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Biomedical subjects

S G Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to S G Johansson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Storage mites.

The interest in allergy to storage mites has increased over the past few years. Storage mites feed on a variety of substances and they can be found in many different products such as grain, flour, hay and straw, but also in house dust samples. The more common genera are Lepidoglyphus, Tyrophagus, Glycyphagus, Acarus and Blomia. Several species of storage mites have been shown to cause IgE-mediated sensitization among rural workers, who to a varying extent develop asthma, rhinitis or conjunctivitis when exposed to barn dust. However, a number of studies have reported on sensitization to storage mites also among urban people, indicating that sensitization is not restricted to individuals with occupational exposure. Regarding the allergenic relationship between storage mites and house dust mites, there appears to be a limited allergenic cross-reactivity between the two species. However, both species also possess their own unique allergens. Further research on identification and characterization of storage mite allergens and their cross-reactivity is required to understand the complexity of epitopes and allergens.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1992

IgE antibodies to Pityrosporum orbiculare and Staphylococcus aureus in patients with very high serum total IgE.

Serum IgE antibodies were detected with the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to a panel of allergens which included Pityrosporum orbiculare, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Cladosporium herbarum, Staphylococcus aureus, animal dander, deciduous tree pollens, grass pollens and foods in 81 consecutive patients with total IgE greater than or equal to 3000 kU/l. Data on atopic and infectious disease characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. IgE antibody concentrations to P. orbiculare were significantly higher than to the other fungi and of the same magnitude as those to animal danders and pollens. High levels of P. orbiculare IgE antibodies were associated with current eczema, especially when it was the only atopic manifestation and demanding specialist care. IgE antibodies to P. orbiculare had the best explanatory value for current eczema in logistic regression analysis. Head-neck-face dermatitis was also associated with high levels of specific IgE to the yeast. IgE antibodies to S. aureus were detected in few patients and at low concentrations. Six patients had a history of systemic staphylococcal infections and presented a clinical picture, which was very similar to the hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E syndrome. Among the six were the two cases with the highest levels of IgE antibodies to S. aureus. The demonstration of high levels of IgE antibodies to P. orbiculare, which is a major part of human normal skin microflora, suggests that allergy to this yeast plays an important pathogenic role in eczema.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Lability in complement receptor mobilization of granulocytes in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity.

The recruitment of activated granulocytes to bronchial mucosa seems to be involved in the prolonged inflammatory response observed in asthma and probably associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We studied the patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness with respect to the expression of complement receptor type 1 (CR1), its variability and readiness to become mobilized on peripheral granulocytes from patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. CR1 expression and its hourly variation was significantly (P less than 0.02, P less than 0.01 respectively) higher in the patient group compared with the control group. In addition the ability to mobilize CR1 spontaneously at +37 degrees C correlated to the variation of CR1 expression that occurred during a 4 hr period. These findings indicate that granulocytes from patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness have a higher degree of variation in CR1 expression that correlates to their ability to mobilize CR1 and may reflect a more pronounced lability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Monoclonal antibodies to Lepidoglyphus destructor: delineation of crossreactivity between storage mites and house dust mites.

We have developed monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to the storage mite Lepidoglyphus destructor (Ld). Employing these anti-Ld MoAbs Ld-MoAbs) in ELISA and ELISA inhibition techniques we have analysed the reaction pattern of Ld-MoAbs to both non-pyroglyphid and pyroglyphid mites. The storage mite Glycyphagus domesticus (Gd) exhibited most efficient inhibition, followed by Acarus siro (As), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) and Euroglyphus maynei (Em). Of the two pyroglyphid species, Dpt showed at least 1000 times less inhibition than Gd. Two of the MoAbs immunoprecipitated a band of 39 kD whereas the third reacted weakly, with a high-molecular band of approximately 110 kD. The Ld extract was also subjected to various reagents and conditions and the antigen was heat stable, it was not affected by low pH, or sensitive to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or paraformaldehyde. After exposure of the extract to various reagents, such as protease trypsin and periodate, we conclude that the epitopes recognized by Ld-MoAbs were of carbohydrate rather than of protein nature. It would thus seem that MoAbs recognize the carbohydrate part of a glycoprotein.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Localization of allergens in the domestic mite Lepidoglyphus destructor.

The non-pyroglyphid domestic mite Lepidoglyphus destructor is a major source of allergen causing respiratory symptoms in farming environments. This study is the first to focus on the localization of the allergens in the non-pyroglyphid domestic mite Lepidoglyphus destructor. Cryostat-cut sections of L. destructor mite bodies and faecal pellets were probed with one of three mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) raised against L. destructor or with patient sera, and stained with immunoperoxidase. Eight sera were RAST-positive to L. destructor and L. destructor faecal pellets. These eight RAST-positive patient sera labelled the wall of the L. destructor gut and two of them also the faecal pellets. The MoAbs additionally labelled parts of the exoskeleton and reacted with a majority of the faecal pellets. Cryostat-cut sections of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mite bodies and faecal pellets were probed with L. destructor MoAbs, which resulted in only slight staining of a few faecal pellets. The results suggest that at least one L. destructor allergen is associated with digestion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Allergic symptoms up to 4-6 years of age in children given cow milk neonatally. A prospective study.

In a previously published prospective study, we followed the development of allergic symptoms in term infants with a slightly reduced birthweight (-1 SD to -2 SD). These children received, according to local routine, early feeding with cow milk formula in order to diminish such neonatal problems as hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Of 216 infants 207 were observed for allergic symptoms up to 18 months of age. One group (F) received cow milk formula during the first days of life before the mother's breastmilk production started and was then breastfed; the other (B) was not given any formula before normal breastfeeding started. Unexpectedly, we found fewer allergic symptoms, in particular allergic skin problems, in the group fed cow milk, the difference being concentrated to children with a family history of allergic symptoms. At 5 years of age 183 of the 207 children have been reinvestigated. Mild symptoms of allergy (suspected and obvious) were found in 22% (F) and 27% (B) respectively (NS). Moderate and severe symptoms of allergy (obvious) were found in 4.2% (F) and 4.5% (B). In the subgroup with a double family history of allergic symptoms, 28% (7/25, F) and 59% (10/17, B) had symptoms of allergy (p less than 0.05). This difference was even more pronounced when laboratory tests in favour of atopic diagnosis were included, 14% (F) and 53% (B) respectively (p less than 0.05). Thus at 5 years we still find a significantly lower frequency of allergic symptoms in the subgroup fed cow milk formula early with a family history of allergic symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Neonatal IgE levels and three different blood sampling techniques.

Comparison was made of IgE and IgA levels in aspirated and gravity-collected cord blood (CB) from the umbilical vein and in capillary blood samples collected on the 4-5th day of life among 21 infants with atopic heredity. The IgA levels, but not the IgE levels, were significantly (p < 0.001) lower at days 4-5 of life than at delivery. Further, there were significantly (p < 0.05) more infants with decreasing IgA levels (20/21; 95%) than IgE levels (9/15; 60% of those with detectable IgE, i.e., > or = 0.125 kU/l). These observations, together with the highly significant correlation observed between IgE in aspirated CB samples and at 4-5 days of age, suggest active IgE synthesis during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Contamination of CB with maternal blood, defined as an increased CBIgA level (> or = 14.1 micrograms/ml), was found in 3 (14%) CB samples, all of which were gravity-collected. Of 4 CB samples (gravity-collected) with elevated IgE (i.e., > or = 0.9 kU/l), 2 had suspected maternal contamination. Therefore, aspiration of CB or capillary collection at 4-5 days of age should be preferred for allergy prediction. If gravity collection is used, contamination should be investigated by determining IgA in all CB samples with IgE concentrations exceeding the cut-off point.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Chemical and physiological properties of polysucrose, a new marker of intestinal permeability to macromolecules.

To measure intestinal absorption of macromolecules we have developed a new technique employing synthetic polysucrose polymers as probe molecules. Polysucrose (PS) is water-soluble, nontoxic, resistant to intestinal enzymes, spherical and can be produced with a molecular weight distribution that relates to the size of many normal food proteins. Normally, a very small fraction of large molecules passes the exclusion barrier of the healthy intestine. Thus, quantification of resorbed macromolecules requires assays of high sensitivity. For detection of PS in various biological fluids, micro-ELISAs have been established. PS with a mean molecular weight of 14,700 daltons (PS 15,000) is rapidly excreted into the urine. Twenty-one healthy volunteers who orally ingested 1 g of this preparation showed a 12-hour urine excretion of 0.018% (interquartile range 0.014-0.022).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pityrosporum ovale and atopic dermatitis in children and young adults.

Children aged 0-21 years, 60 children with atopic dermatitis (AD), 40 children with rhinoconjunctivitis and or asthma (RA) and 40 children with no atopic history (HC) were studied to evaluate the relationship between skin colonisation with Pityrosporum ovale and the occurrence of specific IgE antibodies to P. ovale. The following studies were done: culture for P. ovale, measurement of IgE antibodies to P. ovale (skin prick test, RAST), Candida albicans, and Cladosporium herbarum (RAST) and IgG antibodies to P. ovale. P. ovale could be cultured with about the same frequency in children and young adults with AD and age-matched children with or without other atopic manifestations. In spite of similar colonisation, IgE antibodies against P. ovale occur only in atopy and more frequently in children with AD than in those with other types of atopic disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Soy versus cow's milk in infants with a biparental history of atopic disease: development of atopic disease and immunoglobulins from birth to 4 years of age.

Forty-eight children with a biparental history of atopic disease were followed from birth to 4 years of age. One group was fed soy and the other cow's milk from weaning to 9 months of age. Two-thirds of the children developed symptoms of atopic disease with no significant difference between the groups. No difference was found in the serum immunoglobulins (IgE antibodies, IgA, IgG and IgM) during the observation period. The soy fed children showed transiently lower levels of IgG antibodies to cow's milk but higher levels of IgG antibodies to soy protein. Six children showed cow's milk intolerance and a further five had symptoms possibly related to the use of cow's milk. Withholding cow's milk during the first 9 months did not reduce the incidence of symptoms of cow's milk intolerance from birth to 4 years of age. Thus, no benefit was found from replacing cows' milk with soy. A prolonged breast feeding seems most rational for infants at risk of developing atopic disease, even if the present study did not show evidence of a prophylactic effect of breast milk against the development of atopic disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A follow-up study of infants with adverse reactions to cow's milk. I. Serum IgE, skin test reactions and RAST in relation to clinical course.

47 infants with cow's milk sensitivity were followed for a period varying between 6 months to 4 years (mean 28 months). The age at onset of symptoms varied between 14 days to 20 months. The clinical course was studied in relation to reaginic allergy by use of serum IgE, skin prick test and RAST. Infants with an immediate onset of symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract and the skin after cow's milk intake were discerned as a distinct entity having a high frequency of atopy in the family, positive skin tests and positive RASTs to milk (71%). Cases with delayed reactions to cow's milk seldom had a positive RAST or skin test. Most infants of both groups showed an increasing tolerance to milk. In RAST positive infants the RAST-titers increased significantly after onset of symptoms. After having reached a peak the titers subclined in several cases. The titers did not reflect the degree of milk sensitivity during the follow-up period. However, infants who developed high titers seemed to develop tolerance more slowly than infants with low titers.

Allergens↗
PubMed1979

Use of glutaraldehyde-modified timothy grass pollen extract in nasal hyposensitisation treatment of hay fever.

12 patients suffering from grass pollen hay fever were treated for 14 weeks pre- and co-seasonally by intranasal self-administration of an aqueous solution of a glutaraldehyde-treated timothy grass pollen allergen. These patients had a statistically significant decrease in nasal symptom scores during the grass pollen peak period and in nasal challenge end-point titre after the season compared to placebo-treated patients. No significant effect was seen on the eye symptoms. 1 patient withdrew from the trial as a consequence of too strong local nasal reactions during treatment. Most other patients treated with active material reported mild local reactions during the first minutes after administration of the nasal spray. In the actively treated group a significant increase in serum and nasal secretion of grass pollen specific IgE, IgG and IgA antibodies was obtained during the treatment. In contrast, in the placebo group a significant increase in IgE antibody levels in serum and secretion occurred during the pollen season. The reduction in symptoms and increase in antibody production together with the simplicity of the procedure makes this approach to immunotherapy attractive.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1978

Hymenoptera sting hypersensitivy: IgE, IgG and haemagglutinating antibodies to bee venom constituents in relation to exposure and clinical reaction to bee stings.

High levels of IgE antibodies (Ab) to bee venom constituents were mainly found in patients with bee sting hypersensitivity, whereas the sera of bee keepers usually contained high levels of IgG Ab and haemagglutinins, representing blocking antibody activity. In bee keepers there was a positive correlation between the degree of severity of an adverse reaction to bee stings and IgE Ab, a negative one between the severity of reaction and IgG Ab and haemagglutinins, a positive one between the number of stings per season and IgG Ab and haemagglutinins, and negative one between the number of stings and IgE Ab. This suggests a mutual dependence of the production of IgE Ab and blocking Ab in a regularly exposed population. No such correlation was found in bee sting-allergic patients, indicating that other factors influence the severity of reaction in this only sporadically exposed group. The values of IgG Ab and haemagglutinins correlated well with each other, with IgG Ab giving a better correlation with severity of reaction and number of stings than the haemagglutinins.

Anaphylaxis↗