Characterization, quantification, and assessment of immune protection potential of secretory immunoglobulin A in colostrum samples from Saudi women

To characterize, quantify, and assess the function of colostral secretory immunoglobulin A [sIgA] in Saudi women. This prospective study was performed between March 2009 and February 2010 at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Twenty milliliters of colostrum sample was collected from each of 23 healthy Saudi women [mean age 26 +/- 4 years] included in the study within 48 hours postpartum. Levels of sIgA and sIgM were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and purification of secretory antibodies from pooled clarified sample was performed by thiophilic-gel chromatography, Jacalin-agarose chromatography, and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. Antibody induced respiratory burst in peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes was assessed by chemiluminescence. The median concentration of sIgA1 was 0.053 mg/ml, sIgA2 0.047 mg/ml and sIgM 0.067 mg/ml with interquartile ranges of 0.308, 0.158 and 0.150. The levels of antibodies were no different. Whereas, 60% of IgA1 was present in dimeric and 30% in trimeric form; the major bulk of sIgA2 [85%] were comprised of the dimeric form. Both sIgA and serum IgA were able to induce effective and almost identical respiratory bursts in neutrophils and monocytes. Dimeric forms of sIgA were the predominant antibodies in colostrum samples and sIgA antibodies exhibited functional similarity with serum IgA

Pattern of patch test reactivity among patients with clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis: a hospital-based study

Contact allergy is associated with a significant morbidity all over the world. This study was performed to investigate the pattern of sensitization by contact allergens in the local population. Retrospective study to investigate patch test reactivity among patients with clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis who were referred to the allergy clinic at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, between April 2008 and March 2010. Of the 196 patients referred to the allergy clinic over the 2-year period, 91 [46.4%] patients reacted to one or more patch test allergens, and these patients were included in this study. The study group included 82 [91.1%] of Saudi nationality and 9 [8.9%] patients of other nationalities. The patch test was performed using the T.R.U.E TEST, containing 24 allergens/allergen mixes. Of the 91 cases who reacted positively to one or more allergens, 67 [73.6%] were females with a mean age of 37 [8.3 years] and 24 [26.4%] were males with a mean age of 34 [11.6 years]. Thirty-three [36.2%] patients reacted to nickel sulfate, 14 [15.3%] to p-phenylenediamine, 13 [14.2%] to p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin, 13 [14.2%] to thimerosal, and 9 [9.8%] to colophony. Reactivity against the rest of the allergens was not remarkable. A significantly higher percentage of females reacted to nickel sulfate [84.8% vs 15.2% in males; P=.0001], p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin [92.3% vs 7.7%; P=.0001], and thimerosal [76.9% vs 23.1%; P=.03]. Patch test reactivity to nickel sulfate was high. The pattern of contact allergy observed in this study indicates the need for large-scale investigations to identify local allergens responsible for contact allergy and for formulation of policies directed towards avoidance of exposure

Antenatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women. A retrospective study at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh from September 2009 to August 2010. Laboratory data of 21 76 pregnant women screened for Toxoplasma gondii in the antenatal care unit were assessed during the study period. The mean [SD] age of the women and the duration of pregnancy were 25 [7.3] years and 18 [7.7] weeks, respectively. Data were extracted for the presence or absence of anti-T gondii immunoglobulin G [IgG] and IgM antibodies. Of 21 76 sera tested, 1351 [62%] did not show any evidence of exposure to T gondii. The remaining 825 [38%] samples tested positive for anti-7 gondii IgG antibodies, and none was found to have anti-7 gondii IgM antibodies in the serum. These data reveal that a significantly high number of women in the antenatal care unit at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh had been exposed to T gondii. A high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women warrants multicenter community-based investigations for assessment of T gondii infection and identification of risk factors for transmission of toxoplasmosis in general, and particularly during pregnancy

Airway allergy and skin reactivity to aeroallergens in Riyadh

To determine the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens in patients with asthma and rhinitis [airway allergy] residing in Riyadh region. This is a retrospective cross sectional study based on data analysis of skin prick test results of individuals with clinical diagnosis of airway allergy.Allergy skin prick test result data of 139 Saudi nationals from Riyadh region tested at King Khalid University Hospital between January 2003 and March 2004 was analyzed retrospectively. This group comprised of 53% females and 47% males, with a mean age of 27 +/- 12 years. A set of aeroallergens extracts for both indoor and outdoor allergens including fungal spores was used to test the patients. Seventy-five percent [105] of patients reacted to one or more allergen extracts. The most frequently reacting indoor allergen was house dust mite [77.8%] followed by the cat [33.6%] and cockroach [19.2%]. Among the outdoor allergens Prosopis juliflora was tested positive in 72.1%, Bermuda grass in 53.8%, Chenopodium album in 47.1%, Rye grass in 36.5% and Salsola kali in 36.5%. A significant proportion of patients were also found reacting to Moulds [18.2%] and Aspergillus fumigatus [18.2%] extracts. Sensitivity to one or more aeroallergens was common in patients, indicating high level of aeroallergen sensitization in patients with airway allergy residing in Riyadh region