1/14. New occupational allergen in citrus farmers: citrus red mite (Panonychus citri).BACKGROUND: There have been several reports of occupational allergy to spider mites (tetranychidae), but no published report has described citrus red mite (CRM, Panonychus citri)-induced occupational asthma confirmed by specific bronchial challenge. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and immunologic characteristics of CRM-induced occupational asthma. methods AND RESULTS: We encountered 16 cases of CRM-induced occupational asthma among farmers cultivating citrus fruits. Asthmatic attacks corresponded closely with their work on citrus farms. The mean duration of the latent period was 12.9 (range 7 to 20) years. During their first visit to our clinic, nine patients with FEV1 lower than 70% of predictive value showed reversible airway obstruction after inhalation of bronchodilator, and seven with FEV1 greater than 70% of predictive value showed airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Fifteen of the 16 also complained of recurrent nasal symptoms, which had developed at an earlier time than the asthmatic symptoms. They showed strong positive reactions to CRM extract on skin prick test (A/H ratio > or = 1.0) and had high serum specific IgE antibody against CRM which was detected by ELISA. Skin prick test with common inhalant allergens revealed that 10 had an isolated positive response to CRM with negative results to common inhalant allergens in their environment. The ELISA inhibition tests with CRM demonstrated significant inhibitions by CRM in a dose-dependent manner, while minimal inhibitions were noted by D. pteronyssinus and mugwort allergens. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CRM could induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in exposed workers on citrus farm.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/14. Occupational IgE-mediated allergy to tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle).BACKGROUND: We report on IgE-mediated allergy in a worker caused by tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). These beetles lived in the "old" flour to which he was exposed in his work. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old, nonatopic mechanic in a rye crispbread factory developed rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as urticaria on his wrists, lower arms, hands, neck, and face, during the maintenance and repair of machines contaminated by flour. This flour had been in and on the machines for a long time, and it contained small beetles. The patient did not suffer any symptoms when handling fresh, clean flour. RESULTS: Skin prick tests with standard environmental allergens, storage mites, enzymes, flours, and molds were negative. A prick test with flour from the machines gave a 10-mm reaction. An open application of the same flour caused urticarial whealing on the exposed skin. Prick tests with fresh flour from the factory were negative. A prick test with minced T. confusum from the flour in the machines gave a 7-mm reaction. histamine hydrochloride 10 mg/ml gave a 7-mm reaction. Specific serum IgE antibodies to T. confusum were elevated at 17.2 kU/l. Prick tests with the flour from the machines were negative in five control patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had occupational contact urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms from exposure to flour. His symptoms were caused by immediate allergy to the beetle T. confusum. Immediate allergy to this beetle has rarely been reported in connection with respiratory symptoms, but it may be more common. Contact urticaria from this source has not been reported before.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/14. Allergic vulvovaginitis in infancy: study of a case.BACKGROUND: the role of dust mites (Dermatophagoides pt.) in the pathogenesis of allergic vulvovaginitis is still controversial. association between this mite and atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis or asthma is already known.Some authors study the possible relationship between some vulvovaginitis and local hypersensitivity. The aim of this study was to corroborate the allergic aetiology due to the mite Dermatophagoides pt. in a girl with vulvovaginitis and perennial rhinitis. methods AND RESULTS: we studied a nine year-old patient with symptoms of perennial rhinitis and unspecific vulvovaginitis of torpid evolution. In vivo and in vitro allergologic tests were performed as well as complete analytic tests including immunoglobulins, urine tests, nasal culture, exudative vaginal culture, and parasitic test.Skin test was positive for Dermatophagoides pt. as well as specific IgE (99.5 kU/L). Total IgE was elevated for her age (492 kU/L). In the rest of the complementary tests, no values out of normality or pathological findings were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: considering these results, it was suspected that the nasal symptoms and the vulvovaginitis presented by the patient are of allergic aetiology by hypersensitivity to the mite Dermatophagoides pt. The study did not prove relation with bacteria, parasites, candida albicans or any inhalant allergens other than mites.After three months of treatment with oral antihistamines and topical chromones, as well as environmental avoiding measures, the symptoms totally yielded.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.83333333333333keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/14. Limpet anaphylaxis: cross-reactivity between limpet and house-dust mite dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.BACKGROUND: Limpet is a mollusc that is frequently found along the shores of warm seas. Few allergic reactions to limpet have been described, and cross-reactivity with house-dust mites has not been established. methods: We report five patients with anaphylactic reactions due to limpet ingestion. A limpet extract was prepared and skin prick tests (SPT), radioallergosorbent assays (RAST), sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and IgE-immunoblotting were performed. In order to evaluate cross-reactivity, an immunoblotting inhibition assay with dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also done. RESULTS: All patients were asthmatics sensitized to house-dust mites. In each case, severe bronchospasm was evidenced, and three required mechanical ventilation. Positive SPT with limpet extract was found in the four patients tested. RAST showed specific IgE on each patient's sera. immunoblotting showed several allergenic fractions with a wide molecular weight range (15-250 kDa). D. pteronyssinus inhibited IgE-binding molecules above 50 kDa in the limpet extract, particularly one molecule of 75 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We describe five patients with IgE-mediated limpet allergy. Severe bronchospasm was the most important symptom. Cross-reactivity with D. pteronyssinus was demonstrated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/14. A case of anaphylaxis due to rose pollen ingestion.BACKGROUND: Recent publications have demonstrated that in Guneykent (turkey), a rose-cultivating area, some workers experience various allergic reactions due to contact with rose or its pollen. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old man, originally from Guneykent although he no longer lived there, suffered perennial rhinitis, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in spring related to sensitization to dust mites and various pollens, respectively. On several occasions, he had presented oral and cutaneous symptoms and angioedema due to contact with rose or intake of honey or other products. Finally, he had an anaphylactic reaction on drinking dew collected in the tulips of a rose that possibly contained rose pollen. methods: Specific IgE was evaluated with rosa rugosa extract and was 30.3 IU (class IV). Sensitization to other pollens and to mites was also confirmed. Oral provocation test was not deemed ethical. CONCLUSION: This may be the first reported case of anaphylactic reaction due to rose pollen ingestion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/14. Buckwheat pillow-induced asthma and allergic rhinitis.BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated hypersensitivity is a mechanism suggested to explain adverse reactions to buckwheat. This is the first reported case in the united states of a person who developed asthma and worsening allergic rhinitis after exposure to a buckwheat pillow. OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient who developed asthma and worsening allergic rhinitis after exposure to a buckwheat pillow and to provide evidence that the adverse reaction was IgE-mediated. methods: The patient underwent skin prick and ImmunoCAP testing (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Kalamazoo, MI) to buckwheat as well as skin prick testing to several environmental allergens. RESULTS: The patient showed a 4 skin prick test response to buckwheat. He also showed 4 positive skin prick responses to multiple trees, grasses, and weeds, alternaria, helminthosporium, dog, and histamine control and was 3 positive to house-dust mites, penicillium, aspergillus, cat, and feather mix. His negative control was negative. His ImmunoCAP test for buckwheat-specific IgE was class 4, or strongly positive. He had normal spirometry values. Performance of house-dust mite avoidance measures did not result in improvement of the patient's symptoms. Removal of the patient's two buckwheat pillows resulted in resolution of his asthma and improvement of rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The positive skin prick and ImmunoCAP test to buckwheat along with the positive clinical response to buckwheat pillow elimination support an IgE-mediated mechanism in explaining our patient's buckwheat pillow-induced asthma and allergic rhinitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/14. Fixed drug eruption due to loratadine.We present the clinical case of a 8-years-old boy suffering a fixed drug reaction attributed to the oral intake of loratadine. He is an atopic child with perennial rhinitis and asthma and marked hypersensitivity to the house-dust mite dermatophagoides pteronyssinus who is receiving inhaled corticosteroids and b2-agonists ad libitum plus specific immunotherapy with the mite. When the boy received loratadine to alleviate his nasal symptoms he suffered a well-defined erythematous and oedematous plaque in his right elbow that disappeared without treatment in one week. Several methods such as the patch-tests, the UBCT or ultra-brief-challenge test (our version of the peroral provocation one) and the skin biopsy were applied. The UBCT and the skin histopathology were the most important techniques to assure the suspected diagnosis. Other antihistamines such as ebastine and cetirizine as well as some excipients used as controls were all negative. Conventional prick or intradermal skin tests with the drug were not performed because we considered that they were useless in this case.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/14. deer ked-induced occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.BACKGROUND: deer keds (elk fly) have not previously been described as a cause of respiratory or conjunctival sensitization. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of IgE-mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis from occupational exposure to deer ked. methods: Skin prick testing (SPT) was performed with pollens, animal danders, mites, molds, and deer ked. The serum deer ked-specific IgE level was examined in ImmunoSpot and radioallergosorbent test assays, and deer ked IgE-binding fractions and their specificities were examined in immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition assays. Nasal provocation testing (NPT) and conjunctival provocation testing (CPT) were performed to detect the association between deer ked sensitization and rhinoconjunctival symptoms. Both SPT and NPT were performed with deer ked whole-body extract, whereas CPT was performed with deer ked wing. RESULTS: The results of SPT, NPT, and CPT were positive for deer ked. In laboratory tests, serum deer ked-specific IgE antibodies were demonstrated in radioallergosorbent test and ImmunoSpot assays. In immunoblot, IgE-binding bands were demonstrated at 17, 33, 70, and 85 kDa, which were clearly inhibited with deer ked extract but not with the control extract. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctival allergy to deer ked was confirmed in this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/14. Looking for immunotolerance: a case of allergy to baker's yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae).We describe one case of baker's yeast true allergy in a boy with previously diagnosed mite-allergy and atopic dermatitis. At the age of 6, being atopic dermatitis and rhinitis well controlled by drugs, he began to experience generalized urticaria and asthma after eating pizza and bread, but only fresh from the oven. The diagnostic workup revealed single sensitization to baker's yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae), and a severe systemic reaction also occurred during the prick-by-prick procedure. After discussing with parents, no special dietary restriction was suggested but the use of autoinjectable adrenaline and on demand salbutamol. A diary of symptoms was recorded by means of a visual-analog scale. During the subsequent 2 years, the severity of symptoms was progressively reduced, and presently urticaria has disappeared. Only cough persists, invariantly after eating just-baked and yeast-containing foods. If bread, pizza and cakes are ate more than one hour after preparation, no symptom occur at all. Baker's yeast is a common component of everyday diet and it usually acts as an allergen only by the inhalatory route. We speculate that the continuous exposure to saccharomyces in foods may have lead to an immunotolerance with a progressive reduction of symptoms, whereas why the allergens is active only in ready-baked foods remains unexplained.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/14. Recent advances in house dust allergy: case reports and review.House dust allergy is very common in Eastern massachusetts. The house dust mite is a major allergen in both bronchial asthma and perennial allergic rhinitis especially in children and adolescents. Environmental control measures in the bedroom are very helpful in reducing allergic symptoms in many patients. In selected cases immunotherapy with D. farinae appears to be helpful. There is an urgent need for the availability of a safe chemical to decrease mite population in the home. More immunological studies are needed on mite allergy and mite immunotherapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.66666666666667keywords = mite (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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