allergy
Studies on experimental iodine allergy: 3. Low molecular weight elicitogenic antigens of iodine allergy.

Sugihara Y, Shionoya H, Okano K, Sagami F, Mikami T, Katayama K.

Department of Drug Safety Research, Eisai Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Tohkodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan.

We hypothesize that iodine allergy is an immune response to iodinated self proteins produced in vivo from various iodine-containing chemicals. Since an antigenic determinant of experimental iodine allergy is diiodotyrosine (DIT), we designed low molecular weight DIT derivatives having provocative antigenicity without sensitizing immunogenicity. Tetraiododityrosine and hexaiodotrityrosine provoked dose-dependent skin reactions in guinea pigs previously immunized with iodine. No guinea pigs immunized with hexaiodotrityrosine showed anaphylactic reaction by i.v. challenge with hexaiodotrityrosine and none of their antisera showed positive passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in guinea pigs, indicating the non-immunogenic nature of the compound. Erythrosine, one of the color additives having a structure common with DIT, was assessed for its immunological property. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition studies on erythrosine revealed that the inhibitory activity of erythrosine was stronger than that of DIT. Furthermore, erythrosine provoked a PCA reaction in animals sensitized with anti-iodine antisera. In conclusion, hexaiodotrityrosine is thought to be useful for skin testing of iodine allergy without any fear of sensitization to the allergen. Erythrosine was shown to provoke an experimental iodine allergy and, also, the relationships between the new concept of iodine allergy and features of clinical findings of adverse effects by iodocontrast media are discussed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15206583&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Clinical manifestations of hand eczema compared by etiologic classification and irritation reactivity to SLS.

Kang YC, Lee S, Ahn SK, Choi EH.

Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Korea.

Hand eczema is a common skin disease. Because of its variable etiologies and clinical manifestations, it is difficult to determine the etiology from the clinical manifestation. Among the contact allergens, nickel is the most common. Patients with hand eczema and a nickel allergy have a poorer prognosis than patients without a nickel allergy. The reason is still uncertain; suggestions include persistent exposure to nickel or a weak skin barrier. The purpose of our study was to identify the characteristic clinical manifestations by etiology and to compare the skin barrier state between patients with nickel allergies and those without them. Ninety-three patients were classified into 4 types; irritation contact type, allergic contact type, atopic type and mixed type. After the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) test to compare the skin barrier state, visual score and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured and analyzed statistically. From this study, it was not possible to ascertain a statistical difference, however a few characteristic clinical manifestations according to etiology can be stated. There was no difference in the visual scoring system or the TEWL after the SLS irritation test between the nickel-allergy group and the non-allergy group. Therefore, we believe that the poor prognosis of hand eczema with nickel allergy may be due to the nickel allergy itself rather than skin barrier state.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12227480&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
The prevalence of latex sensitisation and allergy in Danish atopic children. Evaluation of diagnostic methods.

Jensen VB, Jorgensen IM, Rasmussen KB, Prahl P.

Department of Paediatrics, Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. braendholt dadlnet.dk

BACKGROUND: All over the world natural rubber allergy is reported to be responsible for a wide spectrum of allergic symptoms ranging from mild rhinitis to severe anaphylaxis. AIM: To estimate the prevalence and the clinical significance of latex sensitisation in atopic children seen in a university paediatric outpatient clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 1997-1998, a total of one hundred atopic children (4-14 years old, 64 boys and 36 girls) were consecutively screened for latex sensitisation by skin prick tests (SPTs) with standard inhalant allergens (ALK) and latex (Stallergenes SA), measurement of specific IgE (CAP System, Pharmacia, and Magic Lite, ALK) and total IgE. A clinical history with attention to surgical history, latex exposure and presence of symptoms possibly due to latex or food allergy was obtained. RESULTS: Five children (5%) had positive SPT to latex. Four (4%) had positive specific IgE to latex but had a negative SPT to latex. Only one patient (1%), who had spina bifida, had a positive SPT together with symptoms which could be related to latex allergy. This patient also had RAST class 4 to latex both with CAP System and Magic Lite. A history of previous surgery was found in only one of the children with positive latex SPT. Latex CAP System was positive in two of the five latex SPT positive patients, and latex Magic Lite in one of the five. In one patient without any symptoms of latex allergy, both SPT and in vitro tests were positive. Another child without symptoms, and with negative SPT, also had positive in vitro results. CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of sensitisation to latex was 9% in atopic children, but the prevalence of manifest type 1 latex allergy was only 1%. Latex allergy in atopic children seems to be a small problem in Denmark. How to evaluate the significance of positive in vitro tests and positive latex SPT in patients without symptoms to latex, remains an open question.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12238289&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Allergy symptoms and IgE immune response to rose: an occupational and an environmental disease.

Demir AU, Karakaya G, Kalyoncu AF.

Department of Chest Diseases, Adult Allergy Unit, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Turkey is one of the four major producers of rose. Cultivation of rose is the main economic activity of many villagers in the Lakes region. Rose allergy has not been reported before. We investigated the prevalence of allergy symptoms and specific-IgE immune response due to rose in villagers who had been cultivating rose in Guneykent village in the Lakes region. METHODS: A screening questionnaire including respiratory and allergic symptoms was administered to 290 villagers. The investigation team visited and studied 75 randomly selected villagers with an interviewer-administered questionnaire, pulmonary function testing, skin prick testing and serum total IgE. Specific IgE against Rosa rugosa was measured in 41 villagers. RESULTS: Villagers reported asthma/allergy symptoms outside the rose season (17.6%), during the rose season (6.2%), and both during the rose season and outside the rose season (whole the year) (17.6%). Atopy and specific IgE against Rosa rugosa were detected in 12 (19%), and 8 (19.5%) of the villagers tested. Villagers who had symptoms whole the year reported wheeze more frequently than those who reported symptoms only outside the rose season (41.2% vs 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: IgE-mediated allergy could occur due to rose and/or its pollen. Symptoms mainly affect the upper airways. Further studies in the rose handlers, florists and workers of the rose industry would help elucidate the occurrence of rose allergy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12269941&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Food allergy: opportunities and challenges in the clinical practice of allergy and immunology.

James JM.

Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers, PC, 1136 East Stuart Street, Suite 3200, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA. jamesftco earthlink.net

Food allergy offers numerous opportunities and challenges for the allergy and clinical immunology specialist. Physicians with board certification in allergy and clinical immunology should be the main source of reliable clinical information to educate patients with food-related disorders. There has been a wealth of reliable information published related to food allergy that can be utilized by health care providers in clinical practice. This includes information about the cross-reactivity of food allergens, the evaluation of potential new therapies, and the practical application of new diagnostic methods and management strategies. This article addresses some of the new developments in food allergy, with an emphasis on cross-reactvity of food allergens, recombinant food allergens, and potential future therapies for food allergy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15576894&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Severe allergy to sharon fruit caused by birch pollen.

Bolhaar ST, van Ree R, Ma Y, Bruijnzeel-Koomen CA, Vieths S, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K, Knulst AC, Zuidmeer L.

Department of Dermatology/Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.Bolhaar azu.nl

BACKGROUND: Allergy to sharon fruit (persimmon) has been only rarely reported. Cross-reactivity with pollen (profilin and Bet v 6) appeared to be involved, but Bet v 1 has not been implicated previously. OBJECTIVE: It is our aim to identify whether Bet v 1 sensitization is linked to sharon fruit allergy. METHODS: Two patients with a reaction upon first exposure to sharon fruit were included in the study, as well as 7 patients with birch-pollen-related apple allergy. Sensitivity was assessed by skin prick testing (SPT), a radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and immunoblotting. RAST analysis was performed for Bet v 1, Bet v 2 and Bet v 6. Cross-reactivity was evaluated by RAST and immunoblot inhibitions. Biological activity of IgE was measured by basophil histamine release. Sharon fruit allergy was evaluated by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) or open challenge (OC). RESULTS: Both sharon-fruit-allergic patients demonstrated positive reactions in the RAST (8.6 and 6.2 IU/ml, respectively) and SPT (wheal area 37 and 36 mm2). Sharon fruit allergy was confirmed by DBPCFC in 1 patient. The second patient refused a challenge because of the severe initial reaction. Sera from both patients were reactive to Bet v 1 and Bet v 6, which was cross-reactive with sharon fruit by inhibition assays. The patient with the severest reactions was reactive to profilin on immunoblotting. However, profilin did not induce significant histamine release, nor did Bet v 6. Bet v 1 induce approximately 60% histamine release. An OC with sharon fruit in 7 patients allergic to birch pollen and apple, who had not eaten sharon fruit previously, was positive in 6/7 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Birch-pollen-related allergy to sharon fruit is mediated by the known cross-reactive pollen allergens including Bet v 1 and may become more of a problem should sharon fruit consumption increase.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15591813&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Prevalence of self-reported food allergy and IgE antibodies to food allergens in Swedish and Estonian schoolchildren.

Sandin A, Annus T, Bjorksten B, Nilsson L, Riikjarv MA, van Hage-Hamsten M, Braback L.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Paediatrics, Umea University Hospital, Umea, Sweden. annasandin telia.com

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of self-reported food allergy and IgE antibodies to food allergens in wheezing and non-wheezing Estonian and Swedish schoolchildren, in the light of the disparities in the standard of living, food consumption and prevalence of respiratory allergies that still exist between Estonia and the Scandinavian countries. DESIGN AND SETTING: As a part of the ISAAC Phase II study, children from a random sample of schools in Tallinn in Estonia and Linkoping and Ostersund in Sweden participated in skin prick tests to inhalant allergens and the parents replied to questionnaires. IgE antibodies against a panel of food allergens (egg white, milk, soy bean, fish, wheat and peanut) were taken from children with questionnaire-reported wheezing and a random sample of nonwheezing children. SUBJECTS: Children aged 10-11 y. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported food allergy was similar in Estonia and Sweden and about twice as high in wheezing children than in nonwheezing children. In Estonia, however, 3% of the children with perceived food allergy reported reactions from at least four different foods, as compared to 31% in Sweden. The prevalence of sensitisation to food allergens was similar in wheezing and nonwheezing children in Estonia (8%) while, in Swedish children, IgE antibodies to food allergens were more likely among wheezing children (Linkoping 38 vs 11%, crude OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.2-11.6, and Ostersund 24 vs 7%, crude OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-8.5). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that IgE-mediated food reactions were less likely in Estonian schoolchildren. Moreover, the perception of food allergy and thereby the meaning of self-reported food allergy appears to be different in the two countries.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15602588&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine