bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allergy in the Mediterranean area II: cross‐allergenicity among Urticaceae pollens (Parietaria and Urtica)
Authors: BOUSQUET J. , HEWITT B. , GUÉRIN B. , DHIVERT HENRIETTE , MICHEL F.‐B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPollens of related species usually share common antigens and are cross‐reacting but this is not always the case. The cross‐allergenicity of two species of Urticaceae pollens (Parietaria and Urtica, nettle) was sought by means of RAST‐inhibition and isoelectric focusing. A preliminary experiment in forty‐two patients investigated by means of skin tests and RAST showed that most patients were either allergic to Parietaria or nettle and that both reactivities were uncommonly associated. The results of RAST‐inhibition confirmed the total absence of cross‐reactivity between these two related species. IEF patterns indicated that most proteins are in the acidic range of pH and did not reveal large discrepancies. Parietaria and Urtica pollens, although belonging to the same family and having close microscopic patterns, have very different allergenic activities. This study demonstrates that cross‐allergenicity cannot be predicted.
Oro‐facial granulomatosis. Response to elemental diet and provocation by food additives
Authors: SWEATMAN M. C. , TASKER R. , WARNER J. O. , FERGUSON M. M. , MITCHELL D. N. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe report the case of an 8·5‐year‐old girl with oro‐facial granulomatosis associated with clinical atopy, in whom relapse of her granulomatous disorder was shown to be related to exposure to specific food additives, viz. carmoisine, sunset yellow and monosodium glutamate. Treatment with a restricted diet resulted in considerable regression in the facial swelling which has been maintained for 6 months. A brief account of the histological features, both under light and electron microscopy, is given, together with a description of the use of nuclear magnetic resonance scanning in the assessment of this disease. The patient had no evidence to support a diagnosis of sarcoidosis or Crohn's disease.
Immunoglobulin substitution therapy in a patient with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and anti‐IgA antibodies
Authors: HEDDERICH U. , KRATZSCH G. , STEPHEN W. , DICHTELMÜLLER H. , OLISCHLÄGER K. , HEIMPEL H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPermanent immunoglobulin substitution therapy was performed in a 44‐year‐old patient with common variable immunodeficiency, recurrent respiratory tract infections, total absence of serum IgA and a high titre of class‐specific anti‐IgA antibodies. An IgA‐depleted i.v. immunoglobulin (IG) preparation was used. Infusions were well tolerated by the patient although minor anaphylactoid symptoms regularly occurred. Anti‐IgA antibody titres rose during the first 4 months of treatment and gradually fell during the following 8 months. Regular IG substitution therapy led to a substantial improvement in the patient's health and quality of life.
Histamine release from peripheral blood leucocytes in egg‐allergic patients
Authors: CLINTON P. M. , KEMENY D. M. , AMLOT P. , URBANEK R. , LESSOF M. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTwelve egg‐allergic patients were selected on the basis of a clinical history of egg allergy and a positive skin‐prick test (SPT) to whole egg. A study was then carried out on the ability of the patients’ washed leucocytes to release histamine in the presence of whole egg, ovomucoid, ovalbumin and ovotransferrin. Histamine release (HR) from washed leucocytes was demonstrated in ten out of twelve patients, but only four out of ten released over 40% of their total histamine. Spontaneous HR ranged from 2·1–14·5% with a mean of 7·5%. There was good agreement between positive and negative HR, skin test and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) results. Concordance between the HR and skin test was found in 83%, HR and RAST in 71% and skin test and RAST in 78% of patients. However there was poor quantitative agreement between these three tests. When skin‐prick tests and HR thresholds were compared, ovomucoid elicited the greatest skin test sensitivity in five out of six patients, whereas five of the same six were more sensitive to ovalbumin when judged by HR.
Antibodies against hen's egg proteins in pigeon breeder's disease
Authors: BERRENS L. , VERSCHUREN M. , VAN DIJK A. G. , GUIKERS C. L. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe serum of patients with pigeon breeder's lung (PBL) contains IgG‐class antibodies against pigeon serum proteins. These antibodies cross‐react strongly with the sera of other avian species. Cross‐reactivity, as demonstrated by precipitation, complement fixation, haemagglutination and microELISA, is also exhibited with the water‐soluble proteins in hen's egg yolk and egg white. The phenomenon appears to be due to the presence of hen serum proteins in the eggs, which occur particularly concentrated among the water‐soluble proteins in the yolk (‘livetins’). It is proposed that anti‐egg antibodies may explain the frequent serological finding of‘false‐positive’asymptomatic pigeon breeders.
Terfenadine reduces skin and conjunctival reactivity in grass pollen allergic children
Authors: KJELLMAN N.‐I. M. , ANDERSSON B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTerfenadine suspension, 30 mg b.i.d., was compared with placebo in a randomized, double‐blind cross‐over study in twenty‐five children, 6–12 years of age, with grass pollen induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The patients were treated during two 7‐day periods separated by a 4‐day wash‐out period. Efficacy was assessed during a period without provoking pollen in the air. At the end of each treatment period, skin‐prick tests were carried out in quadruplicate with three concentrations of grass pollen extracts (identical batches of Pharmalgen®) and histamine HCl, 1 and 10 mg/ml, as were conjunctival provocations with the same grass pollen. The mean size of weals caused by allergen and histamine was significantly smaller after terfenadine than after placebo; in fact, terfenadine increased the tolerance to the allergen by a factor of ten. Similarly, the tolerance to conjunctival provocation was significantly increased during terfenadine treatment as compared with placebo. There was no significant difference between the treatments in scores for alertness and salivation. Seasonal symptoms were mild when the children were allowed to use terfenadine in an open follow‐up study. Thus, terfenadine reduced specific as well as non‐specific reactivity in grass pollen allergic children and caused few side effects.
Allergic reactivity and socio‐economic level in a tropical environment
Authors: LYNCH N. R. , LOPEZ REINA I. , DI PRISCO‐FUENMAYOR MARIA C. , HAGEL ISABEL , MEDOUZE LUISA , VIANA G. , ORTEGA C. , PRATO G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAs some factors associated with the tropical environment can modify the expression of atopic disease, various indicators of allergic reactivity were compared between allergic and non‐allergic subjects of different socio‐economic level in Caracas, Venezuela (Lat. 10°N). The socio‐economic levels considered were high (HSEL), medium‐high (MSEL) or low (LSEL). As generally found in temperature climates, in the HSEL the total serum IgE levels of allergic patients were significantly greater than those of nonallergic individuals (geometric means of 274 vs 126 IU/ml, respectively), as were also the specific serum IgE antibody levels (55.6 vs 23.8% positive, respectively, for house dust). These results correlated closely with the skin‐test reactivity of these subjects (60.3 vs 17.5% positive for house dust). In this group, the degree of intestinal helminthic infection was low (5.6% positive for Ascaris). In contrast, for the MSEL where the degree of parasitic infection was higher (13.0%), the total serum IgE levels were elevated in both allergic and non‐allergic subjects (602 vs 363 IU/ml). Similarly, positivity for specific IgE antibody was high, and comparable between allergies and non‐allergies of this group (61.5 vs 54.2%), as was also the case for skin‐test reactivity (71.9 vs 60.4%). In the LSEL, parasitic infection was prevalent (47.6%), and the total serum IgE levels were markedly elevated, with little difference occurring between allergic and non‐allergic individuals (2269 vs 1981 IU/ml). The positivity for specific IgE antibody was high, and effectively independent of the allergic state (75.6 vs 53.7%), but in contrast the skin test reactivity was relatively low (22.0 vs 9.8%). The lack of correlation between skin test and specific IgE results in this group appeared to have
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in two populations of Australian schoolchildren. I. Relation to respiratory symptoms and diagnosed asthma
Authors: SALOME C. M. , PEAT J. K. , BRITTON W. J. , WOOLCOCK A. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn order to explore the relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to inhaled histamine, respiratory symptoms and diagnosed asthma in children, we undertook a cross‐sectional study of 2363 Australian schoolchildren aged 8–11 years. The methods used included a self‐administered questionnaire to parents, which was shown to have a high degree of repeatability, and a histamine inhalation test to measure bronchial responsiveness (BR). The study showed that 17.9% of children had BHR, defined as a 20% fall in FEV1 at a provoking dose of histamine (PD20 FEV1) of less than 7.8 μmol. The distribution of PD20 FEV1 appeared to be continuous. Most children with PD20 FEV1 values < 1.0μmol had symptoms of asthma. However, 6.7% of children had BHR without symptoms or a previous diagnosis of asthma and 5.6% had had a diagnosis of asthma but had no BHR. Although there was a good association between BHR and respiratory symptoms, questionnaire data of wheeze and diagnosed asthma do not reflect accurately the level of BHR in the community. We conclude that cross‐sectional studies of BR to identify children with BHR probably do not reflect the prevalence of asthma in populations of children. However, the strong association between BHR and symptoms, particularly in children with severe and moderate BHR, suggests that measurements of BR in populations are useful for defining a group of children whose airways behave differently from those of the majority. Prospective studies are needed to define the level of BHR that is associated with important sequelae.
Non‐IgE‐dependent bacteria‐induced histamine release from human lung and tonsillar mast cells
Authors: CHURCH M. K. , NORN S. , PAO G. J.‐K. , HOLGATF S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA wide spectrum of formalin‐killed bacteria have been tested for their ability to release histamine from human dispersed lung and tonsillar mast cells. Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella oxytoca and K. pneumoniae were the most effective histamine releasers. Further studies on tonsillar masl cells showed that E. coli‐induced histamine release differed from IgE‐dependent release with respect to its kinetics, temperature and pH profiles and its sensitivity to calcium deprivation and metabolic inhibitors. A lectin‐mediated mechanism may operate, but other non‐immunological mechanisms might also be involved in the release. Escherichia coli and anti‐IgE did not synergize in inducing histamine release. The production of PGD2 and the failure to detect lactate dehydrogenase following incubation of mast cells with E. coli suggests that histamine release is not due to cytotoxicity.
Decreased adreno‐cortical suppression utilizing the Nebuhaler for inhalation of steroid aerosols
Authors: PRAHL P. , JENSEN T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe influence on the adrenocortical function of high‐dose topical glucocorticoids inhaled via conventional devices and via a Nebuhaler®, was studied in ten children with asthma. In patients treated with dosages of beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide, in excess of 2100 μg/1.73 m2 body surface, the 24‐h urinary excretion of free cortisol increased when the inhaler device was changed from a conventional one to a Nebuhaler. This suggests a decreased systemic influence of the inhaled glucocorticoids when these were administered via a Nebuhaler.
Antibodies to bird serum proteins in confectionery workers exposed to egg spray
Authors: BERRENS L. , EDWARDS J. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn an extended study of a group of confectionery workers sensitized by exposure to egg spray, it was found that their blood serum contained antibodies to avian serum proteins. Comparison of the ratio of IgG antibodies determined by ELISA to egg yolk ‘livetins’ and pigeon serum in these patients and in pigeon breeders showed that the phenomenon is entirely due to immunological cross‐reactivity among avian blood serum proteins. These avian serum proteins in hens' eggs, not ovalbumin, were identified as the major sensitizing antigens.
High IgG4 antibody level is associated with failure of immunotherapy with inhalant allergens
Authors: DJURUP R. , MALLING H.‐J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have analysed all available data on the relationship between IgG4 Ab level and clinical effect of immunotherapy (IT) with inhalant allergens. The data from three of the seven independent studies could, without reservations, be analysed by a joint statistical analysis. We found that late high IgG4 Ab level, measured at the end of IT, was strongly associated with treatment failure (P= 6.54 ± 105; n= 67). The ratio of risks for treatment success in the group with late low IgG4 Ab level was 1.82, whereas the ratio of risks for treatment failure in the group with late high IgG4 Ab level was 11.4. The data from a fourth, presumably comparable, study further supported the existence of an association between high IgG4 Ab level and treatment failure. In contrast, two other studies found that high mean IgG4 Ab level was associated with good clinical response. Possible reasons for this apparent discrepancy are discussed. We also found that early high IgG4 Ab level, measured within 3 months after initiation of IT, was strongly associated with treatment failure after 1–2 years of IT (P= 1.05 ± 10−4; n= 30). The sensitivity and specificity of early high IgG4 Ab level as indicator for treatment failure was 100% and 83%, respectively. At the prevalences found in the present study, the predictive value of early high IgG4 Ab level for treatment failure was 0.6, whereas the predictive value of early low IgG4 Ab level for treatment success was 1.00.
Immunotherapy to deciduous tree pollens: specific IgE and IgG antibody patterns
Authors: MÖLLER C. , DREBORG S. , EINARSSON R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThirty‐nine children with birch pollinosis were given immunotherapy (IT) for 3 years with a purified, characterized and biologically standardized pollen preparation made from either birch or a mixture of birch, alder and hazel. Levels of IgE antibodies against birch, alder and oak increased early during IT (P < 0.01) and then decreased below the initial level (P < 0.01). Birch‐specific IgG antibodies also increased (P < 0.01) but not as rapidly as birch‐specific IgE antibodies and the levels remained increased throughout IT. There were only weak correlations between immunochemical findings before IT or during early IT on one hand and the improvement during IT on the other hand. The ratio birch‐specific IgG: IgE after 1.5 and 2.5 years of IT correlated with symptom scores the following season (P < 0.01). In 60% of the children below 13 years of age, new IgE specificities developed during IT as demonstrated with crossed radio‐immunoelectrophoresis. No such new IgE specificities were found in older children. These ‘new sensitivities’ did not appear to have any clinical implication.
Murine passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (PCA) for the‘all or none’determination of allergenicity of bovine whey proteins and peptides
Authors: POULSEN O. M. , HAU J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (PCA) for determination of the allergenicity of bovine whey proteins and peptides was developed in mice. Antisera against whey proteins raised in rabbits and in mice, using a procedure for high IgE titre mixed with Freund's incomplete adjuvant, were applied intradermally, and various whey proteins and whey protein hydrolysates were tested for positive PCA reaction. Unhydrolysed whey and peptides larger than 6500 Da were found to react positively, peptides between 6500 Da and 3400 Da reacted weakly, whereas peptides smaller than 3400 Da were unable to initiate a reaction. The studies indicate that guinea‐pigs, widely used by tradition, may be successfully replaced by mice in determination of the allergenicity of various compounds. The sensitivity of the two species is similar, but the husbandry and handling of mice is more convenient, and they are less expensive.
Previous ear, nose and throat surgery in children presenting with allergic perennial rhinitis
Authors: SANDERSON JANE , WARNER J. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryChildren with allergic perennial rhinitis had a four‐fold greater likelihood of having had an ear, nose and throat (ENT) operation than children with orthopaedic problems. Whilst the patients who had ENT operations had significantly lower serum IgA and IgE levels than the non‐operated patients, there was no difference in clinical features of atopy or allergy skin‐test responses between the two groups of rhinitic patients. Forty per cent of the perennial rhinitics had an improvement in symptoms following ENT operations, whereas 90% improved on medical therapy. Thus, patients with perennial rhinitis should have allergy investigations and the benefit of medical treatment prior to consideration for surgery.
Allergic reactions to vespids: comparison of sensitivities of two species in a Mediterranean area
Authors: BLANCA M. , MIRANDA A. , FERNANDEZ J. , TERRADOS S. , VELA J. M. , VEGA J. M. , GONZALEZ J. J. , JUAREZ C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have studied a group of twenty‐seven patients who suffer allergic reactions to vespids stings. Specific IgE antibodies to venom extracts from Polistes gallicus and Vespula germanica were measured by RAST, and the crossreactivity between the two venoms was compared using the RAST inhibition technique. We concluded that, in southern Spain, sensitization to P. gallicus was more prevalent than that to V. germanica, with 44% of the subjects in this study reacting to P. gallicus compared with 33% to V. germanica. However, there was a considerable degree of crossreactivity between the two species. It is evident that Polistes is an important species in this area; however, both in Spain and other Mediterranean countries, V. germanica venom is used almost exclusively for diagnosis and immunotherapy.
Low specific IgE, IgG and lymphocyte reactivity in a group of patients developing anaphylaxis following a honey‐bee sting
Authors: LOMNITZER RUTH , LANNER A. , RABSON A. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTen patients who developed severe generalized reactions following a honey‐bee sting were investigated for the presence of specific IgE and IgG antibodies, and for lymphocyte reactivity following in‐vitro honey‐bee venom (HBV) stimulation. Five of the patients (high responders) showed high HBV‐specific IgE and IgG levels, whereas the other five patients (low responders) showed low HBV‐specific IgE and IgG levels. Mononuclear cells from the high responder group incorporated significant amounts of 3H‐thymidine when activated with pure bee venom, whereas insignificant lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the low‐responder group. It is concluded that, amongst HBV‐sensitive patients, a group of low responders exists in whom the mechanism of anaphylaxis cannot be explained.
Effect of therapy on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the long‐term management of asthma
Authors: WOOLCOCK A. J. , YAN K. , SALOME C. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine if prophylactic therapy leads to a reduction in the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in subjects with severe asthma. Measurements of bronchial responsiveness to histamine were made in two groups of subjects for periods up to 2 years. Thirteen subjects in the study group took regular medication and used a home monitor of airway function to determine the medication requirements needed to maintain optimal airway function. A control group of eleven subjects was managed with the same drugs but without daily monitoring and without any attempt to keep daily lung function at optimal levels. Subjects in the study group had a 10‐ to 100‐fold decrease in the severity of BHR, which was independent of the improvement in baseline lung function. All but one subject in the study group became symptom free and six were able to maintain the improvement in BHR and symptoms on reduced medication. There was no change in the severity of BHR or in the baseline lung function in the control group. It is concluded that it is possible to reduce the severity of BHR in subjects with severe asthma by the use of pharmacological agents. This reduction in severity appears to require the long‐term use of medications, including aerosol corticosteroids, with daily home monitoring to allow adjustment of the amount of treatment required.
Allergen nomenclature
Authors: MARSH D. G. , GOODFRIEND L. , KING T. P. , LØWENSTEIN H. , PLATTS‐MILLS T. A. E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis article presents a nomenclature system for allergens which has been officially recommended by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). The nomenclature is based on proposals of the IUIS Sub‐Committee for Allergen Nomenclature and is applicable to highly purified, well‐characterized allergens and to non‐purified or partially purified allergenic extracts.
Occupational allergic rhinitis from guar gum
Authors: KANERVA L. , TUPASELA OUTI , JOLANKI RIITTA , VAHERI E. , ESTLANDER TUULA , KESKINEN HELENA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThree cases of allergic rhinitis from a vegetable gum, guar gum, have been detected. Two subjects were exposed to fine guar gum powder (Emco Gum 563, Meyhall Chemical AG, Switzerland), an insulator in rubber cables, when opening cables in a power cable laboratory. After 1–2 years’ exposure the patients developed rhinitis. Scratch‐chamber tests, nasal provocation tests, nasal eosinophilia and a RAST test proved their allergy. A third subject developed allergic rhinitis from another guar gum product (Meyproid 5306, Meyhall Chemical AG) after 2 years’ exposure in a paper factory. A positive skin test and nasal provocation test confirmed the diagnosis. A fourth case of possible allergy to guar gum after exposure to Meyproid 5306 in a paper factory is also presented. No final diagnosis was reached in this case (in 1974). The present subjects, only one of whom was atopic, developed allergy within 2 years, although their exposure to guar gum was not especially heavy. Therefore, when handling guar, adequate ventilation facilities should be provided and protective clothing, including a respiratory mask, should be worn.
An epidemiological study of atopy in children
Authors: ASTARITA C. , HARRIS R. I. , de FUSCO R. , FRANZESE A. , BISCARDI D. , MAZZACCA F. R. M. , ALTUCCI P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA sample of 930 children, between 9 years and 15 years old from six Italian towns, were studied. Their family history of allergy, personal allergy and medical history, current allergy symptoms, exposure to environmental allergens, feeding as infants, and their parents’ occupations were recorded. They were skin‐prick tested (SPT) with a range of common allergens. A subject was defined as atopic if at least one SPT caused a weal greater than 3 mm diameter. The association between the recorded information and atopy was investigated by logistic multiple regression. Atopy was positively associated with: high density housing; medium or high exposure to environmental allergens; a history of rhinitis, asthma or atopic eczema; male gender; and a history of breast‐feeding. It was independent of infectious diseases, vaccinations and operations, social class and family history. Thus, there was no evidence of a genetic factor in atopy, other than sex.