ABSTRACT
The consumption of shrimp is a common cause of food hypersensitivity reactions. Shrimp allergy is diagnosed using a skin prick test (SPT) as well as by food challenges. Due to the lack of a wide variety of commercial shrimp extracts for SPTs, we selected various shrimp species for the preparation of local shrimp extracts. However, optimal storage conditions for the shrimp extracts which also maintains allergenic potency has not yet been identified. The objective of the present study was to determine the potency of the shrimp extracts under different storage conditions and durations. Specific IgE-allergen profiles of eight shrimp-allergic patients were investigated by using sera incubated with extracts prepared from lyophilized raw or boiled shrimp, which were stored at 4oC or -20oC for up to 4 weeks. When stored at -20oC, most allergens were preserved after 4 weeks. However, storage at 4oC results in few allergens remaining after 2 weeks. Boiled-shrimp extracts stored at 4oC and -20oC contained higher amounts of IgE-allergen complexes than raw-shrimp extracts. Moreover, in both raw and boiled shrimp extracts, the IgE bound 36-40 kDa allergens constituted the major proteins since they were observed in all IgE–allergen profiles. In conclusion, we recommend that shrimp extracts are stored at -20oC for 4 weeks to prevent the loss of allergens.
ABSTRACT
Severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID) are disorders with impairment of humoral and cellular immune functions. The prognosis of disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection in immunocompromised host is unfavorable since response to standard therapy is poor. We report a successful treatment of disseminated BCG infection with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency. The patient failed to response to intensive anti-tuberculous (anti-TB) therapy. After 2 months of G-CSF, in addition to anti-TB treatment, the clinical signs of disseminated BCG infection were improved. Since serious BCG infections in SCID are not uncommon in developing countries, where BCG vaccination is mandatory to all newborns, the combination of G-CSF and anti-TB drugs should be considered in immunocompromised patients with protracted mycobacterial infection.