Effects of Vacuuming Mattresses on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms in Children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of daily vacuuming of mattresses on the concentration of house dust mite (HDM) allergens and on allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in children sensitized to HDM. METHODS: Forty children between the ages of 6 and 12 years with mild persistent AR and sensitized only to HDM were enrolled and randomly allocated to 2 groups. Caregivers of children in the experimental group cleaned the children's rooms and vacuumed their mattresses daily for 2 weeks. Caregivers of children in the control group cleaned the children's rooms without vacuuming mattresses. Symptoms of AR were checked weekly and dust samples were collected from the mattresses before and after the study. RESULTS: Demographics at the beginning of the study were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In the experimental group, symptoms of AR and dust weight were significantly decreased after 2 weeks (total symptoms of AR, P <0.001; sneezing, P < 0.001; rhinorrhea, P <0.001; nasal obstruction, P < 0.001; itching, P <0.001; and dust weight, P = 0.006). The concentrations of HDM allergens were not changed significantly (Der p1, P = 0.333; Der f1, P = 0.841). In the control group, there were no significant changes in symptoms of AR, dust weight, or the concentration of HDM allergens. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that daily vacuuming of mattresses reduced dust weight and symptoms of AR. However, the concentration of HDM allergens did not significantly decrease.

Association between house dust mite (HDM) sensitisation and asthma control using skin prick test and HDM antigen specific IgE levels in saliva of Malaysian children

Background: Sensitisation to house dust mite (HDM) has been regarded as a major risk factor for development of asthma. This study was carried out to investigate the profiles of HDM sensitisation among Malaysian children with asthma. Material and Methods: The association between HDM sensitisation and control and severity of asthma was investigated. The salivary HDM specific IgE levels were quantified in different grades of control and severity of asthma in 125 unselected asthmatic children aged 5-12 years old attending the asthma follow-up clinic in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban. An additional 29 non-asthmatic patients were selected as control. The skin prick test to assess sensitisation to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) and Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) was performed on all the participants. A questionnaire regarding the control and severity of asthmatic symptoms of the subject was administered. Saliva was collected by voluntary spitting and ELISA was used to quantify the IgE specific to HDM antigen. Results: There was a significant association between sensitisation to DP and DF and the control of asthma. The association between DP sensitisation and severity of asthma just failed to reach a significant level although there is a clear trend for this. Significant association was found between DF sensitisation and severity. The HDM specific IgE in the saliva was significantly higher in asthmatic patients compared to non-asthmatic patients. There was no significant difference between the specific IgE levels in patients with different severity status of asthma. Conclusion: Salivary IgE levels may not be an appropriate indicator of the patients’ asthmatic condition in this study. However, it can be concluded that there is significant association between the sensitisation of HDM and the control and severity of asthma.

Effect of immunotherapy of recombinant chimeric epitopes of major aller-gen group 1 from Dermatophagoides farina on asthma of mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of immunotherapy of recombinant chimeric epitopes of major allergen group 1 from Dermatophagoides farina on asthma of mice. Methods Forty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:a negative con?trol group,an asthma group,an immunotherapy group of Der f 1,and an immunotherapy group of Der f 1A. On the 1st,7th and 14th day,the mice in the asthma group,immunotherapy group of Der f 1,and immunotherapy group of Der f 1A were injected intraperitoneally with the extract of D. farina 3 times to sensitize;and on the 21st day,the atomized inhalation was carried out for 7 days. In the control group,phosphate buffer solution(PBS)was applied for sensitization and inhalation. In the immunother?apy groups,Der f 1 and Der f 1A were applied to carry out the specific immunotherapy respectively for 30 min before the inhala?tion. Then,the leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were numbered and the pathological sections of lung tis?sues were observed;IL?5 and IFN?γin BALF and spleen cell culture supernatants(SCCS)as well as the specific IgE,IgG2a in the sera were detected. Results Compared with the asthma group,the lung inflammation of mice in the immunotherapy groups was lightened,and the total numbers of leukocytes in BALF were significantly reduced;IL?5 was significantly reduced and IFN?γwas significantly increased in BALF and SCCS of mice in the immunotherapy groups;and the specific IgE was significantly re?duced and IgG2a was significantly increased in the sera of mice in the immunotherapy groups(all P<0.01). Conclusion The recombinant chimeric epitopes of major allergen group 1 from D. farina could effectively relieve the symptom of asthma in mice, so as to provide the evidence for specific immunotherapy.

Prediction and identification of linear B-cell epitopes in major group 3 aller-gen derived from Dermatophagoides farina / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To predict and identify the linear B-cell epitopes in the major group 3 allergen derived from Derma-tophagoides farina(Der f 3). Methods The linear B-cell epitopes of Der f 3 allergen were analyzed based on the physicochemi-cal properties of amino acids including antigenicity,surface accessibility,flexibility,hydrophilicity,beta-turn by online bioinfor-matics softwares. The eight predicted peptides of linear B-cell epitopes were artificially synthesized and incubated with three aller-gic serum pools(4 serum samples in each),which were consisted of total 12 serum samples from the allergic individuals,and the strong positive epitopes were selected. Results Eight B-cell epitopes from Der f 3 were predicted successfully. Five of eight B-cell epitopes were identified with strong IgE-binding abilities followed by specific IgE assay. The amino acid sequences of them were following:33KAKAGDCP40, 86HASGGEKIQVAEIYQHENYDSMTID110, 118LKTPMTLDQTNAKPVPLPPQGSDVKVG144, 156QEGSYSLP163 and 199DVANGGVDSCQGDSGGPVVD218. Conclusions Five linear B-cell epitopes of Der f 3 allergen have been identified successfully. This result might provide a basis of the diagnosis and treatment for asthma.

Prediction and identification of T-cell epitopes in major group 3 allergen de-rived from Dermatophagoides farina / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To predict and identify T cell epitopes of major group 3 allergen derived from Dermatophagoides fari-na(Der f 3). Methods The T cell epitopes of Der f 3 were analyzed through the sequence analysis by using the bioinformatics online tools. The five predicted peptides of T-cell epitopes were artificially synthesized. The spleen lymphocytes were co-cultured with the five T cell epitopes by using the modified MTT method and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-5 in the supernatant of the cultures were detected by ELISA. Results Five T cell epitopes of Der f 3 were predicted and three of which could pro-mote the proliferation of the mouse spleen lymphocytes. The secretions of IL-2 and IFN-γwere significantly induced and the se-cretions of IL-4 and IL-5 were significantly decreased by three of five prediction epitopes of Der f 3:37GDCPYQISLQSSSHFC-GG54,98IYQHENYDSMTIDNDVALIKLKTPMT123 and 164SELQRVDIDVVSREQCDQLYS184. Conclusion Three T cell epitopes of Der f 3 have been initially identified,which lays the foundation of the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Construction and expression of a chimeric gene with T-/B-cell epitopes of major allergen group 1 from Dermatophagoides farina / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To construct and express a chimeric gene with T-/B-cell epitopes of the major allergen group 1 from Dermatophagoides farina(Der f 1). Methods Two chimeric genes,Der f 1A and Der f 1B,were synthesized as B1-T1-B2-T2-B3-T3-B4-T4-B5-T5-B6 and B1-B2-B3-B4-B5-B6-T1-T2-T3-T4-T5 pattens. Two recombinant vectors,pET-28a(+)-Der f 1A and pET-28a(+)-Der f 1B,were constructed for prokaryotic expression. These chimeric genes were induced by 1 mmol/L IPTG (final concentration),digested with restriction enzymes and sequenced. The chimeric proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Results After digestion by restriction enzymes and sequencing,the recombinant vectors were constructed successfully. The specific bands for chimeric proteins were visible by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting,suggesting that these proteins were purified successfully. Further analyses were performed for IgE-binding properties of Der f 1A and Der f 1B to sera from patients sensitized to house dust mite. Compared with the parental allergens Der f 1,Der f 1A and Der f 1B had reduced IgE-binding capacity(both P0.05). Conclusion Two chimeric proteins are expressed successfully,which contain T-/B-cell epitopes of Der f 1 and provide a basis for specific immunotherapy.

The Leaves of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold Inhibit Atopic Dermatitis-Like Response on Mite Allergen-Treated Nc/Nga Mice

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, 500 mug/mL of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.

Effect of germicidal UV-C light(254 nm) on eggs and adult of house dustmites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Astigmata: Pyroglyhidae)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examined the immediate and 24 hours post- irradiation germicidal effects of UV-C lamp on eggs and adults of house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus) and Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study investigated the immediate and 24 hours post irradiation mortalities of adult mites exposed to UV-C at different exposure times (5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins and 60 mins) and distances (10 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, 45 cm and 55 cm). Fresh eggs of the 2 dust mites were also irradiated at 10, 35 and 55 cm for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes, and observed daily post- irradiation for up to 7 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Highest immediate mortality of 100% occurred with direct irradiation at 10 cm distance from UV-C lamp and for 60 mins, for both species of mites. The post 24 hours mean mortality rates were (58.4±17.4)% for D. pteronyssinus and (27.7±9.7)% for D. farinae when irradiated for 1 hour at 55 cm distance under UV-C lamp. When mites were irradiated in the presence of culture media, the highest mortality rates were lower compared to the direct irradiation; at 10 cm distance and 60 mins exposure, the mean mortality was (74.0±6.8)% for D. pteronyssinus and (70.3±6.7)% for D. farinae. Egg hatchability for both species of mites was also notably reduced by greater than 50% following irradiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ultraviolet C irradiation is lethal to an array of organisms by damaging their nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). This study demonstrates the increasing mite mortalities with increasing exposure times and decreasing distances.</p>

House Dust Mite Allergens in Domestic Homes in Cheonan, Korea

House dust mites produce inhalant allergens of importance to allergic patients. We measured the major group 1 allergens, Der p 1 and Der f 1, from the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farina, respectively in 100 randomly selected domestic homes from Cheonan, Korea. Dust samples were collected by vacuuming from the living room floor and 1 mattress in each home. Der p 1 and Der f 1 were measured by double monoclonal ELISA. Der p 1 levels were very low, with geometric mean levels for floors and mattresses being 0.11 microgram/g (range: 0.01-4.05) and 0.14 microgram/g (range: 0.01-30.0), respectively. Corresponding levels of Der f 1 were higher, 7.46 microgram/g (range: 0.01-262.9) and 10.2 microgram/g (range: 0.01-230.9) for floors and mattresses, respectively. D. farinae appears to be the dominant house dust mite in Cheonan.

Effects of Family Allergic History and Dermatophagoides Farina on Expression of Th1/Th2 Cytokine of Cord Blood and Allergic Disorders in Infancy / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of family allergic history and dermatophagoides farina on the expressions of Th1/Th2 cytokine of cord blood and allergic disorders in infancy.Methods Ten mil cord blood were obtained from 34 neonates which 17 cases had family allergic history and 17 cases didn′t have.Cord blood mononuclear cells(CBMC) were isolated by gradient centrifugation with Ficoll and were cultured with phytohemagglutinin(PHA) or dermatophagoides farina for 48 hours in vitro.The expressions of interleukin(IL-4) and interferon(IFN-?) of the culture supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Two groups were visited with telephone or clinical service every 1 or 2 months in 1 year follow-up survey.Results In no stimulation,the expressions of IL-4 of family allergic history and no family allergic history were(11.35?1.80) ng/L and(11.0?1.50) ng/L,respectively,there was no significant difference.The expressions of IFN-? were(9.55?1.47) ng/L and(10.19?1.37) ng/L,respectively,there was no significant difference also.In PHA stimulation,the expressions of IL-4 were(43.45?4.57) ng/L and(37.58?3.41) ng/L,respectively,there was significant difference.The expressions of IFN-? were(72.61?25.40) ng/L and(65.84?29.96) ng/L,respectively,there was no significant diffe-rence.In low density dermatophagoides farina stimulation,the expressions of IL-4 were(40.54?3.64) ng/L and(37.17?2.60) ng/L,respectively,which had significant difference.The expressions of IFN-? were(35.30?2.73) ng/L and(40.55?1.85) ng/L,respectively,which had significant difference.In high density dermatophagoides farina stimulation,the expressions of IL-4 were(43.50?3.19) ng/L and(39.55?4.13) ng/L,respectively,which had significant difference.The expressions of IFN-? were(39.40 ?5.21) ng/L and(40.94?2.96) ng/L respectively,which had no significant difference.Allergic diseases were happened in 7 cases of 13 cases with family allergic history and in 2 cases of 15 cases without family allergic history in 1 year follow-up except lost follow-up cases.There were significant difference in 2 groups.Conclusions Th2 cells of cord blood are relative dominant in neonates having family allergic history.Th2 cells relative dominant are more obvious in dermatophagoides farina stimulation.The neonates having family allergic history have a tendency to get allergic diseases in childhood.