bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of IgE antibodies against purified grass‐pollen allergens (Phl p 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12) in sera of patients allergic to grass pollen
Authors: Rossi R. E. , Monasterolo G. , Monasterolo S. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Current allergy diagnosis is performed with allergen extracts which contain a variety of allergenic and nonallergenic components. The availability of highly purified and well‐characterized allergen molecules seems to be an advantage of component‐based diagnosis. Methods: With the immunoenzymatic CAP FEIA System, we measured specific IgE levels to the recombinant allergens rPhl p 1, rPhl p 2, rPhl p 5, rPhl p 6, rPhl p 7, rPhl p 11, rPhl p 12, and native Phl p 4 in 77 sera of patients allergic to grass pollen, in order to evaluate the IgE‐binding frequency to these purified grass‐pollen allergens and their relationship to rBet v 4, rBet v 2, and other allergens. Results: The frequency of sensitization was as follows: rPhl p 1=93.5%; rPhl p 2=67.5%; rPhl p 5=72.7%; rPhl p 6=68.8%; rPhl p 7=7.8%; rPhl p 11=53.2%; rPhl p 12=35.1%; and native Phl p 4=88.3%. As expected, rPhl p 7 and rPhl p 12 had a very good correlation (Spearman's r) with Bet v 4 (r=0.95%, P<0.05) and rBet v 2 (r=0.99, P<0.05), respectively. Good correlations of rPhl p 12 with papain (r=0.93, P<0.05), latex (r=0.92, P<0.05), and bromelain (r=0.86, P<0.05) were found. Highly variable individual sensitization patterns were observed. Conclusions: A new clinical approach has allowed the determination of specific allergograms for the different patients and may therefore be of great importance for more specific diagnosis. The use of component‐resolved diagnostics may be useful to evaluate the allergen content of an extract for immunotherapy by monitoring patient's IgE and IgG directed to relevant allergens.
Tomato allergy in children and young adults: cross‐reactivity with latex and potato
Authors: Reche M. , Pascual C. Y. , Vicente J. , Caballero T. , Muñoz F. M. , Sanchez S. , Esteban M. M. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Several studies have shown that allergy to natural rubber latex is associated with cross‐reactivity to certain foods such as tomato and potato. The objective was to investigate the clinical and immunologic differences between a group of patients with clinical allergy to tomato and latex and another which had only clinical allergy to tomato. We also aimed to assess, in vitro, the relationship of tomato and latex allergens, which could explain the cross‐reactivity. Methods: Forty patients with histories of adverse reactions to tomato and IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity were enrolled in the study. Tomato, latex, and potato components were analyzed by SDS–PAGE immunoblotting. CAP and immunoblot inhibition were used to study allergen cross‐reactivity. Results: Patients from group A had a mean age of 13.2 years, and in group B the mean age was 21.7 years. In group B, 9/10 patients belonged to the latex‐fruits syndrome. All patients of both groups tolerated potato. Immunoblotting patterns obtained with patients' sera from pool A showed IgE‐binding bands to tomato ranging from 44 to 46 kDa and a triple band at 67 kDa. For latex, there was a strong binding at 44 kDa, and potato showed a strong band of 44 kDa and a 67‐kDa triple band. In pool B, the binding to the band of 44 kDa in latex and tomato was more intense than in pool A. In pool A, immunoblot inhibition with potato allergen showed an intense inhibition of the three allergens (potato, latex, and tomato); with latex, inhibition was partial and with tomato, a complete inhibition of tomato and latex was observed, and a partial inhibition of potato. In pool B, the inhibition pattern followed a similar tendency to pool A. The CAP inhibition confirmed the high rate of cross‐reactivity between tomato, potato, and latex. Conclusions: In our study, tomato, potato, and latex showed a common band of 44–46 kDa probably corresponding to patatin. This protein could be implicated in the high cross‐reactivity between tomato, latex, and potato observed in the immunoblot and CAP inhibition.
Dietary micronutrients/antioxidants and their relationship with bronchial asthma severity
Authors: Picado C. , Deulofeu R. , Lleonart R. , Agustí M. , Mullol J. , Torra M. , Quintó L. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Because little is known about micronutrient/antioxidant intake and asthma severity, we investigated dietary intake and plasma/serum levels of micronutrients/antioxidants in a group of asthma patients with various degrees of severity, and compared the results with healthy subjects. Methods: A case control study was carried out on 118 asthma patients and 121 healthy subjects. The severity of the disease was classified by division of patients into four groups. Normal dietary micronutrient/antioxidant intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. Plasma/serum levels of vitamins C, E, and A, selenium, magnesium, zinc, and platelet glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were also determined. Results: No differences in daily micronutrient/antioxidant intake were seen between patients and healthy subjects. The severity of the disease showed no significant relationship with micronutrient/antioxidant intake. There were no differences in plasma/serum levels in any of the micronutrients/antioxidants between healthy subjects and asthmatics. Nor were any differences found between asthma groups in severity in the biochemical measures, except in platelet GSH‐Px activity, which was significantly lower in the most severe groups. Conclusions: In this study, we found no evidence of any association between micronutrient/antioxidant intake or plasma/serum levels of micronutrients/antioxidants and asthma. Reduction of platelet GSH‐Px activity in the most severe patients suggests that these patients have a diminished capacity to restore part of the antioxidant defences.
Effectiveness of occlusive bedding in the treatment of atopic dermatitis – a placebo‐controlled trial of 12 months' duration
Authors: Holm L. , Öhman S. , Bengtsson Å. , Van Hage‐Hamsten M. , Scheynius A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Several studies on avoidance of house‐dust‐mite (HDM) and cat allergens have been carried out, most of them in asthmatic patients and only a few in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). No study so far has focused on which subgroup of AD patients benefits from avoidance measures. Methods: Forty adult patients with AD completed the 12‐month avoidance study. They were divided into an active treatment (n=22) and a placebo (n=18) group. Active treatment comprised use of polyurethane‐coated cotton encasings for bedding, and placebo use of cotton covers. Patients came for regular checkups during the 12‐month period, when eczema severity was assessed and blood samples were analyzed for total IgE, HDM‐ and cat‐specific IgE and soluble CD30 (sCD30) in serum. Dust samples were collected from mattresses before treatment and after 3, 6, and 12 months, and analyzed for content of HDM and cat allergen. Results: Eczema severity decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.001), with a more pronounced decrease in patients with active covers. The HDM exposure decreased significantly in the active treatment group (P<0.001), and the levels of HDM‐specific IgE were reduced (P<0.05). Exposure to cat allergens was unchanged in the active treatment group but decreased, albeit not significantly (P=0.19), in the placebo group. sCD30 levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.001). Patients not sensitized to HDM allergens benefited from the bedcovers as much as sensitized patients. Conclusions: Occlusive bedding significantly reduced HDM exposure in bed (P<0.001) and eczema severity, and sCD30 levels decreased significantly (P<0.001). Patients not sensitized to HDM and not exposed to HDM allergens benefited equally from use of the bedcovers, a result which could be due to a reduction of other important allergens, superantigens, or irritants in bed. We therefore recommend the use of bedcovers as part of treatment for AD.
Increase of asthma in adults in northern Finland?– a report from the FinEsS study
Authors: Kotaniemi J‐T. , Lundbäck B. , Nieminen M. M. , Sovijärvi A. R. A. , Laitinen L. A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: According to previous studies, the prevalence of asthma has been lower in Finland than in other Nordic countries. In the present study, we assessed the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in northern Finland and calculated risk factors for these conditions. Methods: In November 1995, 7937 randomly selected subjects, 20‐69 years of age, in northern Finland were invited to participate in a postal questionnaire survey. Complete answers were received from 6633 subjects (83.6%). Results: Asthma diagnosed by a physician was reported by 6.0%, while 6.3% were using asthma medicines. Asthma was most common in young adults and the elderly. The prevalence of wheezing during the previous 12 months was reported by 19.7%, while wheezing with shortness of breath apart form colds during the previous 12 months was reported by 7.1%. Only small differences between the sexes were found in prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms. All symptoms were strongly smoking‐dependent. Sixty‐three percent of men and 42% of women were current or ex‐smokers. Family history of obstructive airway disease was the strongest risk factor for asthma (OR 2.9), while increasing age, smoking, and family history of obstructive airway disease were the most important risk factors for frequent wheeze. Conclusions: The results indicate that the prevalence of asthma and symptoms associated with asthma in adults in northern Finland is now similar to that observed in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.
Determination of Blomia tropicalis‐specific IgE and IgG subclasses in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Mori J. C. , Pires M. C. , Galvão C. E. S. , Ferreira de Mello J. , Golcher F. M. , Montealegre F. 
Published: March 2003

Background: To verify the importance of Blomia tropicalis in atopic dermatitis (AD), we determined the cutaneous reactivity and the serum level of B. tropicalis‐specific IgE and IgG subclasses in AD patients. Methods: B. tropicalis‐specific IgE and IgG subclasses were determined in AD patients and compared with bronchial asthma (BA) patients and a control group (CG) of nonatopic subjects. Specific IgE was obtained by skin prick test and RAST. B. tropicalis‐specific IgG subclasses were determined by ELISA. The data were statistically analyzed by chi‐square test (Mantel‐Haenszel) and odds ratio (OR). Results: We detected positive skin prick tests in 61.76% of AD and 83.33% of BA patients, and in 12.5% of the CG. RAST was positive in 44.12% of AD and in 61.90% of BA patients, but not in the CG. B. tropicalis‐specific IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses showed no significant differences between the three groups. IgG3 subclass positivity was statistically significant in AD patients (41.17%) when compared to BA patients (14.29%) and the CG (16.67%). The determination of B. tropicalis‐specific IgG4 was positive in 32.35% of AD patients, 21.43% of BA patients, and 8.33% of the CG. Conclusions: These results confirm that the storage mite B. tropicalis is an important allergen in AD. It is possible that IgG3 activates the complement in AD patients, releasing vasoactive amines that further amplify the allergic reaction. The positive results of the B. tropicalis‐specific IgG4 found in AD and BA were probably due to chronic exposure to this storage mite in the home environment.
Eosinophil cationic protein and specific IgE in serum and nasal mucosa of patients with grass‐pollen‐allergic rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Sensi L. G. , Marcucci F. , Migali E. , Coniglio G. 
Published: March 2003

Background: After allergen exposure, IgE‐bearing mast cells surface in respiratory mucosa. Eosinophils are also recruited locally by chemotactic mediators; they are the main cell directly involved in the late phase of allergic inflammation. IgE antibody and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are routinely determined mainly in serum although they exert their pathogenetic role more directly on mucosal surfaces. Methods: We performed a comparative study of IgE antibody to grass and ECP on nasal mucosa and blood samples in order to evaluate the relevance of monitoring allergic inflammation in the target organ. Thirty‐one patients and 10 nonatopic controls were enrolled in the protocol. Twenty‐six subjects allergic to grass, 11 with rhinitis (group 1) and 15 with asthma and rhinitis (group 2), completed the study. Five patients dropped out. Specific IgE to grass and ECP was determined in nasal mucosa by our method based on in situ incubation. Results: Serum IgE to grass did not increase during the pollen peak, as did nasal IgE, in group 1 from before the pollen peak, from 2.3 to 3.2 kU/l (P=0.02), and in group 2 at the pollen peak, from 4.8 to 12.2 kU/l (P=0.01). Serum ECP did not show any significant variation in group 1, but it increased at pollen peak from 6 to 11.2 µg/l (P=0.01) in group 2. Nasal ECP increased significantly in both groups even before the pollen peak. In group 1, ECP values rose from 15 to 39.9 µg/l (P=0.01). In group 2, ECP increase was much higher than in group 1, from 9 to 213 µg/l (P=0.001). Serum eosinophils, like nasal ECP, showed a significant increase of values from before the pollen peak in both groups, without correlation with serum ECP in rhinitic patients. Conclusions: Both specific IgE and ECP in the nasal mucosa showed a better correlation with allergen exposure than serum evaluations. With an appropriate method, allergic inflammation may be best monitored in the nasal mucosa.
The prevalence of CMA/CMPI in young children: the validity of parentally perceived reactions in a population‐based study
Authors: Eggesbø M. , Botten G. , Halvorsen R. , Magnus P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adverse reactions to milk, as population‐based prevalence estimates based on objective diagnostic procedures are rare. Methods: Children with parentally reported reactions to milk were selected for further examination from a population‐based cohort of 2721 children. At the age of 2½ years, they underwent a stepwise diagnostic procedure that included diet trials at home, skin prick tests, and open and double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenges. A sample of children with symptoms not attributed to milk was selected for assessment of unrecognized reactions. Results: The estimated point prevalence of cow's milk allergy and cow's milk protein intolerance (CMA/CMPI) in children with parentally perceived reactions at the age of 2½ years was estimated to be 1.1% (CI 0.8–1.6). However, this was an underestimate, as unrecognized reactions were detected. Most reactions were not IgE‐mediated. The positive predictive value of a parentally perceived reaction depended on the number of times it had been reported and was good for reactions reported three times (at 12, 18, and 24 months of age). Conclusions: The present study confirms previous findings that parents overestimate milk as a cause of symptoms in their children; however, it also indicates that unrecognized reactions may be a problem as well.
Specific IgE antibodies to peanut in western Sweden – has the occurrence of peanut allergy increased without an increase in consumption?
Authors: Van Odijk J. , Ahlstedt S. , Bengtsson U. , Hulthén L. , Borres M.P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Sensitization to peanut has seldom been investigated in Sweden. Therefore, all IgE‐specific tests for peanut during a 5‐year period were reviewed to study the relation between the levels of specific IgE antibody to peanut and age, sex, symptoms, and other atopic manifestations. Methods: All serum samples were analyzed for IgE antibodies to peanut in relation to sex, age, clinical reactions, and other food allergens. A subgroup was asked to answer a questionnaire about symptoms and atopic manifestations in relation to IgE antibody levels. Results: During the study period, 2417 tests were made for peanut. There was an increased prevalence of detectable IgE antibodies during the years studied. More than 80 individuals under 2 years of age were sensitized to peanut. In the subgroup, individuals with detectable IgE antibodies reported a shorter reaction time after eating peanuts than individuals with normal IgE antibody levels (P<0.05). Conclusions: The reaction pattern to peanuts in Sweden is similar to that in many other countries despite a reported steady and low consumption. The severity of symptoms was connected to age and IgE antibody level. Patients with normal or low IgE antibody levels were not always free of symptoms even though their risk of allergic symptoms was reduced.
Urine eosinophil protein X (EPX) is an in vitro parameter of inflammation in atopic dermatitis of the adult age
Authors: Breuer K. , Kapp A. , Werfel T. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Eosinophils are important effector cells in several atopic diseases. The levels of eosinophil granule‐derived mediators (ECP, EPX) in serum and body fluids have been proven to be correlated with disease activity in atopic respiratory diseases and atopic dermatitis. The study aimed to demonstrate an interrelationship between urine EPX and disease activity in adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods: We determined urine EPX concentration, serum ECP concentration, and peripheral blood eosinophil count in 40 adult patients with mild to severe atopic dermatitis and compared it with the disease activity as assessed with the SCORAD index. Results: Urine EPX and serum ECP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with severe atopic dermatitis than in patients with mild or moderate disease (median values 123.5 vs 78.3 µg/mmol creatinine, P<0.0001; 25.4 vs 14.9 µg/l, P<0.0001, respectively). We found a significant correlation between urine EPX levels, serum ECP levels, and the SCORAD (r=0.36, P<0.0001 and 0.34, P<0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Urine EPX is a useful in vitro parameter of inflammation in atopic dermatitis of the adult age.
Childhood farm environment and asthma and sensitization in young adulthood
Authors: Kilpeläinen M. , Terho E. O. , Helenius H. , Koskenvuo M. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Farm environment in childhood may protect against sensitization, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.Methods: Subjects were obtained from 10 667 Finnish first‐year university students who responded to a questionnaire survey on IgE‐mediated diseases. Two random samples were selected from 1631 respondents in Turku: subjects with asthma or wheezing, and subjects without asthmatic symptoms. A total of 296 subjects (72%) participated. Skin prick tests (SPT), measurements of IgE‐antibodies, methacholine challenge, and bronchodilation tests were performed. Weighted occurrence of current asthma and sensitization among students from “childhood farm” and “childhood nonfarm” environments were analyzed.Results: Current asthma was found in 3.1% of subjects with childhood farm environment, and in 12.4% with nonfarm environment (odds ratio (OR) 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.70). There were fewer positive SPT to birch (8.3 vs. 24.2%, OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.07–1.15) and timothy pollen (12.6 vs. 30.3%, OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.09–1.20) among subjects with childhood farm environment, but more sensitization to house‐dust mite (22.0 vs. 4.9%, OR 5.43, 95% CI 1.60–18.46). Sensitization to cat (RAST class ≥ 3) was less common in subjects with farm compared to nonfarm environments in childhood (1.5 vs. 13.1%; OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.47).Conclusions: Farm environment in childhood protects against adult asthma and sensitization—especially to cat—the most important asthma related allergen. In contrast, sensitization to house‐dust mite was more common in farming subjects.
Oral antibiotic adverse reactions after penicillin skin testing: multi‐year follow‐up
Authors: Macy E. , Burchette R. J. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Long‐term follow‐up data on adverse drug reactions after oral antibiotic use in penicillin allergy history positive individuals with penicillin skin test done in advance of need are rare.Methods: Oral antibiotic associated adverse drug reactions in 83 penicillin skin test positive individuals were compared to a sex, age, and length of follow‐up matched sample of 166 penicillin skin test negative individuals, all of whom had at least one post penicillin skin test oral antibiotic. The mean post penicillin skin test follow‐up interval was 34.5 ± 16.6 months. There were 1655 total oral antibiotic exposures.Results: In penicillin skin test positive individuals, the adverse drug reaction rate was not significantly different with cephalosporin or non‐beta‐lactam use (P = 0.12). In penicillin skin test negative individuals the adverse drug reaction rate was significantly lower with cephalosporin vs. non‐beta‐lactam use (P = 0.005). Penicillin was safely used in penicillin skin test negative individuals. Overall cephalosporins caused fewer adverse drug reactions independent of penicillin skin test status (P = 0.005).Conclusions:   Penicillin skin testing was only able to predict penicillin associated adverse drug reactions in penicillin skin test positive individuals. Excluding accidental penicillin exposure in penicillin skin test positive individuals, non‐beta‐lactams were associated with adverse drug reactions more often than penicillins or cephalosporins, independent of the penicillin skin test result. Cephalosporins were used as or more safely than non‐beta‐lactams in both penicillin skin test positive and negative individuals.
Hemin, a heme oxygenase substrate analog, both inhibits and enhances neutrophil random migration and chemotaxis
Authors: Andersson J. A. , Uddman R. , Cardell L.‐O. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO), is an endogenously produced gas, generated by the rate‐limiting enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), present in man throughout the respiratory tract. CO can elicit important physiological responses like bronchial relaxation and vasodilation. Both HO expression and CO levels in the airways increase in response to hypoxic challenge and to a wide variety of inflammatory stimuli, such as intermittent allergic rhinitis, asthma and upper respiratory tract infections. A role for CO in airway regulation and inflammation has therefore been suggested. However, information about CO‐induced effects on cells involved in airway inflammation is scarce. The present study was designed to investigate if the HO substrate analog hemin could affect neutrophil random migration, and N‐formyl‐L‐methionyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐phenylalanine (fMLP) induced chemotaxis.Methods: Hemin was added to and incubated with whole blood and the effects of the anticipated CO production were then evaluated on isolated neutrophils using a chemotaxis chamber.Results: A biphasic dose–response curve emerged for both the neutrophil spontaneous random migration and the fMLP‐induced chemotaxis. Low concentrations of hemin (10−11 m to 10−9 m) enhanced the migratory response, whereas higher concentrations (10−7 m and 10−5 m) inhibited migration. The inhibition induced by hemin on fMLP‐induced migration was abolished after pre‐treatment with Rp‐8Br‐cyclicGMPS, an inhibitor of cyclicGMP.Conclusions: The present data indicate that endogenously produced CO can affect both spontaneous and stimulated neutrophil migration, partly via a cyclicGMP‐related process, hence strengthening the idea of a role for CO in airway inflammation.