's sera, histamine release was only found in two patients in the CF + P group, indicating that type I allergy to P. aeruginosa is not predominating in cystic fibrosis.

In the presence of patients' sera significantly more of the CF + P patients responded to P. aeruginosa with histamine release compared with the CF ‐ P patients. The response was lost by complement inactivation and regained by reconstitution of the complement activity. The involvement of a type III‐mediated complement‐dependent histamine release is therefore suggested in the pathogenesis of lung damage in cystic fibrosis.
Metabolism of 14C‐Histamine Given Intrabronchially to Asthmatic Patients
Authors: Granerus G. , Bergmark J. , Löwhagen O. , Thiringer G.
Published: May 2007

14C‐histamine was administered intrabronchially to asthmatic patients and controls. The urinary excretion of total radioactivity, 14C‐histamine and its radioactive metabolites was measured. It was found that the excretion of total radioactivity was complete within 24 h. The excretion rate was equal to that observed after intravenous injection of 14C‐histamine, indicating a rapid penetration of the bronchial mucosa. However, the diuresis seemed to be of importance for the excretion rate. Histamine inactivation by methylation was more pronounced after intrabronchial than after intravenotis administration.
Demonstration of a Complement‐Dependent Migration Inhibitory Activity in Normal Guinea Pig Serum
Authors: Sandru G. , Veraguth P.
Published: May 2007

A cell migration inhibitory effect was evidentiated in normal guinea pig serum as compared with heat inactivated serum, Granuloeytes when used as target showed a greater sensitivity to this effect than lymphomonocytes or macrophages. The migration inhibitory activity of GPS is abrogated or decreased by using complement destroying agents such as: heating at 56°C for as little as 5 min, absorption on immune complexes in presence of calcium, on zymosan, on Sephadex G‐50 or by adding EDTA or heparin to culture medium. The GPS dialysation fractions while exhibiting neither complement haemolytic effect nor migration inhibitory activity when tested alone, restored these functions by recombination. Absorption of GPS on homologous blood cells abrogated the migration inhibitory effect but retained the complement haemolytic function. When GPS absorbed on homologous blood cells was mixed 1:5 with heat‐inactivated serum (5min at 56°G), the migration inhibitory activity was regained, suggesting that the complement factors from the first sample were necessary for manifestation for the migration inhibitory activity from the heat‐inactivated serum.
Hypersensitivity to Inhaled Flour Allergens Comparison between Cereals
Authors: Baldo B. A. , Krilis S. , Wrigley C. W.
Published: May 2007

Radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) of sera from subjects sensitized to wheat and rye Hour indicated that there is significant reaction with seed extracts of 12 cereals (wheat, durum wheat, triticale, cereal rye, barley, rye grass, oats, canary grass, rice, maize, sorghum and Johnson grass). Results were evaluated in terms of taxonomic relationships and of the electrophoretically determined protein composition of the cereal extracts. RAST uptakes were uniformly low in sera from four rhinitic bakers, yet were significantly above the levels for non‐allergic and cord sera. Much higher RAST uptakes were obtained with sera from four asthmatic bakers when tested with wheat and its close relatives, but there was still reasonably high reactivity with more distantly related cereals. RAST inhibition experiments indicated in a more direct way the extent of cross‐reactivity between grain extracts of wheat, rye, barley and oats. One baker had a history of more severe attacks of breathlessness following inhalation of rye flour compared with wheat Hour. This was confirmed by bronchial challenge testing, but the comparison was not obviously consistent with the results of prick testing or estimation of histamine released from his leucocytes. The results as a whole suggested that the bran layers of cereal grains are at least as allergenic as flour.
Humoral and Cell‐Mediated Immune Responses to Fractions of Birch Pollen Extract
Authors: Viander Markku
Published: May 2007

IgE and IgG antibodies (ab) and lymphocyte transformation (LT) were studied in untreated and hyposensitized birch pollen allergic subjects and in non‐atopic controls using whole extract and fractions obtained by gel filtration of birch pollen extract. All the allergic subjects had positive IgE ab, IgG ab and LT responses to the whole extract. Both the untreated and the hyposensitized subjects had peak IgE ab and LT responses against the allergenic fractions of the extract, while negative responses were obtained in the non‐atopic controls. Only hyposensitized subjects had developed high IgG ab responses to the allergenic fractions. Most of the treated and untreated subjects showed IgG ab and LT responses to the high molecular weight fractions with low allergenic activity. Significantly higher IgE ab responses to these fractions were observed in the treated subjects than in the untreated ones, indicating potentiation of IgE ab responses against some antigens during immunotherapy. Some of the allergic subjects also responded to the fractions of low molecular size (mol.wt. 2000‐5000) with low allergenic activity. Both IgE ab, IgG ab and LT responses to these fractions were observed.
Hyposensitization
Authors: Frostad A. B. , Grimmer Ø , Sandvik L. , Aas K.
Published: May 2007

Most extracts used in hyposensitization (immunotherapy) are complex and ill‐denned mixtures of a large number of non‐antigenic and antigenic components, only a few of the latter being of significance for allergy and allergen specific immunotherapy. A new purified and well‐characterized allergen preparation from timothy pollen is now available, and it has been shown to be superior to the corresponding crude aqueous extract in the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated human allergy to timothy pollen.

This paper describes the results of hyposensitization for 2 years, with the purified preparation and the crude extract compared. The changes in in vivo and in vitro tests Following this treatment in 40 patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen are reported.

Both patient groups showed a significant decrease in clinical symptom scores when compared with a control group during the grass pollen season. For all groups the symptom scores correlated well with atmospheric pollen counts. Nasal challenge tests showed a significant increase in nasal tolerance to timothy pollen after 2 years of treatment, but nasal tolerance was unchanged in the control group. Nasal function as a criterion for evaluating the effect of specific hyposensitization is discussed.

Serum concentrations of timothy pollen‐specific IgE antibodies showed a significant decrease for the group treated with the purified preparation and a slighter and non‐significant reduction for the other treated group. There was no significant change in total serum IgE levels.

The results indicate that the purified preparation is preferable to the crude aqueous extract in hyposensitization.
Leucocyte Migration Inhibition Test and Tuberculin Hypersensitivity
Authors: Sabioncello A. , Dekaris D.
Published: May 2007

Tuberculin hypersensitivity was evaluated in 71 Mantoux‐positive and 58 Mantoux‐negative persons by the leucocyte migration inhibition test. The capillary lube technique discriminated these two groups, bill variability of results and overlapping of the groups were considerable. The shorter the incubation period, the better discrimination between the groups. Only after short incubation (2 h) was the correlation between the intensities of Mantoux reactions and migration inhibitions evident. The observed variability in migration areas, similar in the Mantoux‐positives and controls, was the result of technical causes and variations in cells’ ability to migrate. Further, in Mantoux‐positive persons the migration progression (per min) increased during the first 2 h, but slowed down later on, more in controls than in chamber with antigen. Smaller migration areas in controls (early intervals) tended to produce lower migration indices than the larger ones. Finally, it was possible, using the standard score c, to calculate whether each individual result differed significantly from controls. By this procedure the intensity of cell‐mediated immunity in individual patients could be estimated.
Allergological Examination of Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Skin Reactions During Carbenicillin Treatment
Authors: Møller N. E. , Ahlstedt S. , Stahl Skov P. , Norn S.
Published: May 2007

Sixteen of 84 cystic fibrosis patients developed skin manifestations during intensive carbenicillin therapy. The possibility of allergic drug reactions was examined. None of the patients showed any significant levels of antibodies of IgE, IgG or IgM classes against carbenicillin and different penicialloyl determinants as recorded with RAST. Sandwitch‐radioimmunoassay and double antibody assay. The leukocytes of the patients did not release histamine on in vitro provocation with carbenicillin. Furthermore, none of the patients responded to prick test or to peroral penicillin provocation. The negative findings indicated that the recorded reactions were most probably not due to antibody mediated allergy of type I or type III.
Aspirin Intolerance and Recurrent urticaria in Normal Adults and Children
Authors: Settipane Russell A. , Constattine Herbert P. , Settipane Guy A.
Published: May 2007

The frequency of aspirin intolerance by history in 2,592 normal individuals was 0.3%. Although the frequency of aspirin intolerance was similar in adults and children, the bronchospastic type predominated in adults, and only the urticarial regardless of etiology, was significantly greater in adults than in children. The frequency of recurrent urticaria, regardless of etiology, was significantly greater in adults than in children (3.8% vs. 0.3, P<0.001). In adults the frequency of aspirin intolerance was over 20 times greater in individuals with recurrent urticaria than in normal individuals (6.5% vs. 0.3%, P<0.001).
Effect of Bordetella pertussis Vaccination in Mice and the Isolated Tracheal Response to Isoprenaline
Authors: Bartell Thad E. , Busse William W.
Published: May 2007

The administration of Bordetella pertussis vaccine to mice has been associated with the development of an impaired beta‐adrenoceptor responsiveness and in many respects has resembled human asthma. Trachea (n=12) were isolated from Swiss‐Webster mice 5 days following the intraperitoneal administration of 2 × 109B. pertussis organisms. The tracheal smooth muscle response to carbachol was measured and compared with that found in trachea from unvaccinated mice (n=15). The contractile response was similar in both groups. The tracheal smooth muscle relaxant effects of isoproterenol were measured in these two groups. The EC50 value for isoprenaline (6.5 × 10–7 M) in trachea from B. pertussis treated mice was significantly (P 0.05) greater than that noted in the control animals (2.3 × 10−7 M). These studies demonstrated that in tracheal smooth muscle isolated from B. pertussis vaccinated mice, the relaxant effects of isoprenaline are impaired.
Usefulness of Measurement of Antibodies in Serum in Diagnosis of Sensitivity to Cow Milk and Soy Proteins in Early Childhood
Authors: May C. D. , Remigio L. , Bock S. A.
Published: May 2007

A noteworthy feature of this study is that comparisons were made between specific, sensitive, quantitative measurements of serum antibodies to food proteins and objective appraisal of clinical manifestations buy double‐blind food challenges. Over 50 children, 4–30 months of age, with suspicious histories of adverse reactions to cow milk or soy products were investigated. Levels of serum antibodies to cow‐milk proteins were clearly higher in children with adverse reactions to milk, confirmed by blind challenge; there was no overlap with the lower levels of serum antibodies in children without confirmed reactions. Findings with serial determinations of serum antibodies to cow milk in selected cases are also presented.

The levels of serum antibodies evoked by cow milk and soy formulae fed from birth until 4 months of age were similar. The levels of serum antibodies to soy protein in children with and without adverse reactions to soy products were not definitive.

The bearing of these data on the comparative “antigenicity” of cow milk and soy products and the distinction between asymptomatic and clinically significant, symptomatic, sensitivity are discussed.
Studies on Pollen Allergy in Delhi
Authors: Singh A. B. , Babu C. R.
Published: May 2007

The volumetric sampling of the air has been earned out with the Suction Impaction Sampler devised by Tilak & Kulkarni (1970). The pollen counts have been expressed as number per cubic metre volume of the air. Based on the percentage of pollen peaks, diurnal patterns of the total count of all the types, and six dominant allergens have been determined. For these allergens, daily fluctuations have also been recorded. The influence of meteorological factors such as temperature, wind, rainfall, relative humidity and sunshine hours/day on the variation patterns in the concentration of atmospheric pollen has been discussed. It has been shown that 25–30°C temperature, 5–15km/h wind speed, 60–70°, RH, bright, sunny and rain‐free days are favourable for high pollen catch. These weather conditions might be conducive for the high discharge, dispersal, and deposition of air‐borne pollen. Too low or too high temperature, very high wind speed, high humidity, and cloudy and rainy days hinder high pollen catch.
Hyposensitization in Childhood Hay Fever
Authors: Kjellman N.‐I. M. , Lanner A.
Published: May 2007

Thirty‐six children with well‐defined criteria for hay fever (mean age 8 and range 4–15 years) were allocated at random for hyposensitization (HS) with a refined (R) or whole (W) timothy pollen extract during 3–4 years. HS was performed as rush HS with the patients hospitalized for about 1 week and thereafter with monthly injections. Scores for symptoms and antihistamine use were recorded during the season before HS and all seasons during HS. Skin and conjunctival tests were made at the start of HS and postseasonally. Blood samples for IgE and IgG measurements were drawn before and during rush HS and pre– and postseasonally each year.

The R‐group patients tolerated a higher allergen dose at the end of the rush HS than the W‐group ones. They also demonstrated a higher, significant increase in total and specific IgE levels within 7 days and specific IgG levels within 60 clays after the start of HS. In both groups postseasonal increases in total and specific IgE levels were seen. The IgG levels increased successively during the treatment. The most remarkable difference between the groups was in scores for symptoms and antihistamine use, which in group R decreased significantly while they increased significantly in group W.

Based on these data we recommended that HS, if indicated, should be performed with purified allergen extracts.
Modified Basophil Degranulation Test in Diagnosis of Bee and Wasp
Authors: Mumguoglu Y. , Wortmann F.
Published: May 2007

A modified basophil degranulation test proved reliable and easily reproducible in the investigation of 50 patients with allergies to bee and/or wasp stings. Its diagnostic value is comparable to that of the RAST and it is, in addition, simpler, quicker and cheaper. Its disadvantage is that it has to be performed within 24–36 hour after withdrawal of blood.
Comparison of the Clinical Effect of Ketotifen and DSCG in Pollen‐Induced Childhood Asthma
Authors: Graff‐Lonnevig Viggo , Kusoffsky Eric
Published: May 2007

Thirty‐six children with a mean age of 8.9 years were studied with respect to the prophylactic effect and tolerance of kelotifen in comparison with disodium cromoglycate.

All had a verified deciduous tree pollen‐induced asthma.

The children were stratified into two matched groups and the double‐blind technique was used. The study was performed during the whole deciduous tree pollen season. Daily pollen counts were performed during the whole observation period as well as daily registrations of allergic symptoms, additional medication and pulmonary expiratory flow. No significant differences were found between the two substances tested. No adverse reactions or side effects were noted.
H2 Antihistamines (Cimetidine) and Allergic‐Inflammatory Reactions
Authors: Norn Svend , Permin Henrik , Skov Per Stahl
Published: May 2007

Experiments in the skin and synovialis have thrown new light on the allergic‐inllammutory reactions. The inflammatory effect of histamine is thus due to stimulation of two different types of receptors in the vessels, i.e. histaminergic H, and H2 receptors. Both types of receptors are of importance for the immediate cutaneous response to allergens and histamine. Treatment with a combination of H, antagonists (classical antihistamines) and the Ha antagonist cimetidine will thus cause a much stronger inhibition of the urticarial reactions than treatment with the H, and H2 antagonist alone. It is therefore probable that a combination therapy could have an advantage over the traditional treatment with classical antihistamines in urticaria and other histamine‐mediated skin diseases. Hislamine might also be of importance for the swelling of the joints in inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and clinical trials with H, and Hs antagonists arc in progress.
Effect of Oral and Inhaled Sodium Cromoglycate in Exercise–Induced Asthma
Authors: Dahl Ronald , Henriksen Jørn Mølgaard
Published: May 2007

Ten patients with bronchial asthma reacting with bronchoconstriction after exercise were studied to compare the effect of oral sodium cromoglycate against sodium Cromoglycate inhalation and placebo. Only sodium cromoglycate inhalations protected against exercise‐induced asthma. The effect of sodium cromoglycate seems to be a local action of mucosal surfaces.
Levels of Complement Factors in Human Serum during Immediate and Late Asthmatic Reactions and during Acute Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Authors: Baur X. , Dorsch W. , Becker T.
Published: May 2007

In 16 asthmatic patients and in four subjects suspected of having hypersensitivity pneumonitis, serum levels of CH50, C3, C4, C5 and factor B were measured before, between 10 and 20 min, between 5 and 7 h and, in the latter group, also 24 h after allergen challenges provoking type I bronchial reactions or acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

There was a significant decrease in one of the complement factors in two patients during the immediate asthmatic phase, but in no patient during the late asthmatic phase and in no patient with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. On the other hand, significant increases of C3, C4, and/or CH50 were seen in five patients during immediate asthmatic reactions, in seven patients during late asthmatic reactions and in all cases with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, with respect to the particular complement factors the vast majority of the patients showed no appreciable change. Investigations of C3 split products, which were done in seven patients gave negative results. No correlations existed between the changes in the levels of complement factors to increases of Raw, decreases of DLCO, size of skin test reactions or RAST scores.

The cause and pathophysiological role of the non‐uniform behaviour of serum complement levels after inhalation challenges is not yet clear; obviously both consumption and formation of complement factors take place during allergen‐induced asthmatic reactions and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Human Leukocyte Histamine Release Assays with Whole Ragweed and Alternaria Antigens Using Technicon Autoanalyzer II
Authors: Reinders Evan J. , Chiu Hui Chong , Yoo T. J.
Published: May 2007

A simple and commercially available automated technique for fluorometric analysis of histamine is described. It is applicable to histamine release experiments utilizing washed leukocytes, and analyzes 15 samples/h at histamine concentrations between 1 and 1000 ng/ml with a mean variance between 0.5% and 18%.

This technique is applied to a cross sectional study of leukocytes from 14 ragweed sensitive patients (7 on and 7 off immunotherapy) as well as five normals. It was also applied to 17 Alternaria‐sensitive patients (4 on and 12 off immunotherapy) in addition to six normals. While antigen induced in histamine release clearly separated the sensitive group from the normals, it did not correlate with immunotherapy, and a considerable variation was seen in the sensitive patients of both the treated and untreated groups.
Cutaneous Responses to Allergen after Local Pretreatment with Beta‐Adrenoceptor Stimulating and Blocking Agents
Authors: Grönneberg Reidar , Strandberg Kjell , Hägermark ÖSten
Published: May 2007

β‐Adrenoceptor stimulating agents possess anti‐allergic effects in vitro and in vivo. To study the mechanism of action further we compared in 10 atopic subjects the effects on allergen‐induced cutaneous reactions of intradermally (i.d.) injected prenalterol (1–10 μg) terbutaline (2.5‐250 ng) and KWD 2131 (100ng‐2.5 μg), i.e. compounds with preferential actions on β1‐, β2, ‐adrenoceptors and on β‐adrenoceptors not fitting this classification. All injections were given according to a double‐blind design. Terbutaline and KWD 2131 produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of the skin reactions induced by injecting horse dander allergen 5 min later. Terbutaline was about 20 times as potent as KWD 2131 whereas prenalterol was inactive. Propranolol fully blocked the anti‐allergic effect produced by terbutaline.

The results suggest that the cutaneous anti‐allergic effect of β‐adrenoceptor‐stimulating drugs is mediated via activation of β2‐adrenoceptors, possibly on the mast cell, resulting in inhibition of mediator release.
Evaluation of the protective Effect of a New β‐Agonist, KWD 2131, On Allergen‐Induced Bronchospasm
Authors: Hegardt Birgitta , Löwhagen Olle , Svedmyr Nils
Published: May 2007

The selective anti‐allergic effect of a new β‐agonist KWD 2131 in inhibiting allergen‐provoked asthma was compared with that of placebo in a double blind crossover study Non‐bronchodiltaing does were given by inhalation to 12 asymptomatic patients with extrinsic asthma. KWD 2131 showed a marginal anti‐allergic effect. A significantly better effect than that with placebo was obtained at only one time of measurement after challenge (P < 0.05). The reproducibility of the allergen challenge was also evaluated. The mean maximum decrease in FEV, during three different allergen‐challenge procedures was 37, 31, and 38% respectively The Difference was not statistically significant.
Inhibition by Ketotifen of Idiosyncratic Reactions to Aspirin
Authors: Szczeklik A. , Czerniawska‐Mysik G. , Serwoǹgska M. , Kuklińgska P.
Published: May 2007

Ketotifen administered prior to aspirin offered protection against bronchoconstriction in 13 of 14 patients with aspirin‐sensitive asthma. In four other subjects, suffering from urticaria/angioedema following ingestion of aspirin‐like drugs, pretreatment with ketotifen resulted in total prevention of the adverse reactions. These results support the suggestion of a common pathogenetic mechanism operating in two distinct clinical patterns of idiosyncrasy to aspirin and other cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors. They also indicate that ketotifen might find application in treatment of adverse reactions to aspirin.
Biochemical Aspects of Immune Complex Formation and Immune Complex Diseases
Authors: Steensgaard Jens , Johansen Anders S.
Published: May 2007

Formation of immune complexes is a normal part of the immune defence against soluble antigens. Immune complexes may nevertheless play a pathogenic role of their own. The present review discusses antigen antibody interactions with special regard to immune complex formation. A new classification of antigen antibody interactions is proposed, based on the antigenic valence. Oligovalent antigens and bivalent antibodies form genuine immune complexes. Experimental observations and theoretical considerations indicate that although a vast variety of complexes is possible genuine immune complex formation is a self‐limiting process, so it is typical that the smallest possible complexes are formed in the largest amounts. Formation of immune complexes differs in mechanism from most other biological ligand binding reactions, and the extent to which immune complex formation follows its own laws is discussed. To explain the mechanism of precipitin reactions, a two‐stage model is proposed. The outcome of antigen antibody heterogeneous, and the impact of antibody heterogeneity is also discussed.
Immunotherapy in Hay Fever with Two Major Allergens 19, 25 and Partially Purified Extract of Timothy Grass Pollen
Authors: øSterballe Ole
Published: May 2007

Forty grass pollen hay fever patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and treated from January 1978 with different timothy grass pollen extracts: whole pollen allergens (WPA) (Alutard® SQ), a partially purified extract and purified pollen allergens (PPA) consisting of the major allergens 19, 25. The effect was evaluated by symptom scores in grass pollen season 1, 1978, and titrated thresholds of skin prick test (SPT) and nasal provocation test (NFT) with extracts WPA, PPA, and FGM (five‐grass mixture).

Extracts were biologically standardized in the HEP (histamine equivalent prick) system (1 HEP = 1,000 biological units (BU)/ml) and used in concentrations of 0.01‐0.1‐1.0‐10 HEP for tests and treatment. The extracts for treatment were attached to Al (OH)3. Extracts from the same batch were used throughout the investigation.

The two patient groups, WPA and PPA, were comparable us regards age, sex, total dosage (range 2,187–73,887 BU) and frequency of side effects. Fewer symptoms (P=0.0001) were observed with WPA than with PPA. Titrated threshold increase showed a treatment efficacy of 70–100% in SPT compared with 15–65% in NPT and tended to show higher protection after treatment with WPA titan PPA hut equal protection against WPA and FGM, in accordance with common allergens in various grass pollen. In SPT with WPA the threshold increase was correlated (P<0.05) to symptom scores.

Frequency of major (urticaria, angioedema, asthma) general side effects was positively correlated (P0.05) to pretreatment NPT thresholds below 1 HEP and standard dosage at 1 HEP or more, but tended to a negative correlation with local side effects.

All local and general side effects first appeared 1–5h after injection and a more careful dosage pattern than standard is recommendable at maximum concentration, 10 HEP, and also with extracts 1 HEP at pretreatment NPT thresholds below 1 HEP.
Screening for IgE‐Mediated Allergy
Authors: Merrett T. G. , Pantin C. F. A. , Dimond A. H. , Merrett J.
Published: May 2007

Sera from 425 patients were analysed with Phadebas RAST reagents against a panel of 19 allergens and the most commonly positive results were to grass pollen, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cat epithelium. Of the 275 sera RAST‐positive to any allergen, 26l were positive by a RAST technique which used a mixture of the three most common U.K. allergens; the remainder were usually positive to a mould. We conclude that 1) when a positive result is obtained after screening by the mixed‐allergen RAST and a representative mould RAST, then other positive RAST results are possible, but that the extent of the investigation can be guided by a knowledge of the total serum IgE level and a computer‐based history analysis; 2) when the mixed‐allergen RAST and a representative mould RAST is negative, then a more specified RAST including all 19 allergens used in this investigation will be negative; 3) a positive mixed‐allergen RAST result is likely to be associated with a total serum IgE level over 40 U/ml and a positive symptom pattern score derived from the computer‐based history analysis.
Effect of Topical Indomethacin on Allergen‐Induced Dual Skin Reactions
Authors: Dorsch W. , Baur X.
Published: May 2007

Twelve asthmatics with dual bronchial and skin reactions after allergen challenge received topical treatment with a 5%‐indomethacin cream half an hour before and up to 7h after intradermal allergen and histamine injections. The erythema during the first 20 min of the wheal and flare reaction (WFR) was not affected, neither were the diameters of wheals and flares. 40 to 60 min after injection we observed a marked reduction of the erythema in histamine‐and allergen‐tested skin areas of 10 Patients. This effect lasted up to the 5th h alter injection of high allergen doses. During the hilly developed late cutaneous reactions (LCR) no effect 0f indomethacin on the erythema was observed, the edema of LCR was only insignificantly reduced. These results suggest that the erythema in LCR between the 1st and 4th is caused, at least in part, by local formation of prostaglandins.
Evaluation of the Bronchodilating and Antiallergic Properties of a Beta‐Adrenoceptor Stimulant, KWD 2131, in Asthmatic Patients*
Authors: Pegelow Kjell‐Orvar , Strandberg Kjell
Published: May 2007

KWD 2131 (1‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐(1,1dimethyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl‐amino/ethanol sulphate) is a β‐adrenoceptor stimulating compound that has been shown to be equipotent to terbutaline with regard to inhibition of anaphylactic histamine release from guinea pig lung tissue but less potent than terbutaline as a cardioaccelerator in this species. In the present study KWD 2131 was found to be about 5–10 times less potent than terbutaline as a cardioaccelerator, tremorogenic and bronchodilator agent on subcutaneous (s.c.) injection in man. S.c. injection of KWD 2131 in a subthreshold dose for bronchodilatation, i.e. 0.3 mg or 0.6 mg, given prior to a bronchial provocation test with specific allergen had no protective effect on the changes in specific airway conductance and peak expiratory flow in a double‐blind cross‐over study in 12 patients with allergic asthma.

It is concluded that KWD 2131 probably has a less selective antiallergic activity in man as compared to guinea pig and that the methodology employed for the evaluation is useful for the characterization of antiallergic drugs with bronchodilator properties.
Atopic Disease and Pediatric Ambulatory Care
Authors: Kjellman Bengt , Pettersson Rolf
Published: May 2007

This prospective study, concerning ambulatory pediatric cure in a Swedish county during a 1–year period shows that 24% of nil visits to pediatric reception centres were due to atopic diseases. Atopy answered for a large proportion of the visits to all of the live pediatric centres whether they were located at a hospital or at a health centre. Hyposensitization answered for 59% of the visits for atopy, asthma for 39% and allergic rhinoconjuctivitis for 50%.

The geographical accessibility of the pediatric reception centre influenced the frequency of visits due to diseases other than atopy but not visits due to atopy. Whether the children lived in a community with a pediatric centre or not made little difference to frequency of attendance. This is probably due to intensive informal ion about atopic diseases in children addressed to the parents in the county.

The balance between centralization and decentralization of an organization for ambulatory care of a topic children is discussed.
The Use of Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in the Diagnosis of Farmer's Lung
Authors: Ojanen T. H. , Katila M.‐L. , Mäntyjärvi R. A.
Published: May 2007

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted lo measure antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Micropolyspora faeni. Mycelial and culture fluid antigens weir used separately lo analyze antibodies in three study groups: farmer's lung patients, patients with bronchitis and healthy control persons. The mycelial antigen of A. fumigatus gave more positive results than the corresponding culture fluid antigen. The situation was reversed for the actinomycetes. For this reason either a mycelial antigen or a combination of mycelial and culture fluid antigens should be used in ELISA in routine tests. The prevalence and the titers of antibodies against the three microbes detected by ELISA were higher in the farmer's lung group than in the other two groups.
Phytohaemagglutinin‐Induced Leukocyte Migration Inhibition and Phytohaemagglutinin Skin Test for Screening the Cell‐Mediated Immune Response in Children
Authors: Szigeti R. , Bókay J. , Reéesz T. , Schuler D.
Published: May 2007

Phytohaemagglutinin‐induced leukocyte migration inhibition was studied in 72 children and compared with phytohaemagglutinin skin testing. The methods were used for screening the cell‐mediated immune espouse. The in vitro method, which requires only 10‐ 15% of the number of migrating cells as compared with other migration techniques, proved to be more sensitive, but gave some false‐positive results when compared with other immunological parameters. Nevertheless, application of the microdroplet leukocyte migration is advantageous, used either simultaneously with the skin test, or as a single screening method in prematures, mature newborns and young infants, where application and/or evaluation of the skin tests is difficult.
Common Components in Pollen Extracts
Authors: Dirksen Asger , ØSterballe Ole
Published: May 2007

In order to evaluate the clinical relevance of testing with various pollen extracts in a multi‐center investigation from Denmark, 5,052 patients were skin prick tested with the anamnestically relevant extract from a battery of 48. With the aid of a computer program comparing the extracts, two by two calculations were made over the percentage of patients reacting against allergens present in both extracts. Pollen extracts which frequently produce reaction were divided into three separate groups (tree pollen, grass pollen and herb pollen) within which common allergens were so dominant that it seemed advisable in routine examinations to use one extract and one extract only from each group.
A New Inhalation Technique for Freon Aerosols
Authors: Eriksson N. E. , Haglind K. , Hidinger K. G.
Published: May 2007

In a double‐blind, cross‐over, 2‐day study 32 adult asthmatic patients compared the bronchodilating effect of 0.5 mg terbutaline sulphate aerosol, administered via a 10 cm tube extension attached to the actuator of a pressurized aerosol, with that of 0.2 mg salbutamol sulphate, administered by a conventional pressurized aerosol. New instructions for the inhalation technique were given for the terbutaline aerosol, dividing the actuation of the aerosol and the slow inhalation into two steps. The salbutamol aerosol was to be taken according to the instructions enclosed, i.e. coordinating the actuation of the aerosol and the inhalation.

The improvement in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)values was similar for the two treatments. Subjective assessments by the patients showed no differences between the two regimens.

As the effect seems to be equal, an aerosol actuator furnished with a tube extension, with no strict demands of synchronizing the actuation of the aerosol and the inhalation, could be a suitable alternative treatment in patients who find self‐administration with conventional asthma aerosols difficult.
IgE Antibodies to Bacteria in Patients with Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Pauwels Romain , Verschraegen Gerda , Van Der Straeten Marcel
Published: May 2007

Bacterial respiratory infections, especially with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are frequently associated with an increase of airways obstruction in patients with bronchial asthma. The possible involvement of immediate hypersensitivity in this phenomenon was studied. IgE antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae (HI) and Streptococcus pheumoniae (SPn) were investigated in the serum of 190 adult patients with bronchial asthma. The IgE antibodies were measured using a solid phase radioimmunoassay method. Living bacteria were used as solid phase. A correction of the non‐specific binding of IgE was necessary. IgE antibodies to one or both bacteria were present in 55 of the 190 patients (29%).

Eighteen patients were sensitive to HI, 33 to SPn and four to both bacteria. Significantly more IgE antibodies to bacteria were found in patients with demonstrable IgE antibodies to various inhalant allergens. However, the IgE antibodies to one or both bacteria were also present in 22% of patients with no other demonstrable IgE mediated hypersensitivity. The total serum IgE level in patients with IgE antibodies to bacteria was not significantly higher than in patients without hypersensitivity to these bacteria. From these data we concluded that immediate hypersensitivity to bacteria may play a role in the infectious exacerbations of bronchial asthma.
Extraction and Properties of Apple Allergens
Authors: Björkstén Fred , Halmepuro Liisa , Hannuksela Matti , Lahti Arto
Published: May 2007

It is shown that apple allergens are probably proteins and that they can be extracted in an active form only if reactions with phenolic compounds present in apple are inhibited. This is accomplished by incorporating chelators and solid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone in the extraction medium. Phenol, commonly used as a preservative, should not be added. With the RAST, serum‐IgE antibodies capable of reacting with apple allergens were detected in 90% of patients with clinical apple allergy, in 44% of patients with clinical birch‐pollen allergy and in 5—10% of patients with other atopic allergies. RAST inhibition indicated that apple and birch‐pollen allergens cross‐react.
Antigens Common to Scabies and House Dust Mites
Authors: Falk Edvard S. , Dale Siri , Bolle Roald , Haneberg Bjørn
Published: May 2007

Twenty‐five antigens were demonstrated in a crude Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) extract by means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), using a rabbit anti‐DF serum. With the same antiserum, four antigens were demonstrated in a scabies mite preparation, indicating an immunological relationship between these scabies antigens and some of the DF antigens. In tandem CIE experiments the DF antigens were found to be partly identical to three of the scabies antigens. No IgE activity against any of these scabies antigens was evident in pooled sera from patients with house dust mite allergy by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis. However, one such patient had IgE antibodies to a DF antigen and a partial identical scabies antigen.
Relationship of Allergen‐Specific IgE Antibodies, Skin Prick Tests and Allergic Disorders in Unselected Adolescents
Authors: Haahtela Tari , Jaakonmäki Ilmari
Published: May 2007

The relationship between serum levels of allergen‐specific IgE (RAST) and skin prick test reactivity and allergic disorders was evaluated in 137 subjects randomly selected from an adolescent population. AH subjects were prick tested with six common allergens, interviewed and physically examined. In addition, serum was collected for RAST analysis with three to six allergens. At least one positive RAST result (score 1–4) was observed in 40% and at least two positive RASTs in 22% of the subjects. Boys experienced more RAST reactions and generally with higher scores than girls. For instance, 26% of boys but only 11% of girls were RAST positive to timothy grass pollen.

The correlation between prick test and RAST results was better with pollens than with house dust and animal epithelia. When the test results were discordant, the skin test was usually positive and RAST negative. Many of the small skin reactions (weal diameter 3–4 mm) were accompanied by a negative RAST.

Respiratory allergy was closely connected with both positive skin test and RAST reactivity, while atopic dermatitis was less related. In 17% of the adolescents positive skin tests and in 14% positive RASTs occurred in the absence of any allergic symptom. We conclude that a positive RAST score 3–4 to inhaled allergens is a strong indicator of clinical allergy but low scores 1–2 are frequendy found in healthy young people.
Grass Pollen Hyposensitization versus Placebo Therapy
Authors: Weyer A. , Donat N. , L'Heritier C. , Juilliard F. , Pauli G. , Soufflet B. , David B.
Published: May 2007

The present work reports the results of a double‐blind clinical trial, comparing the effects of hyposensitization treatment versus placebo in 33 patients with allergic rhinitis, sensitive to a crude extract of the pollen of four different grasses (Dactylis glamerata, Lolium perenne, Secale cereale, and Phlewn pratense). The distribution of these patients in the two groups was done randomly and gave two comparable groups, as far as clinical and biological features are concerned. The treatment course included five low doses of the aqueous extract followed by 12 injections of Al(OH)3‐adsorbed aliquots of the same extract. Evaluation of the clinical scores was based on diary cards on which symptoms and medications were recorded. A reevaluation of the significance of the symptom and medication scores is presented and the link between both scores is studied. Particular attention is given to the methodological and statistical problems raised during this study. The non‐parametric tests reveal a significant difference (P < 0.03) in the total clinical score between the treated and the placebo groups for the second half of the observation period, when the pathology was most intense.
Grass Pollen Hyposensitization versus Placebo Therapy
Authors: Weyer A. , Doinel C. , Debbia M. , L'Heritier C. , Rivat L. , Mao J. Le , Hirth C. , David B.
Published: May 2007

This study presents the pre‐ and post‐treatment levels of specific IgE and IgG and of total IgE in the sera of two groups of grass pollen‐sensitive patients, one receiving placebo injection (16 patients), the other being treated by repeated doses of a four‐grass pollen extract (17 patients).

Total and specific IgE were evaluated by the radioimmunological methods based on the IgE‐anti‐IgE interaction. IgG specific to the pollen extract was determined by a radioimmunoassay measuring protein‐A bound pollen‐specific antibodies (IgG). The whole immunoglobulin content specific to the allergen was quantified by a haemagglutination technique.

During the treatment period, the relative variations of total IgE, and specific IgE and IgG levels are significantly different in placebo‐ and pollen‐treated groups: 1) for total and specific IgE, were observed a relative decrease in the placebo group, and stable levels in the treated group; 2) for IgG, the level was stable in the placebo group and a relative increase was seen in the treated group.

For most of the patients the specific serum IgE and IgG levels were determined also after the pollen season consecutive to the treatment. During the pollen season, the placebo group is characterized by an increase in specific IgE concentrations and stable IgG levels. The hyposensitized patients showed stable levels of specific IgE and a decrease in specific IgG during the same period.

There is a significant correlation between the levels of specific haemagglutination litres and the IgG levels. After the treatment period the haemagglutination litre is significantly lower in the placebo‐treated patients than in the pollen‐treated ones.

A significant positive correlation exists between the levels of specific IgE and IgG before and after treaiment, for the 33 patients. Moreover, during hyposensitization, the relative variations of specific IgE and IgG are highly correlated in the treated group only.

No significant correlation at the P < 0.05 level is observed between the clinical scores and the levels of the different biological parameters.
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract Stimulates cAMP in Tγ Lymphocytes
Authors: Herlin Troels , Jensen Jørgen R. , Thestrup‐Pedersen Kristian , Zachariae Hugh
Published: May 2007

Dialyzable leukocyte extract (OLE) from human blood leukocytes gave a 3‐ to 8‐fold increase in the cAMP concentration after addition to purified lymphocytes. No significant change in cGMP was observed. When purified lymphocytes were separated into T cells and non‐T cells by an E‐AET rosette technique the cAMP response was most pronounced in T cells. When further separating T lymphocytes into T cells with Fc receptors for IgG and T cells with Fc receptors for IgM (Tγ and Tμ lymphocytes), the increase in cAMP following stimulation was specifically conferred to Tμ lymphocytes. Our findings may support the concept that DLE activates Tγ lymphocytes, leading to an increase in suppressor cell function.