Total Serum IgE Concentration Research Articles

The Occurrence of Atopy in Patients with Isolated Spontaneous Mast Cell (or Nonallergic) Angioedema.

Isolated mast cell angioedema (MC-AE) can be divided into allergic and nonallergic (spontaneous) forms. The former is often associated with food, Hymenoptera venoms or drug allergies. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of atopic diseases and the risk of angioedema. A retrospective study analyzed 304 patients with confirmed MC-AE and 1066 controls. All were analyzed for allergic asthma (AA), atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinitis (AR) based on ICD-10 codes. In addition, total IgE and peripheral eosinophilia were calculated. The analyzed atopic diseases were more frequent in the group of patients diagnosed with MC-AE than in the controls: 78 (25.7%) vs. 173 (16.2%) for p < 0.01. Patients diagnosed with AD had a higher risk of MC-AE (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.48,) similar to those diagnosed with AR (HR = 1.51). However, in patients with two or three atopic comorbidities, the risk increased significantly to HR = 2.45 or HR = 4.1, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the serum total IgE concentration or eosinophilia and the risk of angioedema (p < 0.01). Patients with MC-AE had a more frequent occurrence of atopic diseases associated with inhalant allergies. This risk increased in patients with IgE-mediated polymorphic disease.

Effect of levocetirizine hydrochloride on chronic urticaria and serum levels of total IgE and inflammatory factors

Purpose: To investigate the curative effect of levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets on chronic urticaria as well as its mediating effect on serum levels of total IgE and inflammatory factors.&#x0D; Methods: Ninety-two (92) patients with chronic urticaria, were randomly divided into control group (CG) and study group (SG). Patients in CG were treated with oral administration of desloratadine citrate tablets while SG patients received oral levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two patient cohorts encompassing clinical therapeutic outcomes, symptom scoring, T lymphoid subset cell levels, serum total IgE concentrations, serum inflammatory factor levels, as well as adverse reactions.&#x0D; Results: Total treatment effectiveness was higher in SG (97.83 %) than in CG (82.61 %; p &lt; 0.05). After treatment, wheal duration, size and number as well as pruritus scores were markedly lower in SG than in CG, albeit non-significantly (p &gt; 0.05). The levels of CD3+ CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in SG after treatment were significantly higher than those in CG (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the serum IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 levels were significantly lower in SG than in CG, while the IFN-γ level was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets produce a significant clinical curative effect on chronic urticaria relative to desloratadine citrate tablets. It reduces the levels of inflammatory factors and mitigates immune dysfunction in patients by increasing the serum level of total IgE. Therefore, it is a potential candidate for further clinical investigations on a larger and more diverse population.

Allergen-specific immunoglobulin-Es for dermatitis in the Japanese native Noma horses.

Noma horses are native Japanese horses. Health checkups revealed that many Noma horses developed dermatitis during summer, which subsided in winter. Seasonal development and signs of itching, suggestive of allergic dermatitis, were observed. In this study, allergen-specific IgE was measured using blood samples collected from 15 Noma horses in summer and winter to identify allergens highly associated with dermatitis. The presence of dermatitis in the subject individuals was recorded during blood sample collection. White blood cell and eosinophil counts, serum total IgE concentration, and serum allergen-specific IgE units (ARUs) were measured. White blood cell and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in horses with dermatitis in summer compared to winter. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in serum total IgE concentration regardless of the presence of dermatitis or the season. Horses with dermatitis in summer showed higher ARUs derived from red ants, horseflies, biting midges, cockroaches, deerflies, and mosquitoes than those in winter. These ARUs were positively correlated with white blood cell and eosinophil counts. The factor analysis results suggested that sensitization to some insects, such as mosquitoes and deerflies, may be a cause of dermatitis. In conclusion, insect-derived allergens could be associated with the onset of dermatitis in Noma horses.

Incidence of Food allergy among patients with allergic conjunctivitis

The prevalence of ocular allergy is increasing worldwide. Skin prick test is widely recognized as the most reliable method for diagnosing the incriminating allergen as regards type I hypersensitivity reactions. Food allergy results as immunological response to food protein which leads to occurrence of allergic conjunctivitis (AC), allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis. There is a scarcity of research investigating the association between food allergy and AC. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence of food allergy within AC patients and its linkage to disease intensity and to compare the response to sublingual immunotherapy after 4 months of therapy. The study included 240 individuals diagnosed with AC. Of these patients, only 214 (89.16%) cases exhibited positive skin prick test results and showed incidence of food allergy of 29.6 %. After 4 months of sublingual allergen immunotherapy, the total serum IgE level and the grades of severity decreased significantly (p &lt;0.001 for each). On comparing patients with food allergy on sublingual immunotherapy and patients without food allergy and on sublingual immunotherapy, the change in total serum IgE concentration and the grade of severity did not differ among the two groups (p value was 0.63 and 1.00 respectively). In conclusion, food allergies can contribute to the development of AC. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy can be proposed as a promising therapeutic option for AC patients.

Serum allergen-specific and total IgE concentrations in dogs with allergic disorders in South Korea

Serum allergen-specific and total IgE concentrations in dogs with allergic disorders in South Korea

Elevated serum polyclonal immunoglobulin free light chains in patients with severe asthma.

Background: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Free light chains (FLC) can cause inflammation by mast cell antigen-activation. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) FLC κ, but not λ, were shown elevated in adult males with asthma. We sought to investigate if serum Ig FLC concentrations are affected by asthma severity and their relationships with inflammatory outcomes. Methods: By using immunoassays, we measured serum κ and λ Ig FLCs in 24 severe persistent asthma patients, 15 patients with moderate persistent asthma, 15 steroid-naïve mild persistent asthma patients and 20 healthy control subjects in a cross-sectional observational study. Total and specific serum IgE concentrations, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), lung function, peripheral blood eosinophils and neutrophils, and C reactive protein (CRP) were also measured. Results: Serum κ FLC concentrations were elevated in severe asthma patients compared mild asthma patients (p < 0.05) and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). Serum λ FLCs were higher in severe asthma patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05) and correlated with blood eosinophil counts (percentage, κ: r = 0.51, p = 2.9678-6; λ: r = 0.42, p = 1.7377-4; absolute values, κ: r = 0.45, p = 6.1284-5; λ: r = 0.38, p = 7.8261-4), but not with total or specific serum IgE. In severe asthma patients, serum Ig FLC correlated with serum CRP (κ: r = 0.33; p = 0.003; λ: r = 0.38, p = 8.8305-4) and blood neutrophil cell counts (percentage, κ: r = 0.31; p = 0.008; λ: r = 0.29, p = 0.01; absolute values, κ: r = 0.40; p = 3.9176-4; λ: r = 0.40, p = 4.5479-4), were elevated in subjects with blood eosinophilia (≥300 cells/µL) (n = 13) compared with non-eosinophilic subjects (n = 10) (κ: 19.2 ± 1.2mg/L versus 12.1 ± 1.3mg/L, p < 0.001; λ: 27.2 ± 2.6mg/L versus 16.8 ± 2.5mg/L, p < 0.01), but were similar in atopic (n = 15) versus nonatopic subjects (n = 9) (κ: p = 0.20; λ: p = 0.80). Serum FLC were negatively correlated with lung function tests, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (κ: r = -0.33; p = 0.0034; λ: r = -0.33; p = 0.0035), and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio (κ: r = -0.33; p = 0.0034; λ: r = -0.33; p = 0.0036). Conclusion: Serum Ig FLCs are elevated in severe asthma adults and might represent new surrogate markers of inflammation. The pathophysiological implications of these findings require further research. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the University Hospital Agostino Gemelli Foundation and Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (approval number P/1034/CE2012).

The Very Low IgE Producer: Allergology, Genetics, Immunodeficiencies, and Oncology.

Opposite to other immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and subclasses, there is no consensus on the definition of normal levels of serum total IgE. However, longitudinal studies on birth cohorts produced growth charts of total IgE levels in helminth-free and never atopic children and defining the normal ranges of total serum IgE concentration at the individual, rather than population, level. Accordingly, very 'low IgE producers' (i.e., children whose tIgE level belong to the lowest percentiles) became atopic while keeping their total IgE levels in a range considered 'normal' if compared to the general age-matched population but 'abnormally high' if projected on the tIgE growth chart against the trajectory of that child's own percentile levels. In 'low IgE producers', the IgE-specific activity, i.e., the ratio between allergen-specific and total IgE, is more important than the absolute specific IgE levels to confirm causality between allergen exposure and allergic symptoms. Patients with allergic rhinitis or peanut anaphylaxis but low or undetectable allergen-specific IgE levels must therefore be reconsidered considering their total IgE levels. Low IgE producers have been also associated with common variable immunodeficiency, lung diseases, and malignancies. A few epidemiological studies have shown a higher risk of malignancies in very low IgE producers, leading to a debated hypothesis proposing a novel, evolutionistic-relevant function for IgE antibodies for antitumor immune surveillance.

CLINICAL FEATURES, TOTAL AND SPECIFIC IgE SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS AT CAN THO HOSPITAL OF DERMATO-VENEREOLOGY

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in children as well as in adults, with the important feature of being recurrent. Immune disorders (the role of Specific IgE serum) have a relation to the severity of the disease and the risk of allergy in patients. Objectives: 1). To describe the clinical features of patients with atopic dermatitis at Can Tho Hospital of DermatoVenereology in 2021; 2). To determine the total and specific IgE serum concentration in patients with atopic dermatitis at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology in 2021. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 50 patients with atopic dermatitis hospitalized at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Results: The rate of itching and types of eczematous lesions accounted for 100%, skin lesions with typical morphology and age-specific patterns were approximately 92%, chronic or relapsing history held 80%, xerosis rate was up to 82%, early age of onset made up 18%, the rate of increase in total and specific IgE serum level in patients with atopic dermatitis was 54% and 84%, respectively, the mean total IgE serum concentration was 210.01 ± 157.88 IU/mL, the lowest was 6.54 IU/mL and the highest was 741.23 IU/mL. D. pteronyssinus and D. farina accounted for the highest proportion of respiratory allergens (46%), cocoa beans accounted for the highest proportion of food allergens (28%). Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis in adult patients associated with pruritus, D. pteronyssinus and D. farina in respiratory allergens and cocoa beans in food allergens was the most common. Total and specific serum IgE concentrations are often elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopy as a specific predictor of response to systemic and local steroid therapy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.

&lt;b&gt;Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; Studies on the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis have shown an effect of IgE antibodies on the course of the disease, as well as the effectiveness of treatment. Steroid therapy remains the most prevailing method of CRS treatment. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;Aim: &lt;/b&gt;The aim of our study was to determine the clinical response to systemic and local steroid therapy in patients with CRSsNP depending on the total IgE antibody serum concentration. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material and methods:&lt;/b&gt; A total of 92 patients with CRSsNP took part in the study, where they were divided randomly into 2 groups. In group I, the patients received fluticasone propionate 800 mcg/day intranasally for 12 weeks. Patients in group II were treated with prednisone at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day, given orally, for 7 consecutive days and continued by another week with decreasing dosage. Both groups were evaluated prior to and following treatment using the TSS score of CRS clinical symptoms, the endoscopic Lund-Kennedy scale and the Lund-Mackay CT staging of chronic rhinosinusitis. Statistical analy-sis of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out in subgroups according to the total IgE serum concentrations obtained before treatment. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Both groups of patients achieved statistically significant improvement in the TSS evaluation, as well as in endosco-pic and CT imaging findings. In patients with a total IgE serum concentration over 100 IU/ml systemic steroid therapy sho-wed significantly greater effect on the relief of CRS symptoms in the TSS score than intranasal steroid therapy. Analogous differences in the effectiveness of both methods were not found in patients with a normal total IgE serum concentration (&lt;100 IU/ml). &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; A short course of systemic steroid therapy is more effective than local treatment in relieving of CRS symptoms in patients with CRSsNP with elevated serum concentration of IgE antibodies. Atopy may be considered a specific predictor of response to steroid therapy in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Immunological parameters as biomarkers of response to MicroCrystalline Tyrosine-adjuvanted mite immunotherapy

BackgroundDespite the effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy (AIT), some patients are unresponsive for reasons still unknown; yet validated response biomarkers remain unavailable. ObjectiveTo analyze immunological parameters as biomarkers to monitor and predict clinical response to a MicroCrystalline Tyrosine-adjuvanted house dust mite (HDM) AIT in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). MethodsObservational, prospective, multicenter study including adult patients (aged 18–65 years) with AR, with and without asthma, sensitized to the HDM Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) and prescribed Acarovac Plus® DP 100% in the routine practice. Serum concentrations of total IgE, specific IgE, specific IgG4, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-γ were compared between baseline and 12 months after AIT. The relationship between patients’ baseline immunological profiles and classification as low, high, and non-responders and between their sensitization profile to DP allergens and effectiveness were analyzed. ResultsOf 141 patients recruited, 118 (mean [SD] age of 33.6 [9.5] years) were evaluable. One year after treatment, Der p 1-specific IgE, DP-specific IgG4, and IL-10 increased by a mean (SD) of 3.4 (13.6) kU/L (p = 0.016), 0.43 (0.55) mg/L (p < 0.0001), and 1.35 (7.56) pg/mL (p = 0.033), respectively. Non-responders showed increased baseline levels of IL-13 compared to high responders (p = 0.037). Changes in effectiveness variables between baseline and after AIT were similar regardless of the sensitization profile. ConclusionNon-responsive patients to AIT showed increased baseline IL-13 concentrations, suggesting its value as prognostic biomarker. DP-specific AIT increased Der p 1-specific IgE, DP-specific IgG4, and IL-10 concentrations in patients with AR. All patients benefited from treatment regardless of their sensitization profile to major DP allergens.

Estimation of serum inflammatory cytokines( IL-4, IL 10 and IL 17) and total IgE concentrations in patients with bronchial asthma by ELISA technique.

This study aimed to determine the levels of immunomodulators by ELISA techniques . This study grouped asthmatic patients into three group of allergy modes according to concentration of total IgE measured by (ELISA ) in which it was found that mode of allergy (very probable) IgE&gt;100 IU. The immunological parameters included: measurement of IL 4 ,10 and 17 . The study showed a high significant elevation of various interleukin 4,10 and 17 . IL-4 record elevated in age group 3 in male (11.40) and group 5 male (18), IL-10 record elevated in age group 4 female (12.30).IL-17 record record elevated in age group 2 female and 3 male(12.90).

Factors Influencing Total Serum IgE in Adults: The Role of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders

Background and Aim: Few reports have investigated the association between metabolic abnormalities (obesity and related metabolic syndrome) and total serum IgE concentrations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a random sample of 1,516 adult individuals (44.7% men, aged 18–91 years, median 52 years) from a single municipality in Spain. Serum IgE was measured in the ADVIA Centaur system. Atopy was defined by the presence of positive skin prick tests to a panel of common aeroallergens in the area. Body mass index and data related to the definition of metabolic syndrome were obtained from all participants. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and regular physical exercise were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: Atopy (present in 21.9% of 1,514 evaluable individuals) was the strongest factor determining serum IgE concentrations. Male sex and heavy alcohol drinking were independently associated with higher IgE concentrations, particularly in the non-atopic individuals. Body mass index was positively associated with IgE concentrations, independent of potential confounders, although the effect was only evident among non-atopic individuals. In that group, median IgE concentrations in normal-weight and obese individuals were 15 and 24 kU/L, respectively (p < 0.001); likewise, obesity was associated with high (>100 kU/L) IgE concentrations after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.26–2.56, p = 0.001). The presence of metabolic syndrome and its components, particularly abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia, was also positively and independently associated with higher IgE concentrations in non-atopic individuals. Conclusions: Obesity and metabolic syndrome components are associated with high total serum IgE concentrations, particularly in non-atopic individuals.

Phenotype and function of IgE-binding monocytes in equine Culicoides hypersensitivity.

Human IgE-binding monocytes are identified as allergic disease mediators, but it is unknown whether IgE-binding monocytes promote or prevent an allergic response. We identified IgE-binding monocytes in equine peripheral blood as IgE+/MHCIIhigh/CD14low cells that bind IgE through an FcεRI αɣ variant. IgE-binding monocytes were analyzed monthly in Culicoides hypersensitive horses and nonallergic horses living together with natural exposure to Culicoides midges. The phenotype and frequency of IgE-binding monocytes remained consistent in all horses regardless of Culicoides exposure. All horses upregulated IgE-binding monocyte CD16 expression following initial Culicoides exposure. Serum total IgE concentration and monocyte surface IgE densities were positively correlated in all horses. We also demonstrated that IgE-binding monocytes produce IL-10, but not IL-4, IL-17A, or IFN-γ, following IgE crosslinking. In conclusion, we have characterized horse IgE-binding monocytes for the first time and further studies of these cells may provide important connections between regulation and cellular mechanisms of IgE-mediated diseases.

Sex Difference Between Trace Elements and Pulmonary Functions in Children.

It has been defined that deficiency of trace elements plays an important role in the progression of asthma. However, the relationship between blood zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and magnesium (Mg) and pulmonary functions in children remains to be clarified. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuxi, China, and a total of 202 healthy children were recruited. The forced vital capacity volume (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the 1s (FEV1) were measured. Blood samples were collected, and the levels of blood zinc, selenium, and magnesium were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Meanwhile, the concentrations of serum total IgE was also determined. The associations between trace elements and pulmonary functions were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. After stratified by sex, there was a positive association between blood Zn and pulmonary functions in boys. In addition, blood Zn was also negatively associated with serum total IgE concentrations in boys, but not in girls after adjusting for potential confounders. Our findings indicated that zinc deficiency was significantly related to children's pulmonary functions and that screening of trace elements may be a potential solution to decrease the risks of asthma in children.

Can atopy have a protective effect against cancer?

BackgroundAn increased prevalence of allergies and an increased incidence of breast cancer have been observed. The hypothesis that atopy may have a protective effect against the risk of different types of breast cancer was evaluated.MethodsIn this study, 11,101 patients (11,101 women with a mean age of 55.2±14.7 years) with different types of breast cancer were tested for allergies. Allergies were confirmed based on the retrospective analysis of allergy diagnostic procedures in patients who had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer. The retrospective prevalence rates of active allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis, were assessed. All patients were also analyzed for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis according to the relevant guidelines. A group of healthy control patients was used for the comparisons.ResultsThe women with breast cancer had a significantly lower incidence of IgE-mediated allergic diseases than the controls. The odds ratios (ORs) for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and bronchial asthma were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.57–0.73), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.11–0.44), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65–0.83), respectively. The mean serum concentrations of total IgE were significantly lower in the study population of women with breast cancer than in the patients of the control group (39.2 ± 26.2 kU/L vs. 108.5 ± 38.5 kU/L; p = 0.002).ConclusionOur results suggest that the overall incidence of allergies, especially allergic rhinitis, is lower in patients with certain types of cancer than in individuals who did not have cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Use of mepolizumab in adult patients with cystic fibrosis and an eosinophilic phenotype: case series

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by inflammation, progressive lung disease, and respiratory failure. Although the relationship is not well understood, patients with CF are thought to have a higher prevalence of asthma than the general population. CF Foundation (CFF) annual registry data in 2017 reported a prevalence of asthma in CF of 32%. It is difficult to differentiate asthma from CF given similarities in symptoms and reversible obstructive lung function in both diseases. However, a specific asthma phenotype (type 2 inflammatory signature), is often identified in CF patients and this would suggest potential responsiveness to biologics targeting this asthma phenotype. A type 2 inflammatory condition is defined by the presence of an interleukin (IL)-4high, IL-5high, IL-13high state and is suggested by the presence of an elevated total IgE, specific IgE sensitization, or an elevated absolute eosinophil count (AEC). In this manuscript we report the effects of using mepolizumab in patients with CF and type 2 inflammation.ResultsWe present three patients with CF (63, 34 and 24 year of age) and personal history of asthma, who displayed significant eosinophilic inflammation and high total serum IgE concentrations (type 2 inflammation) who were treated with mepolizumab. All three patients were colonized with multiple organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus and tested positive for specific IgE to multiple allergens. We examined the effect of mepolizumab on patients’ lung function (FEV1), blood markers of type 2 inflammation, systemic corticosteroid use and frequency of CF exacerbations. One patient had a substantial increase in lung function after starting mepolizumab and all three patients had a substantial benefit in regards to reduced oral CCS use. While none of the patients showed significant changes in the exacerbation rates there was markedly reduced requirements for oral CCS with exacerbations. In addition, mepolizumab had a positive effect on type 2 inflammatory markers, reducing markers of allergic inflammation in all 3 patients.ConclusionsMepolizumab appears to have a positive effect on clinical course in patients with CF presenting with a type 2 phenotype characterized by allergic sensitization and hyper-eosinophilia.

Haze facilitates sensitization to house dust mites in children.

Allergy to house dust mites (HDMs) can cause allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma and allergic skin disorders, which is becoming an enormous worldwide health and economic burden. To explore the relationship between air pollution and HDMs sensitization in children, this study used immunoblotting to determine the concentration of HDM serum-specific IgE (sIgE) in children with allergic diseases in Hangzhou. HDM sIgE was used to reflect the sensitization of children with HDMs. Using the meteorological and atmospheric pollutant data for Hangzhou, a distributed lag nonlinear model was founded to evaluate the effect of atmospheric pollutants on HDMs sensitization. Particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10 were the main air pollutants in Hangzhou. The positive rate of HDM sIgE in children's serum increased with increasing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, and this effect was most obvious on the seventh and tenth days after increased PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, respectively. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the concentration of HDM sIgE and the total serum IgE concentration. The rate of sensitization to HDMs rose dramatically in the first 3years after birth. In addition, the period between June and November had the largest number of HDM sIgE-positive patients. Studies have shown that PM2.5 and PM10 are important factors in HDM sensitization, which presented obvious dose effects and lag effects. Children under the age of 3years were the most susceptible to HDMs, and the period from June to November had a high risk of dust mite exposure. Avoiding exposure to particulate matter may have benefits in preventing HDM sensitization in children.

False-Positive Results of Serological Tests for Allergy in Alcoholic Patients.

Alcohol consumption is associated with enhanced TH2 immune responses. Objective: To investigate the frequency of false-positive results in serological tests for allergy in alcoholic patients. A total of 138 alcoholic patients consecutively admitted to hospital underwent a panel of allergy tests that included serum total IgE, a multiallergen IgE test (UniCAP Phadiatop), and skin prick tests to relevant aeroallergens in the area, which were considered the standard reference for atopy. In selected cases with positive specific IgE (sIgE) to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) on ImmunoCAP, we determined sIgE to hymenoptera venom components (ADVIA Centaur) and a microarray of 103 allergen components (ISAC). Increased serum total IgE (>170 IU/mL) was observed in 59/110 (54%) of nonatopic (skin prick test-negative) patients. The result of the multiallergen IgE test was positive in 46 nonatopic patients (42%). This finding was closely associated with high serum concentrations of total IgE and sIgE to CCDs. The vast majority of patients with positive CCD-sIgE showed positivity to glycosylated plant and hymenoptera allergen components on ISAC and ADVIA Centaur. Only 1 out of 26 patients with positive sIgE to CCD and hymenoptera venom developed honeybee venom allergy after a median follow-up of 166 months. Correlations between measurements of sIgE to CCD markers on ImmunoCAP, ADVIA Centaur, and ISAC were imperfect. Serological tests for allergy should be interpreted with caution in alcoholic patients, who frequently have increased levels of total IgE and CCD-sIgE and subsequent positivity of sIgE to glycosylated allergen components, irrespective of the method used.

Phosphorylation and Enzymatic Hydrolysis with Alcalase and Papain Effectively Reduce Allergic Reactions to Gliadins in Normal Mice.

Gliadins are major allergens responsible for wheat allergies. Food processing is an effective strategy to reduce the allergenicity of gluten. In the present study, we determined the secondary and tertiary structures of gluten and gliadins treated by chemical, physical, and enzymatic means through FTIR, surface hydrophobicity, intrinsic fluorescence spectra, and UV absorption spectra. The results showed that the three treatments of phosphorylation and alcalase and papain hydrolyses significantly changed the conformational structures of gliadins, especially the secondary structure. Then, the potential allergenicity of the phosphorylated and alcalase and papain hydrolyzed gliadins were further characterized, and we observed a significant decrease in the allergenicity through the results of the index of spleen, serum total IgE, gliadin-specific IgE, histamine, and serum cytokine concentrations. An elevation of Th17 cells, the absence of Treg cells, and an imbalance in Treg/Th17 are associated with allergy. On the basis of the expression levels of related cytokines and key transcription factors, we also confirmed that phosphorylation and alcalase and papain hydrolysis could effectively reduce the allergenicity of gliadins by improving the imbalance of both Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 in the spleens of sensitized mice. This study suggested that the changes in conformational structure contribute to gliadin hyposensitization and that phosphorylation and alcalase and papain hydrolysis may be promising strategies for the production of wheat products with low allergenicity.

Characterization of tenascin-C as a novel biomarker for asthma: utility of tenascin-C in combination with periostin or immunoglobulin E

BackgroundExtracellular matrix proteins tenascin-C (TNC) and periostin, which were identified as T-helper cell type 2 cytokine-induced genes in human bronchial epithelial cells, accumulate in the airway basement membrane of asthmatic patients. Although serum periostin has been accepted as a type 2 biomarker, serum TNC has not been evaluated as a systemic biomarker in asthma. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether serum TNC can serve as a novel biomarker for asthma.MethodsWe evaluated 126 adult patients with mild to severe asthma. Serum TNC, periostin, and total IgE concentrations were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsSerum TNC levels were significantly higher in patients with severe asthma and high serum total IgE levels. Patients with both high serum TNC (> 37.16 ng/mL) and high serum periostin (> 95 ng/mL) levels (n = 20) or patients with both high serum TNC and high serum total IgE (> 100 IU/mL) levels (n = 36) presented higher disease severity and more severe airflow limitation than patients in other subpopulations.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to show that serum TNC levels in asthmatic patients are associated with clinical features of asthma and that the combination of serum TNC and periostin levels or combination of serum TNC and total IgE levels were more useful for asthma than each single marker, suggesting that serum TNC can serve as a novel biomarker for asthma.