1/20. hypersensitivity to mosquito bites with natural-killer cell lymphocytosis: the possible implication of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) has been recognized as one of the wide variety of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, some of which overlap with chronic active EBV infection and hydroa vacciniforme. It frequently predisposes to hemophagocytic syndrome or lymphoid malignancy with a clonal EBV replication. Here we report an 8-year-old Japanese boy who presented with a 3-year history of HMB. Every summer, he had repeated severe local skin reactions with high-grade fever, lymphadenopathy, and mild liver dysfunction after mosquito bites. Histologically, lymphoid cells overexpressing EBV-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBER), a marker of latent EBV infection, and eosinophils infiltrated diffusely into the lesional skin. His blood tests showed a marked increase in the CD11b 16 56 natural-killer cell population (~ 50% of the peripheral lymphocytes), but neither a clonal proliferation of EBV nor abnormal antibody titers to EBV. Quantitative PCR using a cloned EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1 vector revealed that a high copy number of the EBV genome is integrated into his peripheral blood cells even during the mosquito-free winter. Based on this evidence, he was diagnosed as being in a smoldering stage of HMB, in which EBV-associated NK cell lymphoproliferation might participate in its pathogenesis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/20. Coexistence of antibodies to tick-borne agents of babesiosis and Lyme borreliosis in patients from Cotia county, State of Sao Paulo, brazil.This paper reports a case of coinfection caused by pathogens of lyme disease and babesiosis in brothers. This was the first case of borreliosis in brazil, acquired in Cotia County, State of S o Paulo, brazil. Both children had tick bite history, presented erythema migrans, fever, arthralgia, mialgia, and developed positive serology (ELISA and Western-blotting) directed to borrelia burgdorferi G 39/40 and babesia bovis antigens, mainly of IgM class antibodies, suggestive of acute disease. Also, high frequencies of antibodies to B. bovis was observed in a group of 59 Brazilian patients with Lyme borreliosis (25.4%), when compared with that obtained in a normal control group (10.2%) (chi-square = 5.6; p < 0.05). Interestingly, both children presented the highest titers for IgM antibodies directed to both infective diseases, among all patients with Lyme borreliosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/20. A rare case of intravascular coagulation after honey bee sting.A patient presented with coagulation problems a few days after honeybee sting. The purpuric skin changes developed on the legs and buttocks. She manifested signs of hypotension with disturbance of consciousness. Allergen-specific IgE serum levels against honey bee venom antigens reached >17.5 kU/l. The platelet count was 33,000/ml . The prothrombin index decreased to 28%, prothrombine time was prolonged to 34". fibrin degradation products were present in serum. After 10 day treatment the girl improved, but necrotic skin changes required further plastic surgery. Honeybee sting problems should be taken into account as a cause of coagulation problems.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/20. Unusual skin reactions after mosquito bites and Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma.We detected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The patient, a 53-year-old Japanese man, had been referred to our hospital because of generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphocytosis and gave a history of intense skin reactions to mosquito bites. The biopsied lymph node contained a monotonous proliferation of medium-sized lymphocytes with scant cytoplasm and slightly irregular nuclei that were CD5 , CD20 and CD23-. Antibody titers of IgG against EBV viral capsid antigen and early antigen were increased, and EBV was detected in the lymphoma cells. This case may suggest a relationship between EBV and MCL.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/20. Acute polyradiculoneuropathy occurring after hymenoptera stings: a clinical case study.hymenoptera stings may be responsible for both local and systemic reactions; these can be immediate or delayed, depending on the time between the sting and the development of signs or symptoms. Delayed clinical reactions have been reported, although unusual, due to serum sickness and/or affecting organs or systems generally not involved in the immediate reaction, such as heart, kidneys, central and peripheral nervous systems. This paper describes the clinical and immunological findings in a 51-year-old subject, who, after two stings of paper wasps, the second one after the third venom immunotherapy (VIT) injection, presented immediate large local and systemic allergic reactions which quickly improved after e.v. methylprednisolone administration. About 40 hours later, he developed acute polyradiculoneuropathy with muscle weakness, paresthesia, difficulties in standing up and walking. skin tests and specific IgE determination showed allergy to paper wasp. The activation, by wasp venom, of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in primary culture, evaluated by tritiated thymidine incorporation proliferation assay, showed an important hypersensitivity to wasp venom. Therefore our results suggest the hypothesis that the polyradiculoneuritis causative etiopathogenetic mechanism might be a delayed immunological response to wasp antigens followed by an allergy-triggered autoimmune reaction, as previously suggested by other authors; they found lymphocytic infiltrates in demyelinization areas and at perivascular levels, by histologic examination of autoptical and bioptical material of patients with nervous system lesions after hymenoptera stings.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/20. Bullous allergic hypersensitivity to bed bug bites mediated by IgE against salivary nitrophorin.In Central europe, bites from the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) are nowadays rather uncommon. Nevertheless, infestations are sometimes observed in old framehouses and by immigration due to international travel and migration. The clinical picture of bug bites substantially varies between individuals, depending upon previous exposure and the degree of an immune response. The host immune response and potential protein antigens present in the saliva of C. lectularius or specific antibodies have not been characterized thus far. We describe a patient with bullous bite reactions after sequential contact with C. lectularius over a period of 1 year. In skin tests, we observed immediate reactions to the salivary gland solution of C. lectularius, which were followed by a pronounced partially blistering late-phase response. Immunoblot analysis of the patient's serum with salivary gland extracts and recombinant C. lectularius saliva proteins revealed specific IgE antibodies against the 32 kDa C. lectularius nitrophorin, but not to 37 kDa C. lectularius apyrase. Our data demonstrate that bullous cimicosis may be the late-phase response of an allergic IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to C. lectularius nitrophorin.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/20. Chronic pruritic eruption in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome associated with increased antibody titers to mosquito salivary gland antigens.Five of seven patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had pruritus and a chronic, nonspecific-appearing skin eruption had increased antibody titers to antigens in the salivary glands of aedes taeniorhynchus, a salt marsh mosquito common to South florida. We hypothesize that the pruritus and skin lesions in patients with AIDS represent a form of chronic "recall" reaction. Increased antibody titers to mosquito salivary gland antigens may be a consequence of nonspecific B cell activation, a feature of AIDS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/20. Bee-sting anaphylaxis in childhood.The syndrome of bee-sting anaphylaxis is described. Children who have suffered crescendo reactions to previous bee stings, especially children with a history of asthma, are significantly at risk. Desensitization is required in such cases; adrenaline should be kept in the home, and parents should be trained in its emergency use. The immunological mechanisms of bee-sting anaphylaxis are described. The striking seasonal incidence of anaphylaxis suggests that pollen or plant products which are incorporated in the venom may also be important in its genesis; it suggests also that antigens prepared from either whole-body or pure-venom extracts should be prepared from bees which are collected in late spring.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/20. Allergy to honeybee body components: distinction from bee venom sensitivity.Two patients with inhalant allergy to whole bee body components are described, documented by positive skin tests to whole bee body extract and the presence of serum bee body-specific IgE. Both had evidence of mild sensitivity to bee venom. RAST inhibition studies indicated that the IgE antibodies directed at whole bee body components and bee venom were distinct. These observations suggest that venom allergy from insect stings and bee body inhalant allergy are caused by different antigens.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/20. Successful immunotherapy for triatoma protracta-induced anaphylaxis.A successful program of immunotherapy for triatoma protracta-induced anaphylaxis was developed. This program included a new passive extract-antigen preparation standardized by RAST inhibition. This antigen facilitated the development of a reliable skin test protocol for in vivo diagnosis of triatoma protracta allergy. Five patients with T. protracta-induced anaphylaxis underwent a rapidly increasing dosage schedule of immunotherapy. The IgE- and IgG-antibody responses during immunotherapy were followed with solid-phase RIA. Protection against anaphylaxis was confirmed in all patients with a "bite challenge" by T. protracta. This is the first report of completely successful T. protracta immunotherapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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