How to diagnose mould allergy? Comparison of skin prick tests with specific IgE results.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of mould allergy is complicated due to the heterogeneity of the test material and the decrease in the number of commercial mould skin test solutions that are currently available. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare skin prick tests (SPT) from different manufacturers to one another and concurrently with sIgE tests for Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp f), Cladosporium herbarum (Cla h), Penicillium chrysogenum (Pen ch), Alternaria alternata (Alt a) and Aspergillus versicolor (Asp v) to ascertain a feasible diagnostic procedure for mould sensitization. METHODS: In this multi-centre study, 168 patients with mould exposure and/or mould-induced respiratory symptoms were included. Mould SPT solutions were analysed biochemically and tested in duplicate on patients' arms. Specific IgE (sIgE) concentrations to corresponding mould species and mould mix (mx1) were measured by ImmunoCAP. SPTs in accordance with one another and with sIgE were further considered. The test efficiency was calculated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Mould sensitization was more frequently detected by the SPT (90 of 168) than by the sIgE tests (56 of 168). Concordances of double SPT positives were only sufficient (≥ 80%) for environmental allergens, two Asp f and three Alt a SPT solutions, whereas all other mould solutions revealed concordances < 80%. The antigen content of SPT solutions was positively associated with concordant SPT double values as well as with sIgE. Taking sIgE as the 'positive standard', all mould SPT solutions revealed test efficiencies > 80%, but varied up to 20% in sensitivity and positive predictive value with the exception of Alt a. CONCLUSIONS: SPT solutions are sensitive and essential diagnostic tools for the detection of mould sensitization. Our recommendation for diagnosis would be to test at least Alt a, Asp f and Pen ch using SPT and additional sIgE test to mx1.

[Acarex test and acarosan effect in house dust mite allergy in 2 year follow-up]. / Acarextest und Acarosanwirkung bei Hausstaubmilbenallergikern über 2 Jahre.

Clinical investigations of the effect of the acaricide product Acarosan shows in a large collective of patients beneficial results, whereby the patients are examined up to three months after sanitation. The remaining patients of this study are followed up one and two years after sanitation in open clinical trials. Without exception Acarex test values decrease highly significant after three months, indicating the effective elimination of the house dust mites by Acarosan treatment and consequently the reduction of the allergen containing excreta. The values increase after one year, but after a repetition of the Acarosan treatment they decrease again to the level reached after the first sanitation. The best results are achieved by sanitation of carpets, less favourable results are obtained by treating matresses and upholstered furniture. After sanitation all patients with monovalent house dust mite sensitization report an improvement of their symptoms (eyes, nose, bronchi) up to two years. Drug consumption is variable and decreases over all for up to two years. Peak flow meter values improve in the first year and even further more in the second year. The clinical improvement does not depend on sex, living area or former immunotherapy. During the two year observation period immunologic parameters do not change. 25.6% of the patients show a negative provocation test after the first year and 57% after the second year. Side effects due to the sanitation or signs of sensitization against Acarosan are not observed.

[A rare interstitial lung disease]. / Eine seltene interstitielle Lungenerkrankung.

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (p.l.) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, and restricted to fertile women. It is characterized by a nodular proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the peribronchial, perivascular and perilymphatic lung tissue, accompanied by cystic dilations of the alveoles, rupture of the alveolar wall, lymphangiectasis, and septal collagen fiber deposition. Radiological-alterations range from enhanced interstitial shadowing to honey comb lung. Common clinical symptoms are progressive dyspnea, pneumothorax, chylous pleural effusion and hemoptysis. Here we present the case of a 43 years old woman, undergoing nephrectomy because of hamartoma of the left kidney, with recurrent pneumothorax and progressive dyspnea, verifying the diagnosis of p.l. by open lung biopsy. Pathogenesis of the disease, differential diagnosis and possible therapeutic approaches are discussed.