1/7. tobacco allergy: demonstration of cross-reactivity with other members of solanaceae family and mugwort pollen.BACKGROUND: tobacco is a plant belonging to the solanaceae family. This plant is usually used as a contact insecticide for several infestations in some areas, such as the Canary islands. Allergy induced by inhalation of this plant is unusual. Identification of the potential allergen in growing areas is essential. OBJECTIVE: We report a patient with occupational sensitivity to an aqueous solution of cut tobacco whose clinical manifestations were rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. Past medical history was significant for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to mugwort pollen and oral allergy syndrome with avocado. methods: Green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extracts were prepared, skin prick tests were performed with green tobacco, cured tobacco leaf extracts, and certain aeroallergens. Conjunctival challenge test was carried out with green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extract. serum-specific IgE against tobacco leaf was performed by commercial CAP. CAP inhibition experiments were carried out with tobacco and artemisia vulgaris. RESULTS: Skin prick tests and conjunctival challenge tests with green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extracts were positive, as well as serum-specific IgE by CAP, indicating an IgE-mediated sensitization. CAP inhibition experiments were carried out and it was found that tobacco, mugwort pollen, and tomato extracts inhibited the binding of the patient's serum to solid-phase tobacco leaf. No inhibition was observed when alternaria, D. pteronyssinus, and potato were used as control inhibitors. Inhibition of immunoCAP to mugwort was obtained with mugwort and tobacco extracts and no cross-reactivity to D. pteronyssinus was shown. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that tobacco can induce IgE-mediated reactions that are mediated by the existence of common antigenic epitopes between tobacco and mugwort pollen. This allergy can be a hazard of employment in the agricultural areas.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. Occupational asthma caused by champignon flies.BACKGROUND: Occupational bronchial asthma in mushroom (champignon) workers is unusual, although reports on it appeared in 1938 and 1951; we have not found any others since those dates. Here we report the case of a 52-year-old man who works as a champignon cultivator. He suffered rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma attacks whenever he entered the champignon culture caves. We studied flies as a possible antigen source. We collected these insects from the growing sites in order to identify them, and then prepare an extract; the samples turned out to be of two families of insects of the order diptera, 98% from the Phoridae family (Brachycera suborder) and 2% from the Sciaridae (Nematocera suborder). methods: Skin prick tests, conjunctival provocation tests, serum specific IgE, specific IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting, and monitoring of PEFR (at work and off work) were performed. RESULTS: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to these flies was demonstrated by skin prick test, conjunctival provocation test, serum specific IgE, and IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting. Monitoring of PEFR both at work and off work showed a clear relationship between symptoms, or fall in PEFR, and the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: We report the case of a patient suffering from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by hypersensitivity to fly proteins.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. Allergic contact dermatitis to latanoprost.An 85-year-old male with glaucoma presented with a 1-1/2 year history of tearing; red eyes; and pruritic, edematous, eczematous eyelids. Treatment for presumed ocular rosacea and seborrhea was unhelpful. Patch testing to our standard 64 antigens yielded a positive reaction to Balsam of peru. Notably, benzalkonium chloride, thimerosal, and other preservatives elicited negative reactions. Repeat open application testing elicited positive results to Xalatan (latanoprost) 0.005% ophthalmic solution (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI). A second session of patch tests to 10 personal products, in addition to Xalatan 0.005% solution and the Xalatan vehicle (provided by the manufacturer), elicited a strong positive reaction only to the full preparation of Xalatan 0.005% solution. This report describes the first known case of ACD to latanoprost, a new prostaglandin analog that is widely prescribed for treatment of glaucoma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Nasal allergy to avian antigens.This study describes the case of a patient who developed symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis on exposure to budgerigars and parrots. An IgE-mediated allergy to budgerigar, parrot and pigeon antigens was demonstrated using both in-vivo challenge tests (skin and nasal provocation tests) and in-vitro investigations (radio-allergo-sorbent test, histamine release test). The study shows that the development of nasal disease can be associated with allergy to avian antigens.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. Allergic rhinitis to thuja pollen.Allergy to pollen of cupressaceae has been linked to pollens of cupressus, Juniper and cryptomeria. The authors report 2 cases of rhinitis and conjunctivitis induced by thuja, another member of the cupressaceae family. Monosensitization to thuja pollen has been identified as the causal agent: (1) of a long-standing springtime rhinitis in 1 patient with negative skin tests and specific IgE titers to the main inhalants (specificity of the prick test and nasal provocation with the thuja extract was confirmed by a positive RAST) and (2) in a 2nd patient without former history of allergy, who consulted for conjunctivitis following acquisition of a dog; the standard battery of skin tests, and Phadiotop were all negative. After controls, only the thuja extract gave significant skin test response. The level of total IgE was low, and RAST was negative. Sensitization and pollen provocation were produced by the intermediary of the dog, carrying thuja pollens on its fur. The immunoprint and the crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis revealed common antigenicity between cypress and thuja extracts.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. asthma caused by ficus benjamina latex: evidence of cross-reactivity with fig fruit and papain.BACKGROUND: ficus benjamina or weeping fig is a plant used increasingly for indoor decoration that can cause allergic rhinitis and asthma. OBJECTIVE: We report a clinical and immunologic study in a patient with perennial asthma caused by F. benjamina latex in whom several episodes of angioedema of the oropharyngeal tract and tongue followed ingestion of figs and kiwi. methods: hypersensitivity to latex from F. benjamina and from hevea brasiliensis, fig fruit, kiwi, papain, and bromelain was investigated by means of skin prick test, specific IgE determination by CAP, histamine release test, and bronchial provocation test to F. benjamina latex. CAP-inhibition assays were carried out to study possible cross-reactivity among these antigens. RESULTS: hypersensitivity to F. benjamina latex, fig, kiwi, and proteases was demonstrated by means of skin prick test, determination of specific IgE and histamine release test. Bronchial provocation test with F. benjamina latex resulted in a dual asthmatic reaction, confirming the etiologic role of this plant. A rise of eosinophil cationic protein in patient's serum was observed 21 hours after bronchial challenge, suggesting activation of eosinophils. Inhibition assays showed that F. benjamina latex as liquid-phase inhibited up to 95% the CAP to fig and up to 57% the CAP to papain. Neither sensitization nor cross-allergenicity with H. brasiliensis latex was found. CONCLUSIONS: hypersensitivity to F. benjamina latex may cause IgE-mediated respiratory allergy. The association with allergy to fig and papain is likely due to the existence of cross-reactive allergen structures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins.BACKGROUND: Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |