1 UI - ML893-0005 AU - Kang BC AU - Johnson J AU - Veresthorner C TI - ATOPIC PROFILE OF INNER-CITY ASTHMA WITH A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE COCKROACH-SENSITIVE AND RAGWEED-SENSITIVE SUBGROUPS SO - Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 92(6):802-811, 1993 Dec. IS - 0091-6749 MH - Inner-city asthma MH - Aeroallergens MH - Cockroach allergy MH - Ige antibody MH - Indoor allergen MH - Bronchial-asthma. House dust. Allergic-asthma. Serum ige. Mite. MH - Children. Antigens. Cat. Prevalence. Population AB - Background: Inner-city asthma is well known for its high risk of mortality. To better understand urban asthma, we examined clinical characteristics and aeroallergen sensitivities of 592 of 680 consecutive urban Chicago residents with asthma. Methods: A total of 227 male and 453 female subjects who met the criteria for the study were registered. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was followed by allergy skin testing (prick and intradermal testing) with 10 groupings (5 indoor and 5 outdoor) of common aeroallergens. Serum total IgE and selective antigen-specific IgE levels, including cockroach-specific IgE, were routinely measured. A total of 592 (196 male and 396 female) subjects with an average age of 35 years were skin tested The average duration of asthma was 12 6 years, and 31% of the population was receiving corticosteroids. Results: Aeroallergen sensitivity was noted in 85%, and 94 subjects (15%) were nonallergic. House dust sensitivity (76%) was most prevalent, distantly followed by sensitivity to cockroach (48%), ragweed (45%), other weeds (42%), cat (40%), and dust mite (24%). The average number of aeroallergen sensitivities detected was 4 of 10 groupings of both and outdoor allergens. Twenty percent of subjects were allergic to only indoor allergens, whereas 4% were allergic to outdoor allergens only. Serum IgE was 245 +/- 17.3 IU/ml (geometric mean + SEM), and 74% of 444 serum samples assayed showed IgE antibody levels greater than or equal to 100 IU/ml. A cockroach-sensitive subgroup (283 subjects) had longer duration of asthma (p < 0. 0001) and fewer additional aeroallergen sensitivities (p < 0.0001) than the ragweed-sensitive subgroup (264 subjects). Conclusion: The results indicate that a great majority (85%) of inner-city Chicago residents with asthma have atopic asthma, as demonstrated by highly elevated IgE levels and multiple aeroallergen sensitivities. Sensitivity to indoor allergens is more prevalent than sensitivity to outdoor allergens. The subjects with cockroach-sensitive asthma appear to be a distinctive subgroup characterized by chronicity and elevated serum IgE antibody levels with fewer aeroallergen skin test sensitivities. [References: 46] LG - English PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Life Sciences Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Kang BC UNIV KENTUCKY KENTUCKY CLIN DEPT MED K528 LEXINGTON, KY 40536 USA MT SINAI HOSP RUSH MED SCH CHICAGO, IL USA 2 UI - ML341-0009 AU - Michils A AU - Casimir G AU - Yernault JC AU - Gossart B AU - Duchateau J TI - A DIFFERENT PROFILE OF EPITOPIC DOMINANCE IN THE IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G RESPONSE TO BOVINE BETALACTOGLOBULIN IN LUNG CANCER SO - Cancer. 72(12):3607-3613, 1993 Dec 15. IS - 0008-543X MH - Bovine betalactoglobulin MH - Pepsin hydrolysis MH - Immunoglobulin-g antibody MH - Epitopic dominance MH - Lung cancer MH - Cathepsin-b. Proteinase. Immune. Invasion AB - Background. The authors previously documented a quantitative defect in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response toward bovine betalactoglobulin (BLG), the major cow's milk antigen, and antigen pi of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1), in patients with lung cancer. In the Der pi model, the authors documented at the IgG level an epitope specificity that differed between patients with lung cancer (preferential specificity for cryptic epitopes) and healthy control subjects and patients with mite allergy. The current study investigated whether this varying specificity might be extended to the IgG response toward BLG. Methods. The authors compared the IgG binding to native BLG (nBLG) and its products of pepsin hydrolysis (dBLG) in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using peroxidase-conjugated protein A in 120 patients with lung cancer, 52 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were closely matched for age, sex, and smoking habits with the patients with cancer, and 120 healthy control subjects (blood donors). Results. Expressing the ratio between optical densities observed for dBLG and nBLG, respectively, the authors documented two groups: patient with lung cancer with higher levels of binding on dBLG (mean ratio +/- SD, 1.66 +/- 0.26) and healthy control subjects and patients with COPD with similar levels of retention for dBLG and nBLG (mean ratios +/- SD, 1.00 +/- 0.10 and 1.01 +/- 0.07, respectively). Influence of population characteristics could be excluded. The histologic type of cancer and its extent had no influence on the defined ratio. Conclusion. These results suggest a preferential recognition of epitopes unmasked by pepsin hydrolysis (cryptic epitopes?) by lung cancer IgG, contrasting with the preferential specificity of IgG from healthy control subjects and patients with COPD for structural epitopes unaffected by the proteolysis. These findings are similar to those observed previously with Der pi and indicate a varying, and possibly specific, profile of epitopic dominance in the IgG response to antigens naturally presented at the mucosal level in patients with lung carcinoma, a model of mucosal cancer. [References: 29] LG - English PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Life Sciences Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Michils A UNIV BRUSSELS ERASME HOSP DEPT CHEST ROUTE LENNIK 808 B-1070 BRUSSELS BELGIUM FREE UNIV BRUSSELS ST PIERRE HOSP DEPT IMMUNOL B-1050 BRUSSELS BELGIUM 3 UI - ML242-0009 AU - Vanhagehamsten M AU - Harfast B AU - Johansson SGO TI - DUST MITE ALLERGY - AN IMPORTANT CAUSE OF RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN FARMERS SO - American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 25(1):47-48, 1994 Jan. IS - 0271-3586 MH - Lepidoglyphus destructor MH - Storage mites MH - Occupational asthma MH - Organic dusts MH - Storage mites. Lepidoglyphus-destructor. Farming population AB - In 2,578 Swedish farmers, 6.2% were found to have an allergy to storage mites. The storage mite Lepidoglyphus destructor has been identified by both RAST and bronchial challenges as a significant cause of occupational asthma in rural environments. Immunohistochemical studies of L. destructor disclosed that at least one L. destructor allergen is associated with digestion. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [References: 12] LG - English PT - Note SB - Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Vanhagehamsten M KAROLINSKA HOSP DEPT CLIN IMMUNOL BOX 60500 S-10401 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN 4 UI - MJ029-0005 AU - Massey DG AU - Fourniermassey G AU - James RH TI - MINIMIZING ACARIANS AND HOUSE DUST IN THE TROPICS SO - Annals of Allergy. 71(5):439-444, 1993 Nov. IS - 0003-4738 MH - Acaricide. Mites AB - Dust collection and mite isolation by Furumizo's method occurred in 33 homes on days 0 and 14. The first application of Paragerm AK (23 homes) or placebo aerosol (ten homes) was done after vacuuming on day 14. The second (final) spraying occurred on day 28, immediately after vacuuming. Vacuum collections without spraying were done on days 56 and 84 in this randomized double-blind trial. With Paragerm, dust volume fell to 80.3% of initial levels by day 28, remained low at 8 7.9% (P < .05) on day 56, and then rose to 115.9% by day 84. In control homes, comparative dust values were 89.0%, 103.7%, and 109.9%. With Paragerm, mite concentration decreased to 70.8% by day 28 (P < .01), to 65% at day 56 (P < .025), and continued to fall to 47.7% by day 84 (P <. 05). With control aerosol, mite numbers rose compared with initial values: 119.1% at day 28, 22 7.2% at day 56, and 125.1% at day 84. No adverse effects were observed in Paragerm homes besides odor (70% complained). The two asthmatic occupants improved symptomatically and took less medication following the Paragerm. In conclusion, Paragerm, used over 40 years in Europe, is an effective, nontoxic acaricide in Hawaii, acting promptly and for at least 2 months. It was also associated with diminished dust volume, important in nondust allergy. [References: 24] LG - English PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Massey DG KUAKINI MED CTR 347 N KUAKINI ST HONOLULU, HI 96817 USA JOHN A BURNS SCH MED HONOLULU, HI USA 5 UI - MJ029-0010 AU - Piazza I AU - Bizzaro N TI - HUMORAL RESPONSE TO SUBCUTANEOUS, ORAL, AND NASAL IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR ALLERGIC RHINITIS DUE TO DERMATOPHAGOIDES-PTERONYSSINUS SO - Annals of Allergy. 71(5):461-469, 1993 Nov. IS - 0003-4738 MH - Igg subclass antibodies. House dust mite. Hay-fever. MH - Hyposensitization. Extract. Desensitization. Interleukin-4. MH - Children. Efficacy. Asthma AB - We investigated variations in total IgE, and specific IgE, IgG, and IgG4 for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in 5 7 Patients with perennial rhinitis due to house dust mite allergy in an open controlled study: 43 subjects received immunotherapy (17 subcutaneous, 14 sublingual, and 12 local immunotherapy) and 14 were controls. The results were compared with the clinical course to determine possible associations between serum and clinical changes. Subcutaneous, but not sublingual and nasal, immunotherapy induced a significant clinical benefit (P < .001). Specific antibody behavior in patients receiving subcutaneous immunotherapy was similar to literature reports. Specific IgE levels fell starting from the 6th month of therapy, and specific IgG and IgG4 levels rose significantly, but there was no correlation with the clinical course. The other two forms of immunotherapy did not induce significant specific antibody modifications. We conclude that the specific IgG4 rise induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy was the most important variation observed. This change, however, was not correlated with the clinical outcome. [References: 37] LG - English PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Piazza I VIA MONTE PIANA 9 I-30027 SAN DONA DI PIAVE ITALY HOSP SAN DONA PIAVE DEPT INTERNAL MED VENICE ITALY HOSP SAN DONA PIAVE CLIN PATHOL LAB VENICE ITALY 6 UI - ME356-0003 AU - Peat JK AU - Tovey E AU - Mellis CM AU - Leeder SR AU - Woolcock AJ TI - IMPORTANCE OF HOUSE DUST MITE AND ALTERNARIA ALLERGENS IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA - AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN 2 CLIMATIC REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA SO - Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 23(10):812-820, 1993 Oct. IS - 0954-7894 MH - Dose-response slope. Respiratory symptoms. Bronchial MH - hyperresponsiveness. Grass-pollen. Serum ige. P-i. Children. MH - Population. Exposure. Responsiveness AB - The relation of house dust mite allergen levels to asthma and allergy was examined in two population samples of children aged 8-11 years in northern New South Wales. We studied 805 children in Lismore (a hot, humid, coastal region) and 770 in Moree/Narrabri (a hot, dry inland region). Respiratory symptoms were measured by questionnaire, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) by histamine inhalation test, and allergy by skin-prick tests. Current asthma was defined as the presence of both wheeze in last 12 months and BHR. Der p I levels were measured in dust from the bed and floors in the homes of 57 randomly selected children in the coastal region and of 74 inland children. Der p I levels were significantly higher by the coast (83.0 vs 11.2 mug/g, P<0.001). House dust mite sensitivity was of similar prevalence in both regions (28.6 vs 26.4%, n.s.) but Alternaria sensitivity was higher inland (4.0 vs 15.2% P<0.001). Bronchial responsiveness was more severe in coastal children sensitized to house dust mites and in inland children who were sensitized to Alternaria. The adjusted odds ratios for current asthma in children sensitized to house dust mites were 21.3 (95% CI 10.5, 43.2) by the coast and 2.7 (95% CI 1.3, 5.4) inland, and in children sensitized to Alternaria were 3.4 (95% CI 1.3, 9.1) in the coastal region and 5.6 (95% CI 3.1, 10.1 inland. These studies suggest that high house dust mite allergen levels in a humid, subtropical region act to significantly increase bronchial responsiveness in sensitized children, and that Alternaria allergens have a similar but less potent action in a dry, rural region. [References: 36] LG - English PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Life Sciences Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Woolcock AJ ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED HOSP INST RESP MED ALLEN & HANBURYS EPIDEMIOL UNIT SYDNEY NSW 2050 AUSTRALIA ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED HOSP INST RESP MED ALLEN & HANBURYS EPIDEMIOL UNIT SYDNEY NSW 2050 AUSTRALIA UNIV SYDNEY DEPT MED SYDNEY NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA WESTMEAD HOSP DEPT COMMUNITY MED SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 7 UI - LZ170-0005 AU - Steurich F TI - ALLERGY TO MIDGES (CHIRONOMIDS) AND BLOODWORMS [German] SO - Allergologie. 16(9):374-378, 1993 Sep. IS - 0344-5062 MH - Allergy to fish food MH - Chironomidae MH - Insect dust as inhalant allergen AB - Chironomidae species exist worldwide. They occur close to water bodies as non-biting midges in ''dancing swarms''. Dust particles of these insects are part of the airborne dust (<10 mum in diameter) and represent a widespread inhalant allergen. Blood-worm larvae are red coloured because of their high haemoglobin content. They are used as bait and are sold freeze-dried as fish food for aquariums. Their common and very potent antigen are low molecular fractions of haemoglobin (erythrocruorine). Two patients are described with an extreme hypersensitivity to aquarium fish food based on chironomids. In the anamnesis of allergic persons it is absolutely necessary to ask explicitly for aquariums, fishing hobbies, fish food and bait. LG - German PT - Article SB - Current Contents/Clinical Medicine IN - Reprint available from: Steurich F FRIEDRICH EBERT STR 40 D-66763 DILLINGEN GERMANY