Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

Background Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. Objectives To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. Methods As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. Results Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). Conclusions PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics

Fusion of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 85A to an Oligomerization Domain Enhances Its Immunogenicity in Both Mice and Non-Human Primates

To prevent important infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV, vaccines inducing greater T cell responses are required. In this study, we investigated whether fusion of the M. tuberculosis antigen 85A to recently described adjuvant IMX313, a hybrid avian C4bp oligomerization domain, could increase T cell responses in pre-clinical vaccine model species. In mice, the fused antigen 85A showed consistent increases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses after DNA and MVA vaccination. In rhesus macaques, higher IFN-γ responses were observed in animals vaccinated with MVA-Ag85A IMX313 after both primary and secondary immunizations. In both animal models, fusion to IMX313 induced a quantitative enhancement in the response without altering its quality: multifunctional cytokines were uniformly increased and differentiation into effector and memory T cell subsets was augmented rather than skewed. An extensive in vivo characterization suggests that IMX313 improves the initiation of immune responses as an increase in antigen 85A specific cells was observed as early as day 3 after vaccination. This report demonstrates that antigen multimerization using IMX313 is a simple and effective cross-species method to improve vaccine immunogenicity with potentially broad applicability

Development of a molecular adjuvant to enhance antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses

Despite promising progress in malaria vaccine development, an efficacious subunit vaccine against P. falciparum remains to be licensed and deployed. This study aimed to improve on the immunogenicity of the leading liver-stage vaccine candidate (ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP), known to confer protection by eliciting high levels of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. We previously showed fusion of ME-TRAP to the human MHC class II invariant chain (Ii) could enhance CD8+ T cell responses in non-human primates, but did not progress to clinical testing due to potential risk of auto-immunity by vaccination of humans with a self-antigen. Initial immunogenicity analyses of ME-TRAP fused to subdomains of the Ii showed that the Ii transmembrane domain alone can enhance CD8+ T cell responses. Subsequently, truncated Ii sequences with low homology to human Ii were developed and shown to enhance CD8+ T cell responses. By systematically mutating the TM domain sequence, multimerization of the Ii chain was shown to be important for immune enhancement. We subsequently identified several proteins from a variety of microbial pathogens with similar characteristics, that also enhance the CD8+ T cell response and could therefore be used in viral vector vaccines when potent cell mediated immunity is required

Adherence to a predominantly Mediterranean diet decreases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study in a South Eastern European population

W1-publicatie Our aim was to assess the association of a Mediterranean diet and gastroesophageal reflux disease among adult men and women in Albania, a former communist country in South Eastern Europe with a predominantly Muslim population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012, which included a population-based sample of 817 individuals (≥18 years) residing in Tirana, the Albanian capital (333 men; overall mean age: 50.2 ± 18.7 years; overall response rate: 82%). Assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease was based on Montreal definition. Participants were interviewed about their dietary patterns, which in the analysis was dichotomized into: predominantly Mediterranean (frequent consumption of composite/traditional dishes, fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, and fish) versus largely non-Mediterranean (frequent consumption of red meat, fried food, sweets, and junk/fast food). Logistic regression was used to assess the association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with the dietary patterns. Irrespective of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and lifestyle factors including eating habits (meal regularity, eating rate, and meal-to-sleep interval), employment of a non-Mediterranean diet was positively related to gastroesophageal reflux disease risk (fully adjusted odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-4.5). Our findings point to a beneficial effect of a Mediterranean diet in the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in transitional Albania. Findings from this study should be confirmed and expanded further in prospective studies in Albania and in other Mediterranean countries

Development of a molecular adjuvant to enhance antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses

Despite promising progress in malaria vaccine development, an efficacious subunit vaccine against P. falciparum remains to be licensed and deployed. This study aimed to improve on the immunogenicity of the leading liver-stage vaccine candidate (ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP), known to confer protection by eliciting high levels of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. We previously showed fusion of ME-TRAP to the human MHC class II invariant chain (Ii) could enhance CD8+ T cell responses in non-human primates, but did not progress to clinical testing due to potential risk of auto-immunity by vaccination of humans with a self-antigen. Initial immunogenicity analyses of ME-TRAP fused to subdomains of the Ii showed that the Ii transmembrane domain alone can enhance CD8+ T cell responses. Subsequently, truncated Ii sequences with low homology to human Ii were developed and shown to enhance CD8+ T cell responses. By systematically mutating the TM domain sequence, multimerization of the Ii chain was shown to be important for immune enhancement. We subsequently identified several proteins from a variety of microbial pathogens with similar characteristics, that also enhance the CD8+ T cell response and could therefore be used in viral vector vaccines when potent cell mediated immunity is required

Pollen food allergy syndrome in seven southern European countries: Results from the @IT2020 multicenter study

European-Academy-of-Allergology-and-Clinical-Immunology Digital Congress (EAACI)WOS:000566847300269[Özet Yok]European Acad Allergol Clin Immuno

Molecular sensitization profiles and clinical characteristics of seasonal allergic rhinitis in seven mediterranean countries: the @IT2020 multicenter study

European-Academy-of-Allergology-and-Clinical-Immunology Digital Congress (EAACI) -- JUN 06-08, 2020 -- London, ENGLANDFonseca, Joao Almeida/0000-0002-0887-8796WOS: 000566847300030[No abstract available]European Acad Allergol Clin Immuno

Cumulative Pollen Concentration Curves for Pollen Allergy Diagnosis

[No Abstract Available]Euroimmun [118583]This study was supported by a grant from Euroimmun (code 118583)

Komani [Dalmace] (Albanie) : chronique de fouille 2009

Nallbani Etleva, Bitri Eduart, Bregu B., Haxhiraj E., Lela Surja, Meschini Marco, Naipi Pëllumb, Përzhita G., Tomas E. Komani [Dalmace] (Albanie) : chronique de fouille 2009. In: Mélanges de l'École française de Rome. Moyen-Age, tome 121, n°2. 2009. pp. 453-461