bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical effects of hyposensitization using a purified allergen preparation from Timothy pollen as compared to crude aqueous extracts from Timothy pollen and a four‐grass pollen mixture respectively
Authors: FROSTAD A. B. , GRIMMER Ø. , SANDVIK L. , MOXNES A. , AAS K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMost extracts used in hyposensitization are complex and ill‐defined mixtures of a large number of antigenic components. A highly refined (purified) and well‐characterized allergen preparation from Timothy pollen (Phleum pratense) is now available.This paper describes the results of hyposensitization for 3 years comparing the purified preparation Timothy N. the crude extract Timothy O and a four‐grass mix in sixty patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen. The sixty patients were randomized into three groups and compared with a control group not hyposensitized. All three groups showed a significant decrease in clinical symptoms compared with the control group. The Timothy N group had a significantly higher nasal tolerance shown by nasal challenge test after 3 years' treatment than the group treated with the crude extract (P= 0.05). In addition, the Timothy‐N‐treated patients needed significantly less antihistaminic medication than the patients having received the crude extract or the four‐grass mix (P=0.02 and P= 0.01 respectively).
Induction of suppressor T cells in asthmatic children by theophylline treatment
Authors: SHOHAT B. , VOLOVITZ B. , VARSANO I. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe absolute T‐cell numbers and function, and the T‐suppressor‐cell subset were tested in eleven children with extrinsic asthma prior to and 1 month after theophylline treatment. Low mean T‐suppressor‐cell number and function was found in the asthmatic children, which returned to normal levels and function after 1 month of theophylline treatment. A normal mean T‐cell number was found in this group of children prior to, and 1 month after, theophylline treatment. An obvious correlation between the clinical severity of the asthma and the number of T suppressor cells was found. It is suggested that theophylline most probably activated the T suppressor cells in the asthmatic children.
Sensitivity to house dust mite and grass pollen in adults
Authors: KORSGAARD J. , DAHL R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA comparison was made between the birth month of a control population and a sample of 240 adult patients with bronchial asthma or rhinitis and positive skin test towards house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). The patients were born more frequently (P < 0.005) in the summer and autumn months than in the other seasons. A similar comparison of 336 allergic patients with a positive skin test towards grass pollen (Phlemt pratense) but no consistent seasonal preference in the birth months was revealed. This was possibly explained by the age of the patient group studied.The increased incidence of house‐dust mite allergy in patients born in the months of May to September inclusive when house dust mites are supposed to be most abundant corresponds to a relative risk of 1.44. It is important lo diminish the exposure to house dust mites in early childhood because exposure to allergens may influence the development of allergic disease in later life.
Oral tartrazine challenge in childhood asthma: effect on bronchial reactivity
Authors: HARIPARSAD D. , WILSON N. , DIXON C. , SILVERMAN M 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTen asthmatic children who gave a history of cough or wheeze after orange drinks, were tested for tartrazine sensitivity. On separate days, either oral tartrazine (1 mg) or a placebo capsule were administered double blind. Bronchial reactivity was measured before, 30 and 60 min after ingestion by means of a histamine‐inhalation challenge test. There was no change in baseline lung function after tartrazine, but histamine sensitivity (PC20) increased significantly in four of the children. No response was obtained to a larger dose of tartrazine (10 mg) in four of the non‐responders. Alteration in the bronchial reactivity after an oral challenge, appears to be a sensitive means of detecting tartrazine sensitivity.
Natural‐killer‐cell activity in atopic dermatitis
Authors: LEVER ROSEMARY S. , LESKO M. J. , MACKIE RONA M. , PARROTT DELPHINE M. V. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNatural‐killer (NK)‐cell activity was measured in the peripheral blood of twenty patients with atopic dermatitis and in a group of thirteen age‐matched non‐atopic controls (nine subjects on thirteen occasions). The method uses a chromium‐release assay with the human leukaemia cell line, K562, labelled with 5lCr as the target cell. A highly significant reduction in NK‐cell activity was found in the patients with atopic dermatitis.
Relationship of diet in the development of atopy in infancy
Authors: VAN ASPEREN P. P. , KEMP A. S. , MELLIS C. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe examined the relationship of diet to the development of atopic manifestations in a group of infants with an immediate family history of atopy, followed prospectively from birth for up to 20 months of age. There was no relationship between the development of atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and wheeze and either 2 or 4 months exclusive breast feeding, or the introduction of cow's milk or solids in the first 4 months of life. In addition there was no relationship between the introduction of milk, egg or wheat into the diet and the development of skin‐test positivity to these foods. In fact, five infants developed positive skin tests to the food prior to its introduction into the diet, suggesting exposure via maternal breast milk. Thus we have been unable to show a protective effect of either breast feeding or cow's milk or solid avoidance on the development of atopic disease in infancy.
A comparison of the clinical and immunological effects of an alum‐precipitated five‐grass extract with a conjugated two‐grass extract in the desensitization of hay fever
Authors: DORWARD A. J. , WACLAWSKI E. , KERR W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThirty‐nine patients with pollen hay fever were randomly allocated to receive either an alum‐precipitated five‐grass extract (Allpyral®) or a two‐grass conjugated extract (Conjuvac®) prior to the 1982 pollen season.Efficacy was assessed by means of symptom scores, drug usage and specific IgE and IgG antibody response. Both nasal and eye symptom scores were significantly higher during the pollen season in those patients receiving Allpyral. Specific IgE and IgG measured after the pollen season showed similar rises in each group. Seven patients showed a marked elevation in specific IgE and nine a marked elevation in specific IgG, but no patient showed both. Those with a high specific IgE level tended to be younger. Symptom scores bore no relation to either specific IgE or IgG antibodies. Side‐effects were mainly local and were equal in both groups.
Decrease in reactivity of basophils by immunotherapy with housedust extract
Authors: KIMURA IKURO , TANIZAKI YOSHIRO , GODA YOSHINORI , KOMAGOE HARUKI , KITANI HIKARU 
Published: April 2006

SummaryChanges of basophil reactivity to housedust extract and anti‐IgE during immunotherapy was examined in thirteen patients with bronchial asthma sensitive to housedust. (i) A significant decrease in the morphological reactivity of basophils to housedust extract was observed 6 months after the beginning of immunotherapy with the antigen, and a significant decrease after 12 and 18 months’ therapy, accompanied with the decrease of histamine release from the cells. The percent reactive basophils to the antigen decreased from 59.2 ± 2.9% before the therapy to 40.0 ± 1.8% after 18 months’immunotherapy. (ii) A decrease in the morphological reactivity of basophils to anti‐IgE was also shown during immunotherapy. The basophil reactivity to anti‐IgE decreased significantly at the late stage (18 months) of immunotherapy. (iii) A significant reduction of specific IgE antibody to housedust was observed 12 and 18 months after the beginning of immunotherapy. It was suggested from these results that immunotherapy causes some changes on the surface of basophils and decreased reactivity of the cells, and that a decrease of reactive basophils to anti‐IgE in the process of immunotherapy might be due to a decrease in number of IgE receptors essentially or functionally.
Celery sensitivity: clinical and immunological correlations with pollen allergy
Authors: PAULI G. , BESSOT J. C. , DIETEMANN‐MOLARD A. , BRAUN P. A. , THIERRY R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe authors studied twenty patients with celery allergy and concomitant hypersensitivity to certain pollens (mugwort, birch). The specific symptoms induced by eating celery were attacks of urticaria and angio oedema (seventeen out of twenty) respiratory complaints (eight out of twenty), systemic anaphylaxis with vascular collapse (three out of twenty). A strong association between clinical reactions to celery and mugwort sensitization, and to a lesser degree between celery allergy and birch pollen sensitization was established. Celery allergy is mediated by IgE antibodies and can be easily diagnosed by cutaneous tests using fresh material and/or by adequate RAST test. RAST inhibitions performed on individual sera suggest the existence of common antigens in celery and mugwort, and in celery and birch pollen. However, the exact nature of these common antigens has not yet been determined.
Storage mite allergy is common in a farming population
Authors: VAN HAGE‐HAMSTEN MARIANNE , JOHANSSON S.G.O. , HÖGLUND S. , TÜLL P. , WIRÉN A. , ZETTERSTROM O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe prevalence of storage mite allergy was investigated in an epidemiological study of respiratory symptoms in farmers on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. A questionnaire concerning work‐related and chronic symptoms from the airways and eyes was completed by 2578 farmers. A sample of 440 farmers subsequently underwent examination comprising skin‐prick tests (animal danders, pollens, moulds and house dust mite), blood sampling for RAST against four storage mites (Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor. Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Glycyphagus domesticus) and total IgE analyses. Immediate onset hypersensitivity reactions in the airways and eyes were very common among active farmers on Gotland, the prevalence being as high as 40.0%. The prevalence of atopic allergy was 15.6%. Allergy to storage mites was diagnosed, from the case history and a positive RAST to at least one of the four storage mites, in fifty‐two of 440 studied farmers (12%), corresponding to a calculated prevalence of storage mite allergy in the whole farming population of Gotland of 6.2%. The corresponding prevalence among farmers with hypersensitivity symptoms was 15.4%and among those with possibly IgE‐mediated symptoms it was as high as 37.8%. The present study clearly demonstrates a high prevalence of allergy to storage mites among farmers with respiratory symptoms.
An open cross‐over trial comparing two doses of astemizole and beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of perennial rhinitis
Authors: SIBBALD B. , HILTON S. , D'SOUZA M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn open cross‐over trial comparing astemizole with intra‐nasal aqueous beclomethasone dipropionate was carried out in forty‐five perennial rhinitis patients attending a S.W. London general practice. Each drug was given for 12 weeks, separated by 4–8 weeks without medication. The principal outcome measure was a 7‐day symptom diary completed by patients during weeks 4, 8 and 12. Patients were skin tested to seven common inhalant allergens. Half the patients beginning either regime failed to respond adequately within 2 weeks. Doubling the dose in these patients achieved satisfactory symptom control in an additional 67% on beclomethasone dipropionate and 45% on astemizole. Symptom diary scores showed beclomethasone dipropionate to be significantly more effective than astemizole in the treatment of skin test negative patients; but the two drugs were of equal benefit in the treatment of skin test positive patients. Sneezing and rhinorrhoea were the same on both drugs, but nasal blockage tended to be less severe on beclomethasone dipropionate. There was no significant difference between drugs in the frequency or duration of side effects. Beclomethasone dipropionate and astemizole are equally effective in the symptomatic treatment of atopic perennial rhinitis, but beclomethasone dipropionate may offer superior symptom relief in non‐atopic perennial rhinitis.
Separation and characterization of potential allergens from cultured baby hamster kidney cells
Authors: FRANCIS M. J. , BLACK L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryResidual cellular material present in foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) vaccines has been implicated as a possible cause of hypersensitivity in cattle. This study was designed to identify and characterize the potentially allergenic components involved. After fractionating baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell lysate, by preparative electrofocusing and gel filtration chromatography, the eluates which were potentially allergenic for cattle were identified by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and PCA‐inhibition methods. The potential allergen identified had a molecular weight of approximately 43 000 daltons, sedimentation coefficient of 3·65 S20 and isoelectric points between pH 5·37 and 6·25. Based on these results an immunogenic FMD vaccine was produced which failed to provoke clinical sensitization after repeated inoculations. This information should enable manufacturers to identify, monitor and subsequently control the levels of any such potentially allergenic material present in current vaccines produced using BHK cells.
Detection of thiopentone‐reactive IgE antibodies following anaphylactoid reactions during anaesthesia
Authors: HARLE D. G. , BALDO B. A. , SMAL M. A. , WAJON P. , FISHER M. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA radioimmunoassay was developed to detect IgE antibodies to the anaesthetic induction agent thiopentone. Significant levels of thiopentone‐reactive IgE antibodies were found in the sera of two patients who had experienced life‐threatening anaphylactoid reactions following administration of the drug. Inhibition experiments revealed that cross‐reactivity occurs between the drug‐reactive IgE antibodies and four barbiturate analogues pentobarbitone, phenobarbitone, barbitone and methohexital. The assay should supplement skin testing for the detection of patients with potentially lethal sensitivity to thiopentone.
Pattern of specific airway response in asthma due to western red cedar (Thuja plicata): relationship with length of exposure and lung function measurements
Authors: PAGGIARO P. L. , YEUNG M. CHAN 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn order to investigate the relationship between the pattern of response (immediate, late and dual) to specific bronchial challenge test with plicatic acid or red cedar extract and the clinical features of asthma, 332 patients with‐asthma induced by western red cedar dust were examined at the time of diagnosis. Specific challenge test induced in thirty‐one patients (9.3%) an isolated immediate reaction, in 144 patients (43.4%) an isolated late reaction and in 157 patients (47.3%) a dual reaction. Patients with a dual reaction had a longer period of exposure to red cedar dust between the onset of the respiratory symptoms and the time of the definitive diagnosis, a lower FEF 25–75% and a greater degree of non‐specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness compared to patients with isolated immediate or isolated late reactions; the difference in bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine among the three groups persisted when the values were adjusted for the different baseline value of FEV1. There was no difference in the prevalence of specific serum IgE antibodies to plicatic acid‐human serum albumin conjugate among the three groups of patients with different type of response to red cedar. Except for the greater degree of non‐specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness, patients with isolated late reactions were not different from those with isolated immediate reactions in other clinical findings. These findings indicate that a dual reaction in patients with occupational asthma due to simple chemical agents is indicative of a greater severity of disease at diagnosis. The pathogenetic mechanism of various types of asthmatic reaction is unknown and it is likely to be different between isolated immediate and isolated late reactions.
Predominance of mite allergy over allergy to pollens and animal danders in a farming population
Authors: VAN HAGE‐HAMSTEN MARIANNE , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , ZETTERSTRÖM O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe prevalence of IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity to respiratory allergens, including Lepidoglyphus destructor (a storage mite) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, was studied in a rural population of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. A sample of 440 farmers underwent examination, comprising skin‐prick tests (animal danders, pollens, moulds, house dust mite and wheat) and blood sampling for radio‐allergosorbent tests (RAST) (birch, Timothy grass, dog, D. pteronyssinus, Cladosporium and L. destructor). The highest prevalence of positive skin‐prick tests was noted for D. pteronyssinus (6.0%). Low prevalences of positive skin‐prick tests, 0.7‐2.7%, were found for pollens, animal danders and moulds. Among the tested allergens, D. pteronyssinus and L. destructor yielded the highest prevalences of positive RAST results, namely 5.2 and 6.8%, respectively. Most farmers with allergy to pollens and animal danders had symptoms both from the upper and lower airways and from the eyes. Among farmers with both asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis, the prevalence of positive RAST results for L. destructor and D. pteronyssinus were similar. The present study clearly demonstrates that mites are by far the most important allergens in the farming population on Gotland, whereas otherwise common allergens such as pollen and animal danders are clearly less significant.
Laser Doppler flowmetry for determining changes in cutaneous blood flow following intradermal injection of histamine
Authors: HOVELL C. J. , BEASLEY C. R. W. , MANI R. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in determining changes in cutaneous blood flow following intradermal injection of histamine has been investigated in this double‐blind study. In eight subjects blood flow (LDF) and weal‐and‐flare area (planimetry) were measured at regular intervals for 1 hr following 50‐μl injections of different concentrations of histamine (6.5 ± 10−5 ‐6.5 ± 10−3 M) and saline. The mean maximum increase in LDF values over the flare was at least nine‐fold greater than the baseline values for all three concentrations of histamine injected. When the LDF values observed at different sites were integrated to obtain the ‘LDF response’ it was possible to demonstrate concentration‐related increases in blood flow and to differentiate clearly between the different concentrations of histamine and saline for up to 30 min after injection. During this period, the repeatability and the time course of the LDF response was comparable with that of the flare area. These studies suggest that the non‐invasive technique of LDF is a sensitive and reproducible method for quantifying the changes in cutaneous blood flow that occurs for the first 30 min after intradermal injection of histamine.
Allergy in chronic haemodialysis. 1. Double‐blind intravenous challenge with formaldehyde
Authors: BOUSQUET J. , RIVORY J.‐P. , MAURICE F. , SKASSA‐BROCIEK W. , LARRSON P. , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , FLORENCE P. , MICHEL F. B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPatients undergoing chronic haemodialysis are often exposed to formaldehyde, formaldehyde (F) has been reported to cause IgE‐mediated anaphylactic shock. Many other patients reported pruritus or anaphylaxis‐like symptoms when dialysed with F‐sterilized dialysers. Ten patients presenting such symptoms were compared with five control subjects. Intravenous double‐blind challenges were performed on six consecutive occasions, with capillary flow dialysers sterilized with or without F. Dialysis was performed by an investigator who was not aware of the sterilization procedure. Among the ten F‐sensitive patients, five had symptoms with F‐sterilized dialysers and no symptoms with new dialysers, sterilized by ethylene oxide and free of F. Symptoms included pruritus and hypotension. These five patients were subsequently dialysed with new dialysers, not sterilized with F, and symptoms subsided. The five other patients had inconclusive challenges. The five control subjects had no symptoms during challenges. Skin‐prick tests with F showed that only one of the five patients who had symptoms with F‐dialysers had a strongly positive prick test. RAST to F was titrated with HSA‐discs but it was negative in all patients and control subjects. Formaldehyde was shown to cause symptoms in some patients under chronic haemodialysis but an IgE‐mediated mechanism was not demonstrated.
Nasal allergy to avian antigens
Authors: VAN WIJK R. GERTH , VAN TOORENENBERGEN A. W. , DIEGES P. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study describes the case of a patient who developed symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis on exposure to budgerigars and parrots. An IgE‐mediated allergy to budgerigar, parrot and pigeon antigens was demonstrated using both in‐vivo challenge tests (skin and nasal provocation tests) and in‐vitro investigations (radio‐allergo‐sorbent test, histamine release test). The study shows that the development of nasal disease can be associated with allergy to avian antigens.
Occupational asthma in nurses handling psyllium
Authors: CARTIER A. , MALO J.‐L. , DOLOVICH J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryFive nurses aged 31–55 years old had a history of asthmatic symptoms after being exposed to psyllium that they prepared and distributed to patients. They had been nurses for 9–20 years and had reported asthmatic symptoms related to work in the past 3–12 months. They reported symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and all were atopic but only one had a previous history of asthma. Four of the five tested subjects had an immediate skin reaction to a commercial psyllium extract. All had IgE antibodies to psyllium. At the time that they were investigated, four out of the five had a significant increase in bronchial responsiveness to methacholine (PC 20 <8 mg/ml). Inhalation challenges with psyllium caused isolated immediate (one subject) and dual reactions (three subjects). One subject exposed for only 1 min to the psyllium powder experienced a severe immediate bronchospastic reaction, which required intubation for 3 h with complete functional recovery thereafter. This experience illustrates the precautions necessary, with the inclusion of a cautious dose‐response approach, even with an‘occupation‐type’challenge in the laboratory.