Predatory mites fauna on medicinal and aromatic plants from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal, India

A regular survey was conducted in different places of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) region of West Bengal on 32 different medicinal and aromatic plants. A total of 41 species of predatory mites belonging to 19 genera, 7 families, under 2 orders were observed during this study. Collection data, distribution and keys are given for all taxonomic categories. Many of the species and habitats reported here are new records. Ecological and behavioral remarks on all the predatory mite species reported from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve are also presented

Role of offending out-door aero-allergen and CD14 C(-159)T polymorphism in development and severity of asthma in a Kolkata patient population

Objective: Present study involved identification of offending out-door aero-allergens and associated genetic pathway in nasso-bronchial asthma among Kolkata population.Methods: Skin-prick test was done among 950 asthmatic patients against 11 common aero-allergens and total serum IgE concentration was measured. PCR-RFLP was done in patients and non-asthmatic control (n=220 in each) to characterize functional polymorphism, C(-159)T, of CD14, a positional candidate gene for allergy. Association of genetic polymorphisms was made with clinico-pathological conditions.Results: We identified Cocos nucifera as the most common aero-allergen sensitizer among atopic patients in Kolkata. Patients with childhood-onset asthma were significantly more sensitive towards aero-allergens and had significantly higher serum IgE level than those of adult-onset (p< 0.0001). No significant difference was found in distribution of SNP genotypes of CD14 among case and control (p=0.178). However among patients, frequency of C allele is significantly higher in childhood-onset group thanthat of adult-onset and concordantly in former CC genotype was associated with significant higher level of serum IgE than CT and TT.Conclusion: In Kolkata, pollen is a common out-door aero-allergen and Cocos nucifera is predominant among pollens. Childhood- onset and adult-onset of asthma showed significant difference in allergen sensitivity as well as genetic background with respect to CD14 polymorphism.Keywords: Asthma, aero-allergen, skin prick test, total IgE, CD14 gene polymorphis

Acaricidal activity of nishinda (Vitex negundo) leaf and garlic (Allium sativum) bulb extract against red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in tea plantations of Darjeeling hill, West Bengal, India

The red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner) serves as a serious threat to the Darjeeling tea plantations affecting the quality of the leaves. Various plant extracts are currently being researched as an alternative to the chemical pesticides to control the red spider mites. In the present study, the leaves of Vitex negundo L. and the bulb of Allium sativum L. were analyzed for their acaricidal activity on the larval, nymphal and adult stages of the mite. Both the extracts were found to have potent activity against red spider mites and may prove to be potential acaricides in future

Incrimination of Blomia tropicalis as a Potent Allergen in House Dust and its Role in Allergic Asthma in Kolkata Metropolis, India

Background Theincreasing trend in allergic diseases has become obvious in the present day, especially in developing countries like India, because of many factors such as change in ambient air quality, increased air pollution, metamorphic change in living habits and lifestyle, and climate 1. Mites present in house dust represent a major source of allergens, resulting in different allergic manifestations all over the world, and hypersensitivity to these dust mites may play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of several allergic complaints including bronchial asthma. The present study evaluated the sensitization toward house dust and house dust mites among patients residing in Kolkata metropolis, India, who are suffering from allergic asthma.Methods The skin prick test was performed on a total of 1079 patients (585 males and 494 females) between the age group 5-50 years and 50 healthy controls using a variety of 16 common aero-allergenic extracts including 4 allergens of interest, viz. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis and total house dust allergens. Total serum IgE level was measured by using the EIA technique and specific IgE levels against aforesaid allergens were detected with the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP 100 System. The influence of age and sex, if any, on allergen sensitivity was also investigated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 10.0 for Windows and Zar 2.Results The responses among patients with asthma to house dust and house dust mite allergen tests were as follows: house dust (96.22%), D. pteronyssinus (75.06%), B. tropicalis (72%), and D. farinae (63.72%). The frequency of positive skin response was found to be independent of age and sex. The total serum IgE levels in patients varied between 7.3 and 4040 IU/ml (mean 369 ± 26.51 IU/ml). Specific IgE antibody test proved that 83% patients showed sensitivity toward at least 1 of the allergens tested.Discussion The results indicate that patients are highly sensitive to house dust and 3 other allergenic mites, namely, D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, and B. tropicalis, as evidenced by the skin prick test, quantification of total serum IgE, and detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies among patients of Kolkata. Although mites belonging to the genus Dermatophagoides have already been incriminated as a major source of allergen in house dust in India, this is the first time the role of B. tropicalis mites causing allergic asthma has been reported from an Indian population. Thus, the importance of B. tropicalis mite as an aetiopathological agent in causing various allergic manifestations among the Kolkata population should not be undermined and the allergen should be included in routine allergy testing. Keywords: allergy, Dermatophagoides spp, Blomia tropicalis, house dust, skin prick test, Ig

Polymorphism in ADAM33 gene associated with asthmatics in West Bengal, India - An investigation by in-silico analysis

Introduction: Asthma is one of the common chronic polygenic inflammatory diseases. Genome wide association studies have identified ADAM33 as an asthma candidate gene. The present study investigated possible association of rs2280090 (T1), rs2280091 (T2) and rs3918396 (S1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADAM33 with aeroallergen induced asthma in West Bengal population, India. In addition, in-silico analysis was performed to find out changes in protein function. Methods: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were assessed using spirometry in 1039 participants. Allergic sensitivity of 619 spirometry positive asthma patients was assessed by skin prick test (SPT) against 22 aeroallergens. For genotyping of T1, T2, and S1 SNPs in 540 allergic asthma patient and 420 control subjects, polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed. Total Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) level was measured in both patients and controls. ADAM333 haplotype blocks were constructed using Haploview software v.4.2. Structural model of transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of ADAM33 was generated using RaptorX. Protein-protein interaction was analysed using the STRING server. Results: Highest number of patient sensitivity was observed towards Cocos nusifera (n = 215) and Dermatophagoides farinae (n = 229). Significant difference in sensitivity was observed between child and late adult (P = 0.03), child and early adult (P = 0.02), adolescent and late adult (P = 0.02) and adolescent and early adult (P = 0.01). Genotypic frequencies differed significantly between patients and controls (P < 0.05). rs2280090 GG, rs2280091GG and AG genotype, and rs3918396 AA carried significant risk for asthma (P = 0.02, P = 0.008, P = 0.04, P = 0.01 respectively). ADAM33 T1, T2, and S1 polymorphisms were in high Linkage Disequilibrium (D = 0.98). Haplotype consisting of rs2280090G, rs2280091G and rs3918396A alleles were found significantly higher in patient population in comparison with controls (OR = 2.03). IgE level differed significantly among different genotypes for T1, T2, and S1 SNPs analysed in pair (P < 0.0001). FEV1/FVC ratio differed significantly among different genotypes for T1, T2 and S1 SNPs analysed in pair (P < 0.0001). Significant difference of FEV1/FVC was also found between GGA and AAG haplotype (P < 0.0001). In-silico analysis revealed T1 and T2 polymorphisms are located in cytoplasmic domain of ADAM33 may cause bronchial smooth muscle cell mobility and cellular hyperplasia as well as cytoskeletal remodelling by altered interaction with different cytoplasmic proteins found by string analysis. Conclusion: Present study showed significant association of T1, T2, and S1 polymorphisms of ADAM33 with aeroallergen-induced asthma in West Bengal, India. These polymorphisms may be used as prognostic markers and possible targets for therapeutics in future