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Biomedical subjects

H F Kauffman

Publications and source records attributed to H F Kauffman.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Sequential sampling of fungal air spores inside and outside the homes of mould-sensitive, asthmatic patients: a search for a relationship to obstructive reactions.

A sequential sampling study of fungal airspores was carried out with the Andersen sampler inside and outside the homes of eight asthmatic, mould-sensitive patients. The aim of the study was to find a possible relationship between variations in airborne colony forming units (CFU) and the occurrence of increased pulmonary complaints (IPC). Great variations in fungal prevalence occurred throughout the year, the lowest average daily concentration being 125, and the highest, 1425 CFU/m3/sample during the whole survey. Penicillium dominated the catch in seven of the eight environments. Other frequently sampled moulds were Cladosporium, yeasts, Aspergillus, and Botrytis. Sixty-six percent of IPC were noted from July through November, during which time 56% of all fungal peaks occurred. A significant difference was found between peak flow (PF) values on days with the highest mould numbers compared with PF values on days with low counts. This relation was not found for PF and indoor mould counts. No particular fungal genus was responsible for IPC in general, but in a given patient the occurrence of a special mould type may be related to obstructive reactions. It is concluded that a possible relationship exists between the prevalence of airborne fungi and IPC. Definite proof of a direct bronchial obstructive effect, however, might only be provided by means of inhalation-provocation studies with the sampled fungi.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1984

Measurement of plasma histamine by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: methodology and normal values.

A new method for the determination of histamine by stable isotope dilution mass fragmentography is described. The method is specific, sensitive, and accurate, resulting in a within-day coefficient of variation of 4.1% and a day-to-day variation of 7.9%. It was shown that the first blood sample after a venipuncture can contain an artificially elevated plasma histamine concentration. Platelets contain about 7 pmol histamine/10(9) cells. Serum histamine was elevated about four times in comparison with plasma histamine. This phenomenon was mainly ascribed to degranulation of basophilic leukocytes by complement activation during blood clotting. Normal values for plasma histamine were (n = 25) 2.07 +/- 0.75 nmol/liter (mean +/- 1 SD), which is one of the lowest values reported up to now.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Immunologic studies in bronchoalveolar fluid in a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in a patient during an acute stage of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and repeated 17 mo later during a remission stage and cessation of corticosteroid therapy. Measurement of protein concentrations (albumin, IgG, IgA, and IgM) by laser nephelometry and crossed immunoelectrophoresis indicates that transudation of proteins occurs from the circulation into the lung compartment during the acute stage of ABPA. Furthermore, comparing total Ig concentrations and titers of ELISA IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus with the corresponding values of serum measurements indicates a preferential local production of IgA antibodies and IgM to a lesser extent. No indications were found for a local production of either IgG, total IgE, or IgE against A. fumigatus. During remission of the ABPA, titers of antibodies in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BAF) decreased to normal levels except IgA against A. fumigatus that remained elevated. The elevated titers of IgA in the BAF and IgE antibodies in the serum against A. fumigatus together with the elevated numbers of granulocytes in the BAF during the remission stage indicate that the immunologic situation is not yet normalized.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1984

Immunologic observations in sera of a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Titers of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus were measured by ELISA in sera of a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis during an acute stage, remission, and exacerbation of the disease. Total IgE, specific IgE against A. fumigatus, and number of precipitation lines were also measured. ELISA IgG-, IgA-, and IgM-antibody titers were expressed in percentages of the titer of a strongly positive standard serum by use of the patient's own serum as a standard. The fall in antibody concentration (in percent) and elevations during exacerbation appeared to be similar for these antibody classes and are related with the number of precipitates measured by double immunodiffusion. Furthermore, the changes in antibody titers were also similar to the elevations and decreases in both total IgE and specific-IgE antibodies (also expressed in percentages of a chosen standard serum). The ELISA IgG-antibody titers were higher compared with the ELISA IgA or IgM titers and demonstrated a continuous decline during a period of 2 yr after the acute phase of ABPA. Therefore, IgG-antibody titers are preferred as an indicator of disease activity in follow-up studies over longer time periods and are at least as sensitive as the measurement of concentrations of IgE antibodies.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Urinary N tau-methylhistamine during early and late allergen-induced bronchial-obstructive reactions.

Urinary N tau-methylhistamine, a unique histamine metabolite, was determined in 29 patients with bronchial asthma before and after inhalation of a control solution on 1 day and before and after allergen inhalation on another day. Twenty-eight patients had an early bronchial-obstructive reaction, defined by a decrease in FEV1 of 20% or more within 1 hr after allergen inhalation. A late bronchial-obstructive reaction, 3 to 8 hr after allergen inhalation, was found in 16 patients. The early bronchial-obstructive reaction was attended with a significantly increased N tau-methylhistamine excretion. The fall in FEV1 was correlated with the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine, but no significant correlation was found with the increase in urinary N tau-methylhistamine excretion. During the late reaction there was no significant difference in the change in N tau-methylhistamine excretion when the change was compared with that of the control day. These results suggest that a renewed degranulation of lung mast cells during the late bronchial-obstructive reaction is unlikely.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Measurement of specific IgE and IgG antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus antigen in patient sera by use of enzyme immunoassays: influence of different procedures of antigen immobilization.

IgG and IgE antibody titers against Aspergillus fumigatus were measured in patient sera by enzyme immunoassays by use of antigens or allergens immobilized to different carriers. Specific-IgG antibodies were measured by a double antibody-layer enzyme immunoassay; specific IgE was determined by Phadezym -RAST (Pharmacia Diagnostics). In both cases antigens and allergens were immobilized in two ways: first by covalent binding to CNBr-activated paper discs and second by spontaneous binding to polystyrene surface of microtiter plates. Much higher IgE-antibody titers were found with allergens immobilized to paper discs when these discs were compared with microtiter plates, which could be explained by a higher allergen-binding capacity of activated paper discs. On the contrary, higher IgG antibody titers were found with antigens bound to microtiter plates when these plates were compared with paper discs. It is concluded that IgG antibodies are directed against antigenic components that are preferentially bound to polystyrene surfaces.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1984

The allergenic and antigenic properties of spore extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus: a comparative study of spore extracts with mycelium and culture filtrate extracts.

The antigenic properties of conidial preparations of Aspergillus fumigatus were compared with mycelial and culture filtrate extracts by use of sera of patients with aspergillosis and hyperimmune rabbit serum. Biologic activities were tested by intracutaneous tests. The immunologic parameters used were: precipitating properties in double-diffusion, IgG binding by ELISA, IgE binding by enzyme inhibition assay, and by enzyme allergosorbent test. It has been demonstrated that the components that are released after disintegration of spores have positive titers in all immunologic assays. The immunologic properties of these spore plasma extracts are comparable with mycelial and/or culture filtrate extracts that are in accordance with the corresponding skin reactivities. Components that are released spontaneously from spores are only weakly positive or negative in the immunologic assays and demonstrate a very low biologic activity.

Allergens↗
PubMed1984

Environmental aerobiological studies in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

An aerobiological pilot study was undertaken to measure airborne concentrations of Aspergillus spores in and around the dwellings of two patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The aim of the investigation was 1) to find a specific source of Aspergillus antigen, and 2) to find out whether disease activity, or exacerbation, paralleled Aspergillus spore prevalence. In the environment of the first patient heavy spore contaminated air was found in a cow-shed, and the adjacent hayloft and scullery. The patient experienced no typical exacerbation during the study period, probably because she now scrupulously avoided this source. The environment of the second patient contained lower spore concentrations in and around the house, and the patient had no typical exacerbation, possibly due to low-intensity exposure. Both patients, however, had increased bronchial obstruction during periods with high Aspergillus spore content in the outside air. The results suggest that avoidance of Aspergillus spore sources and low overall exposure may play a major role in preventing exacerbation of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Dynamics of the lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor system in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

It has been proposed that reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness plays an important role in the increased airway reactivity of asthmatic patients. This hypothesis has been supported by studies showing reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness in lymphocytes of asthmatic patients, predominantly during the occurrence of active and severe symptoms. Little is known about the mechanism underlying this relationship and its clinical relevance with respect to bronchial hyperreactivity. Therefore, in this study we assessed the status of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system in lymphocytes of allergic asthmatic patients in relation to parameters of bronchial hyperreactivity. This was performed before and after challenge with house-dust mite allergen, as a possible modulating factor of beta-adrenergic responsiveness. It was shown that lymphocytes of 'stable' allergic asthmatic patients with increased airway reactivity may have normal beta-adrenergic responsiveness and a normal beta-adrenergic receptor number. After allergen challenge, however, a group of 12 patients developed reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness, which could be partially attributed to changes in the beta-adrenergic receptor number, while changes distal to the receptor also occurred. The results indicate that reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness in lymphocytes of allergic asthmatic patients is a consequence of an active disease state rather than the reflection of a primary aetiological factor. A number of the patients concomitantly developed enhanced bronchial reactivity to propranolol after allergen challenge, which might indicate that reduced beta-adrenergic receptor function also occurs at the level of the bronchial tree. In five of the patients it was shown that beta-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness could be restored after environmental control in combination with drug treatment, thus indicating the dynamic character of the lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor system in asthmatic patients.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1984

A volumetric-aerobiologic study of seasonal fungus prevalence inside and outside dwellings of asthmatic patients living in northeast Netherlands.

Air sampling with an Andersen sampler was carried out over a period of 21 mo, in 28 houses of asthmatic patients with an allergy for moulds. Inside, the livingroom, bedroom, and kitchen were studied, and an additional outside sample was always taken. Indoors, Penicillium showed the highest concentration, especially in the autumn and winter months, while Aspergillus and yeasts were also found frequently. The outside air was dominated by Cladosporium and Alternaria during summer months and Botrytis, Aspergillus, Mycelia sterilia and Basidiomycetes all year round. The patients showed high sensitisation towards Aspergillus, irrespective of the concentrations of the airborne fungi.

Alternaria↗
PubMed1983

A single centrifugation step method for the simultaneous separation of different leukocytes with special reference to basophilic leukocytes.

A simple method of separating mononuclear leukocytes, basophils, neutrophils and an eosinophil fraction from human blood is described, using discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Mononuclear cells were found in the upper layer (band 1) at a density of less than or equal to 1.072. The second band with a density of less than or equal to 1.082 contained most of the basophilic leukocytes (av. 70% and 8-20% of the differential cell count) and a minor part of the mononuclear cells (av. 8%). In the third band, density less than or equal to 1.1, 82-91% of the polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were found, consisting mainly of neutrophils. 35-70% of the eosinophilic PMN cells are located in band four (density greater than 1.1). The function of the basophil-enriched fraction was tested by degranulation with specific antigen.

Basophils↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of antibody measurements against Aspergillus fumigatus by means of double-diffusion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

IgG antibody titers against Aspergillus fumigatus from different sera were measured by means of a standardized ELISA and compared with precipitates measured by double diffusion (D.D.). There was a significant correlation between the number of precipitates and the ELISA IgG titers in the 758 sera examined. However, in several individual sera within this group, large deviations between these two immunologic parameters were found. Further analysis indicated that ELISA detects antibodies against nonprecipitating antigenic components in addition to the antibodies detected by D.D. Furthermore, not all precipitating antigenic components appear to play a role in the detection of antibodies against A. fumigatus by ELISA. Patients with aspergillosis largely show increased titers of IgG antibody by ELISA even when the results of D.D. are negative, except those of patients with Aspergillus-provoked asthma which fall within a normal range.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1983

Plasma histamine concentrations and complement activation during house dust mite-provoked bronchial obstructive reactions.

Lung function and histamine levels in peripheral venous plasma samples were followed after challenge with house dust mite allergen. In eight patients the mean maximal histamine concentration showed a significant rise during the early obstructive reaction when compared with the concentrations at similar time intervals after inhalation of a control solution. In nine other patients treatment with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) caused a significant fall in plasma histamine concentrations indicating that histamine liberation plays a role during the early obstructive reaction and was released from the lung compartment. Histamine during early obstructive reactions compared with the pre-inhalation values did show a rise in mean maximal histamine concentration (1.5-4.1 ng/ml) but this was statistically not significant. During the late reaction neither significant increase in histamine nor inhibition by DSCG was found. Measurement of complement degradation products did not support the role of complement activation during either early or late bronchial obstructive reactions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Characterization of (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to intact and broken cell preparations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

In this study we compared characteristics of (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding sites in crude membrane preparations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with those of intact, viable cells. A valid determination of specific beta-adrenergic receptor binding in both preparations was obtained by defining non-specific [3H]DHA binding with 10(-6) M l- or dl-propranolol or 10(-3) M l-isoproterenol. Higher concentrations of propranolol were used in prior reports on lymphocyte membranes. We showed that these concentrations may inhibit non-specific binding, causing non-saturability and inhomogeneity of the estimated 'specific' binding. In the intact cell preparations, inclusion of 10(-4) M phentolamine was necessary to reduce the high degree of non-specific binding. By contrast, phentolamine (10(-4) M) showed no effect on the [3H]DHA binding to membrane preparations. At 37 degrees C the [3H]DHA binding to beta-adrenergic receptor sites in both intact and broken cell preparations was rapid and reversible. The sites were stereoselective, as l-propranolol was about two orders of magnitude more potent to inhibit [3H]DHA binding than was the d-isomer. In both preparations, agonists competed for specific binding with a rank order of potency isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine, which indicated a beta 2-type of adrenergic receptor. The specific [3H]DHA binding was saturable and Scatchard analysis revealed comparable numbers of homogeneous, non-cooperative binding sites (approximately 1250 receptors/cell in the membrane preparations and 1700 receptors/cell in the intact cells). In spite of these similarities the membrane sites showed a lower affinity for the antagonists [3H]DHA and propranolol than did the intact cell sites, whereas their affinity for the agonists was increased. These differences indicate that the membrane system might be less suited to provide physiologically significant information about the beta-adrenergic receptor system.

Alprenolol↗
PubMed1982

Determination of N tau-methylimidazoleacetic acid (a histamine metabolite) in urine by gas chromatography using nitrogen-phosphorus detection.

N tau-Methylimidazoleacetic acid, the quantitatively most important metabolite of histamine, was isolated from urine by ion exchange chromatography. After esterification with 2-propanol and extraction, N tao-methylimidazoleacetic acid was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection, using N tao-ethylimidazoleacetic acid as internal standard. The synthesis of this internal standard is described. In contrast to the methods hitherto described, this method is appropriate for use in clinical chemical laboratories. Normal 24-h excretion ranged from 8.3 to 18.5 mumol (n = 20). Five patients with mastocytosis, a patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia and a patient after an anaphylactoid reaction on acetylsalicylic acid showed highly elevated values.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1982

The beta-adrenergic system and allergic bronchial asthma: changes in lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor number and adenylate cyclase activity after an allergen-induced asthmatic attack.

Beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics and adenylate cyclase responses to different stimuli were measured in lymphocyte membrane preparations of six normal control subjects and five allergic asthmatic patients with mild airways disease and increased bronchial reactivity to histamine and acetylcholine. The determinations were performed just before and 24 hr after inhalation challenge with house-dust mite antigen to investigate the influence of an allergen-induced asthmatic attack on the beta-adrenergic receptor system. Before the house-dust mite challenge, the lymphocyte membranes of the patients showed a normal receptor density, dissociation constant for (-)3H-dihydroalprenolol, and adenylate cyclase response to isoproterenol, guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate, (GppNHp) and NaF. After the allergen-induced asthmatic reaction, however, the beta-adrenergic receptor number in the patients was significantly reduced by 21%, while the basal adenylate cyclase activity and isoproterenol-, GppNHp-, and NaF-induced cyclic AMP responses were simultaneously reduced by about 40%. The allergen challenge had no significant effect on the lymphocyte membranes of the control subjects. These results suggest (1) that a reduced beta-adrenergic function is not an intrinsic component of allergic bronchial asthma but is rather the consequence of an active disease state, and (2) that next to changes in beta-adrenergic receptor number, alterations distal to the receptor may play an important role in the observed decrease in beta-adrenergic responsiveness.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗