Allergy to animal fur and feathers among zoo workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and immediate hypersensitivity to feather and fur allergens and pulmonary function among zoological garden workers. METHODS: Skin-prick test (SPT) reactivity to common and epithelium (hair) animal fur and feather allergens were examined in 68 zoological garden workers. All subjects responded to a questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Total and antigen-specific IgE were estimated among subjects claiming respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-five subjects revealed positive SPTs with any inhalant allergen. Twelve reacted to feather extracts and 18 reacted to animal fur extracts. IgE specific for occupational allergens was seen in the serum of five subjects with SPTs positive to feather allergens and in the serum of 12 subjects with SPTs positive to fur allergens. Nose or eye symptoms were reported most frequently. Rhinitis and asthma were reported by atopic subjects more often than by non-atopic subjects. Occupational asthma due to feathers was diagnosed in 2% of zoo workers, and to fur in 10% of subjects working in contact with birds and furred animals. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that occupational asthma caused by feathers is very rare in contrast to asthma caused by animal fur. Atopy predisposes to the development of allergic diseases caused by animal fur and feathers.

[Nasal lavage, rhinomanometry and rhinoscopy in diagnosing occupational airway allergy]. / Badanie popluczyn nosowych oraz badanie rynomanometryczne i badanie rynologiczne w diagnostyce zawodowych alergoz ukladu oddechowego.

The aim of the study was to estimate the usefulness of nasal lavage, rhinomanometry and rhynoscopy in diagnosing occupational allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. 26 subjects with suspected bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis due to occupational allergens were examined. Each subject had medical history collected and underwent physical examination, skin prick tests (SPT) with common and occupational allergens, determination of total and specific IgE, specific bronchial or nasal provocation with determination of spirometric parameters, morphological and biochemical changes in nasal lavage fluid (NLF). Moreover the anterior rhinomanometry and rhynoscopy were performed before and after the provocation. A significant increase in the percentage of eosinophils and albumin was observed in NLF up till 24 hr after the specific challenge, but only in the group of 16 subjects with diagnosed occupational airway allergy. The authors observed also the presence of mucosal oedema and rhinorrhea in this group of patients more frequently than in the group of patients without diagnosed occupational airway disease. No significant changes were observed in the frequency of positive rhinomanometry test between the analysed groups of patients.

[Natural history of occupational allergy to latex in health care workers]. / Historia naturalna alergii zawodowej na lateks u pracowników sluzby zdrowia.

The analysis of natural history of allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) in health care workers, including the influence of exposure cessation on the clinical status and objective allergy markers was the objective of the study. The study covered 58 patients with recognised allergy to NRL. Of this number, 26 were followed up for 2 years after diagnosing NRL allergy. Medical examination, skin prick tests for common allergens and NRL, determination of total serum IgE and NRL-specific IgE antibodies, rest spirometry and non-specific bronchial hyperactivity test with histamine were performed. The retrospective analysis of clinical manifestation of NRL allergy revealed in 36% of patients progression of symptoms from local urticaria and rhinitis to systemic reactions. Two years after the cessation of exposure to NRL, symptoms became less severe in the majority of patients and even a clearance of allergic symptoms was observed, as well as the decrease in doses of inhalative glicocorticosteroids was noted. This was accompanied by the decline in non-specific bronchial hyperactivity. Although the skin prick tests showed the tendency to remain positive, the decrease in the level of specific anti-NRL IgE was found in 10 patients (including the RAST negativisation in one case). In conclusion, clinical progress from NRL-induced contact urticaria and allergic rhinitis to systemic reactions was observed only in part of patients with NRL allergy, which cannot be taken as a rule. Significant reduction of clinical symptoms or even total remission of NRL-allergic symptoms could be observed after exposure cessation.

Nasal and bronchial responses to flour-inhalation in subjects with occupationally induced allergy affecting the airway.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to follow the similarities and differences, of cellular and mediator changes and mucosal/vascular permeability in the upper and lower airway after specific and nonspecific bronchial provocation, in bakers with diagnosed occupationally induced allergy affecting the airway. In addition, the authors try to find whether there is a relationship between cellular changes in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage, and bronchial hyperreactivity. METHODS: The study participants were 10 bakers with occupational bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. All patients were sensitized to investigated allergen-flour. Nasal- and bronchoalveolar lavage techniques were used to evaluate the changes of the cellular and mediator response (tryptase, eosinophil cationic protein, ECP) and albumin level after specific (flour) and placebo provocation. In addition. bronchial hyperreactivity for histamine, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were measured after the challenge. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the percentage of eosinophils, basophils and albumin in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage of occupationally sensitized bakers. A statistically significant increase in the percentage of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage was observed only 24 h after the allergen challenge. The level of tryptase in nasal lavage was significantly higher during the early allergic response. The levels of ECP in both nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly increased during the late allergic response. There were also severe bronchial reactions and increase of bronchial hyperreactivity for histamine in occupationally sensitized bakers in the late phase of allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: Eosinophils and basophils proved to be the predominant cells in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with occupationally induced bronchial asthma and rhinitis. The prolonged increase of albumin level seems also to be a good predictor of protracted nasal and bronchial inflammation. The results obtained confirmed that tryptase and ECP are good markers for monitoring mast cell and eosinophil degranulation during the allergic reaction. Increase of airway responsiveness reflects an eosinophil and basophil contribution to airway allergic response.

Problems in diagnosing occupational allergy to flour: results of allergologic screening in apprentice bakers.

Baker's respiratory allergy is reported as one of the most common forms of occupational allergy in many countries. At the first stage of a three-year study of risk factors of occupational allergy we investigated the symptoms reported, and the results of skin prick tests (SPT) to common and flour allergens in 461 current apprentice bakers from three different regions of Poland before starting occupational exposure. The occurrence of cough was reported by 14 subjects (3%), dyspnoea by 4 (0.87%), rhinitis by 18 (3.9%), conjunctivitis by 12 (2.6%) and skin symptoms by 12 subjects (2.6%). Generally, 48 subjects (10.41%) reported at least one symptom, which might suggest the existence of allergic disease. Positive SPT to at least one allergen was found in 99 subjects (21.5%), including 82 subjects (17.78%) with positive SPT to common allergens, 13 subjects (2.81%) to flour allergens and 4 subjects (0.88%) sensitised only to Dermatophagoides farinae. The statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between positive SPT to common allergens and reported rhinitis and conjunctivitis, and between positive SPT to occupational allergens and reported dyspnoea. Moreover, a significant correlation between positive SPT to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae was found. In our opinion, the results of SPT should be very carefully examined, when diagnosing occupational allergy, as in some apprentice bakers positive results of SPT to flour allergens are found before vocational training. In all apprentice bakers, SPT to common and occupational allergens should be performed before starting occupational exposure. It would ensure the exclusion of subjects already sensitised to occupational allergens. Positive SPT to Dermatophagoides farinae has a very limited value in recognising baker's allergy.

Allergy to laboratory animals in children of parents occupationally exposed to mice, rats and hamsters.

Sensitization to laboratory animals (LA) has a high prevalence among laboratory workers. It is unknown whether transportation of LA allergens can be a risk factor for sensitization of subjects outside the laboratory environment. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to LA among children whose parents were and were not occupationally exposed to LA. The first group consisted of 50 children (age 12.3+/-4.3 yrs) whose parents were occupationally exposed to mice, rats and hamsters. The second group consisted of 40 children (age (mean+/-SD) 10.8+/-3.0 yrs) whose parents were not occupationally exposed to LA. Children having LA at home were eliminated from the study. All children responded to a questionnaire, underwent spirometry and were also tested with skin prick tests with the use of common allergens and prick tests with hair extracts from mouse, hamster and rat. Total immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels and the presence of specific IgE against LA were also estimated. Children of parents occupationally exposed to LA presented significantly more positive skin prick tests against allergens from the hair of laboratory animals compared to children of nonexposed parents. Five children from the first group were also found to have specific IgE against LA, with three of these five children complaining of rhinitis and cough while visiting their parents' workplace. It is concluded that the observed increased sensitization to laboratory animals among children of occupationally exposed parents could be the result of poor hygienic conditions at their parents' workplace. Hence, parents' job seems to be an additional risk factor of sensitization and should be taken into consideration when recording an allergic history.

Inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor release in endothelial cell cultures by antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides with a 5'-end lipophilic modification.

A series of conjugates containing residues of lipophilic alcohols covalently bound to 5' end of oligodeoxyribonucleotides targeted against human plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) mRNA was synthesized via the oxathiaphospholane approach. The highest anti-PAI-1 activity in EA.hy 926 endothelial cell cultures was found for conjugates containing menthyl or heptadecanyl groups linked with an oligonucleotide complementary to a segment of human PAI-1 mRNA. The phosphodiester antisense oligonucleotides, which otherwise exhibit only limited anti-PAI-1 activity, were found to be more active than phosphorothioate oligonucleotides when conjugated to lipophilic alcohol residues. For menthyl conjugates an evidence of antisense mechanism of inhibition was found.

Synthesis, biochemical and biological studies on oligonucleotides bearing a lipophilic dimethoxytrityl group.

Dimethoxytritylphosphono-oligonucleotide conjugates have been prepared. They are totally resistant to nucleases present in human serum and do not affect cleavage of a complementary oligoribonucleotide by RNase H. Conjugates possessing a phosphate backbone gave better antisense inhibition of expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 within endothelial cells as compared with unconjugated oligonucleotides.

Nasal challenge test in the diagnosis of allergic respiratory diseases in subjects occupationally exposed to a high molecular allergen (flour).

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the usefulness of the nasal challenge test in the diagnosis of allergic respiratory diseases in subjects occupationally exposed to flour. A single-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted in 100 subjects with occupational atopic asthma with rhinitis. The control groups consisted of 20 atopic subjects not sensitized to investigated allergens and 20 healthy subjects. A 'nasal pool' technique was used to evaluate the changes of the cellular response and protein level in nasal washings after topical provocation with allergen or placebo. The concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein and mast cell-derived tryptase in nasal fluid were evaluated in 60 cases. There were significant increases in eosinophil and basophils number, albumin/total protein ratio, eosinophil cationic protein and tryptase levels in occupationally sensitized patients challenged with specific allergens. There were neither severe bronchial reactions or an increase of bronchial hyperreactivity in occupationally sensitized patients after the nasal provocation with flour. The nasal challenge test appears to be a very useful and safe tool for diagnosing occupational allergy.

Airway response to formaldehyde inhalation in asthmatic subjects with suspected respiratory formaldehyde sensitization.

The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanism of formaldehyde (FM)-induced nasal and bronchial response in asthmatic subjects with suspected FM allergy. Ten subjects purported to have FM rhinitis and asthma and 10 healthy subjects submitted to an inhalation provocation in an exposure chamber with FM at a dose of 0.5 mg/m3 over 2 hr. Spirometry at rest and following bronchial provocation with histamine (PC20) were recorded before and after FM inhalation. In addition, FM-specific serum IgE antibodies were measured and cellular, biochemical, and mediator changes were assessed in nasal lavage before, and immediately after, provocation and at 4 hr and 24 hr later. Provocation with FM caused only transient symptoms of rhinitis in both groups. None of the subjects supposed to have occupational asthma developed clinical symptoms of bronchial irritation. No specific IgE antibodies to FM were detected in persons with occupational exposure to FM. No differences in the nasal response to FM were found between subjects reporting to have occupational allergic respiratory diseases and healthy subjects (P > 0.05). In summary, inhaled formaldehyde at a level as low as 0.5 mg/m3 did not induce a specific allergic response either in the upper or in the lower part of the respiratory tract. Moreover, there is no difference in nasal response to FM in asthmatic subjects occupationally exposed to FM and healthy subjects.

Occupational respiratory diseases in laboratory animal workers: initial results.

UNLABELLED: Laboratory-animal allergy (LAA) is a well-known occupational hazard to workers employed in biological or medical research institutes and in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this study was to focus on the problem of LAA and to assess factors predisposing to sensitization among subjects occupationally exposed to animals. Sixty workers were examined in our study. They responded to a questionnaire and underwent spirometry (Vital Capacity, VC and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, FEV1). In addition, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and the histamine provocation test were estimated in 5 subjects that had been hospitalized in the Department of Occupational Diseases. Skin prick tests with common allergens and with hair extracts from laboratory animals were performed, and total IgE levels and specific IgE antibodies were also measured. Among 60 subjects who had been working with animals, 26 had positive skin prick tests for one or more of the common allergens. Five subjects supposed to have occupational bronchial asthma and four with occupational allergic rhinitis showed positive skin prick tests for one or more animal allergens, increased total IgE levels and specific serum IgE antibodies. All these subjects had smoked for years. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Laboratory animal allergy develops within first years of exposure; 2) atopy and smoking predispose to laboratory animal sensitization and to a development of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Nasal response to allergen challenge in patients with immediate asthmatic reaction.

Ten patients with bronchial asthma and allergy to house-dust mite (HDM) and ten normal, nonatopic control subjects underwent a bronchial challenge with flour. Before and 24 hr after the allergen provocation with flour, the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined in the serum and nasal lavage fluid. All allergics showed an isolated immediate asthmatic reaction (IAR). After the flour challenge only in asthmatic patients the increase was detected in the mean values of: 1) eosinophils (mean value before 16.7 x 103/mm3; mean after: 10 min 132.9 x 103/ml; 3 hr 183.6 x 103/mm3; 24 hr 110.6 x 103/mm3, p < 0.05), 2) basophils (mean before 1.2 x 103/mm3; mean after: 10 min 5.3 x 103/ml; 3 hr s 14.1 x 103/mm3 24 hr was 18.3 x 103/mm3, p < 0.05), 3) neutrophils (mean before 9.2 x 103/mm3; mean after 24 h 18.2 x 103/mm3, p < 0.05) in the nasal lavage fluid. In contrast to a group of normal subjects, asthmatics were found to have higher postchallenge levels of ECP and MPO in the nasal secretions as compared with the prechallenge levels (ECP-mean 3.85 ug/l compared with 32.17 ug/l, p < 0.05; MPO-mean 120-02 ug/l compared with 1313.2 ug/l, p < 0.05). The authors did not find any significant difference between pre- and postchallenge levels of ECP and MPO in the serum of asthmatics and controls. The higher levels of MPO as well as higher count of neutrophils observed in asthmatic patients 24 hr after allergen challenge support the neutrophil involvement in the allergic inflammation. Our results indicate that both neutrophils and eosinophils take part in allergic reaction in the mucosa.

Nasal response to allergen challenge in patients with immediate asthmatic reaction.

Ten patients with bronchial asthma and allergy to house-dust mite (HDM) and ten normal, nonatopic control subjects underwent a bronchial challenge with flour. Before and 24 h after the allergen provocation with flour, the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined in the serum and nasal lavage fluid. All allergics showed an isolated immediate asthmatic reaction (IAR). After the flour challenge only in asthmatic patients the increase was detected in the mean values of: 1/eosinophils (mean value before 16.7 x 10(3)/mm3; mean after; 10 min 132.9 x 10(3)/ml; 3 hr 183.6 x 10(3)/mm3; 24 h 110.6 x 103/mm3, p < 0.05), 2/basophils (mean before 1.2 x 10(3)/mm3; mean after: 10 min 5.3 x 10(3)/ml; 3 h s 14.1 x 10(3)/mm3 24 h was 18.3/mm3, p < 0.05), 3/neutrophils (mean before 9.2 x 10(3)/mm3; mean after 24 h 18.2 x 10(3)/mm3, p < 0.05) in the nasal lavage fluid. In contrast to a group of normal subjects, asthmatics were found to have higher postchallenge levels of ECP and MPO in the nasal secretions as compared with the prechallenge levels (ECP-mean 3.85 ug/l compared with 32.17 ug/l p < 0.05; MPO-mean 120.02 ug/l compared with 1313.2 ug/l, p < 0.05). The authors did not find any significant difference between pre- and postchallenge levels of ECP and MPO in the serum of asthmatics and controls. The higher levels of MPO as well as higher count of neutrophils observed in asthmatic patients 24 h after allergen challenge support the neutrophil involvement in the allergic inflammation. Our results indicate that both neutrophils and eosinophils take part in allergic reaction in the mucosa.

[Laboratory animals as a cause of occupational allergy]. / Zwierzeta laboratoryjne jako przyczyna uczulen zawodowych.

Animal allergens are the strongest occupational allergens which sensitize the respiratory tract. Allergy to the animal is the most important occupational health hazard among people working with experimental animals in university and other research laboratories. The most common manifestations of allergy to laboratory animals are: bronchial asthma, rhinitis, contact urticaria, angioedema and contact dermatitis. The major source of allergen is the excreta and secreta of such animals as: rat, mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, dog, cow and horse. Among risk factors responsible for the development of animal allergy are: atopy, tobacco smoking and allergy to domestic pets. The diagnosis of laboratory animal allergy is usually based on a medical history. The objective evidence to support the diagnosis can be obtained from skin testing, a specific immunologic response and work related changes in peak flow rate. Reduction in the airborne levels of animal allergens not only at home, but also at work (proper ventilation, filter masks, elimination of domestic animals) and reduction of factors responsible for the development of bronchial hyperreactivity (avoidance of smoking), can contribute to decreasing the incidence of diseases.

Stereodifferentiation--the effect of P chirality of oligo(nucleoside phosphorothioates) on the activity of bacterial RNase H.

P stereoregular phosphorothioate analogs of pentadecamer 5'-d(AGATGTTTGAGCTCT)-3' were synthesized by the oxathiaphospholane method. Their diastereomeric purity was assigned by means of enzymatic degradation with nuclease P1 and, independently, with snake venom phosphodiesterase. DNA-RNA hybrids formed by phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS-oligos) with the corresponding complementary pentadecaribonucleotide were treated with bacterial RNase H. The DNA-RNA complex containing the PS-oligo of [all-RP] configuration was found to be more susceptible to RNase H-dependent degradation of the pentadecaribonucleotide compared with hybrids containing either the [all-SP] counterpart or the so called 'random mixture of diastereomers' of the pentadeca(nucleoside phosphorothioate). This stereodependence of RNase H action was also observed for a polyribonucleotide (475 nt) hybridized with these phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. The results of melting studies of PS-oligo-RNA hybrids allowed a rationalization of the observed stereodifferentiation in terms of the higher stability of heterodimers formed between oligoribonucleotides and [all-RP]-oligo(nucleoside phosphorothioates), compared with the less stable heterodimers formed with [all-SP]-oligo(nucleoside phosphorothioates) or the random mixture of diastereomers.