Biomedical subjects

J J Tsai

Publications and source records attributed to J J Tsai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Non-ketotic hyperglycaemia-related paroxysmal bilateral hand paraesthesia misdiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy.

Non-ketotic hyperglycaemia (NKH)-related partial seizure disorders are not uncommon in clinical practice but still deserve attention as they significantly affect neurologic outcome if unnoticed. The atypical presentation of sensorimotor symptoms can be seen in this setting, with paroxysmal character as the rule. Atypical manifestations could cause confusion and might lead to improper diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of inadequately controlled diabetes mellitus and NKH presenting as paroxysmal paraesthesia of both hands, which was misdiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Thermophilic composting of food waste.

A laboratory reactor was designed to study the effects of operating parameters (air suction rate, seeding and agitation) on the composting process of a synthetic food waste made of dog food. Experimental results showed that the synthetic food waste could be composted within 4 days and the final compost passed the maturity tests. In most cases except those with 32% of seeding, the process involved two major stages of composting. The two peak temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees C occurred at 8-12th hour and 50-65th hour, respectively. Operating parameters that converted the most volatile solids and carbons in the feedstock were as follows: 1.6 l air/kg dry solid-min of air suction rate, 32% of seeding and 50% of agitation time.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

Composting of vegetable waste.

The effects of the aeration, seeding, and agitation on the composting of vegetable waste were studied in a laboratory-scale reactor. Experimental results showed that the final product at the end of a 4-day composting period met multiple maturity indices suggested by many researchers. The evolution of carbon dioxide during the composting process could be modelled with a modified Gompertz equation that described the bacteria growth successfully. Multivariate regression analysis was used to study the effects of operating parameters on the carbon conversion. The response surface contour plots were constructed using the regression equation for the examination of the dependence of carbon conversion on operating parameters. The maximum carbon conversion of 14.54% was obtained when the percentage of seeding was set at 14.5%, the air suction rate was set at 2.6 L kg(-1) dry-solid min(-1), and the agitator operated half of the time, alternating on and off for every 5 min. Future work will focus on the application of the data and the experience gained in this work to composters of pilot and semi-commercial scales.

Air↗

PubMed2005

Mathematical model for carbon dioxide evolution from the thermophilic composting of synthetic food wastes made of dog food.

The impacts of the aeration and the agitation on the composting process of synthetic food wastes made of dog food were studied in a laboratory-scale reactor. Two major peaks of CO(2) evolution rate were observed. Each peak represented an independent stage of composting associated with the activities of thermophilic bacteria. CO(2) evolutions known to correlate well with microbial activities and reactor temperatures were fitted successfully to a modified Gompertz equation, which incorporated three biokinetic parameters, namely, CO(2) evolution potential, specific CO(2) evolution rate, and lag phase time. No parameters that describe the impact of operating variables are involved. The model is only valid for the specified experimental conditions and may look different with others. The effects of operating parameters such as aeration and agitation were studied statistically with multivariate regression technique. Contour plots were constructed using regression equations for the examination of the dependence of CO(2) evolution potentials on aeration and agitation. In the first stage, a maximum CO(2) evolution potential was found when the aeration rate and the agitation parameter were set at 1.75 l/kg solids-min and 0.35, respectively. In the second stage, a maximum existed when the aeration rate and the agitation parameter were set at 1.8 l/kg solids-min and 0.5, respectively. The methods presented here can also be applied for the optimization of large-scale composting facilities that are operated differently and take longer time.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Molecular cloning and characterization of full-length cDNAs encoding a novel high-molecular-weight Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mite allergen, Der p 11.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and D. farinae (Df) mites are the most important source of indoor aeroallergens. Most Dp mite allergens identified to date have relatively low molecular weights (MWs). Identification of high-MW mite allergens is a crucial step in characterizing the complete spectrum of mite allergens and to provide appropriate tools for diagnostic and therapeutic application. METHODS: The full-length Der p 11 cDNA clone was isolated using cDNA library immunoscreening, the 5'-3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) system and polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The whole cDNA insert and its PCR-derived DNA fragments (p1 to p4) were generated and expressed in the Escherichia coli expression system. The allergenicity of the recombinant protein and its peptide fragments was examined by IgE immunodot assays. The IgE-binding reactivity of rDer p 11 was analyzed in the serum of 50 asthmatic children with positive reactivity to Dp mite extract. Its recombinant peptide fragments were also examined by immunodot assays in 30 mite-allergic children. RESULTS: Der p 11 cDNA consists of a 2625-bp open reading frame encoding a 103-kDa protein with 875 amino acids. It exhibits significant homology with the paramyosin of other invertebrates. The protein sequence alignment of this newly identified Dp mite allergen (denominated as Der p 11) revealed over 89% identity with Der f 11 and Blo t 1. Among 50 Dp-sensitive asthmatic children, rDer p 11 showed positive IgE-binding reactivity to 39 patients (78%). Using immunodot assays, multiple human IgE-binding activities were demonstrated in all four fragments of Der p 11. Using immunoblot assays, the dominant IgG-binding epitope for monoclonal antibody (mAb642) was located in fragment p3 only. In immunoblot assays, cross-inhibition between rDer p 11 and rDer f 11 was up to 73-80% at concentrations of 100 microg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the newly identified recombinant Der p 11 is a novel and important high-MW Dp mite allergen for asthmatic children. Our data also indicates that human IgE-binding major epitopes are scattered over the entire molecule of Der p 11.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Modulation of voltage-dependent calcium currents by serotonin in acutely isolated rat amygdala neurons.

The modulation of voltage-dependent calcium currents (I(Ca)) by serotonin (5-HT) was studied in rat acutely dissociated amygdala neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. 5-HT inhibited I(Ca) in a concentration-dependent manner with a ED50 of approximately 1 microM and a maximal inhibition of approximately 50%. The inhibition was mimicked by the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and was reduced by the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190, indicating its mediation by 5-HT1A receptors. Pretreatment of neurons with the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or pertussis toxin (PTX) markedly reduced the action of 5-HT. The modulation was partially reversed by strong depolarization and was not seen in cell-attached patches when the agonist was applied outside the recorded patch, suggesting a membrane-delimited, G-protein-mediated signaling pathway. Nimodipine (1 microM) reduced the I(Ca) by approximately 30% without reducing inhibition of current by 5-HT significantly, ruling out L-type channels as the target of modulation. 5-HT-mediated inhibition after exposure to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CgTX, 1 microM) or omega-agatoxin-IV (omega-AgTX, 200 nM), which blocked 26% and 21% of the total I(Ca), respectively, was significantly decreased, suggesting involvement of the N- and P/Q-type channels. In the combined presence of omega-CgTX and omega-AgTX, 5-HT still caused a small but significant reduction of I(Ca), suggesting a possible involvement of R-type channels. Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptor with isoproterenol (Iso) or activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin resulted in an enhancement of I(Ca). 5-HT caused the same degree of inhibition with or without Iso or forskolin pretreatment. On the other hand, application of 8-OH-DPAT inhibited I(Ca) and blocked Iso- and Sp-cAMPS-induced enhancement. These results provide the first evidence showing a dominant effect of 5-HT-mediated inhibition over Iso-mediated enhancement of I(Ca).

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed2001

Working memory of school-aged children with a history of febrile convulsions: a population study.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective, population-based, case-control study was performed to ascertain whether febrile convulsion (FC) in early childhood is associated with specific working memory characteristics in school age. METHODS: From a population survey of 4,340 live-birth newborns in Tainan City, Taiwan, 103 children with confirmed FC by age 3 years were followed-up until they were at least 6 years old. Three analogous searching tasks dissociating the mnemonic and executive aspects of performances were administered to 87 of these school-aged children and to 87 randomly selected age-matched control subjects to assess the learning, spatial, and sequential working memory. RESULTS: The FC group performed significantly and consistently better than control subjects on all but one working memory measure, jumping errors. Multivariate analysis using linear regression revealed that the onset of FC before age 1 year was the only significant risk factor for deficits in mnemonic function. Prior neurodevelopmental delay was the only significant risk factor for deficits in executive function. Factors such as socioeconomic status, family predisposition for seizures, complex FC, recurrent FC, and subsequent unprovoked seizures were not risk factors for working memory deficits. CONCLUSION: The authors found that school-aged children with a history of FC demonstrated significantly better mnemonic capacity, more flexible mental processing, and higher impulsivity than their age-matched control subjects. The underlying mechanism for the facilitated working memory function in children with a history of FC needs further delineation.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Temporal trends and molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Taiwan from 1988 to 1998.

Eight hundred and seventy-nine HIV-1-infected patients (comprising 46% of reported HIV-1/AIDS cases in Taiwan) were recruited for this study of the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Taiwan from 1988 to 1998. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using a modified peptide-enzyme immunoassay complemented with DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Of the 807 HIV-1 infected men, 68.2% were infected with HIV-1B, 29.5% with HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF)01_AE and 2.3% with other subtypes. Of the 72 HIV-1-infected women, 72.2% were infected with HIV-1 CRF01_AE, 13.9% with HIV-1B, and 13.9% with other subtypes. All of 8 foreign-born, Southeast Asian women and 6 of 7 (85.7%) Taiwan-native female commercial sex workers were infected with HIV-1 CRF01_AE. Fourteen of the 33 (42.4%) heterosexual married men with CRF01_AE had transmitted HIV-1 to their wives, whereas only 1 of 17 (5.9%) men with HIV-1 B had transmitted HIV-1 to their spouses (p < .01). Of 18 heterosexual male injecting drug users, 1 of 12 (8.5%) with HIV-1B and 5 of 6 (83.3%) with HIV-1 CRF01_AE had had sexual contact with female commercial sex workers (p < .01). Therefore, in this population, CRF01_AE was preferentially associated with heterosexual risk groups, a finding compatible with differences in transmission capability between B and non-B subtypes.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Identification of vacuolar serine proteinase as a major allergen of Aspergillus fumigatus by immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis.

Aspergillus species are common airborne fungi that have been identified as causative agents of extrinsic bronchial asthma. More than 10 allergens from A. fumigatus have been recently characterized by cDNA cloning. The objective of this study is to identify A. fumigatus allergens through immunoblot analysis using sera from asthmatic patients. IgE-binding components of A. fumigatus and IgE cross-reactivity among allergens of different prevalent airborne fungal species were analysed by immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition, respectively, using sera from asthmatic patients. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of major allergens identified were determined by Edman degradation. Among two batches (70 and 41 sera) of asthmatic sera tested, 19 (27%) and 14 (34%), respectively, have IgE immunoblot reactivity towards components of A. fumigatus. A 34-kDa protein that reacts with IgE antibodies in 15 (79%) and 11 (79%) of the 19 and 14 positive samples, respectively, may be considered a major allergen of A. fumigatus. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the 34 kDa major allergen and the 30.5 and 30 kDa IgE-binding components of A. fumigatus showed sequence identity to that of the vacuolar serine proteinase from A. fumigatus. The results from immunoblot inhibition show IgE cross-reactivity among major allergens of A. fumigatus, P. notatum and P. oxalicum. Results obtained suggest that the 34 kDa major allergen of A. fumigatus may be a vacuolar serine proteinase. There is IgE cross-reactivity among serine proteinase allergens of A. fumigatus, P. notatum and P. oxalicum.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Cerebral and oculorhinal manifestations of a limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis with c-ANCA-associated vasculitis.

The authors report on cerebral and oculorhinal manifestations in a patient with a cytoplasmic pattern of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (c-ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Recurrent Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, cavernous sinus syndrome, Raeder's paratrigeminal neuralgia, and seizures were the major clinical manifestations. Brain MRI showed localized enhancing lesions initially in the cavernous sinus and later in the convexity pachymeninges. The lesions disappeared following 9 months of oral prednisolone (15 mg/day) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/day) therapy. The presence of c-ANCA, demonstration of vasculitis, and depositions of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen in the vessel walls of pachymeninges of the patient confirmed an immune-mediated cause of the vasculitis. Cranial pathology without renal and pulmonary involvement suggests a variant of Wegener's granulomatosis, which is called the "limited" form of Wegener's granulomatosis. MRI, Raeder's paratrigeminal neuralgia, localized pachymeningitis.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Bloodletting acupuncture of the engorged vein around Bl-40 (Wei-Chung) for acute lumbar sprain.

Bloodletting acupuncture is one of the most classic methods of acupuncture therapy, and is still popularly used to treat acute lumbar sprain in the oriental world. However, most physicians in the western world are not familiar with bloodletting acupuncture, though they may know ordinary acupuncture well. Furthermore based on the literature reviewed, there have been few studies which have investigated the effect of bloodletting acupuncture upon acute lumbar sprain. In this study, we tried to determine if bloodletting acupuncture is effective for acute lumbar sprain. In total, twelve patients were enrolled for analysis. Five patients were treated with ordinary acupuncture upon the contralateral SI-3 (Hou-Hsi) point alone. Seven patients were first treated with bloodletting acupuncture to the engorged vein around the ipisilateral Bl-40 (Wei-Chung), and then followed by ordinary acupuncture upon the contralateral SI-3. It was demonstrated that bloodletting acupuncture to the engorged vein around the ipisilateral Bl-40 followed by ordinary acupuncture upon the contralateral SI-3 had more pain relief than ordinary acupuncture upon the contralateral SI-3 alone (83 +/- 23% vs. 44 +/- 28%) (P < 0.01). And bloodletting acupuncture to the engorged vein around the ipisilateral Bl-40 decreased pain by 56 +/- 23%, similar to that of ordinary acupuncture upon the contralateral SI-3 alone (44 +/- 28%). These findings suggest that bloodletting acupuncture to the engorged vein around the ipisilateral Bl-40 (Wei-Chung) has a substantial contribution for treatment of acute lumbar sprain.

Acupuncture↗

PubMed2001

Effects of BCG on ovalbumin-induced bronchial hyperreactivity in a guinea pig asthma model.

To test the effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyper-reactivity in guinea pigs, a total of 40 young guinea pigs was individually vaccinated subcutaneously with 0.2 mL of 2% OVA, 50 microg BCG, or a mixture of OVA and BCG (OVA+BCG). Airways were sensitized using nebulization with 1% OVA for 3 min once a week for two applications, followed by 2% OVA nebulized challenge for 3 min 1 week after the last application. Different concentrations of methacholine were used to detect airway hyperreactivities. At the third week, the guinea pigs were nebulized with either methacholine or OVA to test airway hyperreactivity. The OVA-vaccinated group presented with severe airway hyperresponsiveness after OVA and methacholine challenges; the BCG-vaccinated group showed mild airway hyperreactivity; and the OVA+BCG group showed the least amount of airway hyperreactivity. Lung histopathology in all groups, except the OVA+BCG-vaccinated group, showed severe thickening of the alveolar walls which became firmly fibrotic, and narrowing of the alveolar spaces was also noted. The guinea pigs in the OVA+BCG-vaccinated group had similar pulmonary morphology with that of naive guinea pigs, and had mild cell infiltration in the alveolar wall. The results of the skin biopsies at 6 h (2% OVA, 0.05 mL) and 36 h (20 microg PPD, 0.05 mL) after purified protein derivative (PPD) inoculation showed that infiltration of eosinophils and activation of CD4+ T-cells occurred in the OVA-vaccinated group. In the BCG-vaccinated groups, infiltration of CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and macrophages occurred. OVA-specific IgG2 increased in the BCG-vaccinated groups after OVA-induced airway hyperreactivity occurred. The peripheral cell subpopulation showed that there was obviously increased activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the OVA+BCG-vaccinated group. The phagocytic activity of macrophages also increased in both BCG- and OVA+BCG-vaccinated groups. The prevention of OVA-induced airway hyperreactivities using BCG vaccination in conjugation with OVA in these young guinea pigs indicated that it might be a good approach to avoid allergic reactions in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Efficacy of zafirlukast in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma.

Zafirlukast is a drug newly used for the treatment of asthma. In this study, we examined the efficacy of zafirlukast on asthmatic patients and compared this efficacy between patients in different age groups and with different severities of pulmonary function. Patients concurrently inhaled long-acting beta2-agonist, corticosteroid or taken an oral aminophylline regimen, were treated with 20 mg oral zafirlukast twice daily for 6 weeks. In total, 32 asthmatic patients were included in the study. The primary efficacy measures included morning and evening peak expiratory flows (PEFs); secondary efficacy measures were the scoring of asthma symptoms including sleeping, coughing, and wheezing scores. Pulmonary functions including forced expiratory flow in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and PEF rate (PEFR) were examined during each clinical visit. Results showed that oral zafirlukast administration resulted in improvements in morning and evening PEFs and asthma symptom scores with the following statistical p values: morning PEF (285.8 vs 308.4 L/min), p = 0.003; evening PEF (293.3 vs 312.1 L/min), p = 0.007; coughing score (1.03 vs 0.72), p = 0.011; and wheezing score (0.71 vs 0.51), p = 0.009. As to the pulmonary function during the clinical visit, only the improvement of PEFR reached a statistically significant level (74.3 vs 82, p = 0.017). We compared the efficacy between asthmatic patients of different ages and those with different severities of pulmonary function. In patients aged below 50 years, those with FEV1 above 80% of the predicted value and FVC above 85% of the predicted value were more responsive to zafirlukast. In conclusion, we demonstrate the efficacy of zafirlukast in asthma therapy particularly for those patients who are younger and have better pulmonary function. When asthmatic patients do not respond to inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting beta2-agonist, or oral aminophylline, zafirlukast may provide an adjunct effect for asthma therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Enhanced prostaglandin E2 secretion in sputum from asthmatic patients after zafirlukast therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators of bronchial asthma that cause bronchoconstriction, mucous secretion, and increased vascular permeability. Current guidelines recommend anti-leukotriene agents as alternative treatments for asthma; however, data on their anti-inflammatory effect is lacking. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of zafirlukast, a leukotriene antagonist, in patients with bronchial asthma. A total of 30 adult patients with mild persistent asthma received 6 weeks of zafirlukast treatment. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was determined before and after therapy to assess clinical efficacy. Both serum and sputum samples were collected before and after therapy and concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and leukotriene E4 (LTE4) were measured. RESULTS: A significant improvement in PEFR was found after zafirlukast therapy (p = 0.017). There was also a significant reduction in serum ECP concentration (13.6 +/- 2.4 micrograms/L vs 10.3 +/- 2.1 micrograms/L, p < 0.025) and a significant increase in sputum PGE2 concentration (112.7 +/- 14.0 pg/mL vs 176.8 +/- 32.1 pg/mL, p < 0.01). The percentage eosinophil count and the concentrations of ECP and LTE4 in the sputum were not significantly different after therapy. CONCLUSION: This study found a significant reduction in serum ECP and a significant increase in sputum PGE2 concentrations in asthmatic patients after zafirlukast treatment, both of which were significantly associated with improvement in PEFR. The modulation of PGE2 and ECP production might occur through the anti-inflammatory effect of zafirlukast.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Effectiveness of a positive expiratory pressure device in conjunction with beta2-agonist nebulization therapy for bronchial asthma.

Patients with asthma often show increased airway hyperreactivity and mucus hypersecretion. Although beta2-agonist therapy is one of the most common and effective ways used to relieve airway obstruction, the use of a positive expiratory pressure device (PEPD) is also effective in mucus clearance. However, no previously reported study has examined the effectiveness of these two therapies used in combination. This study assessed the effectiveness of a PEPD on beta2-agonist nebulization therapy by measuring the pulmonary function before and after nebulization therapy in 54 asthmatic patients. The results show that the use of PEPD after beta2-agonist nebulization therapy improved pulmonary function compared with the use of beta2-agonist nebulization therapy alone, as shown by the increases in forced midexpiratory flow and forced vital capacity (FVC). Patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) below 85% FVC obtained a significant improvement in FEV1 and FVC after using PEPD. When PEPD was used before beta2-agonist nebulization therapy, there were no obvious direct bronchodilative effects. The use of PEPD after beta2-agonist therapy, however, significantly enhanced the bronchodilative effect of beta2-agonist therapy in patients with an FEV1 below 85% FVC. The additional effect of PEPD use in improving pulmonary function after beta2-agonist nebulization therapy might be a result of an enhancement in mucus clearance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Familial Mediterranean fever in a Taiwanese patient.

Familial Mediterranean fever is a rare disease characterized by cyclic attacks of fever, serositis and strong family background. Here we report a 22-year-old man who suffered from recurrent fever accompanied by chest and abdominal pain for more than 10 years. The attack frequency was about once per 2-3 weeks. Although he consulted many clinics and even received appendectomy at the age of 15, no definite diagnosis was given. During the admission, many laboratory examinations failed to show any abnormality except mild leukocytosis and elevated C-reaction protein. Image studies including chest X ray and abdominal CT scan showed negative result but, interestingly, Gallium-67 scan showed a hot spot in right lower chest and right lower abdomen. After prophylaxis with colchicine 1.0 mg per day, he has enjoyed more than 2 years without the above symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Noncompetitive inhibition of the glycine receptor-mediated current by melatonin in cultured neurons.

The effect of melatonin on the glycine receptor-mediated response was studied in cultured chick spinal cord neurons using the whole-cell voltage-clamp recording technique. Melatonin rapidly and reversibly inhibited the glycine-induced current in a dose-dependent fashion, with an EC(50) of 934 microM and a maximal inhibition of 100%. Furthermore, melatonin noncompetitively inhibited the glycine response by an agonist-independent mechanism that was distinct from that of an open-channel blocker.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Identification and expression of an allergen Asp f 13 from Aspergillus fumigatus and epitope mapping using human IgE antibodies and rabbit polyclonal antibodies.

The Aspergillus genus of fungi is known to be one of the most prevalent aeroallergens. On two-dimensional immunoblotting using patients' sera containing IgE specific for Asp f 13, an allergen with a molecular mass of 33 kDa and a pI of 6.2 was identified. This allergen was also present in A. fumigatus culture filtrates. Furthermore, the sequence of the Asp f 13 cDNA was identical to that for alkaline protease isolated from A. fumigatus and showed 42-49% identity of amino acids with two proteases from P. cyclopium and T. album and with the Pen c 1 allergen from P. citrinum. Asp f 13 coding sequences were expressed in Escherichia coli as a [His](6)-tagged fusion protein which was purified by Ni(2+)-chelate affinity chromatography. Recombinant Asp f 13 was recognized by rabbit polyclonal antibodies against Asp f 13 and by IgE antibodies from subject allergic to A. fumigatus. To identify and characterize the linear epitopes of this allergen, a combination of chemical and enzymatic cleavage and immunoblotting techniques, with subsequent N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry, were performed. At least 13 different linear epitopes reacting with the rabbit anti-Asp f 13 antiserum were identified, located throughout the entire molecule. In contrast, IgE from A. fumigatus-sensitive patients bound to three immunodominant epitopes at the C-terminal of the protein.

Allergens↗