Effect of Fluticasone propionate Aqueous Nasal Spray Treatment on Platelet Activating Factor and Eicosanoid Production By nasal Mucosa in Patients with A house Dust Mite Allergy

The relationship between the release of platelet activating factor (PAF), leukotriene C4/D4/EE (LTC4/D4/E4) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) from nasal mucosa in vivo was examined in 24 rhinitis patients allergic to the house dust mite (HDM). During a double blind placebo controlled cross-over study 200 μg fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (FPANS) was administered twice daily for two weeks. In response to allergen provocation (100, 1 000, 10 000 Bu/ml) and during the 9.5 h after this challenge the nasal fluid was obtained by washing the nose with saline and the levels of PAF, LTC4/D4/E4 and PGD2, as indicators of mediator release, were measured at the following time-points: baseline (t = − 1/2), allergen provocation with 10 000 Bu/ml (t = 0), 3.5 and 7.5 h (late phase). After allergen provocation the levels of the mediators increased in the nasal fluids of placebo treated patients (x-fold increase to baseline: PAF, 15; LTC4/D4/E4, 12; PGD2, 1.5). In fluids of patients treated with FPANS these levels tended to decrease. At the time of provocation the levels of PAF, LTC4/D4/E4 and PGD2 showed a significant correlation. The results indicate that these mediators can be used as markers of allergic reactions against house dust mites and that fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray tended to reduce the release of mediators of inflammation correlated with beneficial effects on clinical symptoms in this type of allergic reactions

Interleukin-5 and eosinophil cationic protein in nasal lavages of rhinitis patients

The production of interleukin-5 and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the nasal cavity was examined in 24 patients with rhinitis who were allergic to the house dust mite. During a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study, fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (200 μg) was administered twice daily for 2 weeks. After four basal nasal lavages provocation with house dust mite extract was performed and nasal lavages were collected every hour for 9.5 h. Interleukin-5 was present in detectable amounts in nasal lavages from patients allergic to house dust mite. Nasal challenge with house dust mite extract caused immediate nasal symptoms and increased levels of interleukin-5. Between 3.5 and 8.5 h after the challenge symptoms recurred and interleukin-5 levels increased, reflecting a late phase reaction. Eosinophil cationic protein, a marker of activated eosinophils, was released between 6.5 and 9.5 h after challenge. Treatment with fluticasone propionate (as an aqueous nasal spray) significantly decreased the evoked interleukin-5 and ECP levels in the late phase reaction. This response was correlated with an improved symptom score. This could indicate that the number and activity of eosinophils are increased during the late phase allergic reaction, a response that is inhibited by corticosteroids

Prevalence of sensitization to the predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris as a new occupational allergen in horticulture

Background: Protection against thrips, a common pest in bell pepper horticulture is effectively possible without pesticides by using the commercially available predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris (Ac). The prevalence of sensitization to Ac among exposed greenhouse employees and its clinical relevance was studied. Methods: Four hundred and seventytwo employees were asked to fill in a questionnaire and were tested on location. Next to RAST, skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed with common inhalant allergens, the storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) which serves as a temporary food source during the cultivation process and Ac. Furthermore, nasal challenge tests with Ac were carried out in 23 sensitized employees. Results: SPTs positive to Ac were found in 109 employees (23%). Work-related symptoms were reported by 76.1%. Sensitization to Tp was found in 62 employees of whom 48 were also sensitized to Ac. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergy to inhalant allergens appeared to be an important risk factor for sensitization to Ac. Employees with rhinitis symptoms showed a significantly higher response to all Ac doses during the nasal challenge test compared with employees without rhinitis symptoms. Conclusions: The predatory mite Ac is a new occupational allergen in horticulture which can cause an IgE-mediated allergy in exposed employees. It is biologically active on the mucous membranes of the nose and therefore clinically relevant for the development of work-related symptoms

EAACI position paper on occupational rhinitis

The present document is the result of a consensus reached by a panel of experts from European and non-European countries on Occupational Rhinitis (OR), a disease of emerging relevance which has received little attention in comparison to occupational asthma. The document covers the main items of OR including epidemiology, diagnosis, management, socio-economic impact, preventive strategies and medicolegal issues. An operational definition and classification of OR tailored on that of occupational asthma, as well as a diagnostic algorithm based on steps allowing for different levels of diagnostic evidence are proposed. The needs for future research are pointed out. Key messages are issued for each item

Relationship between nasal hyperreactivity, mediators and eosinophils in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and controls

Background - In perennial allergic rhinitis, patients are almost daily exposed to aeroallergens. This ongoing allergic reaction results in increased sensitivity to allergens and non-specific stimuli. It is generally known that inflammatory cells and mediators are involved in the pathogenesis of the allergic reaction. Objectives - To study the relationship between nasal hyperreactivity and nasal inflammation during natural allergen exposure. Methods - In 48 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and in 11 volunteers a nasal brush, a nasal lavage and a histamine challenge were performed. Nasal inflammation was estimated by the number of eosinophils, levels of albumin, tryptase, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and leukotriene C4/D4/E4 (LTC4/D4/E4) Results - In contrast to PGD2 and tryptase, eosinophils (1.9 vs 0%, P = 0.0023), LTC4/ D4/E4 (17.51 vs 1.43 pg/mL, P &lt; 0.0001) and albumin (8.61 vs 2.37 mg/mL, P = 0.0008) were significantly increased in rhinitis patients as compared with controls. Patients also showed increased responses to nasal histamine challenge assessed using a composite symptom score (21.5 vs 4 points, P &lt; 0.0001). The nasal response to histamine was weakly correlated with the total number of eosinophils in the cytospin (correlation coefficient r = 0.38, P = 0.009). Conclusion - Nasal hyperreactivity is correlated with the percentage of eosinophils in patients with perennial rhinitis. The patients' mediator profiles suggest that eosinophils are important in the ongoing allergic reaction and nasal hyperreactivity.</p

Effect of topical levocabastine on nasal response to allergen challenge and nasal hyperreactivity in perennial rhinitis

Background: It has been demonstrated that some oral antihistamines reduce nasal nonspecific reactivity and that topical levocabastine reduces cellular influx after nasal allergen challenge. This suggests that antihistamines possess other properties besides classical H1-receptor antagonism. Objective: To evaluate the effect of 1 week's treatment with topical levocabastine on the nasal clinical response, inflammatory mediators, and nasal hyperreactivity. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2- period, 2-treatment, crossover study, 21 rhinitic patients allergic to house dust mite participated. After each treatment period patients were challenged with house dust mite extract. Symptom scores and nasal lavages were collected for nine and one-half hours after challenge. Allergen-induced nasal hyperreactivity was determined by nasal methacholine challenge 24 hours after allergen challenge. A nasal histamine challenge was performed as well. Results: Patients showed only an immediate nasal response. Levocabastine significantly reduced the symptom score after 100 (P = .0063), 1000 (P = .0035), and 10,000 biological units (BU)/mL (P = .0013) of house dust mite extract. Albumin influx and tryptase release were not significantly reduced by levocabastine. No release of histamine and eosinophil cationic protein was seen. Levocabastine did not reduce nasal response to methacholine. Active treatment significantly reduced histamine-induced nasal secretion (P = .0009) and the number of sneezes (P = .0001). Conclusion: A significant effect of levocabastine was shown on the immediate clinical response to house dust mite and to histamine challenge only. Our findings suggest that levocabastine is an effective H1-receptor antagonist without anti-inflammatory properties.</p