Preliminary investigation of Blomia tropicalis breeding status in ground dust rice in Haikou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the Blomia tropicalis breeding status in the ground dust rice collected in Haikou City. Methods Totally 17 samples of ground dust rice were collected from 10 sampling sites in Haikou City. Then 10 g of dust rice was taken from each individual sample for isolation of the mites that were made of slide specimen, and the mites were identified and classified under a microscope. Results B. tropicalis mites were found in all the 17 samples with the detection rate of 100%. A total of 1 176 heads of B. tropicalis were isolated, with an average breeding density of 6.91 heads/g. Conclusion B. tropicalis breeding status is severe in Haikou City. The effective measures should be taken to prevent and control the harm associated with B. tropicalis contamination.

The sensitization pattern of Blomia tropicalis in allergic respiratory disease in Guangzhou / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the sensitization pattern of Blomia tropicalis in patients with aller-gic respiratory disease and the association between Blomia tropicalis with allergic rhinitis and / or asthma. Meth-ods 330 allergic rhinitis and / or asthma patients sensitized with mites were selected in Guangzhou,and sIgE lev-el in the serum of all recruited patients of Blomia tropical,Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide fa-rina was measured. Results The sensitization rate of Blomia tropicalis was significantly lower than that of Derma-tophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina(P < 0.001,both). 80.0% Patients were sensitized with both three mites,and only 0.3% patients were of monosensitization to Blomia tropicalis. The sIgE of these three mites were significantly positive correlated with each other(P < 0.001),Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Derma-tophagoide farina have strong correlation(r = 0.906),Blomia tropicalis has moderate correlation with Dermatopha-goide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina(r = 0.540 and r = 0.512,respectively). With the increase of Blomia tropicalis sIgE,the severe sensitization rate(sIgE level:class 5~6)of patients sensitized combined Der-matophagoide pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoide farina significantly increased(P < 0.001). The sIgE level of Der-matophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina in allergic asthma and rhinitis patients were significantly higher than that of patients with rhinitis or asthma alone(P < 0.001),and the sIgE level of Blomia tropicalis in pa-tients with both allergic asthma and rhinitis or with asthma alone were also significantly higher than that of patients with rhinitis alone(P = 0.006 and P = 0.020,respectively). Conclusion The Blomia tropicalis sensitized pa-tients usually sensitize together with Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoide farina,and the degree of Blomia tropicalis sensitized in asthma patients are higher.

Blomia tropicalis is found in a flour warehouse of a food factory in a civil avi-ation airport / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate whether there is Blomia tropicalis breeding in the flour warehouse of food factory in a civil aviation airport,and,if there is,to observe the morphological structure of the mite. Methods The flour samples were col-lected from the flour warehouse of food factory in a civil aviation airport. The breeding mites were isolated from the samples by di-rect microscopy and made into specimens to observe with a light microscope. Results Female Blomia tropicalis was found in the collected flour samples. Under the microscope,the mite was nearly spherical,and it had no tergum and claw. Its apodemeⅠwas developed and connected in the midline. The reproductive hole was located between the foot Ⅲand IV level and was cov-ered with a pair of oblique genital folds. The footⅢandⅣhad no solenoids. The copulatory pouch was a long,slightly curved tube,extending from the end of the mite. Conclusions Blomia tropicalis has been found in the flour warehouse of a food factory in the civil aviation airport. The main distinguishing feature of this mite is that it has no tergum,its feet have no pectinate inferi-or tarsus scales or claw,the feetⅠgenu has only one solenidia,and feetⅢandⅣhave no solenidias.

Actividad acaricida de extractos de lauráceas sobre los ácaros intradomiciliarios Dermatophagoides farinae y Blomia tropicalis / Acaricide activity of Lauraceae extracts agaisnt domiciliary mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis

Introducción: especies de la familia Lauraceae son fuentes importantes de sustancias bioactivas, como las que actúan de insecticidas. En los estudios de bioprospección de lauraceas colombianas, a siete especies medicinales pertenecientes a esta familia se les evaluó su actividad acaricida frente a Dermatophagoides farinae y Blomia tropicalis, considerados como un problema en salud pública a nivel intradomiciliario. Objetivo: determinar la actividad acaricida de los extractos etanólicos de las especies de Lauraceae sobre los ácaros intradomiciliarios Dermatophagoides farinae y Blomia tropicalis, así como caracterizar los extractos obtenidos mediante ensayo fitoquímico preliminar. Métodos: la actividad acaricida in vitro de los extractos de las siete especies, colectadas en diferentes regiones de Colombia, se evaluó sobre individuos adultos a través de las pruebas de contacto directo y acción fumigante. Cada uno de los extractos se caracterizó químicamente mediante ensayos de coloración o precipitación. Resultados: en la prueba de contacto, el extracto de hojas de Persea caerulea eliminó al 100 % de Dermatophagoides farinae. En la prueba de acción fumigante, el extracto de hojas de Persea caerulea, eliminó 100 % de Dermatophagoides farinae y 83,4 % de Blomia tropicalis (después de 120 min de exposición; a 0,1 mg/mL). El ensayo fitoquímico preliminar permitió identificar la posible presencia de metabolitos acorde con la quimiotaxonomía de las Lauraceae. Conclusiones: los resultados permiten sugerir que especies de la familia Lauraceae serían catalogados como fuente potencial de biocontroladores contra los ácaros domiciliarios Dermatophagoides farinae y Blomia tropicalis.

Introduction: Lauraceae plants are considered as important sources of bioactive substances, as those acting as insecticides. As part of our program for bioprospecting studies on Colombian Lauraceae plants, seven medicinal species belonging to this family were studied for their acaricide activity against Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis, considered public health problems at domiciliary level. Objective: to evaluate acaricide activity of ethanol extracts from Lauraceae plants on domiciliary mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis as well as to characterize ethanol-soluble extracts by preliminary phytochemical assay. Methods: in vitro acaricide activity of extracts from seven plants belonging to the Lauraceae family, harvested in different regions of Colombia, was assessed on individual adults through direct contact test and fumigant action. Each plant extract was tested for chemical characterization by means of coloration and precipitation tests. Results: in direct contact bioassay, the leaf extract from Persea caerulea eliminated 100 % of Dermatophagoides farinae. In fumigant action bioassay, the leaf extract of Persea caerulea eliminated 100 % Dermatophagoides farinae and 83.37 % of Blomia tropicalis (after 120 minutes exposure at 0.1 mg/mL). The preliminary phytochemical testing identified the possible presence of metabolites according to the Lauraceae chemotaxonomy. Conclusions: obtained results indicated that Lauraceae plants could be catalogued as a source of potential biocontrol agents against specific domiciliary mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis.

Serological identification of house dust mite allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis / Identificação sorológica de alérgenos de ácaros da poeira domiciliar em cães com dermatite atópica

House dust mite antigens have been used for decades to diagnose allergic diseases in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to identify allergens in commercial Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis extracts by immunoblotting using sera from allergic dogs and anti-dog IgE conjugate. The analysis of antigens present in the D. farinae extract (FDA Allergenic) using sera from 10 dogs allergic to D. farinae showed that eight sera recognized a band of approximately 102 kDa, eight recognized two bands of 52 to 76 kDa, five recognized one band of approximately 76 kDa, four recognized one band of 31 to 38 kDa, and two recognized one band of 12 to 17 kDa. Immunoblot assays of the B. tropicalis extract (FDA Allergenic) using sera from 10 animals allergic to B. tropicalis showed that five sera recognized two bands of 52 to 76 kDa. These results demonstrate the importance of the two house dust mite species for the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis in Brazil. In addition, the results indicate which allergens should be present in allergenic extracts used for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Antígenos de ácaros da poeira domiciliar são utilizados por décadas para diagnóstico de doenças alérgicas em seres humanos e animais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar proteínas alergênicas presentes em extratos de Dermatophagoides farinae e Blomia tropicalis através de "immunoblotting" utilizando-se soros de animais alérgicos e conjugado anti-IgE canina. A análise por "immunoblotting" dos antígenos presentes no extrato de D. farinae (FDA Allergenic), utilizando soros de dez animais alérgicos, mostrou que oito soros reconhecem uma banda com peso molecular de aproximadamente 102 kDa; oito soros duas bandas entre 52 e 76 kDa; cinco soros uma banda com aproximadamente 76 kDa; quatro soros uma banda entre 31 e 38 kDa; e dois soros uma banda entre 12 e 17 kDa. A análise por "immunoblotting" dos antígenos do extrato de B. tropicalis (FDA Allergenic) mostrou que cinco soros reconhecem duas bandas com pesos moleculares entre 52 e 76 kDa. Esses resultados demonstram a importância dessas duas espécies de ácaros da poeira domiciliar na patogênese da dermatite atópica canina no Brasil, assim como indicam alérgenos que devem estar presentes nos extratos alergênicos utilizados para diagnóstico e imunoterapia alérgeno-específica.

Eficacia diagnóstica del Prick test con ácaros en pacientes asmáticos de las ciudades de Machala y Camagüey / Diagnostic accuracy of prick testing to mites in asthmatic patients from the cities of Machala and Camagüey

Antecedentes: los extractos de ácaros Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides siboney y Blomia tropicalis producidos en Cuba han sido aprobados y registrados para diagnóstico e inmunoterapia. Objetivo: comparar indicadores de eficacia del Prick test, en las ciudades de Machala y Camagüey, con extractos de ácaros elaborados en el Centro Nacional de Biopreparados. Metodología: 40 pacientes asmáticos mayores de 5 años y menores de 60 años de la clínica “Torre Médica” ciudad de Machala y de Previsora Camagüey respectivamente. Igual número de voluntarios sanos de cada uno de los servicios. La prueba se realizó en la cara anterior del antebrazo, aplicando una gota de cada extracto a una concentración de 20.000 UB y controles de histamina y solución diluente. Se puncionó sobre la piel a través de cada gota, se leyó a los 15 minutos, siendo positiva cuando el diámetro del habón fue superior o igual a 3mm. Resultados: sensibilidad a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 77,5 en Camagüey y 72,5 Machala y especificidad de 80; para la ciudad cubana y 82,5 para la ecuatoriana. Prueba positiva a Dermatophagoides siboney en Camagüey n=28 y en Machala n=9 (p<0,05) con sensibilidad de 70 en Camagüey y de 22,5 en Machala; mientras la especificidad fue 82,5 y de 95 respectivamente. Lo valores de sensibilidad a Blomia tropicalis fueron de 72,5 y de 70 y la especificidad de 77,5 y 85 en Camagüey y Machala respectivamente. Conclusión: los resultados de los indicadores estadísticos atestiguan la eficacia del Prick test con ácaros para el diagnóstico de asma.

Association of house dust mite-specific IgE with asthma control, medications and household pets

BACKGROUND: Evidence is conflicting regarding the effectiveness of creating a low-allergen environment or reducing allergen exposure to control asthma exacerbations. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the association of house dust mite (HDM)-specific IgE levels with asthma symptom control, selected medications, family history of allergic disease, and exposure to second-hand smoke and household pets. METHODS: Serum samples from 102 doctor-diagnosed allergic asthma patients and 100 non-atopic controls were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the HDM species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), and Blomia tropicalis (Bt) allergens. Point-biserial correlation coefficient, Pearson R correlation, and logistic regression analyses were used to determine association of HDM-specific IgE levels with the abovementioned variables. RESULTS: Of the 102 cases, 38.24%, 47.06%, and 33.33% were sensitized to Bt, Df, and Dp, respectively. Sensitized patients showed greater probability [Bt (OR = 1.21), Df (OR = 1.14), and Dp (OR = 1.35)] to manifest symptoms than those who were not. Obtained p-values [Bt (p = 0.73), Df (p = 0.83), and Dp (p = 0.59)], however, proved that HDM-specific IgE levels had no significant contribution in predicting or explaining occurrence of asthma symptoms. Bt- and Df-specific IgEs showed moderately weak but significant relationship with bambuterol HCl and expectorant, respectively. Patients currently on said medications registered higher HDM-specific IgE levels than those who were not. No significant correlation between IgE levels and family history of allergic disease or with exposure to second-hand smoke was seen. Dp-specific IgE levels of patients exposed to household pets were significantly lower compared to those without exposure. CONCLUSION: This study proves that sensitization to Bt, Df, and Dp allergens is not significantly associated with asthma symptoms and control. Although cases were shown to be sensitized to HDMs, their current medications were at least effective in controlling their asthma symptoms.

Produção de IL-10 em resposta a aeroalérgenos em crianças e adolescentes de zona urbana com geohelmintíases / IL-10 production in response to aeroallergens by children and teenage from urban areas with geohelminthiasis

Objetivos: A IL-10 pode imunomodular as respostas alérgicas no hospedeiro. A respeito dos geohelmintos, trabalhos divergem quanto à alteração do quadro clínico e/ou testes cutâneos de hipersensibilidade. Pouco é conhecido sobre a produção de IL-10 frente a aeroalérgenos durante as geohelmintíases. Neste estudo, verificamos a produção de IL-10 por células mononucleares de sangue periférico de pacientes com ou sem geohelmíntiases, de zona urbana, em resposta ao Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ou Blomia tropicalis. Métodos: Estudo experimental, com 21 pacientes de zona urbana, em que foram realizadas 84 determinações de IL-10. Após exames coprológicos, em triplicata, dois grupos foram formados, crianças enteroparasitadas e não-parasitadas. Amostras de sangue foram coleta das para purificação de células mononucleares e cultivo com antígenos de Ascaris sp (Asc), mitógeno concanavalina A (Con A), O. pteronyssinus (Dep) e B. tropicalis (Bt). A IL-10 do sobrenadante celular foi dosada (ELISA). Resultados: Idade dos pacientes variou de 9-12 anos e sem diferença quanto ao sexo. Nos indivíduos parasitados a carga parasitária foi baixa. Frente ao Asc, Con A ou Dep não houve diferença na síntese de IL-10 pelas células do grupo parasitado e não parasitado. Contudo, uma produção significativamente maior de IL-10, frente ao estímulo com Bt, nos não-parasitados foi observada. Conclusões: Pacientes de zona urbana parasitados produzem menos IL-10 frente à B. tropicalis, alérgeno mais prevalente em Recife, podendo levar a predisposição às manifestações alérgicas. Estes dados corroboram a hipótese que baixa carga parasitária de geohelmintos, principalmente Ascaris lumbricoides, pode predispor à asma/sibilância.

Objectives: IL-10 can immunomodulate allergic reactions in the host. Concerning of the geohelminths, the studies diverge about the alteration of clinical allergic disease and/or skin prick test reactivity. IL-10 production in response to aeroallergens during the geohelminths infection is poorly known. In this study, we verified the IL-10 syntheses by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from low parasitic load infected or non-infected patients coming from urban areas, when stimulated with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dep) or Blomia tropicalis (Bt). Methods: Experimental analysis of 21 patients from urban areas, which was performed 84 IL-10 determinations. After the parasitological exams (Hofmann/Kato-Katz), in triplicate, two groups were obtained, geohelminths infected and non-infected children. Blood sample were harvested for purification of mononuclear cells and culture with Ascaris sp antigen (Asc), concanavalina A mitogen (Con A), Dep and Bt. IL-10 content in cellular supernatant was measured (ELISA). Results: Patients age was among 9-12 years old and without difference in gender. In parasite infected individual the parasite load was low. In response to Asc, Con A or Dep there was not difference in the IL-10 synthesis. However, in response to Bt stimulus, high production of IL-10 by non-parasite infected group was observed. Conclusions: Parasite infected patients from urban areas product less IL-10 to Bt, allergen more prevalent in Recife, could lead to predisposition to allergic manifestation. These finding corroborate the hypotheses that low parasite load of geohelminths, especially Ascaris lumbricoides, can predispose to asth ma/wheezing.

Humoral and cellular immune responses to Blomia tropicalis and concanavalin A-binding fractions in atopic patients

Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae are prevalent house dust mites. Concanavalin A-binding components derived from B. tropicalis (Bt-ConA extract) are highly immunogenic in allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to B. tropicalis in mite-sensitized patients. A total of 137 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 109 non-atopic subjects were selected and analyzed by the skin prick test, and for total serum IgE and specific IgE levels to both Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts, their proliferative response and cytokine (IFN-ã and IL-5) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with both extracts. Skin prick test showed that 70 percent of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+) and similar levels of specific IgE to Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts were demonstrable in Bt+ patients. Significant PBMC proliferation was observed in response to Bt-total extract in Bt+, but not in Bt- patients and non-atopic subjects (P < 0.001). Bt-ConA extract induced increased proliferative responses in all patient groups compared to medium alone (P < 0.05), but these responses were significantly decreased in the presence of the mannopyranoside ConA inhibitor (P < 0.05). Significant IFN-ã production was observed after Bt-ConA stimulation of Bt+ patients (P < 0.05), while Bt-total extract had no effect. IL-5 production was consistently detected in Bt+ patients after allergen-specific stimulation or with no stimulus, indicating that PBMC from allergic patients are prone to produce Th2 profile cytokines, spontaneously or inductively by allergen restimulation. These data showed that ConA-binding components isolated from B. tropicalis may contain relevant antigens that are involved in both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, without an additional purification procedure to eliminate the residual contamination with...