bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allergy to guinea pigs: I Allergenic activities of extracts derived from the pelt, saliva, urine and other sources
Authors: WALLS A. F. , TAYLOR A. J. NEWMAN , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryGuinea pig‐sensitive patients with asthma and rhinitis were skin test positive to extracts of several materials derived from guinea pigs. A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was developed to measure serum IgE specific for the dander, urine, saliva and also for dust from the air‐vent filters of a room housing guinea pigs. A strong correlation was found between positive skin test reactions, and raised serum IgE to these extracts. Furthermore, the relative allergenic potency of extracts was similar when determined by skin‐prick testing and by inhibition of the RAST to guinea pig dust.Non‐guinea pig‐derived extracts such as the hay, sawdust and diet had negligible activity in skin testing and RAST inhibition; and preparations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, house dust and rat dust did not inhibit the RAST for guinea pig room dust.The guinea pig dust, dander, fur, urine and saliva were the more potent extracts; while whole pelt, faces and serum were considerably less active. Extracts from different sexes were not appreciably different in potency.The results of skin testing. RAST and RAST inhibition suggest cross‐allergenicity between the various extracts. Although material shed from the pelt may have been derived from saliva, or even urine, allergenic activities of urinary and salivary preparations were found to be less than those of the dander, fur or dust. This suggests that allergens have become concentrated on the pelt.
Factors affecting the development of precipitating antibodies in workers exposed to contaminated humidifiers
Authors: FINNEGAN M. J. , PICKERING C. A. C. , DAVIES P. S. , AUSTWICK P. K. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA total of 601 sera from groups of workers exposed to heavily and moderately contaminated humidifiers respectively were examined by the double diffusion test for precipitating antibodies to humidifier extracts. Clinical information was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Skin‐prick tests to control, to three common inhalant antigens and to an extract from the humidifier were performed in 103 subjects exposed to a heavily contaminated humidifier. In this environment a strong inverse relationship between current smoking and precipitins was detected (P < 0.001). Pack years smoked had no bearing on precipitin level. In the larger study there was a clear dose response effect of smoking on precipitins. The effect of smoking appeared to reverse within 3 years. Duration of exposure also had a major effect on the development of precipitins with a clear ‘dose response’ again being seen in the larger study. These relationships did not apply in the groups exposed to moderately contaminated humidifiers. Levels of airborne antigen were measured using a competitive ELISA inhibition assay and were found to be much lower in sites with moderately contaminated humidifiers than at sites with heavily contaminated humidifiers. Our results suggest that the airborne antigen level is crucial in determining the pattern and strength of precipitin response in smokers and non‐smokers exposed to contaminated humidifiers.
Exposure of hay fever subjects to an indoor environmental grass pollen challenge system
Authors: DAVIES H. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA new indoor nasal allergen challenge system has been developed which allows subjects with hay fever to be exposed to pre‐determined concentration of grass pollen grains in the immediate environment. Thirteen subjects were exposed during the winter months to an atmosphere containing approximately 1000 grains/m3 for 30 min. No changes in nasal airway patency or symptoms of nasal congestion were recorded. It was necessary to increase the pollen concentration to approximately 9000 and 35 000 grains/m3 in two subjects and six subjects respectively, before a positive response was recorded. This response was reproducible in all subjects. Administration of intra‐nasal sodium cromoglycate before exposure significantly inhibited the decrease in nasal airway patency and when administered 1 min before exposure totally abolished symptoms of nasal congestion. This new challenge system may therefore be used as an in vivo screen to assess the potential therapeutic value of drugs in hay fever under controlled conditions.
Allergy in the Mediterranean area III: cross reactivity among Oleaceae pollens
Authors: BOUSQUET J. , GUÉRIN B. , HEWITT B. , LIM S. , MICHEL F.‐B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPollens of closely related species often share common antigens and allergens although this is not always the case. Four species of Oleaceae pollens commonly found in the Mediterranean area were investigated For cross‐reactivity: olive (Olea europaea), ash (Fraxinus exselsior), privet (Ligustrum vulagare) and Phillyreu augustifolia, a common bush. Twenty individual sera of patients allergic to Oleaceae were investigated for specific IgE antibodies against the four species of Oleaceae pollens. The results indicated a high degree of correlation between RAST titres of Oleaceae pollens but three gave a particular emphasis on one species only. Cross‐reactivity among these four pollen species was sought by means of RAST inhibition, iso‐electric focusing and tandem cross‐immunoelectrophoresis. All tests revealed a high degree of cross reactivity although there is no total identity among these four pollen species.
Effect of cigarette smoking on the antibody response to inhaled antigens and the prevalence of extrinsic allergic alveolitis among pigeon breeders
Authors: McSHARRY C. , BANHAM S. W. , BOYD G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThere was a reduced prevalence of symptoms of Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (EAA) among the cigarette smokers in a survey of 102 volunteer pigeon breeders. These smokers had a significantly lower antibody response against the inhaled antigens associated with the disease; only one of twenty‐three smokers (4.3%), but thirty‐nine of sixty‐five non‐smokers (55.4%) had elevated serum IgG antibody levels, despite similar degrees of avian exposure in each group. The appearance of antibody in six of fourteen ex‐smokers (42.9%) suggested that the apparent inhibitory effect of smoking on the antibody response was reversible. The smoking group had lower total serum IgG and IgA, higher serum IgD, and their total IgM and IgE levels were similar to the non‐smokers.
Specific IgE to food and inhalant allergens in intestinal washings of children affected by atopic eczema
Authors: MARCUCCI F. , SENSI L. G. , BIZZARRI G 
Published: April 2006

SummarySerum and rectal total and specific IgE were measured in eleven children with atopic dermatitis and eight with atopic dermatitis and associated wheezing. Specific IgE to food and inhalant allergens in rectal washings were found in fourteen patients. Of the seventy‐six allergens which gave positive results, twenty were positive in both serum and intestine, thirty in serum alone and twenty‐six in intestines alone. Specific intestinal IgE were confirmed by food challenge in three out of four patients whose skin‐prick test and serum RAST were both negative. Local production of these antibodies was demonstrated by the ‘double ratio’ of Dcuschl and Johansson [1], and the ‘specific activity ratio’ of Platts‐Mills [2]. Positive ratios (> 1) were obtained with both formulas for twelve of fourteen allergens tested. These data suggest that gut‐associated lymphoid tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disease.
Circulating immune complexes in patients with cystic fibrosis in relation to clinical features
Authors: HODSON MARGARET E. , BELDON IRENE , BATTEN J C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryImmune complexes have been previously reported in the serum of patients with cystic fibrosis. This study was undertaken to relate the finding of complexes with the clinical features of the disease.Immune complexes detected by the I25I‐Clq binding assay were found in the sera of 17/60 (28%) of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). There was no association between the finding of raised levels of immune complexes and duration of chest symptoms, duration of daily sputum production, age, sex, weight, atopy, the presence or absence of malabsorption, pneumothorax, diabetes, Aspergillus precipitins or specific bacterial pathogens in the sputum. There was however a correlation between the finding of increasing circulating immune complexes and decrease in the respiratory function; forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (P< 0.001) and forced vital capacity (P< 0.005); also with weight (P<0.02). It is possible that the finding of immune complexes, at low levels, in cystic fibrosis are the result of tissue damage rather than its cause.
Attenuation of exercise‐induced asthma by pretreatment with nedocromil sodium and minocromil
Authors: ROBERTS J. A. , THOMSON N. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn a group of atopic adult asthmatic patients the effects of two new inhaled anti‐asthmatic drugs, nedocromil sodium and minocromil were studied in two independent randomized double‐blind trials to assess their efficacy in preventing exercise‐induced asthma (EIA). Exercise testing consisted of steady state running on an inclined treadmill. Neither drug administered 30 min before exercise significantly altered baseline FEV1. Nedocromil sodium (2 and 4 mg) pre‐treatment in nine patients and minocromil (4 mg) in eight patients gave significant protection (P < 0.001) compared to placebo as assessed by the reduction in the maximum percentage fall in FEV1. There was no significant difference in the inhibitory effect of the two doses of nedocromil sodium. These results indicate that both nedocromil sodium and minocromil can attenuate EIA.
Application of microtitre plates and fluorescence reading to shorten handling of Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST®
Authors: PÉCOUD A. , PEITREQUIN R. , DUC J. , THALBERG K. , SCHRÖDER H. , FREI P. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo enable shorter and more convenient testing, the Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST® procedures for the determination of specific and total IgE were modified in three ways: (i) allergen‐coupled paper discs were tested in microtitre wells; (ii) the incubation times were reduced to 1 hr with serum and 2 hr with the anti‐IgE by shaking the plates at room temperature; and (iii) the fluorogenic substrate used reduced the development time to 15 min. Determination of IgE antibody specific for fifteen inhalation allergens by the modified fluorescence test (FEIA) and by the conventional Phadezym RAST® (EIA) was performed on the serum of thirty‐two patients suffering from asthma/rhinitis: correlation studies for these sera showed that 96.1% of the results fell in the same class. In these patients, both FEIA and EIA detected the same proportion of skin‐prick tests (SPT) positive results (67%). With the FEIA, 4/165 (2.4%) class 1 results were found in eleven non‐atopic subjects (symptom free, fifteen negative SPT, total IgE lower than 80 kU/1), compared to 1/165 (0.6%) with the EIA. In twenty cord sera, both FEIA and EIA found 4/300 (1.3%) class 1 results. For the determination of total serum IgE, the microtitre FEIA showed a detection limit of 0.5 kU/1 and an excellent correlation with Phadezym IgE PRIST® (n= 66 serum, r= 0.99). These data indicate that the adaptation of Phadezym RAST® and Phadezym IgE PRIST® to microtitre plates and fluorescence technology has resulted in a time‐saving and easy to perform within‐day assay which provided results as reproducible, sensitive and specific as those of the conventional procedure.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine during airway cooling in normal subjects
Authors: SUZUKI S. , ISHII M. , SASAKI J. , TAKISHIMA T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn order to investigate the effects of airway cooling on bronchial responsiveness in normal subjects, we measured bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine with and without the inhalation of cold air. Two out of seven subjects showed an increase in baseline respiratory resistance (Rrs) during cooling of the airway but the other five subjects showed little change in their baseline Rrs. All subjects increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. Additionally, the threshold dose of methacholine decreased to one‐third of the control dose with cooling of the airway. We speculate that airway cooling increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in normal subjects presumably due to increased vagal tone, increased alpha‐adrenergic activity and/or a release of chemical mediators.
Use of liquid nitrogen in the control of house dust mite populations
Authors: COLLOFF M. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryLaboratory and field studies on the use of liquid nitrogen as an acaricide, combined with vacuum cleaning, demonstrated this inert freezing agent to be extremely efficient in reducing the number of live mites in mattresses when compared to vacuum cleaning only. Preliminary observations suggest this treatment does no physical damage to mattresses. Any strategy in the control of house dust mites should incorporate procedures both for the reduction of the mite population and the removal of the allergen pool of faecal pellets and dead mites.
The changing prevalence of respiratory symptoms in atopic children in response to air pollution
Authors: KAGAMIMORI S. , KATOH T. , NARUSE Y. , WATANABE M. , KASUYA M. , SHINKAI J. , KAWANO S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryFollowing the promotion of anti‐air pollution measures in steam power stations using crude oil, atmospheric concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulates have declined. These changes in atmospheric concentrations were accompanied by a decline in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among schoolchildren living near the power stations. In analysing the correlation between air pollutant concentrations and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, those with positive skin reactions to house dust extract (the positive group) showed a more significant correlation coefficient compared to those who had never had a positive skin reaction (the negative group). In addition, schoolchildren more heavily exposed to air pollutants showed the higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than the others. With regard to the kind of air pollutants, both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were more closely associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms than suspended particulates. This study has therefore demonstrated that the positive group is a useful population for monitoring the health effects associated with low‐degree air pollution of gaseous agents.
Development of a sandwich ELISA to detect IgG and IgG sub‐class antibodies specific for a major antigen (Ag 7) of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: HARVEY CHRISTINE , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA sandwich ELISA has been developed, using an affinity purified monospecific antiserum as a capture antibody, to detect specific IgG and IgG sub‐classes to a major antigen (Ag 7) of Aspergillus fumigatus in the sera of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Significantly elevated levels of specific IgG to Ag 7 were detected in 97% of ABPA sera tested, as compared to control sera and to sera from A. fumigatus skin‐prick test positive individuals. IgG sub‐class antibody levels to Ag 7 were also determined in a similar sandwich ELISA, but using specific monoclonal antisera instead of the polyclonal anti‐IgG. Both Ag 7 specific IgG1 and IgG4 levels were found to be significantly raised in the ABPA sera compared to controls. It is proposed that this antigen‐specific ELISA may provide a more specific diagnostic test for IgG antibody detection in sera of ABPA patients.
Assessment of cell‐mediated immunity in a British population using multiple skin test antigens
Authors: MAXWELL A. P. , McCLUSKEY D. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn in vivo method of assessing the competence of the cell‐mediated immune system (Multitest CMI) was used in 200 healthy volunteers (age range 17–88 years). The profile of reactivity to seven individual antigens was determined. A positive reaction was obtained in 96·5% of the subjects who reacted positively to at least one antigen with 78% reacting to two or more antigens. The number of positive responses and the degree of reactivity was significantly reduced in elderly subjects and in females aged 17–65 years. The Multitest CMI system provides a rapid and convenient method of assessing cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) in vivo and could have a wide range of applications in the investigation of immunological, infective and neoplastic conditions.
An immunoassay for the detection of IgE antibodies to trimethoprim in the sera of allergic patients
Authors: HARLE D. G. , BALDO B. A. , SMAL M. A. , VAN NUNEN S. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn immunoassay was developed to detect IgE antibodies to the widely used antibacterial drug trimethoprim. Significant levels of trimethoprim‐reactive IgE antibodies were found in the sera of two patients who had experienced life‐threatening allergic reactions following administration of a combination of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. No IgE antibodies reactive with sulphamethoxazole were found in the sera of either patient. Inhibition experiments revealed that a high degree of cross‐reactivity occurs between the drug‐reactive IgE antibodies and two structural analogues of trimethoprim. 6‐hydroxy‐ and 6‐chloroirimethoprim. These experiments also indicated that the combining sites of the trimethoprim‐reactive IgE antibodies in the two sera were probably complementary to different parts of the trimethoprim molecule. The assay should supplement skin testing in determining the offending drug in patients with suspected allergic sensitivity to trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole complex.
Amoebae and humidifier fever
Authors: FINNEGAN M. J. , PICKERING C. A. C. , DAVIES P. S. , AUSTWICK P. K. C. , WARHURST D. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryOne hundred and nineteen sera from workers at four different work sites exposed to different contaminated humidifiers were examined by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) technique for antibodies to the amoebae Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Naegleria gruberi. Twenty‐five of the sera were from workers with humidifier fever (HF) and six from workers with work related asthma (WRA) shown to be due to the contaminated humidifiers. A positive IFA test was found to correlate precipitin reaction to humidifier antigen, but did not correlate with smoking habit, work related symptoms (detected by standard questionnaire) or with HF or WRA. Amoebae were identified in all humidifiers studied.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in two populations of Australian schoolchildren. II. Relative importance of associated factors
Authors: PEAT J. K. , BRITTON W. J. , SALOME C. M. , WOOLCOCK A. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn a cross‐sectional study of 2363 schoolchildren living in two rural areas of New South Wales, we used a questionnaire to collect details of sex, area of residence, social class, early respiratory illness (ERI), parental history of asthma and recent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and we used skin‐prick tests to measure atopic status. The relative importance of these factors on the likelihood of children having bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was assessed using a linear modelling analysis. The extent to which these factors affected the severity of BHR was also examined. We found that social class or recent URTI had no association with BHR, that sex and area of residence (inland or coastal) had a small association and that a history of early respiratory illness, a history of asthma in either parent, and atopic status had an important association with BHR. Atopic status was the most important factor. The proportion of children with atopy, with ERI or with parental asthma increased as the severity of BHR increased. The odds ratio for moderate or severe BHR doubled if either ERI or parental asthma was present in addition to atopy and there was a six‐fold increase if all three factors were present together. The identification of these risk factors makes it possible to predict which children in the community are most likely to have BHR, and which children are at high risk for having more severe levels of BHR.
Provocation test with a living insect as a diagnostic tool in systemic reactions to bee and wasp venom: a prospective study with emphasis on the clinical aspects
Authors: KAMPELMACHER M. J. , VAN DER ZWAN J. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe use of the sting challenge (SC) in insect allergy has brought into doubt the widely held belief that clinical data, specific IgE and the skin test are reliable tools in diagnosis and decision making with regard to therapy. We subjected ninety patients, known to have a systemic reaction to SC, in the Intensive Care Unit. Of these patients, 28% once more showed a systemic reaction; 72% had only a local reaction. No statistically significant difference could be demonstrated between positive and negative SC patients with regard to age; sex; the presence of allergic disease(s)—other than allergy to insects—and the severity of the preceding systemic reaction; the sting site and the related time interval; or specific IgE, IgG1, IgG4, their ratios and the skin test. A negative skin test and/or specific IgE, however, does not exclude the possibility of a recurrent systemic reaction. The long‐term value of the SC appeared to be good since the results of the revision SC remained unchanged. Skin test and specific IgE are useful as diagnostic tools in establishing the insect concerned. SC provides information on the likelihood of a recurrent systemic reaction.
Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent‐assay (ELISA) for IgG in bagasse workers' sera: comparison with counter‐immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: BOIRON P. , DROUHET E. , DUPONT B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn enzyme‐linked immunosorbent‐assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against Thermoactinomyces sacchari associated with bagassosis has been described and compared with the counter‐immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) assay in forty‐five bagasse workers; twenty‐six of whom had symptoms consistent with bagassosis, and ten who were normal blood‐bank donors. The ELISA was more sensitive than CIE in detecting antibodies against the double dialysis antigen used. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of ELISA‐positive individuals (82%) than those who were precipitin positive (60%). Results of the ELISA also gave a significantly better correlation (P < 0.05) with the clinical diagnosis (88%) than did the precipitin test results (58%). The ELISA was useful in quantitating antibodies in the sera. The symptomatic group of bagasse workers did not have significantly higher titres in the ELISA than the group of exposed but asymptomatic subjects. We conclude that the ELISA is a sensitive and specific test, which is readily available and widely applicable for the detection of immunization in bagasse workers.
Challenge tests and specific IgE in hay fever sufferers
Authors: FENNERTY A. G. , JONES K. P. , FIFIELD R. , DAVIES B. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe relationship between challenge tests, specific IgE and seasonal effects in hay fever sufferers was studied. There were significant relationships between nasal challenge, conjunctival challenge and skin‐prick test threshold doses, although the skin and conjunctiva tended to be less sensitive than the nose. A seasonal effect was apparent on nasal challenge, but not conjunctival challenge or skin‐prick testing, with lower threshold doses recorded after the pollen season than in midwinter. There was a significant relationship between specific IgE and nasal challenge, but not conjunctival or skin‐prick test threshold doses.