bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between antigen‐specific IL‐2 response test and provocation test for egg allergy in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Noma  , Yoshizawa Izumi , Aoki  , Sugawara  , Odajima  , Kabasawa  , Matsui  , Yata  , Yamaguchi  , Mukouyama  , Baba  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe antigen‐specific interleukin‐2 response (AIR) test using lymphocytes is effective in searching for the antigen which causes allergic diseases and understanding their disease activity .Objective and MethodsThe correlation between the raw egg oral provocation test and egg white antigen‐specific interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) response test was investigated in 123 children with infantile atopic dermatitis and 13 children with bronchial asthma.ResultsAmong the 83 who showed positive reactions to provocation, 75 also reacted positively to the AIR test (sensitivity, 90.4%), while among the 53 children who showed negative responses to antigen provocation, 45 produced negative responses to the AIR test (specificity, 84.9%). The specificity of egg white IgE RAST score and skin‐prick test are 88.7 and 81.3% which are comparable to that of the AIR test. However, their sensitivity was low (38.6 and 66.7%). In the patterns of symptom developed in the provocation AIR displayed late and delayed type allergic responses in addition to the immediate type which RAST reflected. The RAST‐negative group composed of 98 patients included 51 (52.0%) who exhibited positive reactions to the provocation test. Among these 44 responded positively to the AIR test (86.3%).ConclusionThe AIR test is effective for screening egg white antigen as part of the tests for antigens responsible for allergic diseases and as a test to ascertain the relevant antigens, and that the conditions that could not be diagnosed by RAST can be detected by the AIR test.
Effects of birch pollen‐specific immunotherapy on apple allergy in birch pollen‐hypersensitive patients
Authors: Asero  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundMost patients with birch pollen allergy report oral allergy symptoms after eating fresh apples and other vegetable foods. Major birch pollen and apple allergens, Bet v 1 and Mal d 1, are highly homologous; as a consequence, pollen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) might be expected to improve apple hypersensitivity.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and immunological effects of birch pollen SIT on oral allergy syndrome (OAS) induced by apples.MethodsA prospective study carried out in 49 birch pollen‐sensitive patients with apple‐induced OAS who received injection immunotherapy for 12, 24, or 36 months. Twenty‐six patients not submitted to SIT and followed up for 12–48 months were used as controls. Both SPT and open oral challenges with fresh golden delicious apple were performed, as well as specific IgE measurements, before and after SIT.ResultsForty‐one patients (84%) vs no control (0%) reported a significant reduction (50–95%) or a total disappearance (100%) of OAS symptoms after SIT (P < 0.001). Similar responses were observed in patients treated for 12, 24, or 36 months. SIT also induced a marked reduction in skin reactivity against fresh apple in 43 patients (88%). The effect of SIT was inversely related with baseline skin reactivity: 50% and 8% patients with a weakly or strongly positive baseline apple skin prick tests (SPT), respectively, did not report changes in OAS severity after SIT (P < 0.01). In contrast, baseline birch pollen‐specific or apple‐specific IgE antibodies levels did not influence SIT effectiveness on OAS. SIT induced a marked decrease in birch pollen‐specific IgE levels (P < 0.001), whereas apple‐specific IgE showed an unexpected variability (reduction in 21%, no change in 43%, increase in 38%). No control subject reported a reduction in OAS severity or showed a decrease in skin reactivity at follow‐up (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSIT with birch pollen extracts effectively reduces clinical apple sensitivity and skin reactivity in most cases after only 1 year of treatment; these effects are not paralleled by a similar reduction in apple‐specific IgE. These findings suggest a decrease in activability of effector cells as the mechanism underlying clinical benefit.
Serum eosinophil cationic protein: distribution and reproducibility in a randomly selected sample of men living in rural Norfolk, UK
Authors: Marks  , Kjellerby  , Luczynska  , Burney  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIt has been proposed that serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) may be a clinically useful measure in allergic illness. The aim of this report is to describe the distribution and reproducibility of serum ECP levels in a population sample and to examine its relationship with other markers of disease.MethodsThe study was conducted in rural areas of Norfolk, UK in a random sample of men aged 20–44 years enriched with subjects drawn from general practice ‘asthma registers’. Asthma symptoms were assessed using the EC Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. Atopy was measured by skin prick tests and serum IgE. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was tested by methacholine challenge test. Serum IgE and ECP was measured by fluoroimmunoassay using the Pharmacia CAP system. Reference equations were derived in subjects from the random sample who did not have symptoms of asthma, abnormal lung function or AHR. The relation of serum ECP with various clinical characteristics was examined in the whole study population. Reproducibility of serum ECP measurement was assessed in 57 subjects 4 weeks after the initial test.ResultsThe study population comprised 311 from the random sample and 58 from the asthma sample. The reference equation for serum ECP for healthy men was log10 ECP = 1.3966 − [(age − 20) × 0.0057]. The estimated mean serum ECP for a 20‐year‐old man was 25 μg/L. Current smokers have higher serum ECP levels that non‐smokers (P = 0.014). ECP levels were not related to the skin prick test reactivity, serum IgE, a questionnaire‐based diagnosis of asthma, or impaired lung function (all P > 0.05). Levels were higher in subjects with AHR (P = 0.003) and those who reported wheeze (P = 0.017) but there was no clinically useful separation in ECP levels between subjects classified by these criteria. The test was moderately reproducible over a 4‐week period (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.62).DiscussionSerum ECP levels were higher in this rural English population than reported in a comparable population in Sweden. Serum ECP is a reproducible test but cross‐sectionally does not relate in any clinically useful way to markers of asthma. The meaning of between‐ subject differences in ECP levels requires further exploration.
Diesel exhaust particulates upregulate histamine receptor mRNA and increase histamine‐induced IL‐8 and GM‐CSF production in nasal epithelial cells and endothelial cells
Authors: TERADA  , HAMANO  , MAESAKO  , HIRUMA  , HOHKI  , SUZUKI  , ISHIKAWA  , KONNO  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundHistamine is the most important chemical mediator in the pathogenesis of nasal allergy. Diesel exhaust particulates (DEPs) are common air pollutants from diesel engine‐powered car exhaust and cause chronic airway diseases. Recently we observed that the nasal reactivity to histamine was enhanced in diesel exhaust‐exposed guinea‐pigs. It was also revealed that epithelial cells and endothelial cells in the airway produce certain cytokines in response to histamine.ObjectiveWe examined the effects of DEP extract on the expression of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) mRNA in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells (HMMECs), and on the production of IL‐8 and GM‐CSF induced by histamine.MethodsHNECs and HMMECs were isolated from human nasal mucosa specimens. HNEC and HMMEC monolayers were cultured in the presence or absence of DEP extract. The change in the expression of H1R mRNA was then evaluated by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and the Southern blot analysis. To investigate the effects of DEP extract on the histamine‐induced cytokine production, HNEC and HMMEC monolayers were cultured in the presence or absence of DEP extract for 3–24 h. After three washes with PBS, they were then incubated with 10−6 mol/L histamine for 24 h. The amounts of IL‐8 and GM‐CSF in the culture media were measured by enzyme‐linked immunoabsorent assay.ResultsDEP extract increased the expression of H1R mRNA in both HNECs and HMMECs. The amount of IL‐8 and GM‐CSF, induced by histamine, was significantly higher in DEP extract pretreated HNECs and HMMECs than nontreated HNECs and HMMECs.ConclusionThese results strongly suggest that DEP accelerates the inflammatory change by not only directly upregulating H1R expression but also increasing histamine‐induced IL‐8 and GM‐CSF production.
Association between body mass index and allergy in teenage girls in Taiwan
Authors: Huang  , Shiao  , Chou  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe prevalence of atopy and asthma is affected by age, sex and lifestyle factors. Obesity was reported to be a risk factor for asthmatic symptoms in children and adults.ObjectiveTo examine the relation between body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of atopy, rhinitis, wheezing and bronchial responsiveness in adolescents.MethodsBMI (kg/m2), skin‐prick test, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine, and self‐reported rhinitis and airway symptoms were assessed in a cross‐sectional survey in 1459 eighth‐grade students (age 13.2 to 15.5, mean 13.6 years) of seven junior high schools in northern Taiwan.ResultsThe prevalence of atopy was 42% in boys and 27% in girls. The study population was grouped into quintiles of BMI by sex. Girls in the highest BMI quintile had higher prevalence of atopy and rhinitis symptoms. Compared with the middle three quintiles, they had increased risk of atopy in multivariate analyses adjusted for area of living, sibling number, parent education level and family history of asthma (odds ratio = 1.77, 95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.73). Girls with the lowest BMI quintile had lower prevalence of BHR and wheezing. Compared with the middle three quintiles, they had reduced risk of BHR in multivariate analyses adjusted for area of living, atopy, family history of asthma, and baseline pulmonary function (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interval = 0.20–0.81). No association between BMI and atopy or BHR was seen in boys.ConclusionBMI was a significant predictor of atopy, allergic symptoms and BHR in teenage girls.
Lack of association of atopy/asthma and the interleukin‐4 receptor α gene in Japanese
Authors: Noguchi  , Shibasaki  , Arinami  , Takeda  , Yokouchi  , Kobayashi  , Imoto  , Nakahara  , Matsui  , Hamaguchi  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundSusceptibility to the development of atopic diseases is known to involve genetic factors. Several investigators have reported the interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) receptor α gene to be involved in the development of atopy. Recent study has shown that the R allele of a polymorphism in the IL‐4 receptor α chain gene (Q576R) to be associated with atopy.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of the IL‐4 receptor α gene; in modulating allergic response and asthma in the Japanese population.MethodsWe conducted linkage analysis using microsatellite markers flanking the IL‐4 α receptor gene in 82 families ascertained through asthmatic children. The IL‐4 receptor Q576R polymorphism was also genotyped by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.ResultsWe did not find evidence for linkage of the asthma and atopy phenotypes with the markers D16S298 and D16S403 (P = 0.10 and P = 0.56, respectively, for the atopy phenotype and P = 0.17 and P = 0.60, respectively, for the asthma phenotype). The IL‐4 receptor R576 allele was not preferentially transmitted to atopy‐ or asthma‐affected children (χ2 = 1.67, P = 0.24 for atopy and χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.40 for asthma). In addition, the prevalence of the R576 allele among parents with and without atopy was similar, 20 of 81 (24.7%) parents with atopy and 22 of 77 (28.6%) parents without atopy.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the IL‐4 receptor α gene does not exert a substantial influence on the inheritance of atopy or asthma in this Japanese population.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a hospital‐based asthma education programme in patients of low socioeconomic status in Hong Kong
Authors: L CHOY  , TONG  , KO  , LI  , HO  , CHAN  , LEUNG  , LAI  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundGood asthma control requires optimal medical treatment in conjunction with appropriate self‐management. In the West, the effectiveness of patient education on improving self‐management has been well documented. However, data amongst Asian populations are lacking. We performed a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of a hospital based education programme aimed at improving self‐management skills and reducing morbidity in a Chinese population with low socioeconomic status and education level.MethodsOur asthma education programme was a low‐cost programme conducted in essence by specialist respiratory nurses. Patients attending our asthma clinic were instructed during a two‐hour educational session on the pathophysiology of asthma, its potential triggers, the appropriate use of medications including proper inhaler techniques, and the self‐management of their disease. These instructions were reinforced by video sessions at subsequent outpatient clinic attendance when patients' inhaler and peak flow techniques were checked by the same nurses and their self‐management plan re‐examined by the attending physicians. Asthma knowledge, inhaler technique, FEV1 and peak expiratory flow (PEF), and patients' self‐rating of their asthma were determined at baseline, 6 months and 1 year after the intervention. Morbidity was assessed by the numbers of hospitalizations, unscheduled visits to family physicians and accident and emergency department attendance, courses of oral steroid used and days off work or school at baseline and 1 year.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty patients were recruited for the study, 83% completing the entire assessment period. The group demonstrated significant improvements in lung function: the mean FEV1  ±  SD increased from 63.6  ±  20.6% of predicted values at baseline to 68.5  ±  22.3% at 6 months and 68.6  ±  22.8% at 1 year (P  <  0.05), and the mean PEF  ±  sd increased from 64.6  ±  23.0% of predicted values at baseline to 75.4  ±  27.0% at 6 months and 76.8  ±  24.5% at 1 year (P  <  0.001). There were also significant improvements in inhaler technique (P  <  0.01), asthma knowledge (P  <  0.001), patients' self‐rating of their asthma (P  <  0.05), and reductions in the numbers of hospitalizations (P  <  0.01), visits to family physicians (P  <  0.001) and accident and emergency department attendance (P  <  0.001) during the study period. Patients with moderate to severe asthma as defined by an FEV1 of < 80% of predicted values were most likely to benefit from the programme.ConclusionsWe conclude that patient education is likely to be an essential component in the holistic approach to the management of asthma even amongst Asian populations of low socioeconomic status and education level. Further studies using randomised controlled trials are necessary to consolidate our findings.
Head circumference at birth and maternal factors related to cord blood total IgE
Authors: Oryszczyn  , Annesi‐Maesano  , Campagna  , Sahuquillo  , Huel  , Kauffmann  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundA recent study reported an association between a large head circumference at birth and adult total IgE. However, no study has yet looked at the relation between head circumference and cord blood IgE.ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between child's cord blood total IgE and head circumference at birth taking parental allergy and smoking habits as well as placental calcifications into account.MethodsTwo samples of unselected newborns and their mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies were studied: 235 in study A with data on parental allergy and 99 in study B with data on placental calcifications.ResultsIn both studies, cord blood IgE was significantly related to large head circumference at birth (0.07 vs 0.15 IU/mL for newborns < 37 cm vs ≥ 37 cm, respectively, P = 0.03 for study A and 0.09 vs 0.28 IU/mL, P = 0.04 for study B). Cord blood IgE was unrelated to parental smoking habits. Maternal IgE significantly increased in mothers exposed to both active and passive smoking during pregnancy compared with other pregnant women. High cord blood IgE were associated with high maternal IgE (r = 0.38; P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that large head circumference, maternal IgE and clinical manifestations of maternal, but not paternal, allergy were independently related to cord blood IgE (study A). Large head circumference and placental calcifications were independently related to a higher cord blood IgE level (study B).ConclusionsBesides the role of genetic factors, results on the preferential role of maternal vs paternal allergy and associations to large head circumference and placental calcifications support the hypothesis of the role of environmental factors during pregnancy on the level of cord blood IgE.
Class I endochitinase containing a hevein domain is the causative allergen in latex‐associated avocado allergy
Authors: POSCH  , WHEELER  , CHEN  , FLAGGE  , DUNN  , PAPENFUSS  , RAULF‐HEIMSOTH  , BAUR  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIn the medical literature immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated sensitization to avocado is rarely reported. On the other hand, more than 50% of subjects having IgE‐mediated natural rubber latex allergy are sensitized to avocado fruit as demonstrated by skin‐prick testing and/or specific IgE measurements and about 10–20% report hypersensitivity reactions after ingesting avocado.ObjectiveThe underlying pathomechanism of latex‐associated avocado allergy is still unknown. The conserved hevein domain of the major latex allergen prohevein (Hev b 6.01) is a ubiquitous chitin‐binding protein structure that can be found in several plant proteins and may be responsible for the observed cross‐reactivity between latex and avocado fruit.MethodsChitin‐binding avocado proteins (CBAPs) were isolated by affinity‐chromatography and their IgE‐binding characteristics were studied by immunoblotting using the sera from 15 avocado‐sensitized latex patients. Inhibition experiments using isolated hevein and CBAPs as inhibitor solutions were performed to study the immunological cross‐reactivity between both protein species and to assess the role of the CBAPs as mediators in latex‐associated avocado allergy.ResultsIn 80% of avocado‐sensitized subjects (n = 15), IgE antibodies directed against a 31‐kDa allergen were detected by immunoblotting. This IgE‐binding protein was identified by protein sequencing to be a class I endochitinase containing a hevein domain at the N‐terminus. Purified native and digested (using simulated gastric fluid) endochitinase were able to completely block all avocado‐specific IgE antibodies in six out of seven avocado patients.ConclusionsSensitization to endochitinase class I containing a hevein domain is the main underlying pathomechanism in latex‐mediated avocado allergy.
Relation between IgG antibodies to foods and IgE antibodies to milk, egg, cat, dog and/or mite in a cross‐sectional study
Authors: EYSINK  , DE JONG  , BINDELS  , SCHARP‐VAN DER LINDEN  , DE GROOT  , STAPEL  , AALBERSE  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundBecause IgG antibodies to foods can be detected before IgE antibodies to inhalants, increased levels of IgG antibodies to foods might be used as a predictor of IgE‐mediated allergy in initially nonatopic children.ObjectiveTo examine the cross‐sectional relation between IgG to foods (i.e. mixture of wheat and rice, mixture of soybean and peanut, egg white, cow’s milk, meat, orange and potato) and specific IgE to cat, dog, mite, milk and egg white in 1‐year‐old children.MethodsAll atopic children (n = 120; 58 with and 62 without eczema) and a random sample of the nonatopic children (n = 144) of the Bokaal study were tested on their IgG response to foods. The IgG results of the food assays were dichotomized high or low using the 66th centile as a cut‐off value.ResultsAtopic children more often had high IgG levels to foods than nonatopic children. IgG to egg white (OR = 7.50) and mixture of wheat and rice (OR = 4.79) were most strongly associated with positive specific IgE. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis egg white, mixture of wheat and rice, and orange were selected (OR = 3.76, OR = 2.43, and OR = 2.11, respectively). In children without eczema higher levels of IgG to foods were still significantly associated with atopy, which was most prominent for egg white, orange and cow’s milk.ConclusionAn increased IgG antibody level to foods, especially to egg white, orange, and mixture of wheat and rice, indicates an increased risk of having IgE to cat, dog, mite, egg and/or milk allergens, even in the noneczematous group. Therefore, in another prospective study we are currently investigating the usefulness of IgG in early identification, i.e. before IgE antibodies can be detected, of children with an increased risk of developing allergic diseases in the future.
Cytokine production and mRNA expression by conjunctival T‐cell lines in chronic allergic eye disease
Authors: Calder  , Jolly  , Hingorani  , Adamson  , Leonardi  , Secchi  , Buckley  , Lightman  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundActivated CD4+ T cells, mast cells and eosinophils are the main cytokine‐producing cell‐types infiltrating the conjunctiva during chronic allergic eye diseases. Interactions between these cells are thought to play an important immunopathogenic role in these disorders (giant papillary conjunctivitis; vernal keratoconjunctivitis; atopic keratoconjunctivitis).ObjectiveThe objective was to compare the cytokine profiles of conjunctival T‐cell lines from patients with different forms of chronic allergic eye disease.MethodsT cells were isolated from conjunctival biopsies and non‐specifically expanded into lines. The lines were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was quantified by immunoassays and more sensitive molecular techniques were used to investigate cytokine mRNA expression to identify the presence of interleukin (IL) ‐2, IL‐4 and interferon (IFN) ‐γ transcripts.ResultsFollowing four to six rounds of stimulation, the conjunctival T‐cell populations were CD3+ (> 93%), with variable levels of CD4 and CD8 expression. All were HLA‐DR+ (> 80%) with some HLA‐DQ expression. Conjunctival T‐cell lines from atopic keratoconjunctivitis produced selective increases in IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and IL‐13 (P < 0.01), those from vernal keratoconjunctivitis produced increased IL‐5 (P < 0.01) whereas T‐cell lines from giant papillary conjunctivitis produced only low levels of cytokines. IL‐4 was only detected at the mRNA level and was expressed in four out of five T‐cell lines in the vernal keratoconjunctivitis group. In contrast there was moderate to strong expression of IFN‐γ in five out of six T‐cell lines in atopic keratoconjunctivitis.ConclusionDifferent patterns of T‐cell cytokine profiles were observed for each disease, with low‐level, non‐polarized cytokine production in giant papillary conjunctivitis, a TH2‐like profile in vernal keratoconjunctivitis and a shift towards a TH1‐like profile in atopic keratoconjunctivitis.