Fly Extracts Research Articles

Immunologic studies of Caddis fly: III. Physical and chemical characterization of the major antigen

1. 1. A purified fraction of Caddis fly extract has been shown to consist of two components, which can be separated in electrophoresis, but not in the ultracentrifuge. The electrophoretic mobilities are −7.7 and −6.1 × 10 −5 cm. 2 sec. −1 volt −1. The sedimentation coefficient is 0.72 S. 2. 2. The estimated molecular weight for each component is 3000, assuming the particles to be spherical and unhydrated. 3. 3. Extinction coefficients were determined for this preparation and found to be 35.2 by ultraviolet (280 mμ) and 1.3 by biuret (540 mμ). 4. 4. From the nitrogen content, spectral properties, hexose determination, and other data, it is concluded that the allergen is a peptide or glycopeptide.

Immunologic studies of caddis fly: II. Isolation of the allergenic fractions of caddis fly extract

1. A component of Caddis fly extract has been isolated which appears to contain the major allergenic activity. This is fraction 2 of a zone electrophoresis procedure, that is, the fastest migrating major component. This fraction does not have all the allergenic components found in the initial extract. 2. Direct skin testing appears to give results which are comparable with and much easier to obtain than passive transfer skin tests. 3. Continuous flow paper curtain electrophoresis can be used as an alternative to the simpler starch block method, in order to give larger quantities of material, and in a purer state.

Immunologic studies of the Caddis fly: I. Preparation and characterization of extracts

1. 1. A method of Caddis fly extraction was developed which was superior in quantity and specific activity to the more laborious methods previously advocated using defatting procedures, and equally potent, compared to the acetone product. This has been termed the direct method. 2. 2. Prolonged defatting during production of Caddis fly extracts decreases their allergenic activity. 3. 3. By the in vivo neutralization technique, there appeared to be additional allergenic components in the direct extract in comparison with the others. 4. 4. Extinction coefficients were determined for the Caddis fly extract and found to be 14.1 by ultraviolet, 2.2 by biuret, and 1.8 by Folin reactions. Using these values, one can employ light absorption readings to determine protein concentrations. 5. 5. Ultracentrifugal data on the direct Caddis fly extract reveal a major symmetrical peak with a sedimentation rate of approximately 1.0 S. The minor component exhibited a sedimentation constant of 4.5 to 4.8 S. 6. 6. Optical electrophoresis of the direct extract revealed a series of overlapping peaks. The major component had a mobility of −4.8 × 10 −5 cm. 2 per volt per second.

May fly (Ephemerida) hypersensitivity

The abundance and distribution of May flies are described. In a series of 1,284 patients with seasonal hay fever and pollinosis who were adequately tested, 95 (7.4 per cent) reacted to May fly. Of these, 20 reacted to May fly alone, and 20 to May fly and some other inhalant, usually ragweed pollen. Three illustrative cases are cited. A comparison of May fly and caddis fly sensitization at the western end of Lake Erie is given and the opinion advanced that there is an antigen common to both the May fly and the caddis fly, as well as species-specific antigens for both. A brief account of the life cycle of the May fly and its mode of production of specific sensitization is given. The method of making May fly extract for testing and treatment is described.

The May fly as an exciting cause of seasonal allergic coryza and asthma

1. 1. The May fly and its pellicle are described. Allergic symptoms are believed to be caused by the inhalation of minute particles of the pellicle. 2. 2. Of 589 patients with seasonal hay fever and asthma studied during the years 1930 to 1937, 19 gave repeated positive skin reactions. Of these, 7 cases, or little over 1 per cent, could be really proved hypersensitive. The other 11 skin-positive cases were considered nonspecific reactors. 3. 3. The work of Figley is confirmed. This introduces another allergen which should be considered, especially by allergists who treat patients residing near the Great Lakes and other fresh water bodies. May fly hypersensitiveness should be remembered when patients with summer hay fever and asthma do not receive satisfactory results from the usual pollen treatments. In this respect, the May fly may take its place along the caddis fly as an excitant of allergic symptoms. It is not believed, however, that the former is as common an allergen as the latter. 4. 4. Three of the positive cases were treated with encouraging effect. However, the data pertaining to treatment with May fly extracts are too meager to warrant any conclusion at this time.

Further studies on the influences of regional differences in intracutaneous testing: Schmidt, W.: Klin. Wchnschr. 14: 738, 1935

1.1. The May fly and its pellicle are described. Allergic symptoms are believed to be caused by the inhalation of minute particles of the pellicle.2.2. Of 589 patients with seasonal hay fever and asthma studied during the years 1930 to 1937, 19 gave repeated positive skin reactions. Of these, 7 cases, or little over 1 per cent, could be really proved hypersensitive. The other 11 skin-positive cases were considered nonspecific reactors.3.3. The work of Figley is confirmed. This introduces another allergen which should be considered, especially by allergists who treat patients residing near the Great Lakes and other fresh water bodies. May fly hypersensitiveness should be remembered when patients with summer hay fever and asthma do not receive satisfactory results from the usual pollen treatments. In this respect, the May fly may take its place along the caddis fly as an excitant of allergic symptoms. It is not believed, however, that the former is as common an allergen as the latter.4.4. Three of the positive cases were treated with encouraging effect. However, the data pertaining to treatment with May fly extracts are too meager to warrant any conclusion at this time.

Histamine-like effects on gastric acidity due to cold: Horton, B. T., and Brown, G. E. Proc. Staff Meetings Mayo Clinic 7: 367, 1932

1.1. Routine skin and eye tests with the whole sand fly extract in 192 cases of allergy have revealed 14 patients with positive reactions. The 4 positive cases in which the passive transfer test was done, elicited the presence of sand fly reagin in their blood sera.2.2. The comparative frequency of sand fly hypersensitiveness warrants its use as a routine test in all patients with allergic conditions, particularly those patients living near lakes, rivers, and ponds. In this way, I feel that many of our patients, especially those with summer hay fever and asthma, will more often be successfully diagnosed and treated.

The sand fly (caddis fly) as an exciting cause of allergic coryza and asthma: II. Its relative frequency

1. 1. Routine skin and eye tests with the whole sand fly extract in 192 cases of allergy have revealed 14 patients with positive reactions. The 4 positive cases in which the passive transfer test was done, elicited the presence of sand fly reagin in their blood sera. 2. 2. The comparative frequency of sand fly hypersensitiveness warrants its use as a routine test in all patients with allergic conditions, particularly those patients living near lakes, rivers, and ponds. In this way, I feel that many of our patients, especially those with summer hay fever and asthma, will more often be successfully diagnosed and treated.

BACTERIOPHAGE ISOLATED FROM THE COMMON HOUSE FLY (MUSCA DOMESTICA)

1. Bacteriophage active against four species of bacteria was found in a salt solution extract of house flies. 2. A growth-inhibiting principle, not bacteriophage, active against four other species of bacteria was found to be present in the same extract. 3. An attempt to secure streptococcus bacteriophage by feeding to flies a streptococcus susceptible to the inhibitor but not to the bacteriophage of this filtrate was unsuccessful, indicating that the two activities are quite unrelated.