scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL ALLERGENS: BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOPROTEOMIC APPROACH : A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (supplement 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amarjeet Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Prick Test ◽  
Biological Particles ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Recombinant Technology ◽  
Animal Dander

Atmospheric air contains a wide variety of components like inorganic gaseous, particulate pollutants and biological particles such as fungal spores, pollen grains, dust mites and animal dander that can affect human health. Among biological particles, airborne fungal spores are an essential source of aeroallergens. In India, allergy prevalence has become a major health concern with symptoms ranging from mild rhinitis to severe asthma and even life threatening anaphylaxis. Aerobiological studies provide qualitative and quantitative information about fungal spores of a given region. The proper identification, purification and molecular characterization of fungal allergens are essential for proper diagnosis and to design immunotherapeutic vaccines. Only a few fungal allergens have been characterized by recombinant technology and structural biology. Detailed analysis of fungal biochemistry can be done by using multiple techonologies including Skin Prick Test (SPT), ELISA, immunonoblot, MALDI TOF, genome and transcriptome sequencing, recombinant technology and bioinformatics. The purpose of this review is to describe the different strategies that have been used to identify, purify and characterize the fungal allergens, which may enrich the database of allergy research and help in the implementation of immunotherapy in future.

scholarly journals INVOLVEMENT OF SOME ALLERGENS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL ORIGIN IN ALLERGIC REACTIONS RELATED TO RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 76-74
Author(s):  
Hemalata V. Dange
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Prick Test ◽  
Bird Droppings ◽  
Animal Dander

In India, the prevalence of allergic responses and bronchial asthma is on the rise, which is a major public health concern. Increased exposure to an allergen, a substance that causes a reaction, can cause allergy sensitization in genetically vulnerable people. Continued exposure to allergens can raise the risk of allergic diseases which can further progress into life threating respiratory diseases. Allergic reactions to a variety of indoor and outdoor allergens play a key role in severe breathing disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are distinctive kinds of allergens like animal proteins and animal dander, pollen, food, fungi, mould, Insects, Bird droppings and many others. The common allergens that cause respiratory difficulties have been identified after an honest effort. A modest retrospective analysis of 160 patients was done. Their medical history was gathered in order to determine whether or not they had been exposed to allergies in the past. All of the study participants were given a Skin prick test (SPT) with a variety of allergens, and their allergy status was evaluated based on the results. Most allergens, such as dust mites, pollen grains, and pigeon droppings, have been discovered to cause severe respiratory allergies, which can lead to life-threatening respiratory complications.

scholarly journals Fungal allergens.

1995 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
W E Horner ◽  
A Helbling ◽  
J E Salvaggio ◽  
S B Lehrer
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Type I ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Fungal Allergy ◽  
Airborne Fungal Spores ◽  
Specific Antigens ◽  
Type I Hypersensitivity ◽  
Allergy Prevalence

Airborne fungal spores occur widely and often in far greater concentrations than pollen grains. Immunoglobulin E-specific antigens (allergens) on airborne fungal spores induce type I hypersensitivity (allergic) respiratory reactions in sensitized atopic subjects, causing rhinitis and/or asthma. The prevalence of respiratory allergy to fungi is imprecisely known but is estimated at 20 to 30% of atopic (allergy-predisposed) individuals or up to 6% of the general population. Diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergy to fungi require well-characterized or standardized extracts that contain the relevant allergen(s) of the appropriate fungus. Production of standardized extracts is difficult since fungal extracts are complex mixtures and a variety of fungi are allergenic. Thus, the currently available extracts are largely nonstandardized, even uncharacterized, crude extracts. Recent significant progress in isolating and characterizing relevant fungal allergens is summarized in the present review. Particularly, some allergens from the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium are now thoroughly characterized, and allergens from several other genera, including some basidiomycetes, have also been purified. The availability of these extracts will facilitate definitive studies of fungal allergy prevalence and immunotherapy efficacy as well as enhance both the diagnosis and therapy of fungal allergy.

scholarly journals Aerobiology in South Africa: A new hope!

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linus Ajikah ◽  
Frank H. Neumann ◽  
Dilys Berman ◽  
Jonny Peter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Considerable Morbidity ◽  
Effective Diagnosis

Pollen and fungal spores (aerospora) are the major atmospheric bioaerosols. Aerospora occurrence and concentration vary by geographical region and blossoming period, and with meteorological factors. Allergic respiratory diseases affect about 20 million South Africans, with pollen and fungal allergens amongst the leading triggers. Asthma triggered by aerospora can be life threatening; allergic rhinitis causes considerable morbidity and carries financial implications for individuals and health systems. Thus, knowledge about geographical variation, seasonal timing and intensity, as well as annual aerospora fluctuations in South Africa, where climate and vegetation are exceptionally diverse, is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Unfortunately, there is a lack of continuous aeropalynological data from South Africa. The longest annual monitoring exists for Cape Town (~20 years), with almost no data out of the Cape since the 1990s, and many parts of South Africa have never been monitored. In this brief review, we highlight the cross-disciplinary need for strengthened and expanded continuous aeropalynological study in South Africa, the history of efforts to date, and the introduction of the interdisciplinary South African Pollen Network (SAPNET). SAPNET was launched in seven major cities in August 2019 in order to monitor weekly variations of aerospora, and provide online data for allergy sufferers and health-care providers (www.pollencount.co.za) with the aim to establish regional pollen calendars.

scholarly journals Sensitization to Airborne Fungal Allergens Associates with Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Presentation and Severity in the Singaporean/Malaysian Population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yie Sio ◽  
Sze Lei Pang ◽  
Yee-How Say ◽  
Keng Foo Teh ◽  
Yi Ru Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Curvularia Lunata ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tropical Asia ◽  
Prick Test ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Fungal Sensitization

AbstractFungal spores and conidia are the major components of total airspora in the tropical Asia environment, and their sensitization patterns are often associated with allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis. Hence, we recruited a cross-sectional cohort of 9223 Singapore/Malaysia Chinese adults and assessed their sensitization against Curvularia lunata allergen using the skin prick test approach. A subset of this cohort (n = 254) was also screened for specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) titers against a panel of 11 fungal allergens. We found significant association of Curvularia lunata sensitization with the risk of asthma (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.17–2.33; p = 0.00391) and AR (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.18–2.41; p = 0.00396). Among asthmatic patients (n = 1680), Curvularia lunata sensitization also increased frequencies of wheezing symptoms (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.05–2.96; p = 0.0239), general practitioner/specialist visits (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.13–4.61; p = 0.0157), and other asthma-related exacerbation events (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.04–4.10; p = 0.0289). In our serum cohort, sensitization to Aspergillus spp. was the most common fungal sensitization, with 23.6% (n = 60) had a class 3 and above sensitization (positive sensitization; sIgE titers of > 3.5 kU/L) against this allergen. Increasing sIgE titer against Aspergillus spp. was also correlated with increased AR risk and AR-related symptoms. In conclusion, our findings emphasize an important role of fungal sensitization in the manifestations of asthma and AR in the Southeast Asian Chinese population.

scholarly journals On the results of the aeropalinospore monitoring of urban air: some features of inside and inter-seasonal variability of lower fungi spores level

2021 ◽  
Vol 265 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Natalya Vlasova ◽  
Ksenia Mazokha ◽  
Lyudmila Kavelenova ◽  
Marina Manzhos
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
Middle Volga Region ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Middle Volga ◽  
Plant Pollen ◽  
Monitoring Activity

Public health risks associated with molds include sensitization, allergic symptoms, irritation and/or toxicity. Sensitization to fungal allergens often occurs in patients who are hypersensitive to other groups allergens, including plant pollen. Both plants and molds are characterized by active growth in warm seasons, in temperate latitudes from April to October, which determines the presence of pollen grains of plants and mold spores in the atmospheric air during this period. This determines the needs in monitoring activity aimed to biogenic pollutants evaluation in the air of large cities where many people live compactly. The report presents the monitoring results of Alternaria, Cladosporium and other lower fungi spores in the air of Samara city in 2015 - 2020. It has been established that for the air environment of Samara, lower fungi cannot be considered as the predominant source of allergens. The high concentration of fungal spores is most often caused by fungi of Alternaria genus, which leads to the development of sensitization in 27.7% of children and 14.6% of adults in the region. The results of aeropalinospore monitoring demonstrated the lesser significance of Cladosporium genus fungi as a risk factor, or an allergens source for Samara city (Middle Volga region).

An Overview of Dementias

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 75-84
Author(s):  
Venkata Vijaya K. Dalai ◽  
Jason E. Childress ◽  
Paul E Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Great Variability ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Common ◽  
Neurodegenerative Dementias ◽  
Made In

Dementia is a major public health concern that afflicts an estimated 24.3 million people worldwide. Great strides are being made in order to better diagnose, prevent, and treat these disorders. Dementia is associated with multiple complications, some of which can be life-threatening, such as dysphagia. There is great variability between dementias in terms of when dysphagia and other swallowing disorders occur. In order to prepare the reader for the other articles in this publication discussing swallowing issues in depth, the authors of this article will provide a brief overview of the prevalence, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, current treatment options, and implications for eating for the common forms of neurodegenerative dementias.

SARS-COV2 virus and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 977-982
Author(s):  
Mohamed J. Saadh ◽  
Bashar Haj Rashid M ◽  
Roa’a Matar ◽  
Sajeda Riyad Aldibs ◽  
Hala Sbaih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

SARS-COV2 virus causes Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease that is of great global public health concern. The novel coronavirus (2019) was discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, the market of the wet animal, China with viral pneumonia cases and is life-threatening. Today, WHO announces COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. COVID-19 is likely to be zoonotic. It is transmitted from bats as intermediary animals to human. Also, the virus is transmitted from human to human who is in close contact with others. The computerized tomographic chest scan is usually abnormal even in those with no symptoms or mild disease. Treatment is nearly supportive; the role of antiviral agents is yet to be established. The SARS-COV2 virus spreads faster than its two ancestors, the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but has lower fatality. In this article, we aimed to summarize the transmission, symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine to control the spread of this fatal disease.

scholarly journals Development of a Vaccine against Human Cytomegalovirus: Advances, Barriers, and Implications for the Clinical Practice

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Sara Scarpini ◽  
Francesca Morigi ◽  
Ludovica Betti ◽  
Arianna Dondi ◽  
Carlotta Biagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Live Vaccines ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
Immune Correlates ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Life Threatening

Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) is one of the most common causes of congenital infection in the post-rubella era, representing a major public health concern. Although most cases are asymptomatic in the neonatal period, congenital CMV (cCMV) disease can result in permanent impairment of cognitive development and represents the leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss. Moreover, even if hCMV mostly causes asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic infections in immunocompetent hosts, it may lead to severe and life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. Since immunity reduces the severity of disease, in the last years, the development of an effective and safe hCMV vaccine has been of great interest to pharmacologic researchers. Both hCMV live vaccines—e.g., live-attenuated, chimeric, viral-based—and non-living ones—subunit, RNA-based, virus-like particles, plasmid-based DNA—have been investigated. Encouraging data are emerging from clinical trials, but a hCMV vaccine has not been licensed yet. Major difficulties in the development of a satisfactory vaccine include hCMV’s capacity to evade the immune response, unclear immune correlates for protection, low number of available animal models, and insufficient general awareness. Moreover, there is a need to determine which may be the best target populations for vaccine administration. The aim of the present paper is to examine the status of hCMV vaccines undergoing clinical trials and understand barriers limiting their development.

An inverse relationship between moisture and grazing intensity in an arid mountain-basin system

2021 ◽  
pp. 030913332110600
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xiao-zhong Huang ◽  
Jia-le Wang ◽  
Richard HW Bradshaw ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
High Mountains ◽  
Spores And Pollen ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin System

Precipitation has been suggested as a crucial influencing factor in the primary productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, yet how moisture fluctuation in an arid mountain-basin system of the north Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau has affected human activities is poorly understood. Here, we reconstruct the variations of grazing intensity in high elevations and regional humidity based on independent and high-resolution records of Sporormiella-type coprophilous fungal spores and pollen grains in the same well-dated sediment core from Lake Tian’E in the western Qilian Mountains over the past 3500 years. We find that stronger grazing activity was associated with low regional effective moisture, and propose that the drier regional climate pushed people and their livestock into the mountainous areas. A notable exception was a reduction of human and grazing activities in arid region with high mountains during 380–580 CE caused by centennial-length dry and cold conditions. In addition, it is also noteworthy that intensified grazing activity occurred during 580–720 CE and after ∼1920 CE, corresponding to a warmer and wetter climate and diverse subsistence strategies with social developments in the lowlands of the Hexi Corridor. Our findings potentially provide a historical reference for understanding how ancient people adapted to the climate change in arid region with high mountains.

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