International archives of allergy and immunology
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2008
Prevalence of IgE-binding to Art v 1, Art v 4 and Amb a 1 in mugwort-allergic patients.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) represents an important source of weed pollen allergens. The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the IgE binding profiles in a group of mugwort-allergic patients, (ii) to identify individual marker allergens crucial for the diagnosis of mugwort allergy and (iii) to identify potential crossreactive allergens present in ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen extract. ⋯ Allergen-specific in vitro diagnosis was performed in 100 pediatric mugwort-allergic serum samples. Using two allergens (Art v 1 and Art v 4), 91% of the patients could be identified as mugwort pollen-sensitized patients by IgE in vitro tests. Crossreactivity to ragweed pollen allergens was demonstrated by in vitro experiments, suggesting a new important and potent allergen source expanding across Europe.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyInvolvement of galectin-9 in guinea pig allergic airway inflammation.
There is little information about the involvement of galectin-9 (Gal-9) in allergic inflammation. Thus, we investigated the role of Gal-9 in asthma model guinea pigs. ⋯ The present results provide evidence that Gal-9 is not involved in airway hypersensitivity, but is partly involved in prolonged eosinophil accumulation in the lung.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2007
Interleukin-16 inhibits immunoglobulin e production by B lymphocytes.
The increased production of IgE is a hallmark of atopic disorders. CD4+ T cells regulate the production of Immunoglobulin (Ig) E by B cells. Interleukin (IL) 16, a CD4+ specific cytokine, is highly expressed at sites of allergic inflammation. Our aim was to determine the effect of IL-16 on IgE production in atopic subjects. ⋯ These data show that IL-16 inhibits IgE production and therefore may play an important regulatory role in atopic disorders.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2007
Case ReportsRecurrent anaphylaxis due to non-ruptured hepatic hydatid cysts.
Hydatid disease, a parasitic infestation of humans, is endemic in the Mediterranean region, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, and mostly involves the liver. Anaphylactic reactions, which sometimes are the first manifestations of the disease, frequently occur due to cyst rupture after a minor/major trauma, though they may also be spontaneously seen on rare occasions. In extremely few studies, anaphylactic shock has been reported in patients without macroscopic rupture of the hydatid cysts. ⋯ We emphasize that physicians should be highly aware of hydatid disease as a possible etiology for seemingly idiopathic anaphylactic reactions, especially in endemic regions.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialTheophylline as 'add-on' therapy to cetirizine in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
Chronic urticaria is a prevalent condition associated with substantial disability. Its pathogenesis is not clearly understood and is divided into autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). We investigated if the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline could provide additional benefit to the histamine-1 receptor (H-1R) antagonist cetirizine in CIU. ⋯ Addition of theophylline to conventional H-1R antagonists was well tolerated without any adverse effects and provided considerable additional benefit in the management of CIU.