Cat Epithelium Research Articles

Association between severity of atopic eczema and degree of sensitization to aeroallergens in schoolchildren

Background: A subgroup of patients with atopic eczema exhibits aggravation through contact with aeroallergens. Little is known from population-based studies, however, about the association between the severity of eczematous skin disease and the degree of aeroallergen sensitization. Objective: We sought to investigate the relationship between IgE-mediated allergic sensitization to aeroallergens and severity of atopic eczema in schoolchildren. Methods: A nested case-control analysis on atopic eczema was performed on the basis of a cross-sectional study of 2201 East German schoolchildren aged 5 to 14 years. Atopic eczema and its severity was identified by dermatologic examination. Total and allergen-specific IgE antibodies to grass and birch pollen, Cladosporium herbarum , Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , and cat epithelium in serum were determined, and additional information was obtained by means of standardized questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of actual atopic eczema was 2.5%. Thirty-seven percent of the children were sensitized to at least one allergen. Children with atopic eczema were significantly more often sensitized than those without skin disease (75.0% vs 36.3%; odds ratio, 5.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.54-11.15). This was observed for each single allergen. The prevalence of atopic eczema increased significantly with increasing RAST class (χ 2 trend test for each allergen, P < .0001). Also, the prevalence of sensitization increased with the severity of the disease (χ 2 trend test for each allergen, P < .0001). This association was pronounced for house dust mite and cat allergen. Multiple linear regression analyses showed significant associations between the severity score of atopic eczema and concentrations of allergen-specific IgE to dust mite ( P = .032) and cat ( P = .014) allergens after adjustment for sex, age, location, and parental predisposition. Conclusions: The degree of sensitization is directly associated with the severity of atopic eczema. We speculate that early epicutaneous sensitization to aeroallergens may be enhanced by damage of the skin barrier function. The specific IgE response seems to contribute to the severity of the disease in a dose-dependent fashion. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;1280-4.)

Anstrengungsinduzierte Anaphylaxie auf Schweine- und Rindfleisch

A 72-year-old woman developed generalized urticaria. Quincke oedema, shortness of breath and hypotension two hours after eating a meal containing pork and after mild physical activity (ironing) in-between. She was treated by an emergency physician and then admitted to hospital for one day of monitoring her condition. During the past several years such episodes of generalized urticaria had recurred twice to four times a year. Pin-prick tests gave an immediate-type reaction to beef but not to pork. Specific serum IgE antibodies were demonstrated to pork and beef, cat's epithelia, milk albumin and casein. Oral provocation tests were negative for pork and beef. But when pork and beef were eaten mild physical activity (bicycle ergometry at 20 W), generalized urticaria occurred after eating pork and beef, but not after drinking milk. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis to pork and beef was diagnosed. No allergic reaction has occurred in more than 12 months of avoiding eating these meats. The picture of exercise-induced anaphylaxis caused by food allergy can be precipitated by even mild activity. This must be taken into account in the diagnosis of systemic rapid-reaction response and in the performance of provocation tests.

Comparison between IMMUNODOT tests and the intradermal skin test in atopic dogs.

This study evaluated a new perspective in the diagnosis of dermatitis in dogs with signs suggestive of allergic skin disease. The results obtained with CMG IMMUNODOT tests using the technique of allergen-specific strip tests, as employed for human allergy diagnosis, were compared with those obtained by the intradermal skin test (IDST). Forty-eight cases completed the diagnostic evaluation, which included IDST, flea-control program, exclusion of sarcoptes and, for some cases, a 1- to 2-month stabilization period on a restricted protein source diet and testing the serum in the presence of allergen-specific IgE and total IgE. The most common disorders included house and storage dust mites, allergic dermatitis and flea-allergic dermatitis together with atopy. This was confirmed serologically. In the case of positive IDST to pollens, Aspergillus spp. and cat epithelium, CMG IMMUNODOT strip tests were negative. A total of 25% of cases were considered to be primarily associated with food hypersensitivity, but only 4% were confirmed serologically. This study emphasizes the value of CMG IMMUNODOT tests as a support in the diagnosis of dog allergy.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF LUMIWARD IMMUNOASSAY SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC IgE MEASUREMENT ON PEDIATRICS

Using 196 serum samples obtained from both children patients who showed allergic symptoms and normal donors, the usefulness of LUMIWARD immunoassay system was investigated for diagnosis of allergic diseases throughout comparison with skin test and CAP RAST.On fundamental test results, excellent performances were obtained on both reproducibility tests and dilution tests. The interference substances had no effect on the measured values in the assay system. The minimum detectable concentrations were 0.04IU/ml on specific IgE antibody and 0.11IU/ml on total IgE. On 858 tests from 145 patients, the correlation of 8 allergens between LUMIWARD and CAP RAST showed high performance, that concordance rate, positive concordance rate and negative one were 91.8, 90.3, 92.8%, and the correlation coefficient was 0.916.On the clinical evaluations, LUMIWARD showed a little sensitivity and more excellent specificity than the skin test. In regard to the appearance frequency of qualitatively positive sera by age group, only egg white- and/or milk-specific IgE in food allergens were detected on the positive zone at age 0. All allergen-specific IgE had peak frequency at age 2 and decreased gradually at age 6. The IgE against cat epithelium and house dust mite increased in order of age, especially mite-specific IgE reached 70% in frequency at age 6. In the retrospective study of 6-aged patients who showed positive to egg white, seven of nine had been positive to egg white at age 0. One of residual 2 samples showed low concentration IgE (0.04-0.35IU/ml) against egg white, though it deemed to be negative. At age 0, one sample was positive and two sample had low concentration on milk-specific IgE. On mite-specific IgE, all of nine samples showed negative but four samples had low concentration of IgE.These observations suggested that LUMIWARD had the clinical usefulness in detecting IgE antibodies in allergic subjects and earlier diagnosis on childfood.

Food anaphylaxis to bovine serum albumin

Although rare, anaphylaxis has been reported after topical administration of bacitracin ointment.1-7 All reported patients, including ours, had applied the drug to a compromised skin barrier (i.e., leg ulcers, excoriated dermatitis, or burns). Thus ready access to the systemic circulation seems to be a prerequisite for the development of anaphylaxis from this externally applied agent. The severity of reported anaphylaxis to bacitracin is particularly noteworthy, with hypotension documented in six of eight cases.1-4, 6 Four of eight reported cases demonstrated the presence of IgE to bacitracin, two by direct skin testing1, 5 and two by PK testing.2, 4 Given his near-fatal reaction, our patient declined to be skin tested. Immunoassay results for IgE antibody and basophil histamine release test results were negative. However, without a positive control, these negative in vitro assays do not exclude the presence of IgE antibody to bacitracin. Bacitracin, a low molecular weight polypeptide, may have to act as a hapten, and a protein carrier is not present in these in vitro systems. Furthermore, bacitracin is labile in aqueous solution, which may also have led to the negative in vitro assay results. Therefore PK testing on a rhesus monkey was pursued. The passive transfer of immediate-type hypersensitivity between heterologous species has been described by using human serum in rhesus monkeys.8 Serum from our patient, as well as from one of the reported cases, caused positive PK test results in monkeys, thus confirming the presence of IgE antibody to bacitracin. We report this case of anaphylaxis after the topical administration of bacitracin so that physicians may be aware of this rare, but potentially life-threatening, reaction to a commonly used medication.

Aeroallergen patch testing for patients presenting to contact dermatitis clinics

Background: The role of aeroallergens in the production of allergic contact dermatitis or “allergic contact dermatitis-like” atopic dermatitis is controversial. Although techniques and allergens lack standardization, most studies find positive patch test results in 30% to 40% of patients with atopic dermatitis. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of positive aeroallergen patch tests in patients undergoing standard patch testing for suspected “nonaeroallergen” allergic contact dermatitis. Methods: One hundred three consecutive patients referred to three university patch test clinics for patch testing were also patch tested with six common aeroallergens in glycerine—dust, mold, cat epithelium, tree, grass, and weed—as well as with a glycerine control. Patches were removed at 48 hours. Readings were performed at this time and at 3 to 7 days after initial application. Results: As determined by history, these 103 patients included 16 patients with both atopic dermatitis and mucosal atopy, 10 patients with atopic dermatitis only, 22 patients with mucosal atopy only, and 55 patients with neither atopic dermatitis nor mucosal atopy. Allergic reactions were seen to one aeroallergen in five patients (three with atopic dermatitis and mucosal allergy, and two with no history of atopy). The prevalence (3 of 16 [18.8%]) of reactions in patients with both atopic dermatitis and mucosal allergy was significantly greater than the prevalence (2 of 87 [2.3%]) in patients with only one or neither of these two atopic disorders ( p = 0.02). None of these aeroallergen contact hypersensitivities were deemed significant in the patients' current dermatitis. However, reactions were of past relevance in two of the three patients with atopic dermatitis and mucosal allergy. Conclusion: In this referral group, none of the six common aeroallergens tested was relevant in the origin of suspected “nonaeroallergen” allergic contact dermatitis. This study suggests that aeroallergen patch testing is of little use in the evaluation of patients referred for routine patch testing for suspected “nonaeroallergen” allergic contact dermatitis. Similar but larger studies inclusive of the assessment of relevance, as well as masked controlled clinical trials assessing the effect of aeroallergen exposure and avoidance, are needed to evaluate this issue more fully.

A clinical evaluation in children of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system for inhalant allergens

The Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system (CAP) for assaying serum IgE specific antibodies was evaluated in a clinical setting against skin-prick test (SPT) performed using Dome/Hollister-Steir allergen extracts. The five common inhalant allergens D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, mould mix, grass mix and cat epithelium were tested concurrently by both methods in 167 children aged 7.5-12 years. The specific SPT for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were also tested against the CAP house dust mite (HDM) mix. The purpose of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system for detecting serum IgE specific antibodies to inhalant allergens in a clinical setting, using SPT result as the "gold standard'. The SPTs were performed using Dome/Hollister-Steir allergen extracts. The serum IgE specific antibodies were quantitated using the radioimmunoassay version of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system. A history of allergic disease was assessed using a validated questionnaire. SPT gave more positive reactions than CAP with the exception of cat epithelium. The concordance between SPT and CAP results was 91% over all the tests. The concordance with SPT was slightly higher for the specific CAP for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae (93% and 95% respectively) than for the CAP HDM mix (86% and 90% respectively). There was a higher proportion of positive results for both SPT and CAP in the 115 children defined as having a history of allergic disease. Using SPT defined allergy as the gold standard, the sensitivity of the CAP system was 87% for the two specific house dust mites but was lower for cat epithelium (67%), mould mix (59%) and grass mix (46%). The sensitivity of the CAP system improved for D. pteronyssinus (96%) and the HDM mix (91%) when tested in subjects defined as having a history of allergy associated disease. The specificity of the CAP system showed less variation between allergens and ranged from 90-99%. The results of this study of children aged 7.5-12 years demonstrate that, for the inhalant allergens tested, the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system performs well in the setting of known allergic disease.

RISK FACTORS FOR ACUTE WHEEZING IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN: VIRUSES, PASSIVE SMOKE, AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN E (IgE) IgE ANTIBODIES TO INHALANT ALLERGENS

Study Population. Ninety-nine children from age 2 months to 16 years who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Room of the University of Virginia and received treatment for acute wheezing, were enrolled in this study. Fifty-seven control patients were enrolled from the same setting who did not previously or currently manifest wheezing/respiratory symptoms. Method. Serum for immunoglobulin E (IgE) and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) IgE for D. Pteronyssinus/Farinae, cat epithelium, short ragweed, rye grass, and mixed Cockroach was collected. Nasal saline washes were obtained for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen detection and respiratory viral cultures. Nasal smears for eosinopils were obtained as well as saliva samples for the nicotine metabolite, cotinine. Results. IgE RAST testing identified an increasing number of study patients with IgE specific antibodies. Nasal smears revealed similar but not identical findings. Patients over 2 years of age demonstrated a family history of atopy, IgE levels, and positive RAST significantly greater than control (P &amp;lt; .001). Viral infections were more common in younger children &amp;lt;2 years of age (positive in 90% vs 50% in the &amp;gt;2 years 0.05). RSV isolates were greatest in children &amp;lt;2 years old. Seventy five percent of patients compared with 58% of controls had one or more smokers at home. Children &amp;lt;2 were more likely to have an elevated salivary cotinine level than children &amp;gt;2 years old, despite the presence of smokers in the home. Combination risk factors found 66% of patients with two or more risk factors as compared with only 28% of controls (P &amp;lt; .001).

Atopic diseases in Brazilian children--etiologic multicentric study

In order to determine the etiologic agents involved in atopic diseases in Brazilian children, we have performed this multicentric study in 8 areas in Brazil. We have done prick tests with inhalants and food antigens and analyzed skin tests results, considering positive the wheal mean diameter 3 mm. 22,2% of skin tests were negative and the majority were positive to inhalants: D.pteronyssinus(Dpt) (66.6%) and D. farinae(Df) (66.0%), house dust extract (29.0%), dogs epithelium (19.2%), cat's epithelium (8.8%), feather (5.5%), molds (4.2%), Penicillium sp (2.2%) and Lollium perene (0.6%). We have had 9,1% of food positive tests: cow milk (5.2%), peanut (3.5%), corn (3.2%), cocoa and soya (2.2%), eggs and wheat (1.9%). We have concluded that the domestic mites are the most important agents involved in the etiology of atopic diseases in Brazilian children, and the extracts involved, in line with the sensitization of each geographical area.

主として気管支ぜん息患児らを対象とした特異ＩｇＥ抗体測定法（ＡｌａＳＴＡＴ）の有用性についての検討

Using AlaSTAT, a screening test was performed on 138 patients with bronchial asthma, mostly children, for various allergens (16 items). The relative rates of positive reaction to specific IgE antibodies were Dermatophagoides farinae > house dust 2 > cat epithelium > Japanese cedar > egg white > fungus. When AIaSTAT and MAST values were compared with skin test results (12 items), AlaSTAT and MAST were superior with respect to sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The mean number of positive allergens was 5.47 for AlaSTAT and 2.32 for MAST. Of 115 samples, 20 tested negative for allergens with MAST, while the corresponding number was 5 with AlaSTAT. These results indicate that AlaSTAT should be the primary clinical screening test.

Prevalence of atopy and pollinosis in the adult population of Switzerland (SAPALDIA study). Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults.

The Swiss SAPALDIA study is a large multicenter cross-sectional study initiated in 1991 to evaluate the relationship between environment and respiratory symptoms and diseases in adults, and included subjects from eight areas in Switzerland with distinctive environmental characteristics. We present here prevalence data for atopy, pollinosis and atopic asthma obtained from a random sample of 8,357 adults (18-60 years) assessed by standardized computer-based interview as well as by allergy skin prick tests (SPTs) (performed with Phazet) to grass, birch and Parietaria pollen, house dust mite, cat and dog epithelia and the moulds Alternaria and Cladosporium and by an in vitro allergy screen test (Phadiatop CAP FEIA system). On the basis of a positive Phadiatop (total 28.9%; males 32.9%, females 25.0%; p < 0.001) and/or a positive SPT (total 23%; males 25.0%, females 20.8%; p < 0.001), 32.3% of the study population were considered atopic (males 35.7%, females 28.8%; p < 0.001). Concerning the prevalence of skin sensitization (SPT wheal > or = 3 mm), the highest rate was observed for grass (12.7%), followed by house dust mite (8.9%), silver birch (7.9%), cat (3.8%) and dog (2.8%), whereas moulds and Parietaria elicited less than 1% positive SPTs. The prevalence of atopic rhinitis (rhinitis symptoms associated with atopy) was 13.5% (males 14.3%, females 12.6%; p < 0.05) and the prevalence of current hay fever varied between 9.1% (questionnaire answer and a positive SPT to at least one pollen), 11.2% (questionnaire answer and presence of atopy) to 14.2% (questionnaire answer only) with no significant difference by sex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of the overall degree of sensitization to airborne allergens by a single serologic test: Implications for epidemiologic studies of allergy

In most epidemiologic studies of respiratory allergy, the overall degree of sensitization is usually measured by indices based on skin prick test reactions to a panel of relevant airborne allergens. In the present study we used a single assay (CAP-Phadiatop, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden), which is based on the reaction between serum-specific IgE and a mixture of locally relevant inhalant allergens to measure the degree of sensitization to inhalants in the sera of 1815 young Italian men, in whom a complete diagnostic workup for respiratory allergy was performed in parallel. The intensity of reaction in the CAP-Phadiatop assay was highly correlated with: (1) an allergy index ( p < 0.005), based on skin prick test reactivity to seven relevant inhalant allergens ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, mixed grass pollens, cat epithelium, Parietaria judaica, Olea europaea, Artemisia vulgaris, Alternaria tenuis); (2) the concentration of specific IgE to the same allergens, measured by CAP-RAST ( p < 0.001), in both monosensitized and polysensitized subjects; (3) the rate of respiratory allergic diseases ( p < 0.0001). Therefore CAP-Phadiatop intensity of reaction is a reliable indicator of the overall degree of sensitization to inhalant allergens. Furthermore, as demonstrated by relative operating characteristic analysis, it has an acceptable detectability power in identifying subjects with symptomatic expression of the atopy status [P(A) = 0.948]. The evaluation of the degree of sensitization to inhalants by a single and semiautomated assay represents a step forward in the standardization of procedures for epidemiologic studies of inhalant allergic diseases and for mass screening programs, which are aimed at identifying predictive markers of disease susceptibility.

The batch‐to‐batch variation of the potency of dog– and cat–allergen‐coated lancets

In clinical work I formed the impression that the potency of Phazet lancets, for cat and dog allergens, was lower than earlier and too low to diagnose all clinically sensitive children with cat and dog allergy. Therefore, I decided to investigate the potency of newly produced and several years old Phazet lancets coated with dog and cat allergens. Twenty-six adults with case histories of cat and/or dog allergy and skin reactive to extracts of either dog dander or cat epithelium were skin prick tested in duplicate with one old batch and one newly produced batch of Phazet dog and/or cat lancets as well as the in-house reference of cat and/or dog allergen, 100,000 BU/ml. The potency of Phazet lancets in relation to the standard was evaluated by the median slope of the allergen dose-response relationship. The potency of the old dog lancets (mean 48,900 BU/ml) was higher (NS) than that of the newly produced lancets (mean 28,000 BU/ml), and the potency of both types of lancets was significantly less (P < 0.001) than that of the dog allergen in-house standard. On the other hand, the potency of newly produced (123,000 BU/ml), but not old (108,000), cat-allergen-coated Phazet lancets was higher than that of the cat allergen in-house reference extract (P = 0.048). There was a marked variation in potency between patients. Most of this variation was due to factors varying between patients, not between lancets, indicating that the composition of the allergen on the lancets was partly different from that of the standard.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Manifestation of atopy is not related to patient's month of birth

The first months of life may be an important period for allergic sensitization. Several studies suggest a relationship between the month of birth (MB) and the development of skin sensitivity to aeroallergens or the manifestation of an atopic disease. In 1988 and 1989 we investigated a population of 1066 Bavarian preschool children aged 5-6 years. Skin prick tests were performed with common aeroallergens (grass pollen, birch pollen, house-dust mite, cat epithelia). The personal history of atopic disease (atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma) was recorded by a questionnaire, and the presence of overt atopic disease was documented by a personal examination. Positive prick test reactions to the above-mentioned aeroallergens were found in 15.4%, 9.2%, 12.2%, and 10.4% of the subjects, respectively; lifetime prevalence of manifest atopic disease was 22.2% for atopic eczema, 11.7% for allergic rhinitis, and 4.5% for asthma. The MB distributions of children reacting to aeroallergens or of those with atopic diseases were compared with those of subjects with corresponding negative findings. Chi-square tests were performed for each aeroallergen and each of the atopic diseases separately. No significant differences among the MB distributions were found (P > 0.3). Thus, in this coherent group, MB correlated neither to allergic sensitization nor to manifest atopic disease.

Association of features of atopy and diagnostic parameters in hymenoptera venom allergy*

In a total of 525 patients with hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera stings diagnostic parameters of hymenoptera venom (HV) allergy (severity of reactions, skin test threshold and RAST for bee and vespid venoms) were investigated for their relationship to the following indicators of atopy: positive history of atopic diseases, elevated (less than or equal to 100 kU/l) total serum IgE and positive prick test reactions to common inhalant allergens (CIA) (grass pollen, cat epithelium, house dust mite). There was a conclusive history of atopic disease in 25%, a total serum IgE greater than or equal to 100 kU/l in 48%, and at least one positive reaction to CIA in 53%. Total IgE greater than or equal to 100 kU/l correlated with a higher frequency of RAST classes greater than or equal to 2 (P less than 0.01) and with less severe reactions to hymenoptera stings (P less than 0.05). In the presence of at least one positive reaction to CIA, there were more frequently skin test thresholds less than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.05) and RAST classes greater than or equal to 2 (P less than 0.01) for HV than in CIA prick test negative individuals. There was no significant, relationship between the other pairs of parameters evaluated. Thus, reactivity to HV in diagnostic tests is increased in the presence of certain indicators of atopy. This has to be considered in the interpretation of skin test and RAST results obtained with HV.

EVALUATION OF ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IgE ANTIBODIES BY MAST SYSTEM IN PEDIATRIC ALLERGIC DISEASES

The MAST Allergen System is a new assay for serum specific IgE, and allows up to 35 allergens to be tested simultaneously. We evaluated this system in 264 children with allergic diseases. Good correlation was obtained between MAST and RAST in 24 out of 35 allergens, with correlation coefficient more than 0.60. The positive rate of inhalant allergens by the MAST system were 88% Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 82% Dermatophagoides farinae, 77% house dust, 39% cat epithelium, 34% dog epithelium and 26% Japanese ceder, The positive rate of food allergens were 35% soy bean, 24% egg white, 23% rice, 22% barley and 20% wheat. The positive rate for children, suffering from both allergic respiratory and skin diseases, was higher than that of those suffering from only one of the two. We found that the types of allergens varied with their age. Food allergens predominated in infancy and early childhood, and decreased with age. In contrast, specific IgE to inhalant allergens developed later in childhood and generally persisted. There was a sharp increase in the positive rate of house dust and mites, followed by a slow increase of animal epithelia and pollens. The incidence of mould allergens remained unchanged, and started to increase garadually as the patients reached a certain age. Among 35 allergens, an average of 7.5 different allergens were simultaneously detected in one serum sample. More than five allergens were detected in 57% of 264 cases. Based on these findings we must conclude that simultaneous determination of specific IgE using the MAST system is useful in diagnosing specific allergens in children suffering from a variety of allergies.

T-Cell Subset Assay

• To confirm T-cell changes previously reported in atopic eczema, to compare T-cell subset values in atopic and seborrheic infants, and to determine whether T-cell subset assay would be a useful differentiating marker between atopic and seborrheic infants, three age- and sex-matched groups of normal, seborrheic, and atopic infants were recruited. T-cell subset values, total serum IgE, and serum IgE to specific allergens (<i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus</i>, cat epithelium, dog dander, rye grass, egg white, and milk) were measured. The results showed that total and allergen-specific IgE levels were higher in atopic disease in infancy, but no statistical differences in T-cell subset values between seborrheic and atopic infants were found. T-cell subset values are therefore not a reliable differentiating marker between atopic and seborrheic eczema in infancy. (<i>Arch Dermatol</i>1988;124:1235-1238)

T-cell subset assay. A useful differentiating marker of atopic and seborrheic eczema in infancy?

To confirm T-cell changes previously reported in atopic eczema, to compare T-cell subset values in atopic and seborrheic infants, and to determine whether T-cell subset assay would be a useful differentiating marker between atopic and seborrheic infants, three age- and sex-matched groups of normal, seborrheic, and atopic infants were recruited. T-cell subset values, total serum IgE, and serum IgE to specific allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus, cat epithelium, dog dander, rye grass, egg white, and milk) were measured. The results showed that total and allergen-specific IgE levels were higher in atopic disease in infancy, but no statistical differences in T-cell subset values between seborrheic and atopic infants were found. T-cell subset values are therefore not a reliable differentiating marker between atopic and seborrheic eczema in infancy.

Aeroallergens of southeastern missouri, usa

Abstract Aeroallergens of the southeastern Missouri region were determined by skin test frequencies of 817 consecutive individuals and compared and contrasted with five years of air sampling using the Rotorod sampler. Household inhalants were found to induce the most frequently positive skin tests, especially house dust, feathers, house dust mite, wool, cat epithelium, tobacco, dog epithelium, and horse epithelium. Among the trees, pollen extracts of Acer saccharum (maple), Acer negundo (box-elder), Carya ovata/C. illinoensis (hickory/pecan), Juglans nigra (walnut), and Ulmus americana (elm) were the most commonly positive. A slightly higher level of skin reactivity was found to grass pollen extracts with Anlhoxanthum odoralum (sweet vernal), Phleum pratense (timothy), Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda), Agrostis alba (red top) and Festuca elatior (meadow fescue), all being quite similar in incidence, but Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass) was clearly less important. Ambrosia spp. (ragweed) and Xanthium commune (c...

Ion transport across cat and ferret tracheal epithelia.

Sheets of trachea from ferret and cat were mounted in Ussing chambers and continuously short circuited. Under resting conditions, in both the cat and ferret there was little or no Cl secretion, and Na absorption accounted for most of the short-circuit current (Isc). Ouabain (10(-4) M, serosal bath) reduced Isc to zero in 30-60 min. This decline was matched by a decrease in net Na absorption. Amiloride (10(-4) M, luminal bath) caused a significant decrease in Isc and conductance (G) in both species. Bumetanide (10(-4) M, serosal bath) had negligible effects on Isc and G. In both species, isoproterenol increased Isc by stimulating Cl secretion. Methacholine induced equal amounts of Na and Cl secretion, with little change in Isc. In the cat, prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha and bradykinin increased Isc, responses which were abolished in Cl-free medium. In open-circuited cat tissues, Na flux from the serosal to mucosal side was measured simultaneously with the secretion of nondialyzable 35S. Prostaglandins E1, E2, and F2 alpha, histamine, bradykinin, methacholine and isoproterenol all increased both Na and 35S-mucin secretion.