Parasites Induced Skin Allergy: A Strategic Manipulation of the Host Immunity

The absence of a consistent link between parasitoses and skin allergic symptoms in the clinical investigations contrasts to the fact that some parasites are the most potent inducers of immunoglobulin E that exist in nature. To shed some light into this question, this review is focused on the actual knowledge regarding parasites life cycle, interactions with host immunity, the influence on host behavior, and finally the role of all these factors on the skin allergy. The collected data demonstrate that parasites could manipulate the host behavior for its own benefit in different ways, altering its (epi)genetic, biochemical, immunologic or physiologic functions as well as altering its behavior and activity. In this context, skin allergy may be associated with certain stages of the parasites' life cycle and migration into biological barriers, but not necessarily with presence of the parasitosis in the host organism. As compared to T helper (Th) 1 response, the Th2 one, the eosinophilic infiltration and the complement inhibition could assure better conditions for the development of some parasites. Taken together, the suggested hypotheses could be a plausible explanation for the epidemiological puzzle regarding urticaria occurrence, Th2 response and parasitoses, but further studies are necessary to provide better-based conclusions

A case of isocyanate-induced asthma possibly complicated by food allergy after peanut consumption: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Isocyanates are extensively used in the manufacture of polyurethane foams, plastics, coatings or adhesives. They are a major cause of occupational asthma in a proportion of exposed workers. Recent findings in animal models have demonstrated that isocyanate-induced asthma does not always represent an IgE-mediated sensitization, but still a mixed profile of CD4+ Th1 and TH2, as well as a CD8+ immune response. Despite immunologic similarities between this pathology and IgE-mediated food allergies, this co-morbidity is rarely reported.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 50-year old man employed as vehicle body painter, for 8 years complained about breathlessness, wheezing, sneezing, nasal obstruction and excessive production of mucus during the use of DuPont Refinish Centari Tintings – an acrylic enamel tint. Symptoms occurred 15–20 minutes after workplace exposure and usually persisted until evening, or at times, up to two consecutive days. The above mentioned symptoms were associated with a decrease of lung functions parameters. The use of inhaled adrenergic bronchio-dilatators and steroids relived the symptoms.</p> <p>In addition, three years ago he developed an anaphylactic reaction due to peanut consumption, experiencing urticaria, angioedema and airway obstruction. He was successfully treated in the hospital. Later, the subject exhibited labial itching, as well as orbital and perioral angioedema, 20 minutes after stationary performance of challenge test with peanuts.</p> <p>Evaluating the reported data, this process might be developed rather due to induction of a TH2 profile, because in both cases have occurred IgE-mediated symptoms. A less plausible mechanism could be the presence of isocyanates in peanuts due to a probable contamination by pesticides resulting in an allergic reaction after "consumption" of di-isocyanate as long as the isocyanate contamination of peanuts has not been proven.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite the lack of relevant laboratory findings, this might be the first case of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma described in a patient who developed peanut allergy symptoms later in his life. However, in order to take further suitable precautions, further studies are necessary to elucidate the questions posed in this report.</p

Specific immunotherapy in Albanian patients with anaphylaxis to hymenoptera venoms

Background: Severe allergic reactions during rush-specific immunotherapy (Rush-SIT) may occur in the treatment of hymenoptera sting allergy. The objective of the present study was to examine the characteristics of allergic reactions during Rush-SIT in a cohort of patients with allergy towards hymenoptera venom in the mediterranean population of Albania. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using the clinical reports of 37 patients with venom of bee (apinae), wasp (vespidae, subfamily vespinae) or paperwasp (vespidae, subfamily polistinae) allergy treated with Rush-SIT between 1987 and 1996. After hymenoptera sting allergy diagnosis according to anamnesis and intracutaneous tests the patient were treated with Rush-SIT. The protocol lasted 3 - 4 d with an increase in the concentration from 0.01 microg/ml to 100 microg/ml. Anaphylactic reactions were classified according to the Mueller-classification. Results: The frequency of reactions during Rush-SIT for bee-venom was 4.7% and for wasp-venom was 1.5% (p < 0.01). The mean frequency of reactions of Mueller grade II for the bee-venom Rush-SIT patients during the first 4 d (= 26 injections) was 0.73 and for the wasp-venom Rush-SIT patients 0.15. No patient experienced a third-degree reaction. 94.6% of the patient supported an end dose of 100 microg. Conclusions: Rush-SIT is a reliable method for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions to hymenoptera venom even in less developed countries. Bee-venom Rush-SIT was found to cause higher numbers allergic reactions than wasp or paperwasp Rush-SIT

Specific immunotherapy in Albanian patients with anaphylaxis to hymenoptera venoms

BACKGROUND: Severe allergic reactions during rush-specific immunotherapy (Rush-SIT) may occur in the treatment of hymenoptera sting allergy. The objective of the present study was to examine the characteristics of allergic reactions during Rush-SIT in a cohort of patients with allergy towards hymenoptera venom in the mediterranean population of Albania. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using the clinical reports of 37 patients with venom of bee (apinae), wasp (vespidae, subfamily vespinae) or paperwasp (vespidae, subfamily polistinae) allergy treated with Rush-SIT between 1987 and 1996. After hymenoptera sting allergy diagnosis according to anamnesis and intracutaneous tests the patient were treated with Rush-SIT. The protocol lasted 3 – 4 d with an increase in the concentration from 0.01 μg/ml to 100 μg/ml. Anaphylactic reactions were classified according to the Mueller-classification. RESULTS: The frequency of reactions during Rush-SIT for bee-venom was 4.7% and for wasp-venom was 1.5% (p < 0.01). The mean frequency of reactions of Mueller grade II for the bee-venom Rush-SIT patients during the first 4 d (= 26 injections) was 0.73 and for the wasp-venom Rush-SIT patients 0.15. No patient experienced a third-degree reaction. 94.6% of the patient supported an end dose of 100 μg. CONCLUSIONS: Rush-SIT is a reliable method for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions to hymenoptera venom even in less developed countries. Bee-venom Rush-SIT was found to cause higher numbers allergic reactions than wasp or paperwasp Rush-SIT

Mobile Air Quality Studies (MAQS) - an international project

Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis. The Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) addresses the issue of air pollutant exposure by combining advanced high-granularity spatial-temporal analysis with vehicle-mounted, person-mounted and roadside sensors. The MAQS-platform will be used by international collaborators in order 1) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to road structure, 2) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to traffic density, 3) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to weather conditions, 4) to compare exposure within vehicles between front and back seat (children) positions, and 5) to evaluate "traffic zone"- exposure in relation to non-"traffic zone"-exposure. Primarily, the MAQS-platform will focus on particulate matter. With the establishment of advanced mobile analysis tools, it is planed to extend the analysis to other pollutants including including NO2, SO2, nanoparticles, and ozone

Research needs in allergy: an EAACI position paper, in collaboration with EFA

Abstract In less than half a century, allergy, originally perceived as a rare disease, has become a major public health threat, today affecting the lives of more than 60 million people in Europe, and probably close to one billion worldwide, thereby heavily impacting the budgets of public health systems. More disturbingly, its prevalence and impact are on the rise, a development that has been associated with environmental and lifestyle changes accompanying the continuous process of urbanization and globalization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prioritize and concert research efforts in the field of allergy, in order to achieve sustainable results on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this most prevalent chronic disease of the 21 st century. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is the leading professional organization in the field of allergy, promoting excellence in clinical care, education, training and basic and translational research, all with the ultimate goal of improving the health of allergic patients. The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients&apos; Associations (EFA) is a non-profit network of allergy, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) patients&apos; organizations. In support of their missions, the present EAACI Position Paper, in collaboration with EFA, highlights the most important research needs in the field of allergy to serve as key recommendations for future research funding at the national and European levels. Although allergies may involve almost every organ of the body and an array of diverse external factors act as triggers, there are several common themes that need to be prioritized in research efforts. As in many other chronic diseases, effective prevention, curative treatment and accurate, rapid diagnosis represent major unmet needs. Detailed phenotyping/endotyping stands out as widely required in order to arrange or re-categorize clinical syndromes into more coherent, uniform and treatment-responsive groups. Research efforts to unveil the basic pathophysiologic pathways and mechanisms, thus leading to the comprehension and resolution of the pathophysiologic complexity of allergies will allow for the design of novel patient-oriented diagnostic and treatment protocols. Several allergic diseases require well-controlled epidemiological description and surveillance, using disease registries, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, as well as large biobanks. Additionally, there is a need for extensive studies to bring promising new biotechnological innovations, such as biological agents, vaccines of modified allergen molecules and engineered components for allergy diagnosis, closer to clinical practice. Finally, particular attention should be paid to the difficult-to-manage, precarious and costly severe disease forms and/or exacerbations. Nonetheless, currently arising treatments, mainly in the fields of immunotherapy and biologicals, hold great promise for targeted and causal management of allergic conditions. Active involvement of all stakeholders, including Patient Organizations and policy makers are necessary to achieve the aims emphasized herein

Tachykininergic nerves of maus in chronic-inflammatory airway diseases

Es ist bekannt, dass eine Reihe von Stimuli wie Capsaicin, Bradykinin, hyper- osmotische Salzlösung und Zigarettenrauch in der Lage sind, sensible Atemwegs- neurone zu aktivieren und zu einer Freisetzung von einer Vielzahl von Mediatoren wie Tachykinine Substanz P (SP) und Neurokinin A (NKA) zu führen. Tachykinine sind mit-verantwortlich für die nasale Hyperreaktivität, die bronchiale Obstruktion und die chronischen Entzündungen in den Atemwegen. Im Gegensatz zu zahlreichen Informationen über deren pharmakologischen Effekten ist der Mechanismus der Biosynthese und die Freisetzung von Tachykininen wenig bekannt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Tachykinin-Induktion in trigeminalen nasalen Neuronen unter Exposition von NGF und in atemwegspezifischen vagal-sensiblen Neuronen bei der allergischen Atemwegsentzündung untersucht. Mit Hilfe von neuronal Tracing-Technik im Mausmodell für die allergische Atemwegs-entzündung konnte die Effekte von NGF und OVA an der Induktion von Tachykininen in sensiblen Neuronen nachgewiesen werden. Nach NGF-Applikation wurden Tachykinine in glutamin-negativen, neurofilament-positiven und neurofilament-negativen Neuronen nachgewiesen. Die Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass nasal-spezifische trigeminale Neurone aus einer heterogenen Subpopulationen von Neuronen bestehen. In weiteren Experimenten konnte nach der Sensibilisierung mit OVA eine Tachykinin- Induktion in sensiblen atemwegsspezifischen Neuronen mit myelinisierten Axonen nachgewiesen werden. Sehr wahrscheinlich handelt sich hier um eine ganz neue neuronale Subpopulation, die durch einen Stimulus wie ein Allergen mit der Synthese und Freisetzung von pro-inflammatorischen Neuropeptiden reagieren. Allergisierung führt zu einer Erhöhung von NGF, dieses verstärkt die Freisetzung und Induktion von Tachykininen aus sensiblen Neuronen mit einer Verstärkung der neurogenen Atemwegsentzündung.It is known that a variety of stimuli such as capsaicin, bradykinin, hyperosmotic saline solution and cigarette smoke can activate sensitive respiratory neurons and a release of a variety of mediators such as tachykinins substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA). Tachykinins are responsible for nasal hyperreactivity, bronchial obstruction and chronic inflammation in the airways. Unlike a lot of information about its pharmacological effects, the mechanism of biosynthesis and release of tachykinins is little known. In the present study, tachykinin induction was investigated in nasal trigeminal neurons under exposure of nerve growth factor (NGF) and in sensory airway-specific vagal neurons in allergic airway inflammation. Due to the help of neuronal tracing technique in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation, it was possible to show the effects of NGF and ovalbumin A (OVA) in the induction of tachykinins in sensory neurons. After NGF application, tachykinins were detected in glutamine-negative, neurofilament-positive and neurofilament-negative neurons. The results suggest that nasal-specific trigeminal neurons are composed of heterogeneous subpopulations. In further experiments was detected a tachykinin induction after OVA-sensitization in myelinated axons of airway-specific sensory neurons. Most likely there is a quite new neuronal subpopulation, which due to a stimulus such as an allergen, responds with synthesis and release of pro- inflammatory neuropeptides. Sensitization leads to an increase of NGF, this enhances the release and induction of tachykinins from sensory neurons with a potentiation of neurogenic airway inflammatio