Recombinant allergens and diagnosis of grass pollen allergy.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):499-506
Authors: Olsen E, Mohapatra SS
To evaluate the use of recombinant allergens for the diagnosis of grass pollen allergies, we examined the levels of IgE antibodies specific for grass pollen as by immunoassays. SDS-PAGE analysis of two batches of Kentucky bluegrass pollen extracts demonstrated that there was considerable variability in allergen content of extracts, which in turn affected quantitation of specific IgE antibodies by different immunoassay procedures. Furthermore, the levels of IgE antibodies in human sera specific for a recombinant grass pollen allergen, rKBG8.3, were examined by enzyme immunoassay. The results demonstrated that quantitation of IgE antibodies specific for even one single allergen may be used to discriminate sera of allergic individuals with respect to IgE specific for grass pollen in general. A positive correlation, r = .82, was found for IgE binding of the recombinant allergen and the crude extracts of grass pollens. It is concluded from these results that a single recombinant allergen or a combination of a few major recombinant allergens can substitute the crude extract for in vitro as well as in vivo diagnostic purposes.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide nasal provocation in humans.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):515-9
Authors: Guarnaccia S, Baraniuk JN, Bellanti J, Duina M
Trigeminal sensory nerves release neurotransmitters such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, and others in human nasal mucosa. The effects of CGRP on nasal secretion were tested in humans in vivo by applying CGRP directly to nasal mucosa and then lavaging the nostrils ten minutes later. Concentrations of total protein, albumin, lysozyme, and orcinol-reactive mucoglycoconjugates were measured in lavage fluid. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.1 to 100 micrograms) did not stimulate secretion of any of these markers indicating that CGRP had no effect on glandular secretion or albumin exudation in vivo. These findings indicate that CGRP did not stimulate glands or endothelial cells of the vessels that regulate plasma extravasation. These data are consistent with previous studies that demonstrate 125I-CGRP binding sites on arterial vessels without detecting sites on glands or epithelium, the absence of effects of CGRP on glandular secretion from human nasal mucosal explants in vitro, and the apparently minor magnitude of sensory nerve axon responses in humans in vivo.
Effects of acrivastine and terfenadine on skin reactivity to histamine.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):520-4
Authors: Leynadier F, Murrieta M, Dry J, Colin JN, Gillotin C, Steru D
The response to the histamine hydrochloride prick skin test was studied in 24 healthy volunteers who received, in random order and at least four days apart, acrivastine (8 mg), terfenadine (120 mg), and placebo. The tests were performed on either side of the back before and at the time of administration (single dose), then every 30 minutes for two hours, and every hour for the following four hours. Evaluation was based on the mean of two measurements of the surface area of the wheal-and-flare reaction accompanied by assessment of topical pruritus. The response to histamine was decreased markedly in the two active treatment groups. Although within one hour of injection, the activity of both antihistamines was consistently greater than that of placebo, the kinetics of action of the two products nevertheless differed; indeed acrivastine was active against flare and wheal earlier (within 30 minutes); terfenadine proved to be more active than acrivastine only on flare and only at the later times (four, five, and six hours). The safety study primarily demonstrated drowsiness in one-fourth of the patients receiving placebo and active treatment.
Immunoglobulin studies in children with inflammatory bowel disease.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):525-7
Authors: Gryboski JD, Buie T
Serum immunoglobulin A, and G subclasses were measured in patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and in normal controls. Significant differences were noted in elevated total gamma globulin in both disease groups: in elevated IgG1 in ulcerative colitis and elevated IgG2 in patients with Crohn’s disease. These differences were not significantly related to disease activity in either disease although higher levels were observed in those with moderate and severe disease.
Serum immunoglobulins and IgG subclass levels in adults with chronic sinusitis: evidence for decreased IgG3 levels.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):507-14
Authors: Armenaka M, Grizzanti J, Rosenstreich DL
Serum immunoglobulin class and IgG subclasses were measured in 30 adult patients with chronic sinusitis documented by CT scans of the paranasal sinuses. Results were compared to 30 age-and-sex matched patients with chronic rhinitis who had normal sinus CT scans, and a matched group of asymptomatic, healthy subjects. None of the patients was taking oral corticosteroids and none had ever received allergen immunotherapy. IgA deficiency was present in 3% (2/60) of the patients with chronic rhinitis or sinusitis and IgG deficiency was seen in another two (3%). None of the normals had low IgA or IgG. Low levels of IgG1 or IgG3 were found in some patients in all three groups, while none had low IgG2 levels. Serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 were not significantly different between the groups. Mean serum IgG3 levels, however, were significantly lower in the chronic sinusitis group than the chronic rhinitis group (P < .003) or the normals (P < .0005). The incidence of below normal levels of IgG3 was also more frequent in chronic sinusitis than in chronic rhinitis (P < .04) or normals (P < .002). Patients in the chronic sinusitis group had a high incidence of asthma (57%) and atopy (45%) but there was no difference in immunoglobulin class or IgG subclass levels in matched asthmatics compared with nonasthmatic patients with chronic sinusitis. Atopic patients with chronic sinusitis had a higher frequency of IgG3 subclass deficiency than nonatopics (P = .04). Normalization of low immunoglobulin class or IgG subclass levels that coincided with clinical improvement was documented in two patients with sinusitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparative trial of acceptability of beclomethasone dipropionate and a new formulation of flunisolide.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):529-32
Authors: Conley SF
A randomized, double-blind, crossover study of a new formulation of flunisolide nasal spray was performed comparing its acceptability and safety to that of aqueous beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray. The single center study enrolled 100 adults with allergic rhinitis; of these, 99 provided valid data for analysis. Each study participant received a single dose of each study drug and assessed nasal burning/stinging and other adverse effects. Analysis of patient evaluations revealed no significant differences in nasal or pharyngeal irritation (P > .05); however, mild aftertaste was present with use of flunisolide (P = .059) compared with beclomethasone dipropionate. There was similar acceptance of both study drugs.
Airway responsiveness to methacholine and risk of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Ann Allergy. 1994 Jun;72(6):534-9
Authors: Prieto L, Bertó JM, Gutierrez V
To find out whether airway hyperresponsiveness is associated with a greater risk of asthma in subjects with allergic rhinitis, 66 nonasthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis underwent inhalation challenge with methacholine. Each patient was reevaluated prospectively at least once each year and a diagnosis of asthma was accepted if the subject developed episodic wheezing and/or cough plus airway obstruction and at least a 15% increase in FEV1 after inhaled salbutamol. Those subjects who developed asthma and ten individuals who did not develop asthma were rechallenged after the first asthma symptoms or at the end of the followup period, respectively. Risk of developing asthma during the followup period (mean of 43.8 months, range 36 to 70) was similar (P > .05) in those individuals who previously had airway hyperresponsiveness (2 of the 19 patients), when compared with subjects who were previously nonresponders (4 of the 47 patients). Further, in those subjects who developed asthma, geometric mean (range) PC20 decreased from 11.75 (0.40 to 50) during the initial evaluation to 1.66 (0.15 to 11.07) mg/mL after the first asthma symptoms (P < .05). No significant modifications of PC20 were detected in subjects who did not develop asthma. We conclude that a single determination of methacholine PC20 is not a reliable marker of the subsequent development of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis.
