Dermatophagoides farinae mite allergen and specific immunotherapy in Shanghai.

Studies on mite allergy had been launched by the Shanghai First Medical College since 1970's in this country. The preparations of SMU-Df from the local specimens of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) in Shanghai have been shown the highest allergenic potency in comparison with that of the foreign ones, including the Df preparations from USFDA, VUS and ALK. Similar patterns of the protein curves were yielded by gel filtration, indicating almost similar allergenicities with both Df pure mite body and its spent culture medium. Around 80% of the allergic cases were sensitive to mite allergen and can be diagnosed by skin prick test, nasal provocation test and serum IgE level assay. Seasonal classic immunotherapy for allergic patients by Injection Dermatophagoides farinae, the first commercial allergen licensed by the Chinese government, achieved significant effect in relieving symptoms of allergic disorders in majority of cases, and long lasting effect of mite specific immunotherapy was also documented with minimal adverse reactions. Modifications of the Df crude extract and various modes of treatment have been studied. Studies on sublingual mite vaccine for mite allergic disorders developed synchronously with foreign trend since 1992. Sublingual drops were well acceptable by child cases almost without age restriction with higher efficacy. Rush schedule of mite immunotherapy led to a quick relief of allergic symptoms and long lasting curative effects. The Df allergen induced immunological regulation of human beings was established not only among the atopic patients, but also in healthy persons.

Association between previous enterobiasis and current wheezing: evaluation of 1018 children.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between parasitosis and allergy. We surveyed all children aged 4-12 years living in poor hygienic conditions in a shantytown of Istanbul. After obtaining data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and an additional questionnaire, performing a skin-prick test (SPT), and determining total IgE, stool and perianal tape specimens were obtained from 1018 participating children. The prevalence of past episodes of wheezing, current wheezing, asthma, and rhinitis was 31, 14.6, 10.7, and 26.2%, respectively. Parasitosis was present in 49.1%, Enterobius vermicularis (23.3%), being the most common. A history of treatment for enterobiasis was present in 37%. Comparison of children with and without current enterobiasis revealed no significant difference in allergic manifestations and SPT results, except for serum total IgE level (p = 0.018), whereas children with previous enterobiasis were more likely to have current wheezing (p = 0.012). Current wheezers were more likely to have previous enterobiasis (p = 0.01) and a higher maternal employment level (p = 0.036) when compared with those without. According to logistic regression analysis, covariables significantly positively related with current wheezing were previous enterobiasis (p = 0.003) and being < or =5 years of age (p = 0.043), whereas being the first child of the family (p = 0.043) was negatively related. A previous infection with E. vermicularis was found to potentiate current wheezing in a population living in a shantytown in Istanbul.