PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C D Crisci

Publications and source records attributed to C D Crisci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Identification of the soybean hull allergens involved in sensitization to soybean dust in a rural population from Argentina and N-terminal sequence of a major 50 KD allergen.

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to soybean hull (SH) allergens occurs in subjects from Argentina, a soybean producer country. However, the causative allergens have not been identified. The purposes of this study are to: (i) identify the SH allergens using sera of 29 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina exposed to soybean dust who have a positive (weal with SH/weal with histamine > or = 0.5) skin prick test to SH; and (ii) determine the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a major 50 K SH allergen that sensitizes this population. METHODS: All sera were assayed for specific IgE (RIA), IgG4 (ELISA), and IgE and IgG4-Western blots. A sera pool from 10 healthy subjects was a negative control. N-terminal amino acid sequencing was performed by the Edman degradation method. RESULTS: Positive specific IgE only was found in 12/29 (41.4%), IgG4 in 3/29 (10.3%), and both IgE and IgG4 in 14/29 (48.3%) sera. IgE-Western blot demonstrates: (i) an allergen, MW 50 K (51.7% binding); (ii) one or two distinct allergens, MW < 20.2 K (72.4% binding), depending on the sera; and (iii) 1-5 additional IgE binding proteins, MW > 20.2 to < 46.9 K (41.4% binding), depending on the sera. IgG4-Western blot demonstrates: (i) a band, MW 70K (31% binding); (ii) a band, MW 50 K (17.2% binding); (iii) one or two additional bands, MW < 20.2 K (51.7% binding), depending on the sera; and (iv) a band, MW > 20.2 to < 28.5 K (20.7% binding). The 50 K allergen N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 17 amino acids indicates a significant homology with chlorophyll A-B binding protein precursors from tomato, spinach, and petunia. CONCLUSIONS: Specific IgE and IgG4 to SH are common in sera from allergic individuals living in rural areas in Argentina. SH contain an IgE binding protein, MW about 50 K, not previously described. Sensitization to this allergen is common in subjects who are repeatedly exposed to soybean dust inhalation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Association between soybean dust exposure, allergic sensitivity and profile of respiratory symptoms].

The purpose of this study was to correlate soybean dust (SD) exposure, skin reactivity to soybean hull (SH) allergens, and symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. A group of 365 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and a control group of 50 individuals without respiratory symptoms were studied. The level of exposure to SD is defined as follows: 1) direct (DE); 2) indirect (ID), and 3) urban (UE). All subjects completed standard questionnaires. Skin tests with a SH extract and with common allergens were performed by the prick technique (SPT). Fifty-six (15.3%) patients and no subjects from control group had positive SPT (histamine index > or = 0.5) with a SH allergen extract. The percentages of positive SPT to SH extract were 38.7%, 20.3% and 8.4% in subjects with DE, IE and UE, respectively (p < 0.001). Monosensitization to SH was absent in all subjects. The percent of subjects with positive SPTs to mites (p < 0.01), pollen (p < 0.01) and molds (p < 0.05) were higher in subjects with a positive SPT to SH versus those with a negative SPT to SH. Sixty-six percent of subjects with DE and 13.6% of subjects with IE or UE reported respiratory symptoms after SD inhalation (Odds Ratio: 12.67 [2.4-74.9], p < 0.001). Compared to subjects exclusively sensitized to mites, patients sensitized to SH presented significantly different clinical characteristics. Soybean production has been increasing in Argentina during the last 20 years, determining an increase in the population exposed to chronic SD inhalation. This fact determines a high risk of sensitization and triggering of respiratory symptoms in atopic subjects. This study demonstrates that there is: 1) a high prevalence of skin reactivity to SH in subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina and that this prevalence is associated with the level of exposure to SD, and 2) an association between sensitivity to SH and severity of asthma. Measures to avoid release and inhalation of SD in rural areas from Argentina are needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Kartageners syndrome: a report of six cases with special reference to humoral and cellular immunity.

4 men and 2 women presenting with Kartagener's syndrome were studied. Humoral and cellular immunity were evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin levels, total complement activity, C3, C4 and C5 levels, lymphocyte subpopulations, lymphoproliferative response to PHA, delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions and histocompatibility antigens. The in vitro tests for cellular and humoral immunity showed normal results, or only transitory alterations. However, the in vivo tests clearly showed a decrease in the delayed response in the skin tests using bacterial and mycotic antigens and PPD. In two siblings the HLA typing showed identical haplotypes. The results are presented taking into account the new physiopathogenetic concepts of Karagener's syndrome with respect to dysfunction of the ciliated columnar epithelium and chemotactic defects of the nonciliated blood cells found in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Determination of the lymphocytic and oncofetal antigen subpopulations in patients with adenocarcinomas of the stomach and of the colon and rectum (author's transl)].

The authors present a study of 50 patients with adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum, patients with gastric adenocarcinomas, and 30 healthy individuals as a control group. In all subjects the following parameters were determined: total number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, T lymphocytes, T-active lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes. A study of the test for lymphoblastic transformation (TTL) with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation and the determination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) were also carried out. In patients with gastric adenocarcinoma the results revealed a lymphopenia, especially at the expense of T and T-active lymphocytes, as well as a depression (in 73 per cent) of the lymphocytic response to the PHA stimulation. Patients with carcinoma of the colon showed significant results in the T-active lymphocyte population. In both neoplastic situations the determination for alpha-fetoprotein was negative, while the CEA presented a clear correlation with the evolutive stage of the tumor, being more demonstrative in the tumors located in the colon and rectum.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunosuppressive effect of corticosteroids on rabbit's humoral and cellular response.

The immunosuppressive effect of two of the most used steroids, 16-Methylen-prednisolone and betamethasone, was studied in rabbits sensitized to bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the steroid treated animals the hemagglutination and precipitation titres obtained in Boyden's test and gel-diffusion respectively, were strongly decreased as compared with the controls. The Arthus reaction was also inhibited. No response was detected in the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) against the antigen (BSA) in the treated animals, and also the PHA induced transformation was suppressed but not completely abolished. A remarked decrease in the number of circulating mononuclear cells was observed in the treated animals. The number of T rosette-forming cells was also strongly decreased, but the percentage of B cells bearing IgG on their membrane detected by immunofluorescence offered only a slight decrease as compared with the controls. All these changes were observed earlier and more intensely in the Betamethasone treated rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative estimation of IgE and IgD by laser nephelometry.

The advantages and disadvantages of Laser Nephelometry (LN) in the determination of IgD and IgE are reported. Two laser nephelometer models (Behringwerke/Marburg), different batches of LN cuvettes, WHO reference standard sera, rabbit anti-human antisera and randomly selected allergic patients' sera were used for the standardization of the method. Cuvette blank values were significantly lower in the new model of laser nephelometer and the precision of these measurements was very high when two different cuvette charges were compared. In the determination of IgE by LN, it was possible to detect levels down to 125 IU/ml, the accuracy of the estimations varying between 4.8 and 8.2% and the repeatability between 3.2 and 24.4%, the highest variation coefficient being obtained in low level samples. The overall agreement between LN and RIST in 55 serum samples was 71%, and at concentrations below 200 IU/ml (normal) and above 400 IU/ml (increased) 80% and 85% respectively. In the determination of IgD by LN, the accuracy of the estimations was also very good (2.4 to 7.8%) and the variation coefficient varied between 2.8 and 13.3%. In the comparison of IgD estimations with LN and radial immunodiffusion in 27 samples a correlation coefficient of r = 0.82 was obtained. Although normal adult IgE values cannot be analysed, the clinically important increased IgE levels are correctly determined by LN. The method is more sensitive than the Mancini technique for IgE determination and in comparison with RIST, though low values are not obtained, LN is quicker, simpler and cheaper.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of circulating immune complexes in cutaneous diseases associated with immune disorders.

Several skin diseases associated with immune disorders may be related to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and their skin deposition. Sera from 20 controls and 108 patients, including: 23 psoriasis, 10 lichen planus, 30 atopic eczemas, 32 cases of leprosy, 10 vasculitis and 3 pyoderma gangrenosum were evaluated for the presence of IgG-containing CIC by the microconsumption complement test (MCT). Additionally, the presence of IgE-containing CIC by means of a polyethylene glycol precipitation and radioimmunoassay technique was evaluated in 10 patients with atopic eczema. It was found that 56.5% of psoriatic patients show moderate CIC concentrations, as well as 34% of leprosy patients, with increased levels when bacillus were detected in skin lesions, and in 90% of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A close relationship between CIC levels and the clinical evolution of skin lesions was demonstrated in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum and lichen planus. IgG-CIC were detected in 33% and IgE-CIC in 30% of patients with atopic eczema, with the presence of both types of CIC in 2 out of 3 cases. The systematic research on CIC presence in some selected skin diseases shows that immune complexes take part, with different degrees of relevance, in the pathogenesis of all the entities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

T and B lymphocytes in various allergies.

The percentages and absolute numbers of T, B and "null" cells were studied in 100 allergic patients and compared with values observed in 35 healthy age matched control subjects. T cells were identified by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with SRBC (E-RFC) and B cells by their complement receptor that allows the binding of antibody-complement coated erythrocytes (EAC-RFC). The PBL count was found to be slightly lowered in patients suffering from pollinosis, candidiasis and chronic urticaria. The percentages of T and B lymphocytes were similar in both allergic and healthy people, but the patients with pollinosis, candidiasis and chronic urticaria showed decreased absolute numbers of T lymphocytes. Most of them had normal or even--in some cases of pollinosis and candidiasis--increased numbers of B lymphocytes, and normal or--as in some cases of chronic urticaria and candidiasis--increased numbers of B lymphocytes, and normal or--as in some cases of chronic urticaria and candidiasis--decreased numbers of "null" cells. This study support the hypothesis that allergic diseases may be associated with a defect of a subpopulation of T cells, however, it does not seem possible that "null" cells may represent these defective suppressor T cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphocyte subpopulations in colo-rectal cancer. Preoperative evaluation.

The percentage and absolute numbers of T, T active and B cells determined by rosette and immunofluorescence procedures, together with the lymphocyte response to PHA stimulation, were studied in 50 patients with colo-rectal adenocarcinoma before surgery. In addition, a group of these patients were tested for the presence of circulating CEA. Sixty percent of the patients studied presented a decrease in absolute numbers of T cells. The percentage and absolute number of Ea rosettes were significantly reduced (p less than 0.01), showing a selective loss of the active T cell subpopulations. In 62% of the cases there was a notable decrease in the lymphocyte response to PHA stimulation. There were no significant variations in the B lymphocyte populations. CEA values showed a close correlation with the clinical tumour staging according to the Dukes classification. Pre-operative immunological testing may have prognostic value in tumours of the large intestine and its results can subsequently be used to evaluate the results of surgery and to indicate avenues which may improve and complete the treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between serum IgA, secretory IgA and total serum IgE in asthmatic and rhinitic affected patients.

We studied 1,030 patients of both sexes, classified according to atopic and non-atopic, those suffering from bronchial asthma (AB), rhinitis (R) or associated AB and R, with ages between 3 months to 62 years. Total IgE, serum IgA and secretory IgA were determined in all of them in order to establish their values and to make the corresponding comparisons. Serum IgA did not show any difference in both groups, while secretory IgA showed lower values in atopic patients than non-atopic patients during childhood. Later on, their values reached a similar level. Total IgE values in atopics significantly differed from non-atopic values at all ages. There was a negative correlation coefficient between total IgE and secretory IgA in the 6 years old patients' group, and in adults. Our results suggest that IgE synthesis, genetically determined in atopics, may be influenced to higher levels in patients with lower secretory IgA levels. This latter factor, as we only measured total secretory non-specific IgA level, must be considered of relative importance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The application of the sepharose bead immunofluorescence test for the detection of allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies in pollinosis.

A new application of the Sepharose bead immunofluorescence test for detection of allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies is described. Allergen extracts of four different grass pollens were coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Twenty normal and allergic sera were incubated with the allergen-coupled beads, washed and incubated with fluorescence-conjugated anti-gamma E and G globulins. After washing and staining with 0.5% trypan blue, the percentage of fluorescent beads was detected by fluorescence microscopy. In the IgG/anti IgG system, the smallest amount of IgG demonstrated was 20ng/ml; in the IgE/anti-IgE system it was 40ng/ml. Independent examination of tests gave a mean difference between observations of 4.1%. Reproducibility was also very good (var. coeff = 18%). The number of beads stained with IgE correlated well with intensity of skin reactions to the same extracts (r = 0.64; p = 5 x 10-7), the percentage of IgG stained beads being independent of skin reactivity. The Sepharose-IgE test allowed clear distinction between allergic and normal sera (p = 4 x 10-7), while the Sepharose IgG test did not distinguish between them at the time of diagnosis. However, the number of beads stained with IgG significantly increased in patients undergoing immunotherapy (p = 3.8 x 10-3). The Sepharose bead immunofluorescence test requires a very small amount of materials, is highly sensitive and easy to handle. It may be valuable in the "in vitro" diagnosis of grass pollen allergy and useful in evaluating immunotherapy.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Breast cancer and histocompatibility antigens.

HLA antigens and haplotypes were studied in 50 women with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, from the Basque provinces and Navarra, and in a comtrol group consisted of 166 healthy persons from the same geographical area. A greater incidence of HLA-B7 and B26 was observed in the breast cancer group if compared with the frequency of occurrence of these antigens in the Spanish population. However, when compared with Navarra-Basque population, no significant differences were observed. The study of the haplotype frequencies in breast cancer showed a greater incidence of the A9, B27 and A10, B14 haplotypes than in the normal population. However, the significance of D values disappeared after making the necessary correction for the number of antigens tested. The major histocompatibility system has a variety of functions which have not yet been documented but that might predispose to disease. It is certainly probable that there will be multiple mechanisms underlying HLA and cancer associations, however so far none of the data available suggest the presence of an immune response gene linked with breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HLA and pollinosis.

Sixty-two patients were selected who suffered from seasonal pollen-induced bronchial asthma and rhinitis. Histocompatibility antigen typing was carried out with a panel of 70 antisera (Behringwerke) of 33 HLA specificities. The results obtained at locus A of the most representative by percent phenotypic frequency of the HLA studies shows a decreased frecuency of HLA-A11. The phenotyic frequencies of the most representative HLA of B locus in the group of patients shows an increase in the frequency of HLA-B8. This represents 22.6% compared with 9.1% of the controls, which is definitely significant. The results obtained in a study of the haplotype frequency of three combinations of HLA antigens, in a group of allergic patients compared with the controls shows that the frequency of the haplotype A1 B8 is greater in the allergic patients than in the control group, a statistically significant finding. As regards the other two haplotypes A2 B12 and A3 B7, the respective results of the comparison were not significant in the first and marginally significant in the second. Even these few studied cases demonstrate the predominance of HLA-B8 in atopic or hyperreactive states. As regards the A1 B8 haplotype, we also find a slightly increased occurrence, in agreement with the literature. This suggests that the hyperergic response might be associated with the presence of the A1 B8 haplotype.

Female↗