Lipid Transfer Protein Sensitization: Risk of Anaphylaxis and Molecular Sensitization Profile in Pru p 3-Sensitized Patients

Background: Component-resolved diagnosis reveals the IgE response to many inhaled, food, and other allergens, improving the understanding and diagnosis of allergic diseases. Objective: The aims of the study are to study the recognition of different lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) and other allergen families in a large group of people sensitized to Pru p 3 and to analyze the relationship between the clinical entities and the allergens. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a large cohort of patients with positive skin tests to peach fruit and Pru p 3 specific IgE antibodies. Respiratory and food allergy symptoms were collected, and we performed prick tests with pollen, plant food, and other allergens plus the ImmunoCAP ISAC assay. Results: Our sample consisted of 421 people with a mean age of 33.25 years (range 16–68); 54.6% were women. Clinical entities included anaphylaxis (37.1%), urticaria (67.9%), and oral allergy syndrome (59.1%). Rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and/or asthma were diagnosed in 71.8% of the participants. The most pronounced correlation existed between sensitization to Pru p 3 and to Jug r 3, Pla a 3, Ara h 9, and Cor a 8. We found a higher incidence of anaphylaxis in people with 5 or more recognized LTPs. No association was observed between inhaled and food allergies. Conclusion: Most Pru p 3-sensitized participants were sensitized to additional allergens from the same family and, to a lesser extent, to other allergens, mainly in the profilin and PR-10 protein families. Anaphylaxis occurred in more than a third of the cases evaluated, and almost three-quarters of them had respiratory symptoms. Respiratory and food allergies involving LTPs do not seem to be associated

A multicentre analysis of Nocardia pneumonia in Spain: 2010-2016

Objective: To analyse all cases of Nocardia pneumonia occurring between 2010 and 2016 in five Spanish hospitals. Methods: This was a retrospective observational analysis of clinical and microbiological data collected from 55 cases of Nocardia pneumonia. Results: There were one to 20 cases per hospital and six to nine cases per year. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and asthma were the main predisposing underlying respiratory conditions. Thirty-four patients were receiving systemic and/or inhaled corticosteroids prior to infection, eight had neoplasia, and six had haematological malignancies. Clinical and radiological findings were common to pneumonia of other infectious aetiologies, except for the frequent presence of nodules and cavitation. Overall, the 1-year mortality was high (38.2%), and mortality was directly related to the pulmonary disease in 15 patients (27.3%). The most frequently identified species were N. cyriacigeorgica (n = 21), N. abscessus (n = 8), and N. farcinica (n = 5). All Nocardia isolates were susceptible to linezolid and all but two were susceptible to amikacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Conclusions: Nocardia pneumonia-associated mortality remains high, probably because of the debilitated status of patients in whom this pathogen is able to cause pulmonary infection

Hipovitaminosis D en Adultos Mayores Habitantes de Buenos Aires

Los adultos mayores son una población de alto riesgo de hipovitaminosis D, especialmente los que habitan grandes urbes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar los niveles séricos de 25(OH)D en invierno y sus factores determinantes en ancianos sanos de Buenos Aires (34° S). Se estudiaron 169 sujetos (56 hombres), de edad promedio 71,5±5,4 años, a fines del invierno. La exposición solar, el hábitat, el tipo de vestimenta, la ingesta de vitamina D y el estatus socio-económico se evaluaron mediante cuestionarios. Se midió calcemia, parthormona, marcadores de recambio óseo y 25(OH)D séricos. Los niveles promedio de 25(OH)D circulante fueron 17,9±0,64 ng/ml. El 51% de los sujetos tenía salidas frecuentes al aire libre, y el 63% consumía alimentos ricos en vitamina D. Los niveles de 25(OH)D fueron más elevados en los hombres y en sujetos con más de 3,5 h/semana de exposición a la luz solar, en los que consumían alimentos ricos en vitamina D tres o más veces por semana, vivían en casas y vestían ropa liviana en verano. El sexo, la exposición a la luz solar y la ingesta de alimentos ricos en vitamina D predicen los niveles séricos de 25(OH)D. La clase social baja se exponía menos horas semanales al sol, consumía escasos alimentos ricos en vitamina D y presentaba niveles elevados de parathormona y marcadores del recambio óseo. Los niveles séricos de 25(OH)D fueron similares en las tres clases socioeconómicas, pero la clase alta presentaba los niveles más elevados.The urban population is prone to hypovitaminosis D due to the type of habitat and indoors lifestyle. Elderly people are susceptible to hypovitaminosis D. Furthermore, low-income elderly subjects have been identified as a target population. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of 25(OH)D in winter, and determinant factors in an aged population living at home, in a large overpopulated city. We studied healthy people aged 71.5±5.4 years (113 women and 56 men) living in the city of Buenos Aires (34° S) at the end of winter. Exposure to sunlight, habitat, type of clothing worn in summer, vitamin D-rich food (D-food) intake and socioeconomic status were assessed by specific questionnaires.We measured serum calcium, parathormone, markers of bone turnover and 25OHD. Mean circulating 25(OH)D levels were 17.9±0.64 ng/ml. Only 51% of subjects received sunlight exposure; 63% consumed vitamin D-rich foods. 25(OH)D levels were higher in men and in subjects with more than 3.5 hr/week of sun exposure,who ate vitamin D-rich foods three times/week or more, lived in a house, and those who wore light clothes during the summer. A multivariate linear regression model showed that sex, sunlight exposure and vitamin Drich food intake are predictors of 25(OH)D serum levels. Subjects with low income received less time of sunlight exposure per week, had poor intake of D- food, and an increased level of parathormone and bone turnover rate. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were similar in the three socioeconomic classes, but high-income subjects show a trend toward better vitamin D status.Fil: Plantalech, Luisa. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Oliveri, María Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Salerni, Helena. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Carlos Durand; ArgentinaFil: Pozzo, Maria Josefina. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Ercolano, Monica. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Ladizesky, Marta Graciela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Casco, Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Zeni, Susana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Somoza, Julia Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Fassi, Juliana. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Bagur, Alicia Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentin

Allergenic Properties and Molecular Characteristics of PR-1 Proteins

Only a small fraction of proteins in plants and animals are classified as allergens. The allergenic properties are frequently attributed to certain functional characteristics of the proteins, such as a role in the plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress, to achieve the systematic acquired resistance. In line with this, eight members out of 17 functional pathogenesis-related (PR) protein families have been characterized as allergens. The present review summarizes the molecular features and allergenic significance of allergens of the PR-1 family. Not many allergens have been identified as belonging to this protein family, with most of them having a pollen origin, like mugwort or Bermuda grass. Molecular and structural features of allergenic PR-1 proteins are discussed and attributed to their IgE-reactive properties, clinical manifestation, and cross-reactivity among different foods and inhalants

Correction: Pru p 9, a new allergen eliciting respiratory symptoms in subjects sensitized to peach tree pollen.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230010.]

Pru p 9, a new allergen eliciting respiratory symptoms in subjects sensitized to peach tree pollen.

Peach tree (PT) pollen sensitization is highly prevalent in subjects living in areas where this tree is widely cultivated. None of the allergens responsible for these sensitizations have been identified so far. Our aim was to identify the most relevant PT pollen allergens and analyze their capacity for inducing respiratory symptoms. We studied sixty-two individuals sensitized to PT pollen who developed symptoms after its exposure. The IgE binding profile on peach pollen extract by means of immunoblotting using sera from these subjects was analyzed. Protein extract was fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography and HPLC, fractions run in SDS-PAGE and proteins were identified from IgE-binding bands by mass spectrometry. Several allergenic proteins in the PT pollen extract were recognized by patients' IgE: a glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase-like, a polygalacturonase, an UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase and a PR-1a protein. This PR-1a protein is a novel allergen frequently recognized with a molecular mass of 18 kDa, named as Pru p 9 following the WHO-IUIS nomenclature. Skin Prick Test (SPT) performed with this allergen was positive in 41% of the PT pollen-sensitized clinical cases. Most of them had rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, but a significant percentage experienced asthma with seasonal symptoms during the period of PT flowering. Nasal Provocation test (NPT) with Pru p 9 was positive in all cases with positive SPT to this new allergen eliciting nasal symptoms similar to those challenged with PT pollen. We demonstrate that PT pollen can induce sensitization and allergy in an exposed population, being Pru p 9 a relevant allergen responsible of respiratory symptoms. Considering the extensive peach worldwide production with a large number of people involved, our results add a great value for the diagnosis and management of subjects allergic to this pollen