scholarly journals Sensitization to rodents (mouse/rat) in urban atopic populations without occupational exposure living in Campania district (Southern Italy): a multicenter study

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gennaro Liccardi ◽  
Gennaro Baldi ◽  
Anna Ciccarelli ◽  
Marina Cutajar ◽  
Maria D’Amato ◽  
...  

Background: Up to now very few data on allergic sensitization to rodent allergens in Western Europe and Italy are available, and there are no information at district level. The aim of this report was to investigate clinical significance and characteristics of allergic sensitization to mouse/rat (M/ Rt) allergens in atopic subjects living in Campania district (Southern Italy). Methods: Allergists from the whole Campania district were required to report the results of skin prick tests of at least 100 consecutive subjects. In 1,477 consecutive outpatients, we selected all subjects with an immediate skin reaction to M/Rt dander. Clinical history including a careful evaluation of the modality of exposure and the results of skin-prick tests (SPTs) were recorded. Results: Fifty seven patients were sensitized to M/Rt dander (5.78%). Two patients were mono-sensitized. Fourteen patients reported indoor conditions suggesting presence of rodents allergens at home. All patients exhibited low-moderate degree of SPT positivity to M/Rt. High frequency of concomitant allergic sensitization to dust mites was found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the role of allergic sensitization to rodents is not negligible in atopic subjects without occupational exposure living in Campania district area; these values are higher in comparison to those previously found in Naples area. Highly atopic individuals should be tested by SPTs/evaluation of serum specific IgE to rodents in the case they should begin an occupational exposure to M/Rt or keep these animals as pets.

Author(s):  
Kathryn Ferris ◽  
Marianne Cowan ◽  
Christine Williams ◽  
Sinead McAteer ◽  
Caoimhe Glancy ◽  
...  

Food allergy is common, it can lead to significant morbidity andnegatively impacts on quality of life; therefore, it is vitally important we get the diagnosis right. However, making the diagnosis can be complex. Clinical history is the most important diagnostic tool and subsequent investigation may help confirm the diagnosis. The investigations available to most paediatric departments are skin prick testing and specific IgE so we will focus on these. Within this article we explore the evidence related to targeted testing and how to interpret these within the clinical context.


Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Hongfei Lou ◽  
Chengshuo Wang ◽  
Ming Ni ◽  
Dan Yu ◽  
...  

Background: Locusts as model systems are widely used in many biological laboratories worldwide. Occupational exposure to locusts induces a high prevalence of allergic sensitization. However, knowledge on occupational locust allergens remains unclear. This study aimed to identify a novel allergen from locusts that causes occupational allergies. Methods: We conducted a 20-year retrospective survey of 94 persons using questionnaires and a cross-sectional survey of 57 persons using questionnaires and immunological tests for occupational allergies in long-term locust laboratories. We identified the major allergens by immunoblotting and analysed them by LC-MS/MS. The allergenicity of the major allergen proteins was assessed by specific IgE (sIgE) detection, immunoblotting and ELISA inhibition assays. Results: The retrospective survey indicated that the frequency of occupational allergies was relatively low (13.8%), while the cross-sectional survey showed a higher frequency (40.4%). The symptoms in most allergic males were allergic rhinitis and asthma, while females showed higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis. Occupational exposure for 2-3 h per day or continuing one and half years obviously increased the allergy risk. We identified the hexamerin-2 protein as a major allergen in locusts. Purified hexamerin-2 protein achieved approximately 60% serum IgE reactivity with locust protein extract. The potential for cross-reactivity with cockroaches was indicated by sequence alignment of the hexamerin-2 protein and allergens of cockroaches. Conclusion: Occupational exposure is an important risk factor for locust allergy. The hexamerin-2 protein of locusts as a major allergen in occupational allergy was identified for the first time.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-48
Author(s):  
M A Mokronosova ◽  
A V Sergeev ◽  
E S Korovkina ◽  
N G Konyukova ◽  
M A Mokronosova ◽  
...  

Background. Allergic diagnosis is based on accurate clinical history and conducting of skin prick tests (sPt) and specific IgE determination. the past decade recombinant allergen components from pollen of birch are available for allergen-specific IgE antibody testing. the major allergen of birch tree pollen is Bet v 1; Bet v 2 is a well described minor allergen. Methods. 83 patients with birch pollinosis (55 male/28 female, age 4-35 years, mean 15,5) were observed. specific IgE levels were determined by using the ImmunoCap (Phadia, sweden); skin prick tests with standard aeroallergens panel was used. Results. All 83 patients had positive skin tests to birch pollen. the levels of specific IgE to rBet v1 had 87,9% of patients, sIgE to rBet v 2 (profilin) 14,5% of patients, sIgE to rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 13,3% of patients. Conclusion. the prevalence of the patients with presence of IgE - antibodies to profiling Bet v2 among citizens of moscow region, sensitized to birch, accounts 14,5%.


Author(s):  
Esen Demir ◽  
Levent Midyat ◽  
Figen Gulen ◽  
Gulhadiye Akbas ◽  
Sema Tanrıverdi ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 336-340
Author(s):  
Yasmin Hamzavi Abedi ◽  
Cristina P. Sison ◽  
Punita Ponda

Background: Serum Peanut-specific-IgE (PN-sIgE) and peanut-component-resolved-diagnostics (CRD) are often ordered simultaneously in the evaluation for peanut allergy. Results often guide the plans for peanut oral challenge. However, the clinical utility of CRD at different total PN-sIgE levels is unclear. A commonly used predefined CRD Ara h2 cutoff value in the literature predicting probability of peanut challenge outcomes is 0.35kUA/L. Objective: To examine the utility of CRD in patients with and without a history of clinical reactivity to peanut (PN). Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of 196 children with PN-sIgE and CRD testing, of which, 98 patients had a clinical history of an IgE-mediated reaction when exposed to PN and 98 did not. The Fisher's exact test was used to assess the relationship between CRD and PN-sIgE at different cutoff levels, McNemar test and Gwet’s approach (AC1 statistic) were used to examine agreement between CRD and PN-sIgE, and logistic regression was used to assess differences in the findings between patients with and without reaction history. Results: Ara h 1, 2, 3, or 9 (ARAH) levels ≤0.35 kUA/L were significantly associated with PN-sIgE levels <2 kUA/L rather than ≥2 kUA/L (p < 0.0001). When the ARAH threshold was increased to 1 kUA/L and 2 kUA/L, these thresholds were still significantly associated with PN-sIgE levels of <2, <5, and <14 kUA/L. These findings were not significantly different in patients with and without a history of clinical reactivity. Conclusion: ARAH values correlated with PN-sIgE. Regardless of clinical history, ARAH levels are unlikely to be below 0.35, 1, or 2 kUA/L if the PN-sIgE level is >2 kUA/L. Thus, if possible, practitioners should consider PN-sIgE rather than automatically ordering CRD with PN-sIgE every time. Laboratory procedures that allow automatically and reflexively adding CRD when the PN-sIgE level is ≤5 kUA/L can be helpful. However, further studies are needed in subjects with challenge-proven PN allergy.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 497
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Anagnostou

Background: Food allergies are common, affecting 1 in 13 school children in the United States and their prevalence is increasing. Many misconceptions exist with regards to food allergy prevention, diagnosis and management. Objective: The main objective of this review is to address misconceptions with regards to food allergies and discuss the optimal, evidence-based approach for patients who carry this diagnosis. Observations: Common misconceptions in terms of food allergy prevention include beliefs that breastfeeding and delayed introduction of allergenic foods prevent the development of food allergies. In terms of diagnosis, statements such as ‘larger skin prick tests or/and higher levels of food-specific IgE can predict the severity of food-induced allergic reactions’, or ‘Tryptase is always elevated in food-induced anaphylaxis’ are inaccurate. Additionally, egg allergy is not a contraindication for receiving the influenza vaccine, food-allergy related fatalities are rare and peanut oral immunotherapy, despite reported benefits, is not a cure for food allergies. Finally, not all infants with eczema will develop food allergies and epinephrine auto-injectors may unfortunately be both unavailable and underused in food-triggered anaphylaxis. Conclusions and relevance: Healthcare professionals must be familiar with recent evidence in the food allergy field and avoid common misunderstandings that may negatively affect prevention, diagnosis and management of this chronic disease.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-152
Author(s):  
Rūta Dubakienė ◽  
Vilija Rubinaitė ◽  
Malvina Petronytė ◽  
Indrė Dalgėdienė ◽  
Odilija Rudzevičienė ◽  
...  

Background. Allergic diseases are the most prevalent chronic diseases in the developed countries. It is believed that early allergic sensitization and respiratory viral infections play an important role in the development of allergic diseases and asthma. Methods. The current study investigated the correlation between asthma, allergy, and various markers – allergen-specific IgE, IgG4 and IgA, ECP, IgM, and IgG antibodies against respiratory viruses hRSV and hPIV1-4 – in blood serum samples from 80 children (mean age 5.2 years) recruited from the Lithuanian birth cohort. Children were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis: asthma (n = 25), allergy without asthma (n = 14), and control group (n = 41). Results. Based on retrospective data, airway infections and bronchitis by the age of two years were associated with asthma in later childhood. The presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against hRSV and hPIV1–4 at the age of five years were not associated with asthma and allergy: a high rate of persistent or past respiratory viral infections was revealed in all three groups. Among allergic children, increased levels of allergen-specific IgE and d1-specific IgG4 were determined. Conclusion. The current study provides new insights into the relationships between allergic sensitization and respiratory virus infections in children.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell H. Grayson ◽  
Peter Mustillo

The incidence of allergic diseases, like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy, is increasing in Westernized countries. This chapter discusses the importance of taking a careful and focused history and physical examination, as well as the laboratory studies that can be used to demonstrate the presence of allergic sensitization. Treatment for allergic disease is discussed, with an emphasis on new biologic therapies that have been developed. Finally, the chapter explores relatively new studies on the potential for interventions to prevent food allergy.  Allergy is defined as an untoward physiologic event mediated by immune mechanisms, usually involving the interaction between an allergen and the allergic antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE). Allergic reactions typically occur due to exposure to either airborne allergens, foods, drugs, chemicals, or Hymenoptera (such as wasps, bees and fire ants). Allergies manifest in numerous ways, including allergic asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema, and in its most severe form, anaphylaxis. This review contains 4 videos, 5 figures, 4 tables and 42 references Key Words: Delayed allergic reaction (Alpha-gal), Allergy diagnosis, Measurement of specific IgE, Allergy and asthma therapies, Anticytokine therapy (dupilumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab), AntiIgE therapy (omalizumab), Allergy skin testing, Basophil histamine release assay


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-739
Author(s):  
Nele Sigurs ◽  
Gunnar Hattevig ◽  
Bengt Kjellman

Two matched groups of children with a family history of atopy/allergy were observed from birth. In one group (n = 65) the mothers had a diet free from eggs, cow's milk, and fish during the first 3 months of lactation, whereas the mothers in the other group (n = 50) had a normal diet. Atopic/allergic manifestations, skin-prick tests, and specific IgE antibodies to egg white and cow's milk during the first 18 months of life have been reported previously. At 4 years of age the children underwent a clinical examination, skin-prick tests, and determination of specific IgE antibodies in serum against certain food and inhalant allergens. Both the cumulative incidence and the current prevalence of atopic dermatitis were significantly lower in the group of children whose mothers had adhered to a hypoallergenic diet during lactation, whereas all other atopic manifestations were similar. The number of children with positive skin-prick tests and specific IgE antibodies did not differ significantly, but the number of positive skin-prick tests and specific IgE antibody reactions in serum was significantly lower in the children of mothers adhering to the diet, indicating a milder degree of sensitization in these children.


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