When the Frequencies of Sensitization and Elicitation of Allergic Reaction Do Not Correlate—The Case of Apple Gibberellin-Regulated Protein Tested in an Italian Population

Background: The literature reports describing allergic symptoms against apples in the patients sensitized to the gibberellin-regulated proteins (GRPs) suggested the presence of an allergenic GRP in this fruit.Objective: This study aimed to assess the presence of a GRP protein in apples and investigate its allergenicity.Methods: The protein was isolated and identified by the classical biochemical methods. The bioinformatics tools were used for similar searches and molecular modeling. The immunological features were investigated using the multiplex FABER test. Clinical data were collected by the allergy specialists.Results: A GRP was detected in the apple peel and pulp and it was named applemaclein. This protein displays 94% of sequence identity with peamaclein, Pru p 7, representing the prototype of this allergen family. The applemaclein molecular model shows a very irregular surface with grooves/clefts that may potentially accommodate small molecular ligands. In a population of 4,721 patients in Italy, 187 (4.0%) were sensitized to any allergenic GPR. Of those, 115 (61.5%), 61 (32.6%), 30 (16.0%), and 99 (52.9%) had immunoglobulin E (IgE) to apple, peach, pomegranate, and cypress GRP, respectively. However, in a cohort of the patients in Italy, most individuals IgE positive to the apple GRP did not report allergic reactions against this fruit.Conclusion: Compared with the peach Pru p 7, applemaclein shows some different structural features and higher sensitization frequency, which is often not associated with allergic reactions against apple. Further studies are needed to understand a possible correlation between the applemaclein structural properties, the interaction with still unknown molecules, and immunological behavior.

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Anaphylaxis caused by artisanal honey in a child: a case report

Journal of Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1186/s13256-021-02823-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Margherita Di Costanzo ◽

Nicoletta De Paulis ◽

Silvia Peveri ◽

Marcello Montagni ◽

Roberto Berni Canani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allergic Reaction ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Clinical History ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Simple Method ◽

Prick Test ◽

Negative Results ◽

Pediatric Age Group ◽

Pollen Content

Abstract Background Honey is a rare cause of food allergy, especially in children, but it can cause severe systemic allergic reactions. In the pediatric age group, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Honey allergy may be caused by pollen content or bee-derived proteins. A role for Compositae has been suggested among pollen allergens. Allergology workup of a patient with suspected honey allergy is not well defined. Here we describe a rare case of anaphylaxis in a 5-year-old boy, sensitized to Compositae pollen (ragweed and mugwort), after the ingestion of artisanal honey. Case presentation The Slavic patient was referred to our hospital emergency department for generalized urticaria and breathing impairment. All the symptoms occurred approximately 30 minutes after the ingestion of a meal containing salmon and artisanal honey. The allergology workup revealed that a skin prick-by-prick test with the implicated artisanal honey was positive, while a variety of different commercial honey and salmon products yielded negative results. Skin prick test and serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) results were also positive for Compositae pollen (ragweed and mugwort). Patients sensitized to weed pollens who ingest bee products may experience an immediate allergic reaction because of the cross-reaction between weed pollens and Compositae bee product pollen. In this case, primary sensitization may be due to airborne Compositae pollen. Commercial honey is heavily processed due to pasteurization and filtration, which removes most of the pollen. These observations highlight the role of Compositae pollen in the observed allergic reaction and suggest that the different pollen content in the artisanal honey relative to commercial honey was responsible for the allergic reaction in our patient. Conclusions This is the first reported pediatric case of honey-induced anaphylaxis in a child under 6 years of age sensitized to Compositae pollen. Pediatricians should be aware of the potential risk of severe allergic reactions upon ingestion of honey and bee products, especially in patients sensitized to weed pollens. To diagnose honey allergy, obtaining a proper clinical history is essential. In addition, skin prick-by-prick tests are helpful, and may represent a simple method to screen for honey allergy in patients sensitized to Compositae pollen, in light of the potential risk.

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Three-Dimensional Structures of Carbohydrates and Where to Find Them

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21207702 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (20) ◽

pp. 7702 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sofya I. Scherbinina ◽

Philip V. Toukach

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Molecular Modeling ◽

Computational Methods ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Structural Diversity ◽

Structural Data ◽

Structural Features ◽

Data Validation ◽

Data Generation ◽

Efficient Treatment

Analysis and systematization of accumulated data on carbohydrate structural diversity is a subject of great interest for structural glycobiology. Despite being a challenging task, development of computational methods for efficient treatment and management of spatial (3D) structural features of carbohydrates breaks new ground in modern glycoscience. This review is dedicated to approaches of chemo- and glyco-informatics towards 3D structural data generation, deposition and processing in regard to carbohydrates and their derivatives. Databases, molecular modeling and experimental data validation services, and structure visualization facilities developed for last five years are reviewed.

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Alisol B 23-Acetate Inhibits IgE/Ag-Mediated Mast Cell Activation and Allergic Reaction

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19124092 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (12) ◽

pp. 4092 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chen Shao ◽

Bingjie Fu ◽

Ning Ji ◽

Shunli Pan ◽

Xiaoxia Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mast Cell ◽

Mast Cells ◽

Allergic Reaction ◽

Nuclear Factor Kappa B ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Mast Cell Activation ◽

Human Mast Cell ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Nuclear Factor Kappa

Alisol B 23-acetate (AB23A), a natural triterpenoid, has been reported to exert hepatoprotective and antitumor activities. Aiming to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, this study examined the effect of AB23A on mast cells and allergic reaction. AB23A inhibited the degranulation of mast cells stimulated by immunoglobulin E/antigen (IgE/Ag), and also decreased the synthesis of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), production of interlukin-6 (IL-6), and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a concentration-dependent manner with no significant cytotoxicity in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). AB23A inhibited spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and the downstream signaling molecules including phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), serine-threonine protein kinase/inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B (Akt/IKK/NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases/cytosolic phospholipase A2 (MAPK/cPLA2). Furthermore, AB23A blocked mobilization of Ca2+. Similar results were obtained in other mast cell lines Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells and a human mast cell line (HMC-1). In addition, AB23A attenuated allergic responses in an acute allergy animal model, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). Taken together, this study suggests that AB23A inhibits the activation of mast cells and ameliorates allergic reaction, and may become a lead compound for the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.

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Allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics in children

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh0304127a ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 131 (3-4) ◽

pp. 127-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marina Atanaskovic-Markovic ◽

Branimir Nestorovic

Keyword(s):

Allergic Reaction ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Skin Tests ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

First Line ◽

Positive Skin ◽

Cephalosporin Antibiotics ◽

The Cross ◽

Single Blind ◽

Common Infections

A particular problem is the safety of administering cephalosporins to penicillin-allergic children, because cephalosporin allergenic determinants have not been properly identified. Cephalosporin antibiotics are widely used to treat common infections and are often the first-line prophylaxis before many types of surgery. So the arm of this study is to determine the frequency of allergic reactions of anaphylactic type to cephalosporins and their cross-reactivity with penicillins. At University Children?s Hospital in Belgrade a group of 1,170 children with suspected anaphylactic allergic reaction to penicillins and/or cephalosporins were tested for the last eight years. Skin tests were performed with standard concentration of penicillins and cephalosporins. In children where skin tests were negative single-blind placebo-controlled challenges were performed. In case of positive skin tests further examinations were interrupted and the children were considered allergic to that drug. The frequency of anaphylactic allergic reactions to cephalosporins is 0.2 % to 17 %, and depends on cephalosporins generation. The cross-reactivity between cephalosporins and penicillins is 0.1 % to 14.5 %, and among cephalosporins is 0 % to 11.7 %.

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Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactic Shock

Mayo Clinic Critical and Neurocritical Care Board Review ◽

10.1093/med/9780190862923.003.0026 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 179-182

Author(s):

Megan S. Motosue ◽

Gerald W. Volcheck

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Allergic Reaction ◽

Older People ◽

Anaphylactic Shock ◽

Neuromuscular Blocking ◽

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Blocking Agents ◽

Common Causes

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and potentially fatal. Prompt recognition of the symptoms and institution of treatment are important in management. The lifetime prevalence of anaphylaxis is estimated to be 0.05% to 2% and appears to be increasing. Allergic reactions vary in severity, with the most severe culminating in anaphylactic shock. Common triggers include food, venom, and drugs. Triggers for events vary by age. Among children and young people, food is a common trigger; among middle-aged and older people, medications and venoms are common triggers. Neuromuscular blocking agents, antibiotics, and latex are the most common causes of anesthesia-associated anaphylaxis. This chapter briefly discusses the background, diagnosis, and management of anaphylaxis.

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Allergenic pollen emissions from vegetation—threats and prevention

Oxford Textbook of Nature and Public Health ◽

10.1093/med/9780198725916.003.0008 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 195-201

Author(s):

Åslög Dahl ◽

Matilda van den Bosch ◽

Thomas Ogren

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Immune System ◽

Allergic Reaction ◽

Human Health ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Individual Factors ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Immune Systems ◽

Pollen Biology

Allergic diseases are caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to a certain environmental exposure. Many different agents may induce an allergic reaction. This chapter concerns reactions to pollen. Although allergies to animals, for example dogs and cats, may be considered as part of nature-induced allergy, the focus here is on vegetation. Allergic reactions to pollen depend on the type of pollen, biological properties, location, and individual factors. Changes in our immune systems, our living environments and lifestyles, and climate change may play a role in the increasing prevalence of pollen allergies. This chapter contains three major sections: first, the basics of pollen biology are outlined; secondly, pollen’s impact on human health are introduced; and finally, the chapter includes a section on how practitioners and policymakers can plan our cities to be green, and yet limited in allergenic exposure.

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Evaluation of a Particle-enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay for the Measurement of Immunoglobulin E in an ILab 900 Analyzer

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/45.9.1557 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 45 (9) ◽

pp. 1557-1561

Author(s):

Sandra Guaita ◽

Josep MA Simó ◽

Natàlia Ferré ◽

Jorge Joven ◽

Jordi Camps

Keyword(s):

General Chemistry ◽

Detection Limit ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Automated Assay ◽

Serum Assay ◽

Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay ◽

Turbidimetric Immunoassay

Abstract Background: The measurement of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum is widely used in the diagnosis of allergic reactions and parasitic infections. We describe here a fully automated assay for human IgE suitable for routine application in a general chemistry analyzer. Methods: We used an ILab 900® analyzer. This instrument automates a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay with an analysis time of 9 min. Results: The assay was linear in the range 4–1000 kIU/L (r = 0.9998). The intra- and interassay CVs at 57, 235, and 434 kIU/L were <3.5% and <7.4%, respectively. The detection limit was 4 kIU/L. Hemoglobin (≤16 g/L), bilirubin (≤250 μmol/L), and myeloma paraproteins did not interfere with the assay. The assay showed good correlation with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (r = 0.998) with a mean difference between methods of −6 ± 26 kIU/L. Conclusion: The new automated serum assay for IgE is an attractive alternative that avoids the need for dedicated instrumentation.

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The Nature of Interactions and UV-Induced Response within α-Zirconium Phosphate Intercalation Compounds with Azobenzenes

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12091436 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 1436 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna Koteja ◽

Jakub Matusik ◽

Katarzyna Luberda-Durnaś ◽

Marek Szczerba

Keyword(s):

Molecular Modeling ◽

Zirconium Phosphate ◽

Interlayer Space ◽

Hydrophobic Interactions ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Structural Features ◽

Solid Support ◽

Induced Response ◽

Low Density ◽

Experimental Approaches

Azobenzenes immobilization on a solid support enables the usage of their trans-cis isomerization ability for preparation of functional materials. The behavior of azobenzenes in the interlayer space of α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) upon the UV–Vis irradiation was investigated. Two experimental approaches were performed: (1) co-intercalation of benzylalkylammonium surfactants and azobenzene in the interlayers of ZrP (ZBCnA), and (2) intercalation of p-aminoazobenzene (ZpA). The materials were characterized with XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, CHN analysis, and the molecular modeling. The molecules in ZBCnA samples were sparsely packed and held by weak hydrophobic interactions. Conversely, the molecules in ZpA sample were strongly H-bonded to the ZrP, well-ordered, and densely packed. These structural features determined the samples’ photoresponsive behavior. Low density of molecules in the ZBCnA samples, allowed the effective, fast, and reversible isomerization of azobenzene. Whereas the ZpA sample did not react to the UV irradiation because of the steric hindrance of tightly packed molecules.

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Low Incidence of Biphasic Allergic Reactions in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care after Anaphylaxis

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/aln.0000000000002500 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

pp. 284-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sofie Højlund ◽

Peter Søe-Jensen ◽

Anders Perner ◽

Morten H. Bestle ◽

Peder Carl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Allergic Reaction ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Total Incidence ◽

Skin Symptoms ◽

Initial Symptoms ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Low Incidence

Abstract Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Biphasic allergic reactions—recurrence of allergy symptoms after a symptom-free period—are reported to occur in 1 to 23% of allergic reactions. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit after anaphylaxis potentially have more severe reactions and a higher risk of biphasic allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was to examine incidence, triggers, symptoms, and treatment of biphasic allergic reactions, in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods Records of patients admitted to intensive care units with anaphylaxis from 2011 to 2014 were reviewed. Only patients with a reaction fulfilling internationally accepted criteria for anaphylaxis were included. Potential biphasic allergic reactions, defined as renewed allergy symptoms 1 to 72 h after initial symptoms had resolved, without further exposure to the trigger, were identified. Results A total of 83 cases of anaphylaxis were identified, and the most frequent triggers were medications (58 of 83 [70%]). Skin symptoms occurred in 69 (83%) cases, and circulatory and respiratory symptoms in 48 (58%) and 45 (54%) cases, respectively. In total, 82 (99%), 80 (96%), and 66 (80%) were treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine, respectively. Only 10 patients presented with one or more relevant symptoms after the initial allergic reaction. Of these, three were possible, and one was a probable biphasic allergic reaction, giving a total incidence of 4 of 83 (4.8% [95% CI, 1.6 to 12.5]) or 1 of 83 (1.2% [95% CI, 0.1 to 7.46]), respectively. All cases were mild, presenting with skin symptoms only, occurring on average 14 h after initial reactions. Conclusions The authors observed a low incidence of biphasic reactions in patients admitted to an intensive care unit after anaphylaxis, at a rate equivalent to that reported in other patient groups.

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A Plum Marbling Conundrum: Identification of a New Viroid Associated with Marbling and Corky Flesh in Japanese Plums

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto-12-19-0474-r ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 110 (8) ◽

pp. 1476-1482

Author(s):

Rachelle Bester ◽

Sophia S. Malan ◽

Hans J Maree

Keyword(s):

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Circular Rna ◽

Structural Features ◽

Fruit Tree ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Sequence Identity ◽

The Past ◽

Fruit Skin

Over the past 2 decades, fruit symptoms resembling a marbling pattern on the fruit skin or corking of the fruit flesh were observed on Japanese plums in South Africa, resulting in unmarketable fruit. The ability of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to detect known and unknown pathogens was exploited by assaying affected and unaffected fruit tree accessions to identify the potential aetiological agent of marbling and/or corky flesh disease. In this study, it is shown that the disease is associated with a previously undescribed small RNA with typical viroid structural features. The potential viroid was the only pathological agent consistently detected in all symptomatic trees by HTS, and the association with the symptoms was confirmed in field surveys over two seasons. To date, this RNA was not detectable by RT-PCR in seedlings raised from seeds collected from infected trees. Although the autonomous replication of this viroid-like RNA was not proven, it was shown to be transmissible by grafting and associated with a range of symptoms that include marbling on the fruit skin, corky flesh, reduced fruit size, irregular shape, and uneven fruit surface depending on the cultivar. Moreover, the circular RNA genome, consisting of 317 nucleotides, strongly supports that this viroid-like RNA is most likely a viroid for which the name plum viroid I (PVd-I) is proposed. The primary structure of this viroid showed a less than 90% nucleotide sequence identity to viroids of the genus Apscaviroid, with which it has close phylogenetic relationships and shares conserved structural motifs.

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