Japanese cedar pollinosis in children in our allergy clinic

Recently, it is pointed out that the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis has increased in children. We studied on the rate of sensitization and the onset of the disease in children under sixteen who visited allergy clinic in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Mie University Hospital. The percentage of positive rate of skin test and IgE antibodies of house dust mite was about 80 to 90% in 1981, 1991, and 1996. However, the percentage of positive rate of skin test and IgE antibodies of Japanese cedar pollen was 43% and 26%, respectively in 1981, but both increased to 58% in 1996. Most of Japanese cedar pollinosis patients also had house dust mite allergy. Among 115 pediatric patients who visited our allergy clinics in the past seven years, 32.2% were allergic to house dust mite alone, 8.6% were allergic to Japanese cedar pollen alone, 40.9% were allergic to both, and 6.1% were allergic to house dust mite, Japanese cedar pollen, and orchard grass pollen. 68% of the total 115 patients were boys, but significantly more girls had the pollinosis. 17.4% of those who are sensitized to the pollen were asymptomatic during the pollen season. Thus, it was confirmed that the rate of children sensitized to the pollen has apparently increased for the past twenty years. We should take care of those children who are sensitized to the pollen but asymptomatic during the pollen season.     

Studies on the mechanisms involved in antigen-evoked pleural inflammation in rats: contribution of IgE and complement

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been shown to play a critical role in the allergic late-phase reaction, which is marked by intense leukocyte infiltration and edema. In this study we assessed the allergic pleural inflammation triggered by intrapleural (i.pl.) challenge in sensitized rats. We examined pleural effluent from actively sensitized rats following anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (mAb) (MARE-1) provocation for protein exudation, neutrophil as well as eosinophil accumulation. Inflammatory changes triggered by antigen after passive sensitization with IgE mAb was also assessed for comparison. Total serum level of IgE was found to be about threefold increased 7-8 days post-active sensitization, remaining augmented for at least 30 days. Increased levels of peritoneal leukocyte-bound IgE and serum IgE with specificity to ovalbumin were also detected. Nevertheless, the anti-IgE challenge in 14-day actively sensitized was shown to be a weak stimulus of neutrophil and eosinophil accumulation, despite being able to cause intense protein extravasation. Similarly, antigen challenge of IgE-passively sensitized rats caused protein leakage that was comparable to that induced by anti-IgE mAb in actively sensitized rats but led to a much lower neutrophil/eosinophil infiltration. Also, blockade of complement with recombinant human soluble C receptor-1 (sCR1) treatment prevented actively sensitized rats from reacting to antigen with neutrophil and eosinophil recruitment without modifying protein extravasation. These data suggest that IgE and complement-mediated mechanisms probably account for the exudation and leukocyte infiltration that is characteristic of the pleural inflammatory response observed in actively sensitized rats.     

Comparative study on the assay for IgE antibodies specific for Chamaecyparis obtusa pollen between AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST

Titers of IgE antibody specific for the pollen of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) were determined by AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST in 221 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. IgE antibody to C. obtusa tested positive by CAP-RAST at a higher rate (80.5%) than by AlaSTAT (52.6%). The results obtained from the two assays were compared with those from intradermal skin test. CAP-RAST had a higher sensitivity than that of AlaSTAT. Because the two methods showed no differences in the determination of IgE antibody specific for Cryptomeria japonica, the above differences between AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST are surmised to be ascribable to the differences of C. obtusa antigen used in the both assays.     

Relationship between the morphological changes of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen grains and the release of major allergens from the pollen

Release of major allergens (Cry j 1, Cry j 2) from Japanese cedar (C. japonica) pollen grains treated with high pressure was investigated. C. japonica pollen grains crushed by high pressure treatment using FRENCH Pressure Cell Press released greater amounts of major allergens, particularly Cry j 2, compared to those without crush. This suggests that the cytoplasm of C. japonica pollen grains contains more Cry j 2 than previously reported. The effect of nasal fluid on the release of major allergens from C. japonica pollen grains was analyzed in vitro. Nasal fluid from patients with nasal allergy remarkably increased the release of major allergens from pollen grains, compared to controls, and the amount of Cry j 1 was greater than Cry j 2. Further studies revealed that nasal fluid affects the outer wall of pollen grains, where Cry j 1 is located, to a greater extent than its effect on the cytoplasm, where Cry j 2 is located.     

Chemotherapy as a part of each treatment fraction in a twice-a-day hyperfractionated schedule: a new chemoradiotherapy approach for advanced head and neck cancer

In allergic asthma, there is convincing evidence that changes in eosinophil and lymphocyte state of activation in blood may reflect disease activity. We evaluated whether simple blood eosinophil or lymphocyte counts in atopic children with asthma could reflect the degree of allergic sensitization. Seventy-six asthmatic children, sensitized to house dust mites (HDM), in stable conditions at the time of the study, and 53 sex- and age-matched controls (CTR) were studied. As compared to CTR, allergic patients showed higher eosinophil numbers and percentages (p < 0.001) but similar lymphocyte numbers and proportions (p > 0.1). Both in CTR and in allergic patients, eosinophil counts did not correlate with lymphocyte counts (p > 0.05; each comparison) but positive correlations were observed between eosinophil numbers and percentages and paper radio immunosorbent test (PRIST) levels or radio-allergo sorbent test (RAST) classes (p < 0.001; each comparison). When allergic asthmatic individuals were subdivided according to their age into two subgroups (Gr), no differences were found in eosinophil and lymphocyte counts and in PRIST levels and RAST values between Gr1 (< or =5 years old [preschool children]) and Gr2 (>5 years old [school children]) (p > 0.05; each comparison). Interestingly, although positive correlations between eosinophil counts and PRIST levels were found in both subgroups (p < 0.05; each comparison), only in Gr2 did eosinophil counts correlate positively with RAST classes (p < 0.001). No correlations between lymphocyte counts and PRIST levels or RAST classes were demonstrated (p > 0.05; each comparison). These data suggest that although blood eosinophilia was similar in preschool and in allergic asthmatic school children sensitized to HDM, only in the oldest children did blood eosinophil counts appear to be related to the degree of HDM-specific sensitization.     

Evaluation of efficacy for Japanese cedar pollen-specific immunotherapy by lymphocyte proliferation test

Peripheral mononuclear cells from 47 patients suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis were stimulated with crude pollen extract of Cryptomeria Japonica (CJ) to evaluate the effect of CJ-specific immunotherapy. The stimulation index (SI) with crude pollen extract of CJ in the patients with excellent and good clinical outcome was significantly lower than those with poor outcome. The SI increased with the increasing symptoms in a dose dependent manner. In the patients under immunotherapy for long period, the good clinical outcome and low SI were gained. These results suggest that peripheral lymphocyte proliferation test should be a good objective indicator for allergen-specific immunotherapy.     

Serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil protein x in pollen atopic patients with stable asthma and its relation with bronchial hyperresponsiveness

Eosinophils are important effector cells in allergic inflammation described in allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic bronchial asthma (BA). During the pollen season serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil X protein/eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EPX/EDN) are increased in BA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum levels of ECP and EPC in pollen atopic patients with AR and BA during the winter. 92 patients were studied. They were divided into three groups: I 29 patients with AR, II 51 patients with BA and III 12 healthy subjects. Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma were diagnosed by routine clinical tests: clinical history, skin tests, total IgE and specific IgE. In addition ECP and EPX were determined in serum. All patients were asymptomatic, stable and without medical treatment. Methacholine challenge test (MCT) was performed in all patients. MCT were positive in 4 patients of group I and 45 patients of group II. ECP levels (ug/l) were: 21 (I), 24 (II) and 7 (III). EPX levels (ug/l) were 35 (I), 45 (II) and 21 (III). Statistical differences (p < 0.01) were observed both in ECP and EPX levels in patients with MCT positive in relation to patients with MCT negative, and in allergic patients (I and II) in comparison with the healthy subjects (III) (p < 0.01). ECP and EPX serum levels are increased in patients with a positive MCT in the winter, out of the pollen season, when patients are asymptomatic, stable and without treatment. This fact suggests that eosinophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.     

Hemorrhage during the third stage of labor and the postpartum period

Differentiation between pollinosis and vasomotor rhinitis creates great diagnostic difficulties. The aim of this study was to conduct comparative immunological clinical studies contrasting these two distinct diseases. Thirty-one subjects with untreated pollinosis and 29 subjects with untreated symptoms of rhinitis were tested, determining their T and B lymphocyte counts and the counts of their subpopulations, the levels of immunoglobulin A, M, G, D and E, both separately and in total, and levels of both basal and whole histamine. The control group was comprised of 30 healthy subjects. The results of this study show that these two diseases differ from each other (p < 0.05) in the recorded levels of basal histamine, total IgE, and IgG, IgM and IgD, as well as the count of T-RFC lymphocytes, T lymphocytes with receptors for Fc IgG and B lymphocytes with superficial receptors for IgG. The most useful laboratory methods for diagnosing the difference between pollinosis and vasomotor rhinitis appear to be the determination of levels of basal histamine and IgD in the blood.     

Aggressive myeloma with subcutaneous tumor and pericardial involvement

We investigated the potential role of intercellular-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in allergen-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and inflammation in sensitised Brown-Norway rats. Rats were sensitised with ovalbumin (OA) intraperitoneally and 21 days later they were either exposed to 0.9% NaCl or 1% OA aerosol for 15 min. Rats exposed to OA aerosol were pretreated either with ICAM-1 antibody (3 mg/kg i.p. and i.v., 45 min prior to OA exposure) or with the diluent for the antibody. Eighteen to twenty-four hours after OA or 0.9% NaCl exposure, rats were anaesthetised, tracheostomised and mechanically ventilated, and airway responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) aerosol was measured as the provocative concentration of ACh needed to increase pulmorary resistance by 100% (PC100). Mean -log PC100 was increased in rats exposed to OA but pretreated with diluent (2.75 +/- 0.06) compared to rats treated with ICAM-1 antibody (2.51 +/- 0.08; < 0.05). However, only the former group showed significantly higher mean -log PC100 compared to the sensitised group exposed to 0.9% NaCl alone (2.22 +/- 0.12; p < 0.01). There was a significant increase in eosinophil and lymphocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 24 h in rats pretreated with diluent compared to saline exposed rats. However, in ICAM-1 antibody-pretreated rats, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly different from diluent-treated ones. We conclude that ICAM-1 antibody inhibits BHR without reducing the influx of inflammatory cells.     

Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion using phototherapeutic keratectomy with the excimer laser

Tachyphylaxis to methacholine has been reported in nonasthmatic subjects. In a recent study on the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and atopy, we performed duplicate methacholine inhalation tests at a 60-min interval, in subjects with symptomatic asthma (n = 33), asymptomatic AHR (AAHR) (n = 72) and in a group of normal subjects (n = 130); 135/235 subjects were atopic. All subjects had a respiratory questionnaire, allergy skin prick tests, blood eosinophil counts and determination of total serum IgE level. In asthmatic subjects, PC20 just failed to be significantly higher on a second methacholine challenge (p = 0.09); when they were stratified according to severity of AHR and use of inhaled corticosteroids, we observed a significant increase in PC20 on the second test in asthmatic subjects with mild AHR not using corticosteroids (p < 0.01). In normal controls, PC20 methacholine was slightly increased on rechallenge (p < 0.01) as it was in those with AAHR (p < 0.01). There was no relationship between the magnitude of the change in PC20 and age, sex, baseline airway responsiveness, percent fall in FEV1 on the first challenge, atopic score, blood eosinophil counts and serum IgE levels. In conclusion, tachyphylaxis to methacholine is observed in normal or mild asthmatic subjects not using inhaled corticosteroids and in subjects with AAHR; however, in most subjects this change is of a small magnitude.     

Adjuvant activities of pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene in production of anti-IgE antibody to Japanese cedar pollen allergen in mice

We have previously demonstrated that pyrene in diesel-exhaust particles (DEP) has an adjuvant activity on immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production in mice immunized with Japanese cedar pollen allergen (JCPA) or ovalbumin (OA) intraperitoneally. The present study is concerned with the adjuvant activity in IgE antibody production against JCPA of pyrene or DEP inoculated intranasally in mice. We show that anthracene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene in DEP have the ability to enhance anti-JCPA IgE antibody production in mice by intranasal immunization. Mice were grouped, immunized with 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 400 micrograms of pyrene, 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 100 micrograms of DEP, 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 2 mg of aluminum hydroxide and 10 micrograms of JCPA alone intranasally 7 times at 2 week intervals. Mice were also grouped, and immunized with JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 40 micrograms of anthracene, JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 400 micrograms of fluoranthene, JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 40 micrograms of benzo(a)pyrene, and JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 400 micrograms of pyrene and JCPA (10 micrograms) alone. We found that the IgE antibody responses to JCPA in mice immunized with JCPA plus pyrene, JCPA plus DEP or JCPA plus the three chemical organic compounds mentioned above were significantly enhanced compared with those immunized with JCPA alone. In addition, when the intraperitoneal macrophages obtained from the normal mice (unimmunized mice) were incubated with pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene or benzo(a)pyrene in vitro, an enhanced chemiluminescence (CI) response and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) production of the macrophages was observed in each instance. These results suggest that in the production of IgE antibody to JCPA the adjuvancy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in DEP may be important in an attack of Japanese cedar pollinosis.     

Pharmacological modulation of the late eosinophilia induced by antigen in actively sensitized rats

The intrathoracic injection of ovalbumin (12 micrograms/cavity) into actively sensitized rats led to a long-lasting eosinophil recruitment, which appeared 24 h after stimulation. In this study, pharmacological antagonists were used in order to evaluate the potential involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites and PAF-acether in the pleural eosinophil accumulation by antigen. Administration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.), 1 h before the antigen challenge, failed to modify the 24-hour eosinophilia. In contrast, the dual cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor BW 755C and the more selective inhibitor BW A4C (5 and 10 micrograms/cavity, i.t.), injected 1 h before the antigen, were effective. Similarly, the PAF-acether antagonists BN 52021 and WEB 2086 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) abrogated the eosinophil accumulation, which was also sensitive to the topical treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (5 and 10 micrograms/cavity). Our findings suggest that the antigen-induced eosinophil mobilization is dependent on lipoxygenase derivatives and PAF-acether, but not on prostaglandins.     

Effect of betotastine besilate (TAU-284), a novel anti-allergic agent, on experimental allergic rhinitis

We investigated the effect of betotastine besilate (betotastine) on the experimental allergic rhinitis. The oral administration of betotastine (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) inhibited the increase in dye leakage during and after the nasal perfusion of antigen in actively sensitized rats. It also prevented the increase in intranasal pressure induced by topically applied histamine in non-sensitized guinea pigs. Cetirizine and terfenadine dose-dependently inhibited the increase in a similar manner. Ketotifen (0.01-0.3 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the increase more than 50% at 0.01 mg/kg. The ID50s of ketotifen, cetirizine, betotastine and terfenadine for this model were more than 0.01 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg, 0.03 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, in actively sensitized guinea pigs, nasal airway resistance showed a biphasic increase after the topical antigen challenge to the nasal cavity; the first peak at 0.5 hr and a second peak at 4 hr. Both the responses of first and second peaks were significantly inhibited by orally administered betotastine besilate, and its inhibitory effect on the second peak was the strongest among drugs tested. Since betotastine showed significantly inhibitory effects in experimental allergic rhinitis models, it was suggested to show a good efficacy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis clinically.     

Candida albicans sensitization in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis

Candida albicans, a component of normal human microflora, can induce synthesis of specific IgE-antibodies in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. The study included 25 patients with atopic dermatitis sensitized to C.albicans and 23 patients with atopic dermatitis non-sensitized to C.albicans. The sensitization was determined by the skin test and enzyme immunoassay. The patients had the history of atopic dermatitis exacerbation after taking food containing baking yeasts. Atopic dermatitis with sensitization to C.albicans is characterized by severe course correlating with the following indices: high total IgE (r = 0.6), level of IgE antibodies to C.albicans (r = 0.6), level of serum IgG (r = 0.46) and IgA (r = 0.33). Contrary to adults, children with sensitization to C.albicans had decreased relative number of CD4+, CD8+ and CD72+ of lymphocyte subpopulations. Thus, sensitization to C.albicans manifests in severe atopic dermatitis which in children is often associated with immune deficiency.     

Adenosine deaminase activity in protein-energy malnutrition

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was evaluated in 69 children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and 20 healthy controls. Significantly decreased responses to purified protein derivative (PPD) (p < 0.02) and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) (p < 0.01) and increased serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity (p < 0.001) were observed in PEM cases compared with the controls. The mean values of ALC and ADA activity in PEM patients were 85.9% and 158.7% of the normal mean, respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between the two parameters (r=- 0.2765, p < 0.01). The CMI tests were abnormal in all three grades of PEM, except for the response to PPD in grade I, when compared with the controls. No significant differences were found between infected and uninfected PEM cases. Thus, impaired CMI was observed not only in grades II and III but also in grade I PEM patients and the concomitant infection did not affect its status. However, ADA activity demonstrated a more pronounced change than the other tests.     

In vitro passive sensitization of the ureter as a basis for the study of noninfectious ureteral inflammation

PURPOSE: To develop an in vitro model of passive sensitization for the ureter for the study of noninfectious ureteral inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human ureteral tissues were obtained from excess segments of ureters from patients undergoing donor nephrectomy. Following excision, ureters were placed in physiologic salt solution (PSS) and passively sensitized by incubating with ragweed serum from allergic donor (1 ml. serum: 4 ml. PSS) for 20 hours at room temperature. Ureteral segments were incubated with PSS only and served as non-sensitized controls (n = 4). After sensitization, excess serum was removed by serial washing with PSS without serum. Ureteral strips were then suspended in vitro for determination of tissue contraction. Contractile responses and histamine release were measured. Tissues were then exposed to antigen. To investigate the role of inflammatory mediators in tissue contraction, 4 groups of 8 sensitized ureteral segments were incubated for 1 hour with the following substances: a H1 histamine receptor antagonist (pyrilamine), an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis (indomethacin), an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis (A-64077), and a control substance (DMSO). Following incubation, the tissues were exposed to antigen, and contraction and histamine release were determined. RESULTS: Sensitized ureteral segments (n = 8) responded to antigen with contraction (30% BaCl maximum; p <0.01) and histamine release (205/ng./gm. tissue) within the first 5 minutes of superfusion. Non-sensitized control segments (n = 4) did not respond. Both indomethacin and pyrilamine reduced (7-10% of BaCl maximum; p <0.05) the contractile response of sensitized ureter to antigen, whereas A-64077 did not. Analysis of the superfusate for histamine indicates that indomethacin reduced histamine release (150 ng./gm.) whereas A-64077 and pyrilamine did not (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that ureteral segments can be passively sensitized and that subsequent antigen challenge stimulates contraction and histamine release. Our findings suggest that contraction of ureteral tissue and histamine release may be utilized as an inherent bioassay indicating the activity of inflammatory mediators. In addition, these results suggest that both prostaglandins and histamine, but apparently not leukotrienes, participate in the early inflammatory response to antigen challenge of the sensitized ureter.     

Analysis of cytokine and specific antibody profiles in hydatid patients with primary infection and relapse of disease

We studied in vitro cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with primary and recurrent hydatid disease when cells were incubated with mitogen (PHA) and antigen from hydatid cyst fluid (HCFAg); levels of specific IgE, IgG4 and eosinophil counts were also measured in sera. When specifically stimulated, PBMC from patients produced higher levels of IL-2 (P < 0.02), IFN-gamma (P < 0.0028) and IL-5 (P < 0.01) than those from uninfected donors, whereas IL-10 levels were comparable. Notably, IL-5 was also produced in higher levels (P < 0.01) by PBMC from patients when incubated with PHA. The IL-5:IFN-gamma ratio was significantly greater (P < 0.02) when measured in response to specific stimulation than it was for PHA-stimulated cultures. These cytokine data suggest a bias towards a Th2-response which is in agreement with the high levels of IgG4 and IgE observed. The polarized response appears to be related to clinical status, as differences between patients with primary infection and those with relapse of disease were demonstrated, with significantly higher levels of IgE (P < 0.003), IgG4 (P < 0.04) titres and eosinophil counts (P < 0.04) in the latter; in addition a tendency to an increased production of IL-5 buy lower IFN-gamma was also observed in this group. These results merit further study as they are suggestive of a putative role of Th2-like responses in susceptibility to reinfection by E. granulosus.     

Content of iron and copper in the nuclei and induction of pH 9-labile lesions in L5178Y sublines inversely cross-sensitive to H2O2 and x-rays

The effects of testosterone (T) on uptake and mobilization of orally administered triglyceride were examined in male rats. In order to attempt to explain regional differences, adipose tissue metabolism was studied in vivo. (U-14 C) oleic acid in sesame oil was given by gastric gavage to male, sham operated, castrated and castrated + T substituted rats, and accumulation and half-life of radioactivity measured. In castrated rats in comparisons with sham-operated and castrated + T rats, serum T was absent, and body weight lower (p < 0.05 or 0.01), but adipocytes in retroperitoneal and mesenteric tissues became significantly heavier. Radioactivity (dpm/mg triglyceride) was higher, in retroperitoneal tissue at 4 hours, 7, 30 days, and in mesenteric tissue at 4 hours, and at 30 and 60 days after oral label administration (0.1 > p > 0.05 or p < 0.05), no differences were seen in epididymal or inguinal depots at 4 hours. When radioactivity was expressed per adipocyte, the castrated group showed significantly higher radioactivity when compared to sham and castrated + T groups at 7 and 30 days in retroperitoneal and at 60 days in mesenteric adipocytes (p < 0.05 or 0.01). Half life (T 1/2) of radioactivity was longer in mesenteric tissue in the castrated rats than the other two groups (sham group, 33 days +/- 2; castrated group, 58 days +/- 6; and castrated + T group, 39 days +/- 3, p < 0.05), but there were no differences between groups in retroperitoneal adipose tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The eosinophilic response of the rat to infection with Taenia taeniaeformis

Rats were dosed with eggs of Taenia taeniaeformis and hematologic parameters were measured throughout the course of primary infection. There was no evidence of anemia but differential leukocyte counts revealed distinct and reproducible patterns of white blood cell changes. A lymphocytosis developed at the end of the 1st and 5th weeks postinfection (p.i.). Neutrophil counts peaked 8 days p.i., although at that time there was no marked neutrophilic infiltration of the tissues. Eosinophil counts began to rise during the 2nd week p.i., and reached a peak during the 3rd week, followed by a decline and then another peak during the 5th week p.i. Eosinophilic infiltration of the tissues was remarkable during the period of peripheral eosinophilia. A wide zone of eosinophils surrounded the developing larvae at 22 days p.i. and persisted in some cases for a further 2 weeks. Eosinophils remained in lesser numbers in the connective tissue capsule throughout the infection, often in association with plasma cells. After oral challenge with 1,000 eggs infected rats showed brisk secondary eosinophilic responses 3 to 7 days later but other hematologic parameters were unaffected. Average peripheral eosinophil counts at 3 and 4 days post-challenge were significantly higher than those in unchallenged controls (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively). There was no detectable increase in eosinophilic infiltration of small intestinal tissues in challenged rats. These results are discussed in relation to current understanding of the mechanisms of eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro and the possible causes of local eosinophil accumulation in parasitic infections in vivo.     

Human group C rotavirus in children with diarrhea in the Federal District, Brazil

BACKGROUND: A family history of atopy is a poor predictor of sensitization to inhalant allergens and allergic disease during childhood. We recently identified early sensitization to food allergens, especially hen's egg, as a valuable predictor of subsequent sensitization to inhalant allergens. OBJECTIVE: (1) Whether prediction will be improved by in vitro allergy tests at 1 year of age in combination with family history and medical history data. (2) Comparison with the capacities of in vitro tests to predict sensitization to aeroallergens. METHODS: Of an observational birth cohort study (MAS) 49 children who were sensitized to inhalant allergens at 5 years of age and 116 non-sensitized controls were included in the present study. For the prediction of sensitization to inhalant allergens the following prognostic factors were evaluated: atopic family history (FH), atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first year of life, two in vitro allergy tests for specific IgE to common food allergens at 1 year of age (fx5 [Pharmacia] and single allergen specific tests (sIgE) for four allergens) and 'high' total serum IgE, defined by three different cut off points. RESULTS: The combination of medical history data and laboratory tests resulted in the best predictive discrimination. The positive predictive values (PPV) were higher if sensitization to food was detected by single allergen specific tests (PPV: 66%/75%/100% corresponding to the three evaluated risk groups) than by the qualitative fx5 (PPV: 46%/65%/100%). The negative predictive values were equal for both tests (69 and 92% for the two low risk groups). High total serum IgE had low predictive capacity. CONCLUSION: During infancy the prediction of sensitization to inhalant allergens should be based on medical history data and allergy tests determining sensitization to food allergens. The in vitro tests improve the predictive discrimination, but the individual risk profile of the child must be considered for a reliable and valid prediction.