摘要:

SummaryIgG antibody against avian antigens was measured by quantitative radioimmunoassay in serum samples obtained regularly from twenty pigeon fanciers over a 1‐year period. A seasonal variation was seen in nine antibody‐positive subjects; eight of whom had symptoms of pigeon breeder's disease (PBD), and a clear peak of antibody production occurred during late summer, corresponding with the period of maximum avian contact in the sporting season. All subjects with insignificant specific IgG levels were asymptomatic and displayed minimal changes throughout the year despite a similar exposure pattern to antigen for all individuals. Raised total IgG was a feature of six symptomatic subjects, two of whom had raised total IgA. Three of these six subjects had maximum hypergamma‐globulinaemia coinciding with peak specific‐antibody levels, but in general the total imrnunoglobulin levels tended to remain high throughout the year with only marginal fluctuations. The total immunoglobulin levels in the other individuals were within normal limits and displayed no remarkable changes during the year. The subjects with pigeon breeder's disease had a more active immune responsiveness to avian contact, and the association of the highest levels with periods of maximal contact with antigen may have an important bearing on the dynamic nature of this co

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02603.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummarySerum venom‐specific IgE and IgG were monitored in twenty‐three patients receiving venom immunotherapy for more than 3 years. Two response patterns of IgE antibody were found. Following initiation of therapy, seven patients had a rise in serum venom‐specific IgE, peaking at one year, then decreasing. Sixteen patients had a persistent fall in IgE antibody titres following initiation of therapy. At the end of 3 years, levels of serum venom‐specific IgE in both groups were comparable. The presence of atopy may have influenced the rising IgE antibody response.Serum venom‐specific IgG either rose or remained elevated if the pretreatment titres were high. After several years of therapy, there was generally a decrease in serum venom‐s

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02604.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryThe toe‐nail dust produced in chiropodial practice causes allergic hypersensitivity andTrichophyton rubrumis the most common fungal cause of nail dystrophy. Use of drills and burrs to reduce the thickness of hyperkeratotic nails generates dust and chiropodists develop precipitins toT. rubrum.A survey into the prevalence of these antibodies in 11.2% of state‐registered chiropodists is described and 14% of the profession estimated to have antibodies toT. rubrum.In response to a questionnaire 49% stated that toe‐nail dust troubled them; complaints of nasal and eye symptoms were 72 and 41% respectively. In 384 chiropodists ventilatory function was tested with a vitalograph. Restrictive lung disease appears to be more common in chiropodists than other sedentary wo

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02605.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryAnaphylaxis can pose a life‐threatening situation for many patients. A recent report has added exercise to the stimuli which can provoke an anaphylactic reaction. In this report, we review nine cases of anaphylaxis with exercise and the characteristics of this response. These cases represent additional evidence that exercise‐induced anaphylaxis is not rare but can be misdiagnosed in some patie

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02606.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummarySeveral reports have suggested that asthmatic children may be particularly vulnerable to viral respiratory infections, in addition to this, abnormal cellular regulation has been suggested as an explanation for the increased IgE levels in atopy. Despite such evidence there have been few studies evaluating cellular immune function in asthmatic children. This study has examinedin vivoandin vitroaspects of cellular immune function in twenty‐six atopic asthmatic children and compared them with nineteen age‐matched non‐atopic control subjects.In vivocellular immunity was assessed by quantitating the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity (CDH) response to four ubiquitous antigens. Lymphocyte responsiveness to three polyclonal mitogens was measuredin vitro.The serum IgE level was determined in all study subjects. The results indicate that CDH toCandidaantigen is signifxicantly diminished among the asthmatic subjects and lessened to streptokinase/streptodornase. Lymphocyte mitogen response did not differ significantly between the study groups. No correlation could be shown betweenin vitrolymphocyte responsiveness and IgE level. These studies suggest that a subtle cellular immune defect may exist in asthmatic children and support the need for further studies of this que

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02607.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryThis study was undertaken in order to develop a method for comparing the value of different forms of treatment for hay fever. A cross‐over trial was carried out in sixty‐one patients, comparing four treatments: topical corticosteroids, topical cromoglycales, placebo tablets and oxatomide (a new oral treatment with antihistamine and cromoglycate‐like properties). Three methods were used to compare these treatments: (1) post‐treatment symptom questionnaires; (2) daily analogue line scores of symptoms; and (3) nasal FEV1. Of these, daily analogue line diary scores, with an analysis which took into account variation in pollen count, proved to be the most sensitive.By employing this diary method, it was shown that all three active treatments were significantly better than placebo and that topical corticosteroids were significantly better than topical cromoglycates. The activity of oxatomide was found to be not significantly different from that of steroids or cromoglycate, but it was associated with more frequent side‐effects. It is suggested that daily diaries, combining symptom relief and freedom from side effects into a single score of ‘usefulness’ adjusted for pollen count, are suitable means for comparing treatments

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02608.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryMost extracts used in hyposensitization are complex and ill‐defined mixtures of a large number of antigenic components. A highly refined (purified) and well‐characterized allergen preparation from Timothy pollen (Phleum pratense) is now available.This paper describes the results of hyposensitization for 3 years comparing the purified preparation Timothy N. the crude extract Timothy O and a four‐grass mix in sixty patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen. The sixty patients were randomized into three groups and compared with a control group not hyposensitized. All three groups showed a significant decrease in clinical symptoms compared with the control group. The Timothy N group had a significantly higher nasal tolerance shown by nasal challenge test after 3 years' treatment than the group treated with the crude extract (P= 0.05). In addition, the Timothy‐N‐treated patients needed significantly less antihistaminic medication than the patients having received the crude extract or the four‐grass mix (P=0.02 andP= 0.01 re

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02609.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummarySeven bakers with respiratory symptoms were evaluated by skin tests, RAST assay for specific IgE antibodies to rye and wheat, inhalation challenge with methacholine for the determination of non‐specific bronchial reactivity, and bronchoprovocation with rye and wheat extracts for the determination of antigen‐specific bronchial reactivity. An immediate asthmatic response to antigen challenge was observed in four subjects and all of them had a high level of flour‐specific IgE antibodies. The serum RAST values provided a more accurate predictive value than the degree of cutaneous sensitivity determined by skin testing with respect to the bronchial response to antigenic challenge. Among those who reacted positively to antigenic bronchoprovocation, a much lower antigen dose was required to elicit a positive reaction if the subject also had an increased degree of non‐specific bronchial reactivity. An elevated RAST value was not found in thirty‐eight asymptomatic bakers or in ten asthmatics who had no occupational exposure to flour. Thus, baker's asthma appears to he a form of allergic asthma to cereal flours mediated by specific IgF antibodies. Both the level of serum IgE antibodies and the degree of non‐specific bronchial reactivity are important factors which may influence a baker's bronchial response upon inhalation of ce

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02610.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryVarious clinical features of eighty‐four atopic patients, with clinical hypersensitivity to egg and positive RAST to egg white, were studied. Some of the clinical data were compared with data from a control group of atopic patients without egg allergy. Atopic diseases and certain food allergies in the families of the egg‐allergic patients and atopic controls were also studied. This was done in order to investigate the extent to which differences between the egg allergy group and the atopic control group were reflected in their respective famil

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02611.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryTwo patients who suffered from allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and contact urticaria caused by the two‐spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae, Koch) are described. Both patients worked in a greenhouse where they came in contact with both spider mites and predator mites living on bean leaves. Prick, Prausnitz‐Küstner and RAST tests indicated type I allergy to spider mite but not to predator mite. Both patients had a high level (RAST score 4) of spider‐mitE‐specific IgE in their sera. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition studies revealed no cross‐reactivity between spider mite and house dust mite allergens.These results show that spider mites, which are herbivorous mites found in nature, in greenhouses and even in homes, can cause IgE‐mediated al

ISSN:0954-7894    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02612.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1983

数据来源: WILEY