bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basophil histamine release, IgE, eosinophil counts, ECP, and EPX are related to the severity of symptoms in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Winther L , Reimert CM , Skov PS , Kærgaard Poulsen L , Moseholm L 
Published: March 2003

Background: Serum specific IgE, basophil histamine release, and blood eosinophil parameters are associated with allergic rhinitis, but investigations of the relationship to the severity of allergic symptoms are few and conflicting. Our study aimed to investigate the seasonal changes in the following laboratory tests: specific IgE, basophil histamine release, eosinophil counts, and serum and plasma eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX), and to analyze, in detail, the relationship of each individual test to the severity of symptoms in rhinitis patients allergic to both birch and grass pollen. Methods: The above tests were performed on blood samples obtained from 49 allergic rhinitis patients during the birch‐pollen season, during the grass‐pollen season, and after the seasons. Symptom‐medication diaries were filled in during both pollen seasons. We used partial least square (PLS) analysis to establish an optimal statistical link between the symptom score and medication and the laboratory tests, in an investigator‐independent way. Results: Increases in specific IgE, basophil histamine release, eosinophil counts, serum ECP and EPX, and plasma EPX were observed from the birch‐pollen season to the grass‐pollen season, followed by a decrease from the grass‐pollen season to after the pollen seasons, except for the specific IgE. No seasonal changes in plasma ECP and total IgE were seen. The PLS analysis found a relationship between symptom score and medication and the aggregate laboratory tests (F‐test value 40.2, correlation 0.34 for the cumulative relation). However, the variation in laboratory tests could explain only half of the total variation in symptoms and less than a quarter of the total variation in medication. The symptom score and, to a minor degree, medication were especially correlated with the basophil histamine‐release results, with a decreasing relevance of specific IgE, eosinophil counts, total IgE, serum and plasma EPX, and serum ECP. Plasma ECP was not related to the symptom score and medication. Conclusions: A significant relationship between the severity of allergic rhinitis and various allergic inflammatory markers was found but could account for only a minor part of the variation in the patients' evaluation of their disease. Abbreviations: ACRI: mean daily capsules of acrivastine; ANTA: mean daily antazoline‐naphazoline eye‐drops; CAP: specific IgE measured by Pharmacia CAP System; ECP: eosinophil cationic protein; EOS: eosinophil counts; EPX: eosinophil protein X; HR: histamine release; HR15: lowest concentration of extract giving ≥15 ng histamine/ml blood in histamine‐release test; LEU: leukocyte counts; MAX: maximum histamine released (ng/ml) at any concentration of extract in histamine‐release test; NAL: nasal lavage; PLS: partial least square analysis; PRED: mean daily mg of prednisolone; SYMP: mean daily value of total symptom score.
Asthma in the desert: spectrum of the sensitizing aeroallergens
Authors: Ezeamuzie C. I. , Thomson M. S. , Al‐Ali S. , Dowaisan A. , Khan M. , Hijazi Z. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Bronchial asthma is common in Kuwait, a desert country, but the sensitizing allergens are uncertain. This study investigated the sensitizing allergens in Kuwaiti patients with extrinsic asthma. Methods: A total of 553 asthmatics (male:female ratio: 1.4; mean age: 31.7 years [range 3–76 years]) and 112 matched controls were studied. Sera from all patients/subjects were tested by the CAP‐RAST method for specific IgE to 14 locally relevant inhalant allergens. Results: Specific IgE to at least one allergen was detected in 87.2% of the patients compared with 24.1% in controls. Among the confirmed extrinsic asthmatics, the sensitization rates for the allergen groups were as follows: pollens (87.1%), house dust (76.1%), and molds (30.3%). The three most prevalent sensitizing pollens were from Chenopodium (70.7%), Bermuda grass (62.9%), and Prosopis (62.7%), all of which are horticultural plants imported for the purpose of “greening” the desert. For all allergens, except the molds, the prevalence rate was higher in males than females, but age had only a weak effect. Severe asthma occurred significantly more frequently among mold‐sensitized patients. Conclusions: These results show that even in a desert environment, pollens and house dust allergens may be important sensitizing allergens. They also illustrate how practices that “green” the desert can affect public health.
Development of allergies and asthma in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis – a prospective follow‐up to 7 years of age
Authors: Gustafsson D. , Sjöberg O. , Foucard T. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The prognosis of atopic dermatitis is usually good, but the risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis is very high. The aim of this study was to follow children with atopic eczema up to school age to chart the course of sensitization and development of clinical allergy, as well as to study risk factors of sensitization. Methods: Ninety‐four children with atopic dermatitis were followed up to 8 years of age. The children were examined twice a year up to 3 years of age, and thereafter once yearly. At each visit, a clinical examination was performed, and a blood sample was taken. After 3 years of age, skin prick tests (SPTs) with inhalation allergens were performed at each visit. Information was obtained about atopy in the family, feeding patterns during infancy, symptoms of atopic disease, infections, and environmental factors. Results: During the follow‐up, the eczema improved in 82 of the 94 children, but 43% developed asthma and 45% allergic rhinitis. The risk of developing asthma was higher in children with a heredity of eczema. Presence of severe eczema at the time of inclusion in the study was associated with an increased tendency to produce food‐specific IgE. An early onset of eczema was associated with an increased risk of sensitization to inhalant allergens, and development of urticaria. Early allergic reactions to food were associated with later reactions to food, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and sensitization to both food and inhalant allergens. Early feeding patterns, time of weaning, and introduction of solid food, did not influence the risk of development of allergic symptoms. A large number of periods or days with fever during the follow‐up was associated with an increased risk of developing allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Conclusions: Our results confirm the good prognosis for dermatitis and the increased risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis. Development of otherallergic symptoms or sensitization was associated withthe following factors: a family history of eczema, age at onset of eczema and its severity, early adverse reactions to foods, and proneness to infections.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled oral challenge study with lyophilized larvae and antigen of the fish parasite, Anisakis simplex
Authors: Sastre J. , Lluch‐Bernal M. , Quirce S. , Arrieta I. , Lahoz C. , Del Amo A. , Fernández‐Caldas E. , Marañón F. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The third‐stage larvae of Anisakis simplex may be a hidden source of allergens in fish. The objective was to determine whether the ingestion of lyophilized A. simplex larvae, or antigen, induces clinical symptoms in a group of A. simplex‐sensitized patients. Methods: Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled oral challenges were conducted in 11 individuals who had experienced allergic reactions after eating fish. Another patient had chronic urticaria unrelated to the ingestion of fish. All patients had positive skin tests and specific IgE determinations for A. simplex and negative skin tests to a battery of fish species. Conjunctival tests with A. simplex extracts were conducted in all patients and in five controls. The 12 patients received capsules containing either lactose or one, five, or 25 lyophilized larvae of A. simplex at 2‐h intervals in a double‐blind fashion. The highest single dose was 100 larvae. ECP and tryptase levels in serum were measured before and after the last oral challenge. Lyophilized antigen was also given to five patients. Results: None of the 12 patients experienced a positive reaction after the ingestion of the placebo, the lyophilized larvae, or the antigen. Tryptase and ECP levels before and after challenges did not change significantly. Conjunctival provocation tests were positive in 11 out of the 12 patients and in none of the controls. Conclusions: The ingestion of 100 lyophilized A. simplex larvae, or its equivalent in antigen, does not induce clinical symptoms in individuals with a clinical history and laboratory findings of hypersensitivity to A. simplex. The data suggest that only the ingestion of live larvae may be capable of inducing allergic manifestations.
Eotaxin in induced sputum of asthmatics: relationship with eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein in sputum
Authors: Yamada H. , Yamaguchi M. , Yamamoto K. , Nakajima T. , Hirai K. , Morita Y. , Sano Y. , Yamada H. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Eosinophilic inflammation is a crucial aspect of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. An eosinophil‐active chemokine, eotaxin, may play a role in the pathogenesis of the tissue eosinophilia accompanying asthma. Methods: Induced sputa were obtained from 53 patients with atopic asthma and six healthy subjects, and the concentration of eotaxin in the sputum was measured by ELISA. We investigated whether the sputum content of eotaxin is related to 1) asthma status or corticosteroid therapy, and 2) other sputum indices, including percentage of eosinophils and concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Results: The patients with stable or unstable asthma showed significantly higher concentrations of sputum eotaxin than the normal controls. The level of sputum eotaxin demonstrated a positive correlation with the percentage of eosinophils in stable asthmatics not receiving corticosteroid therapy, but not in stable patients treated with corticosteroids, or in unstable patients. Sputum eotaxin demonstrated a positive correlation with ECP in asthmatic patients who were either in a stable state or not receiving steroid therapy. Conclusions: The elevated level of eotaxin detected in association with increased eosinophils and ECP in the sputum of asthmatics suggests that eotaxin is involved in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic airway inflammation. The relationship of eotaxin to airway eosinophilia may be modified by the stability status of asthma and corticosteroid therapy.
Occupational IgE‐mediated allergy to Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle)
Authors: Alanko K. , Tuomi T. , Vanhanen M. , Pajari‐Backas M. , Kanerva L. , Havu K. , Saarinen K. , Bruynzeel D. P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: We report on IgE‐mediated allergy in a worker caused by Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). These beetles lived in the “old” flour to which he was exposed in his work. Case report: A 35‐year‐old, nonatopic mechanic in a rye crispbread factory developed rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as urticaria on his wrists, lower arms, hands, neck, and face, during the maintenance and repair of machines contaminated by flour. This flour had been in and on the machines for a long time, and it contained small beetles. The patient did not suffer any symptoms when handling fresh, clean flour. Results: Skin prick tests with standard environmental allergens, storage mites, enzymes, flours, and molds were negative. A prick test with flour from the machines gave a 10‐mm reaction. An open application of the same flour caused urticarial whealing on the exposed skin. Prick tests with fresh flour from the factory were negative. A prick test with minced T. confusum from the flour in the machines gave a 7‐mm reaction. Histamine hydrochloride 10 mg/ml gave a 7‐mm reaction. Specific serum IgE antibodies to T. confusum were elevated at 17.2 kU/l. Prick tests with the flour from the machines were negative in five control patients. Conclusions: The patient had occupational contact urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms from exposure to flour. His symptoms were caused by immediate allergy to the beetle T. confusum. Immediate allergy to this beetle has rarely been reported in connection with respiratory symptoms, but it may be more common. Contact urticaria from this source has not been reported before.
The relevance of skin prick tests for Pityrosporum ovale in patients with head and neck dermatitis
Authors: Devos S. A. , Van Der Valk P. G. M. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Patients with atopic dermatitis often develop immunoglobulin E antibodies against the yeast Pityrosporum ovale. This organism may produce positive skin prick reactions in a higher rate in patients with atopic dermatitis of the head, scalp, and neck region. Methods: We investigated whether positive prick tests to P. ovale were associated with a specific localization in the head and neck region. A total of 589 consecutive patients were prick tested with a P. ovale extract from ALK Abelló. Results: Thirty‐seven patients (6.3%) showed a positive reaction to the P. ovale extract. We could not find significant differences in the localizations of the dermatitis and the pattern of reaction to the tested intracutaneous allergens between the 37 patients positive to P. ovale and the control group of 55 subjects with negative reactions. In a subgroup, we found an elevated level of P. ovale‐specific IgE in 100.0% of the patients with head and neck dermatitis, compared with 13.6% in the atopic dermatitis patients with lesions in any other localization. Conclusions: Our results clearly show that P. ovale‐specific IgE is strongly related to the head and neck localization of atopic dermatitis, but RAST seems more sensitive than a prick test with the extract we used.
Mizolastine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a European clinical experience with 5408 patients managed in daily practice (PANEOS SAR Study)
Authors: Bachert C. , Vovolis V. , Margari P. , Murrieta‐Aguttes M. , Santoni J. P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Mizolastine, a potent H1 antihistamine with additional antiallergic properties, is marketed for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. The objective was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of mizolastine under conditions of daily practice in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). Methods: In an open multicenter study, mizolastine 10 mg daily was administered for 14 days during the pollen season. Nasal and ocular symptoms, time to onset of symptom relief, and effect of the drug on diurnal alertness were evaluated. Safety was evaluated on the basis of self‐reported adverse events (AE). Results: A total of 5408 patients (36±14 years of age, females=57%) with a history of SAR for 8±9 years were treated for a mean of 17.1±5.0 days. SAR symptoms improved in 93% and decreased by at least 50% in 86% of patients; 78% reported improvement after the first drug intake and 51% from the first hour. Sixty‐nine percent considered mizolastine more effective than other antihistamines taken previously. The incidence of AE was low (3.8%). Conclusions: The high responder rate, the rapid onset of action, and the low incidence of AE observed in this large multicenter study confirm the previously reported beneficial efficacy and safety of mizolastine in the management of SAR.
IgE‐mediated downregulation of L‐selectin (CD62L) on lymphocytes from asthmatic patients
Authors: Monteseirín J. , Llamas E. , Sánchez‐Monteseirín H. , Bonilla I. , Camacho M. J. , Conde J. , Sobrino F. , Sobrino F. 
Published: March 2003

Background: L‐selectin (CD62L) mediates the binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules of peripheral lymph nodes and is also involved in leukocyte attachment to the endothelium at sites of inflammation. Although it has been demonstrated that L‐selectin is shed after lymphocyte activation, it is unknown whether the expression of L‐selectin on the surface of lymphocytes can be modulated by an IgE‐dependent mechanism or whether immunotherapy (IT) might affect this mechanism. Methods: One group of adult allergic asthmatic patients had received IT for the previous 3 years. Another similar group was not treated with IT. We challenged peripheral blood lymphocytes from both groups of asthmatic patients in vitro with an anti‐IgE antibody (Ab). Expression of L‐selectin on the lymphocyte surface was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the levels of soluble L‐selectin (sL‐selectin) on culture supernatant by ELISA. Results: L‐selectin was downregulated from the surface of lymphocytes in a time‐ and anti‐IgE antibody dose‐dependent manner (with a concomitant upregulation of shed L‐selectin in the supernatant). When lymphocytes from non‐IT asthmatic patients were cultivated with anti‐IgE Ab, a statistically significantly greater CD62L downmodulation on the lymphocyte surface was observed compared with lymphocytes from the healthy group (P<0.002) and from the IT‐asthmatic group (P<0.001). When lymphocytes from non‐IT asthmatic patients were cultivated with anti‐IgE Ab, a significantly greater sL‐selectin level in the culture supernatant was observed compared with lymphocytes from the healthy group (P<0.001) and with lymphocytes from IT‐asthmatic group (P<0.001). Conclusions: We present evidence that the expression of L‐selectin on the surface of lymphocytes can be modulated by an IgE‐dependent mechanism. This mechanism can be affected by IT.
Duration of the antihistaminic effect after discontinuation of ebastine
Authors: Frossard N. , Vital‐Durand D. , Mounedji N. , Valleteau A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The inhibitory effect of antihistamines on allergen‐induced skin reactions can impair the results of allergen skin testing, which are necessary for the diagnosis of atopic diseases. This study was designed to determine the time period required for the inhibitory effect of ebastine on allergen‐induced skin reactivity to disappear completely. Methods: This was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study including 23 out of 27 randomized patients. They received either ebastine 20 mg or placebo once daily for 7 days. At the end of treatment, allergen challenge was performed daily for 7 days. Histamine challenge was performed on day 1 (6 and 24 h) and day 5 after treatment. The wheal and flare surface areas were measured and analyzed. Results: Highly significant inhibition of the wheal and flare response induced by allergen was observed after ebastine treatment on days 1 and 2 as compared with placebo (P<0.01 for both). The inhibition was reduced, although still significant, by day 3 (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed by day 4 between the ebastine and the placebo groups. The effects of histamine challenge were significantly reduced in the ebastine compared with the placebo group at day 1 (6 and 24 h), and were similar at day 5 after treatment. Conclusions: Our results show that the wheal and flare response to allergen after ebastine discontinuation returns to placebo values after 4 days. Therefore, patients using ebastine need to be antihistamine‐free for 4 days before the skin prick test. This is valuable information for the allergologist seeking to diagnose allergen sensitivity.
Skin reactions to histamine of healthy subjects after hypnotically induced emotions of sadness, anger, and happiness
Authors: Zachariae R. , Jørgensen M. M. , Egekvist H. , Bjerring P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The severity of symptoms in asthma and other hypersensitivity‐related disorders has been associated with changes in mood but little is known about the mechanisms possibly mediating such a relationship. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of mood on skin reactivity to histamine by comparing the effects of hypnotically induced emotions on flare and wheal reactions to cutaneous histamine prick tests. Methods: Fifteen highly hypnotically susceptible volunteers had their cutaneous reactivity to histamine measured before hypnosis at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 15 min after the histamine prick. These measurements were repeated under three hypnotically induced emotions of sadness, anger, and happiness presented in a counterbalanced order. Skin reactions were measured as change in histamine flare and wheal area in mm2 per minute. Results: The increase in flare reaction in the time interval from 1 to 3 min during happiness and anger was significantly smaller than flare reactions during sadness (P<0.05). No effect of emotion was found for wheal reactions. Hypnotic susceptibility scores were associated with increased flare reactions at baseline (r=0.56; P<0.05) and during the condition of happiness (r=0.56; P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results agree with previous studies showing mood to be a predictor of cutaneous immediate‐type hypersensitivity and histamine skin reactions. The results are also in concordance with earlier findings of an association between hypnotic susceptibility and increased reactivity to an allergen.
Similar T helper Th2‐like cytokine mRNA expression in vernal keratoconjunctivitis regardless of atopic constitution
Authors: Montan P. G. , Scheynius A. , Van Der Ploeg I. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Many patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a severe chronic allergic eye disease in children, exhibit IgE‐sensitization, but about 40% of cases lack this immunologic trait. As a disease factor in VKC, IgE is thus not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are any differences in the conjunctival cytokine messenger (m)RNA pattern related to IgE‐sensitization in children suffering from VKC. Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from 16 symptomatic VKC subjects with sub‐tarsal disease and six control subjects. Expression of mRNA for interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and interferon (IFN)‐γ was investigated with a semiquantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) technique. The presence of T cells, IgE+ cells, mast cells, and eosinophils was analyzed with immunohistochemical methods. Allergen‐specific IgE antibodies were assessed in serum and with skin prick testing. Results: Ten out of the 16 VKC subjects showed evidence of IgE‐sensitization. No differences were detected for any tissue variable between VKC subjects with and without IgE‐sensitization. Statistically significant increases over controls were found for both VKC groups with regard to all cell markers. Conclusions: The amount of messenger RNA encoding cytokines and inflammatory cell markers in VKC did not correlate with IgE‐sensitization. Tissue changes in all patient samples were characterized by a prevalence of T cells, eosinophils, mast cells and cell‐bound IgE molecules. However, the role of cell‐bound IgE molecules in VKC patients lacking IgE‐sensitization remains to be determined.