IgG4 response to fur animal allergens among fur workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether IgG(4) antibodies to allergens in urine extracts from fur animals associated with positive prick tests to the same allergens and with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among fur workers, especially among highly exposed fur farmers. METHODS: Among the fur workers and among their referents, IgG(4) antibodies to mink and silver fox urine were analysed in three groups; all workers with a positive skin prick test to any fur animal allergen (n=50), all workers who had reported shortness of breath or rhinitis or eye symptoms (n=159), and to a random sample of asymptomatic persons (n=178). In the two last groups none of the workers had a positive skin test to any fur animal allergen. RESULTS: The fur farmers had higher level of IgG(4) values than other groups and also had positive IgG(4) antibodies to urine extract more frequently than the other groups. Among the exposed subjects, there was a distinct overlapping of a positive skin prick test to fur urine allergens and positive IgG(4) antibodies to responding allergens. Among the fur farmers the IgG(4) levels were associated with symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: IgG(4) antibodies were shown to be a good indicator of exposure. Because of an overlapping of positive skin prick tests and IgG(4) response to the same allergens, and an association between symptoms and IgG(4) response, it is recommended that the potential role of IgG(4) antibodies as an indicator of alternative sensitisation should be further examined in prospective studies.

IgE response to fur animal allergens and domestic animal allergens in fur farmers and fur garment workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the IgE response to the most commonly farmed fur animals with that to domestic animals. METHODS: IgE-immunoblotting and RAST-inhibition analyses were performed using RAST-positive sera from fur workers sensitized to fur allergens and sera from patients sensitized to domestic animal allergens. RESULTS: The urine extracts of mink, blue fox, silver fox, raccoon dog and fitchew contained more protein bands than the fur extracts did. Allergens with the same molecular weight were found in all of the fur and urine extracts. The most prominent allergenic bands had molecular weights of 62-67 kDa, 23-25 kDa and 18-19 kDa. With crossreacting sera the reciprocal RAST inhibition with all five animal extracts indicated common IgE-binding epitopes, probably common allergens (especially the 62-67 kDa bands). Urine and fur contain common allergens, since urine allergens strongly inhibited the IgE-binding to fur allergens. The IgE binding to allergenic bands of fur animal extracts was also observed in immunoblotting when dog and cat RAST-positive sera were used, but not for cow RAST-positive sera. RAST inhibition of dog-positive sera with fur animal extracts and fur-positive sera with dog extract confirmed the crossreactivity of these IgE antibodies. No such inhibition was seen with cow extract. CONCLUSION: The results of the RAST inhibition and immunoblotting suggest that fur animals have IgE binding epitopes or allergens in common with cat and dog--possibly albumin--but not with cow.

Respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and allergy to fur animals among fur farmers and fur garment workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and immediate hypersensitivity to fur allergens among fur farmers and fur garment workers and measured the pulmonary function of these groups of workers. METHODS: Fur farmers (N=188) and fur garment workers (N=175) were compared with workers in a factory producing polyvinyl products (N=181) and bank and health center workers (N=118), respectively. The groups were given a self-administered questionnaire, lung function tests (spirometry, diffusing capacity), and skin prick tests to common environmental allergens, and epithelium (hair) and urine of fur animals. RESULTS: Rhinitis symptoms and eye complaints were significantly more common among the fur garment workers than among their referents, but were not associated with atopy. Between the fur farmers and their referents, the symptom prevalence did not differ significantly. Smoking explained the lower forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second of the fur garment workers. The prevalence of positive skin tests did not differ significantly between the exposed group and their respective referents. The skin tests showed cross-reactivity between antibodies to fur and domestic animal allergens. As confirmed by a questionnaire sent to former fur workers, selection took place for both groups of fur workers. CONCLUSIONS: Fur garment workers have an excess of rhinitis and eye symptoms, which primarily appear to be nonimmunologic. Allergy to fur animals forces sensitized workers, especially asthmatics, to leave the trade. A supplementary questionnaire to former workers on pertinent exposures and reasons for leaving a particular job can be recommended for use in prevalence studies.

Detection of airborne reindeer epithelial antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition.

Hypersensitivity reactions to reindeer epithelial (RE) allergens have been recently demonstrated among reindeer herders. To determine the concentration of airborne RE antigens a method based on inhibition of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Dust samples were collected in workshops where reindeer leather was processed and the workers had inhaled dry epithelial dust during their working shifts. Specific IgE to RE allergen could be detected in one of 5 workers. RE antigen concentrations varied from 0.01 microgram to 3.9 micrograms/m3 in the air of the workshop. All workers except one claimed work-associated respiratory symptoms.

Specific IgE to reindeer epithelium in Finnish reindeer herders.

Reindeer herding is a major source of living for more than 4200 inhabitants in northern Finland. To determine the prevalence of allergic symptoms among reindeer herders clinical examinations and skin prick tests (SPT) with nine inhalant allergens were performed in 211 randomly selected men from 21 to 69 (mean 45) years. Specific IgE antibodies to reindeer epithelium (RE) and total serum IgE were evaluated in 99 herders, five persons who handled reindeer leather indoors, 21 atopic patients with cow allergy and another 20 subjects with specific IgE to other inhalant allergens. Positive SPT to RE was detected in one and specific IgE by using enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) (greater than or equal to 0.8 PRU/ml) in seven herders. Specific IgE to RE was also demonstrated in one control. Using RAST inhibition a patient with cow allergy did not show cross-reactivity between cow and RE while another patient did. Thus, RE should be included in the allergy test panel when hypersensitivity to RE is suspected.

Immediate and delayed allergy from epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A.

This case report presents two patients with immediate and delayed allergy to epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). In patch testing, the epoxy resin (DGEBA-based) of the standard series gave allergic reactions. Both patients had a prick test reaction of histamine size or larger to the human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate of DGEBA-based epoxy resins. One had been occupationally exposed to methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and had a histamine-size prick test reaction to the HSA conjugate of MTHPA; the other did not react to the conjugate. Determinations of specific immunoglobulin E were carried out with HSA-DGEBA conjugates, two DGEBA-based epoxy resins, and phthalic anhydrides. The first patient had positive tests to DGEBA, the DGEBA-based epoxy resins, and two phthalic anhydrides, and the second to DGEBA and the DGEBA-based epoxy resins, but not to the phthalic anhydrides.

Crawfish and lobster allergens: identification and structural similarities with other crustacea.

Antigenic and allergenic components in crawfish and lobster extracts were studied using crossed immunoelectrophoretic techniques. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis with rabbit antisera revealed 23 antigens in crawfish and 17 antigens in lobster extracts. Both extracts exhibited structural similarities in antigens mutually and with other crustacea in cross-line immunoelectrophoresis. Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) demonstrated 6 crawfish and 4 lobster allergens when individual or pooled sera from radioallergosorbent test (RAST)-positive crustacea-sensitive subjects were used. Since radiostaining was also observed with sera from RAST-negative nonsensitive subjects, specificity of IgE binding was tested using CRIE-inhibition. Preincubation of RAST-positive sera with crawfish or lobster extract decreased radiostaining in CRIE, while no changes occurred when using control sera. These results confirmed the presence of IgE-mediated mechanisms in seafood allergy and demonstrated a number of shared antigenic determinants among crustacea allergens.

Antigenic/allergenic analysis of basidiomycete cap, mycelia, and spore extracts.

Since airborne basidiospores may be important inducers of respiratory allergy, extracts of spores, caps and mycelia from Pleurotus ostreatus were studied by immunologic techniques. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of the Pleurotus spore extract showed it to be a complex mixture containing at least 27 precipitating antigens. Crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis comparing Pleurotus spore extract with extracts of Pleurotus cap or mycelia demonstrated both common antigens and antigens unique to the spore extract. Inhibition of Pleurotus spore RAST by extracts of Pleurotus spore, cap, and mycelia suggested that these extracts contained common allergenic components. However, wheal and flare skin reactivity of allergic patients to extracts of P. ostreatus or Cantharellus cibarius demonstrated little correlation between reactivity to cap and spores. These results demonstrate that basidiomycete spore extracts are the best diagnostic reagents to use in clinical studies, although cap and mycelia extracts may provide useful material for further allergen analysis.

Immunological investigation of possible structural similarities between pollen antigens and antigens in apple, carrot and celery tuber.

Crossed line immunoelectrophoresis (CLIE) was used to show that a minor allergen present in birch pollen and another present in timothy pollen shared common epitopes with antigens in apple, carrot and celery tuber. Major pollen allergens were not involved. Structural similarities were also noticed in some mugwort pollen antigens and antigens in apple, carrot and celery, but none of these mugwort antigens acted as an allergen. In crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of samples of apple, carrot or celery extracts towards antibodies against birch pollen, grass pollen or mugwort pollen, four to 14 distinct precipitates were observed and shown to be specific. In crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) none of the precipitates could be shown to act as an allergen. Using allergen detection on nitrocellulose paper, the apple, carrot and celery extracts were shown to possess IgE-binding capacity.

Immunoglobulin E in mucoid secretory otitis media.

19 serum and 23 middle ear mucoid fluid samples from patients with chronic secretory otitis media (SOM) were analyzed for total IgE using the PRIST technique and for specific IgE against dog epithelium, house dust mite, milk, egg-white and wheat using the RAST technique. All serum samples showed IgE values well within the normal range, and the middle ear fluid-serum ratio for total IgE was less than 1. In three sera there was a weak (score 1) positive RAST result to milk (2 cases) and to egg-white (1 case). None of the middle ear fluids showed positive reactions. Routine clinical assessment of total and specific IgE is not indicated in SOM.

Tear histamine during allergic conjunctivitis challenge.

Tear histamine was measured in 14 patients with allergic conjunctivitis during a challenge test performed at a symptom-free point in time. The allergen challenge caused a rapid increase in the amount of tear histamine in only two-thirds of the patients, but there was a clinical reaction in all. The increase in the tear histamine content occurred in both the challenged and contralateral non-challenged eye, and the increase was also equally high in both. It is probable that the histamine release in the challenged eye takes place in the conjunctiva, whereas in the contralateral eye it is possibly induced by some sympathetic mechanism in the lacrimal gland.

Cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies with allergens in birch pollen, fruits and vegetables.

Allergens extracted from apple, carrot, celery tuber and orange were coupled to radioallergosorbent test (RAST) discs. These and commercial birch, mugwort and timothy pollen discs were used to study sera from 90 patients for the presence of IgE antibodies which react with the allergens in question. Individual sera frequently gave positive results with several discs - in particular with birch pollen, apple, carrot and celery tuber discs. If IgE antibodies to birch pollen or apple allergens were detected, there was a 90% chance of antibodies being found also to the second one of these two source materials. Skin tests and patient histories indicated similar clustering of allergies. RAST inhibition experiments showed that the clustering phenomenon was due to cross-reactivity. All immunological determinants in fruits and vegetables appeared to be present also in birch pollen, but all birch pollen determinants were not present in fruits and vegetables. 45 children with atopic dermatitis were studied to establish whether a positive orange RAST would correlate with a history of atopic dermatitis aggravated by orange. The results were negative.

Extraction and properties of apple allergens.

It is shown that apple allergens are probably proteins and that they can be extracted in an active form only if reactions with phenolic compounds present in apple are inhibited. This is accomplished by incorporating chelators and solid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone in the extraction medium. Phenol, commonly used as a preservative, should not be added. With the RAST, serum-IgE antibodies capable of reacting with apple allergens were detected in 90% of patients with clinical apple allergy, in 44% of patients with clinical birch-pollen allergy and in 5-10% of patients with other atopic allergies. RAST inhibition indicated that apple and birch-pollen allergens cross-react.