BACKGROUND: Limpet is a mollusc that is frequently found along the shores of warm seas. Few allergic reactions to limpet have been described, and cross-reactivity with house-dust mites has not been established. METHODS: We report five patients with anaphylactic reactions due to limpet ingestion. A limpet extract was prepared and skin prick tests (SPT), radioallergosorbent assays (RAST), sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and IgE-immunoblotting were performed. In order to evaluate cross-reactivity, an immunoblotting inhibition assay with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also done. RESULTS: All patients were asthmatics sensitized to house-dust mites. In each case, severe bronchospasm was evidenced, and three required mechanical ventilation. Positive SPT with limpet extract was found in the four patients tested. RAST showed specific IgE on each patient's sera. Immunoblotting showed several allergenic fractions with a wide molecular weight range (15-250 kDa). D. pteronyssinus inhibited IgE-binding molecules above 50 kDa in the limpet extract, particularly one molecule of 75 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We describe five patients with IgE-mediated limpet allergy. Severe bronchospasm was the most important symptom. Cross-reactivity with D. pteronyssinus was demonstrated.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Cross-reactivity between olive and other species. Role of Ole e 1-related proteins.

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Allergens↗

PubMed2002

Cross-reactivity between Platanus pollen and vegetables.

BACKGROUND: Several associations have been described between tree and plant pollens and certain foods. The objective of this study is to verify whether there is cross-reactivity between Platanus pollen and vegetable origin foods. METHODS: We selected 56 patients allergic to vegetable foods and subjected them to cutaneous tests with aeroallergens and vegetable foods. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of Platanus pollen with foods and with other aeroallergens. Later, a specific IgE determination was performed as well as a RAST (radioallergosorbent) inhibition experiment, to verify the existence of cross-reactivity in vitro. RESULTS: In the cutaneous tests we found a positive correlation between Platanus pollen and hazelnut, peanut, banana and celery. The results of the RAST inhibition experiment indicate an important cross-reactivity between the pollen of Platanus acerifolia and hazelnut and banana fruit, and an intermediate cross-reactivity with celery and peanut. CONCLUSION: We have described an association between the pollen of the Platanus tree and some vegetable foods such as hazelnut, banana, peanut and celery. This association could be explained by the in vitro IgE cross-reactivity detected.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in a wool worker caused by Dermestidae spp.

BACKGROUND: The family Dermestidae belongs to the order Coleoptera. Occupational allergy has been described in museum personnel. A 31-year-old male wool worker presenting rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma episodes probably linked to exposure to Dermestidae-infected wool was investigated. METHODS: Extracts prepared either from insect bodies or from dust from parasitized wool were used for skin prick testing (SPT), conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and in vitro determinations. RESULTS: SPT and provocation tests were positive to both extracts. PEFR measurement demonstrated the association between the patient's symptoms and occupational exposure to Dermestidae. Specific IgE to both extracts was detected and immunoblotting revealed several protein bands from 5 to 200 kDa that were reactive to IgE from the patient's serum. CONCLUSIONS: Dermestidae exposure in wool workers when handling parasitized wool can be a cause of IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to sheep's and goat's milk.

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Adult↗

PubMed2002

What is the role of the hevein-like domain of fruit class I chitinases in their allergenic capacity?

BACKGROUND: Class I chitinases are the major panallergens in fruits associated with the latex-fruit syndrome. These enzymes contain an N-terminal hevein-like domain homologous to latex hevein, and a larger catalytic domain. The role of these domains in their allergenic capacity is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the role of both domains of class I chitinases in their IgE-binding properties, using Cas s 5, the major allergen from chestnut, as a model. METHODS: Recombinant Cas s 5 and its deleted form, lacking the hevein-like domain, designated rCat, were expressed in Pichia pastoris using the pPIC 9 vector. Both recombinant products were purified from the supernatants of transformed yeast cultures by gel-filtration and cation-exchange chromatography. The isolated proteins were characterized by N-terminal sequencing, enzymatic activity and N-glycosylation tests, anti-chitinase and specific IgE immunodetection. Immunoblot, RAST and CAP inhibition assays were also performed. RESULTS: Both purified rCas s 5 and rCat showed the expected N-terminal amino acid sequences and an enzymatic activity similar to that of their natural counterparts isolated from chestnut seeds, and were strongly recognized by anti-chitinase antibodies. In contrast, only rCas s 5, but not rCat, bound specific IgE from sera of patients suffering from the latex-fruit syndrome, and fully inhibited IgE-binding to natural Cas s 5 in immunoblot inhibition assays. Latex hevein also exerted a strong immunoblot inhibition of IgE-binding to chestnut Cas s 5. RAST and CAP inhibition using whole chestnut extract on the solid phase, rendered inhibition levels around 70-90% for rCas s 5 and 60% for rCat, in contrast to the immunoblotting results. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant Cas s 5 behaves like natural Cas s 5 in IgE-binding assays in vitro. The hevein-like domain of allergenic class I chitinases seems to include all their main IgE-binding epitopes when tested by immunodetection and immunoblot inhibition experiments. RAST and CAP inhibition assays, on the contrary, suggest that relevant epitopes are also harboured in the catalytic domain of these allergens.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Siberian hamster: a new indoor source of allergic sensitization and respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND: The identification of 'unknown' allergic sensitizations may determine the prognosis and treatment of patients with respiratory airway disease. Currently, the presence in homes of 'exotic' animals as pets is increasing. In this article the Siberian hamster or dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) was identified as a new indoor source of aeroallergens and respiratory disease. METHODS: The subjects were six outpatients who were treated for asthma and rhinitis. Siberian hamster hair extract was prepared with a standard wt/vol method, and patients were skin-prick tested with the extract. Serum-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E against the Siberian hamster, common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was determined. IgE-immunoblotting was also performed for all six sera. Specific bronchial challenge was carried out with the Siberian hamster extract. RESULTS: Skin prick tests (SPT) with the Siberian hamster extract, and specific IgE-antibodies against Siberian hamster, were strongly positive in all six patients. Determinations of specific IgE-antibodies against C. cricetus and M. auratus were negative in all patients. IgE-immunoblotting of the sera revealed two IgE-binding fractions (MW 18 and 32 kDa) in five of the six sera. Specific bronchial provocation tests resulted in early asthmatic responses in the two patients who were challenged. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals the Siberian hamster to be able to induce both sensitization and disease, and this species of hamster should be taken into consideration as a cause of respiratory disease in exposed subjects. A noteworthy finding was the lack of sensitization in our patients to common hamster allergens (M. auratus and C. cricetus) that are usually tested when hamster allergy is suspected.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Anaphylaxis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, no previously published reports have described food-induced anaphylaxis associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a study of four patients with thrombosis associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome after each patient experienced anaphylaxis attributable to ingestion of vegetal foods. METHODS: IgE antibody levels to various foods were determined in serum specimens from the study patients, and skin prick tests with the same allergens were conducted to determine their in vivo responses. Hematologic, cardiopulmonary, vascular, and rheumatologic studies were also performed. IgG anticardiolipin antibody levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: All four patients fulfilled the criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome and had high levels of specific IgE antibodies for certain food allergens. By immunoblot analysis, the presence of serum IgE specific for a 45-kD protein band in an almond extract was detected in these four patients who experienced food-related anaphylaxis. No specific IgE was detected in sera from normal subjects. No IgE antibodies specific for the food panallergen lipid transfer proteins were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of severe food-precipitated anaphylaxis associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome and the first description of a patient with allergy to blackberry. The possible involvement of food panallergens distinct from lipid transfer proteins is also discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001