[Relation between specific IgE antibodies to grass pollens and to wheat, rye, soya in children with allergic disease]. / Wzpólzaleznosc mieczy obecnoscia swoistych przeciwcial klasy ige dla pylków traw, pszenicy, zyta i soi u dzieci z choroba alergiczna.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the hypersensitivity to grass pollens (gxl) and to wheat (f4), rye ff5) and soya (fl 4) in children with allergic disease. Specific IgE was determined by the FEIA CAP- System. Hypersensitivity was expressed in classes from 1 to 6. Specific IgE antibodies against grass (gxl) in 944 children with allergic disease, aged from 6 months to 18 years were detected. At the same time in 532 of these children - specific IgE to wheat and rye and in 122 children specific IgE to soya were also estimated. We detected very high correlation between the hypersensitivity to grass and the presence of specific IgE to wheat, rye (r=0.96, p<0.01) and soya (r=0.90, p<0.05).

[Efficacy of specific immunotherapy in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, sensitized to grass pollen]. / Skutecznosc immunoterapii swoistej u dzieci chorych na alergiczny sezonowy niezyt nosa z zapaleniem spojówek, uczulonych na pylki traw.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of efficacy of the specific immunotherapy using Pollinex for 3 years before the period of pollen dust in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis induced by grass pollen. The study was carried out in a group of 40 children aged 5-18 years, from the Outpatient Department of Immunology at the National Research Institute of Mother and Child. The children demonstrated clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis with conjunctivitis and had a medical history typical for this disease. Diagnostic procedures including skin prick tests and estimation of specific IgE to grass pollen by Pharmacia - CAP system, gave positive results. The efficacy of therapy was monitored by a clinical score with 4-0 points, recording symptoms relating to intensity of rhinoedema, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, oedema, conjunctival congestion, pain and lacrimation. In the study group, 39 children (97%) with seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis treated by specific immunotherapy (Pollinex) improved. This was confirmed by a statistically significant difference. The results indicate that the specific immunotherapy is an effective treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with conjunctivitis in children sensitized to grass pollen.

[Nitric oxide (NO)--Nobel prize in medicine and physiology for 1998]. / Tlenek azotu (no)--nagroda nobla z dziedziny medycyny i fizjologii za rok 1998.

On October 12, 1998. The Nobel Assembly announced the award of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology to pharmacologists Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad. The Nobel Committee decided to award the prize for their discoveries concerning--nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide (NO) has a key importance for vascular tonus, acts as a signal molecule in the nervous system and plays an important function in the immunological system. Nitric oxide is a multifunction molecule which controls the blood pressure, modulates gastrointestinal motility. It is produced in abnormal level intensifies septic shock and destruction of nervous tissue. NO is important in different branches of medicine. For instance NO gas has been used to reduced high blood pressure in the lung of infants. Several unknown NO applications in medicine are waiting for discovery.

[Efficacy of specific immunotherapy in children with bronchial asthma, sensitised to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus]. / Skutecznosc immunoterapii swoistej u dzieci chorych na asthme oskrzelowa, uczulonych na roztocza kurzu domowego.

The aim of study was the evaluation of efficacy of specific immunotherapy using Alavac S HDM for 2-4 years in children with atopic bronchial asthma induced by Deramtophagoides pteronyssinus. The study was carried out in a group of 33 children aged 5-18 years, from the Outpatient Department of Immunology at the National Research Institute of Mother and Child. The children demonstrated clinical symptoms of asthma and had a medical history typical for this disease. Diagnostic procedures including skin prick tests and estimation of specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by Pharmacia-CAP system gave positive results. The efficacy of therapy was monitored by a clinical score of symptoms with 0-10-20-30 points, recording symptoms relating to intensity of dyspneaa, wheezing, cough, value of PEF and concomitant medications for example corticoids and beta-antagonists. In the study group, 31 children (94%) with asthma treated by specific immunotherapy (AlavacS HDM) improved. This was confirmed by a statistically significant difference. The results indicate that specific immunotherapy is effective in the treatment of asthma in children sesitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

[Sensitivity to cow's milk proteins and gluten in children's allergic disease]. / Uczulenia na bialka mleka krowiego i gluten w chorobie alergicznej u dzieci.

Aim of the study was the evaluation of sensitivity to cow's milk and gluten participation in children's allergic disease. Our studies were carried out in a group of 191 children, aged between 7 months and 18 years, with sensitivity to cow's milk proteins and gluten in type I and/or IV according to Gell and Coombs. Sensitivity to these allergens was confirmed in 88.4% of the 216 examined children with allergic disease. We showed a prevalent frequency of allergen specific T-cell responses in mechanism IV (in type IV - 79.58%, in type I - 10.99%, in I+IV - 9.42%). Evidence is presented that sensitivity to cow's milk proteins and gluten in I and IV Gell's and Coombs' mechanisms is more likely in small children and that it decreases with age.

[The effect of tobacco smoking on the human immune system]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu na organizm czlowieka ze szczególnym uwzglednieniem ukladu odpornosciowego.

The influence of tobacco smoking in development of respiratory, cardiovascular diseases and impairment of foetal development is well documented. Recent studies have shown adverse effects of tobacco smoke on the immune system. Particular place of impact of tobacco smoke is BALT (bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue). Tobacco smoking increases the inflammatory processes and also has an immunosuppressive effect. It is very important in relation to more frequent youth and children diseases linked with the immune system. In school education programmes to prevent tobacco smoking carried out by the Institute of Mother and Child it is also very important to include this aspect.

Triple structural mosaicism of chromosome 18 in a child with MR/MCA syndrome and abnormal skin pigmentation.

A case of triple mosaicism involving chromosome 18 is described in a girl with abnormal skin pigmentation similar to hypomelanosis of Ito. The karyotype is 46,XX, -18, + del(18)(p11.23-->pter)/46,XX, -18, + idic(18)(p11.23)/46,XX, -18, + r(18). The patient displays some clinical features of monosomy 18p and a few signs of trisomy 18q. Our case illustrates a non-random association of chromosomal mosaicism with abnormal skin pigmentation.

[Use of molecular DNA probes in the diagnosis of mucoviscidosis-- analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in 22 high-risk families]. / Zastosowanie sond molekularnych DNA w diagnostyce mukowiscydozy--analiza polimorfizmu dlugosci fragmentów restrykcyjnych (RFLP) w 22 rodzinach wysokiego ryzyka.

The results of DNA analysis with the aid of specific molecular probes are discussed. DNA analysis involved 22 families of a high risk of cystic fibrosis. A significance of the obtained results in genetic counselling is also discussed. DNA analysis enabled detection or exclusion of cystic fibrosis gene carrier state in patient's relatives. DNA analysis proved fully informative in case of 17 families being a base to offer these families prenatal diagnosis of the disease in the I trimester of pregnancy, if such a family plans conception, and to accept this diagnostic technique.

[Immunochemical properties and therapeutic usefulness of the preparation Igalina produced by Biomed]. / Badania immunochemiczne oraz uzytecznosci terapeutycznej preparatu "Igalina" produkcji Biomed.

In order to obtain higher concentration of IgA-antibodies in commercial gammaglobulin preparations, used for treatment of hipo - and dysimmunoglobulinemia states, there are produced two preparations: "Gamma-A- Konzentrat " of Behringwerke and " Igalina " of Biomed . The first one was examined and described by us previously (4, 12). Now we present our studies on Igalina . The examinations were performed using electrophoresis on cellulose acetate, double diffusion in agar gell using 15 specific antisera to plasma proteins and immunoelectrophoresis with anti-IgG, IgA and IgM. There were detected traces of albumin, transferin , alfa2 macroglobulin, haptoglobin fibrinogen and presence of IgA, IgG and IgM. We also observed the split of IgG line in immunoelectrophoresis at the cathode and to Fc and Fab fragments. The concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM were evaluated using Mancini method (IgA--920 IU/ml, IgG--1640 IU/ml IgM 2500 IU/ml). Concentrations of chosen antibodies in Igalina were: ASO--1000 U/ml, anti- Staphylolisins 8 U/ml, agglutinins antistaphilococal 1 : 320, diphtheria antitoxins 42 U/ml, agglutinins antithyphi 1 : 20----1 : 640. They were 4 to 100 times higher than in plasma serum. Isohaemagglutinins were not detected. Igalina was used for preventive treatment of children contacted with viral infections or therapeutically for children who demonstrated first symptoms of viral infections of respiratory tracts. Preparation was given 48 times to 40 children. This group included 19 newborns and 10 children with I and IV type of dysimmunoglobulinemia or hipoimmunoglobulinemia . Doses ranged from 0,5 ml up to 1,0 ml/kg body weight. Estimations of IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations in serum and saliva of children (using Mancini method) were carried out before injection of Igalina and on the third and seventh day after injection. Results of studies were statistically evaluated, and besides the lack of significant differences we found some rise of IgA and IgG concentrations. We would like to underline also that in 6 children with hipo or dysimmunoglobulinemia the levels of IgA and IgG reached normal value on the third day after injection of Igalina . Investigations of secretory piece in saliva in the same period were carried out too. In three patients we could find the presence of secretory piece just after injection of Igalina . We did not found antibodies to IgA in patients' sera after treatment. The clinical results of treatment as well as toleration of the drug were good and very good.