A case of work-related donkey milk allergy

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Cypress pollen: an unexpected major sensitizing agent in different regions of Italy.

OBJECTIVES: In this multicenter survey, we assessed the impact of sensitization to cypress in atopic patients in Italy and determined whether cypress pollen concentration changed over time. METHODS: Allergists were required to collect the results of 100-200 consecutive skin prick tests (SPTs) performed during 2012. Seasonal symptoms were also recorded, as were airborne cypress pollen concentrations (data from the Italian Aerobiology Association) in 1998-2000 and 2010-2012. RESULTS: We examined 2258 atopic outpatients (56% females; age, 2-84 years) sensitized to at least 1 of the aeroallergens tested (Dermatophagoides species, grass, pellitory, olive, cypress, birch, Alternaria tenuis, and dog and cat dander). We found that 62.9%, 16.1%, and 32.7% of patients living in central, northern, and southern Italy, respectively, were sensitized to cypress (P < .0001). The cypress pollen concentration peak was delayed from February to March in 1998-2000 and 2010-2012 in all 3 regions, with a shift in pollination towards spring. Patients who were monosensitized to cypress reported mainly rhinitis (90.7%-97.6%) and conjunctivitis (38.1%-100%). In polysensitized patients, the prevalence of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma increased progressively (P < .0001) from southern to northern Italy. The same trend was observed for the prevalence of reported winter symptoms typical of cypress allergy (28%-65%). CONCLUSIONS: Today, cypress pollen is the most frequent sensitizing aeroallergen (assessed by SPT) in several areas of central Italy. Variations in the timing of the cypress pollination period may have favored this increased sensitization. Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are the predominant symptoms. The clinical impact of this allergy was poor in southern Italy and increased in central areas before reaching its peak in northern regions.

Cypress pollen: an unexpected major sensitizing agent in different regions of Italy

Objectives: In this multicenter survey, we assessed the impact of sensitization to cypress in atopic patients in Italy and determined whether cypress pollen concentration changed over time. Methods: Allergists were required to collect the results of 100-200 consecutive skin prick tests (SPTs) performed during 2012. Seasonal symptoms were also recorded, as were airborne cypress pollen concentrations (data from the Italian Aerobiology Association) in 1998- 2000 and 2010-2012. Results: We examined 2258 atopic outpatients (56% females; age, 2-84 years) sensitized to at least 1 of the aeroallergens tested (Dermatophagoides species, grass, pellitory, olive, cypress, birch, Alternaria tenuis, and dog and cat dander). We found that 62.9%, 16.1%, and 32.7% of patients living in central, northern, and southern Italy, respectively, were sensitized to cypress (P<.0001). The cypress pollen concentration peak was delayed from February to March in 1998-2000 and 2010-2012 in all 3 regions, with a shift in pollination towards spring. Patients who were monosensitized to cypress reported mainly rhinitis (90.7%-97.6%) and conjunctivitis (38.1%-100%). In polysensitized patients, the prevalence of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma increased progressively (P<.0001) from southern to northern Italy. The same trend was observed for the prevalence of reported winter symptoms typical of cypress allergy (28%-65%). Conclusions: Today, cypress pollen is the most frequent sensitizing aeroallergen (assessed by SPT) in several areas of central Italy. Variations in the timing of the cypress pollination period may have favored this increased sensitization. Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are the predominant symptoms. The clinical impact of this allergy was poor in southern Italy and increased in central areas before reaching its peak in northern regions (AU)

Antecedentes: Se trata de una encuesta multicéntrica realizada en Italia para evaluar el impacto de la sensibilización a polen de ciprés en sujetos atópicos y establecer si la concentración de este polen en el aire ha cambiado a lo largo del tiempo. Métodos: El estudio fue realizado por alergólogos que recopilaron 100-200 sujetos consecutivos con pruebas cutáneas positivas (Prick) realizadas en 2012. Se recogieron los síntomas estacionales, junto con la concentración de polen de ciprés (obtenida por la asociación italiana de aerobiología) en 1998-2000 y 2010-2012. Resultados: En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos fueron examinados 2258 pacientes atópicos (56% mujeres; edad 2-84), sensibilizados frente al menos uno de los aeroalérgenos testados (Dermatophagoides, gramíneas, parietaria, olivo, cipres, abedul, Alternaria tenuis y epitelio de gato). El 62.9%, 16.1% y 32.7% de los pacientes que vivían en el centro, norte y sur de Italia, respectivamente, mostraron sensibilización a polen de ciprés (p<0.0001). Observamos un pico de concentración de polen de ciprés de febrero a marzo en los años 1998-2000 y 2010-2012, en todas las áreas. Los pacientes monosensibilizados a ciprés mostraron de forma prevalente rinitis (90.7-97.6%) y conjuntivitis (38.1-100%). La prevalencia de rinitis, conjuntivitis y asma se incrementa progresivamente (p<0.0001) del sur hacia el norte de Italia en los sujetos polisensibilizados. La misma tendencia se observó en los síntomas invernales típicos de la alergia al ciprés. Conclusiones: En conclusión, actualmente el polen de ciprés es el aeroalérgeno sensibilizante más frecuente (según resultados de prueba cutánea) en varias áreas de Italia central. Las variaciones del periodo de polinización pueden favorecer el incremento observado en la sensibilización a este polen. Los síntomas predominantes son rinitis y conjuntivitis. El impacto clínico de esta alergia es pobre en áreas del sur de Italia, siendo alto en las áreas del norte (AU)

Accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain microvessels accompanies increased hyperphosphorylated tau proteins following microsphere embolism in aged rats.

To define mechanisms underlying neurovascular injury following brain embolism-induced neurodegeneration, we investigated temporal and spatial pathological changes in brain microvessels up to 12 weeks after microsphere embolism (ME) induction in aged male rats. Mild ME upregulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein tyrosine nitration in brain microvessels. Strong beta-amyloid immunoreactivity coincident with increased eNOS immunoreactivity was observed in microvessels. Immunoblotting of purified brain microvessels revealed that beta-amyloid accumulation significantly increased 1 week after ME induction and remained elevated for 12 weeks. Importantly, beta-amyloid accumulation in brain parenchyma was also observed in areas surrounding injured microvessels at 12 weeks. Levels of Alzheimer's-related hyperphosphorylated tau proteins also concomitantly increased in neurons surrounding regions of beta-amyloid accumulation 12 weeks after ME induction, as did glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3beta) (Tyr-216) phosphorylation. Taken together, ME-induced aberrant eNOS expression and subsequent protein tyrosine nitration in microvessels preceded beta-amyloid accumulation both in microvessels and brain parenchyma, leading to hyperphosphorylation of neuronal tau proteins through GSK3beta activation.