Ewa Socha

Analysis of feline and canine allergen components in patients sensitized to pets

BackgroundComponent resolved allergen diagnosis allows for a precise evaluation of the sensitization profiles of patients sensitized to felines and canines. An accurate interpretation of these results allows better insight into the evolution of a given patients sensitizations, and allows for a more precise evaluation of their prognoses.Methods70 patients (42 women and 28 men, aged 18–65, with the average of 35.5) with a positive feline or canine allergy diagnosis were included in the research group. 30 patients with a negative allergy diagnosis were included in the control group. The total IgE levels of all patients with allergies as well as their allergen-specific IgE to feline and canine allergens were measured. Specific IgE levels to canine (Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, Can f 5) and feline (Fel d 1, Fel d 2, Fel d 4) allergen components were also measured with the use of the ImmunoCap method.ResultsMonosensitization for only one canine or feline component was found in 30% of patients. As predicted, the main feline allergen was Fel d 1, which sensitized as many as 93.9% of patients sensitized to felines. Among 65 patients sensitized to at least one feline component, for 30 patients (46.2%) the only sensitizing feline component was Fel d 1. Only 19 patients in that group (63.3%) were not simultaneously sensitized to dogs and 11 (36.7%), the isolated sensitization to feline Fel d 1 notwithstanding, displayed concurrent sensitizations to one of the canine allergen components. Fel d 4 sensitized 49.2% of the research group.64.3% of patients sensitized to canine components had heightened levels of specific IgE to Can f 1. Monosensitization in that group occurred for 32.1% of the patients. Sensitization to Can f 5 was observed among 52.4% of the patients.ConclusionsConcurrent sensitizations to a few allergic components, not only cross-reactive but also originating in different protein families, are a significant problem for patients sensitized to animals.

Expression of IL-17A concentration and effector functions of peripheral blood neutrophils in food allergy hypersensitivity patients.

Lymphocytes Th17 and other types of immune system cells produce IL17. By induction of cytokines and chemokines, the IL17 cytokine is involved in mechanisms of allergic reaction with participation of neutrophil granulocytes. It affects activation, recruitment, and migration of neutrophils to the tissues, regulating inflammatory reaction intensity. Excited neutrophils secrete inter alia elastase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) – significant mediators of inflammation process responsible for tissues damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of serum interleukin 17A, serum neutrophil elastase, and ROS production by neutrophils in patients with food allergy. The study included 30 patients with food allergy diagnosed based on interview, clinical symptoms, positive SPT, placebo controlled double-blind oral provocation trial, and the presence of asIgE in blood serum against selected food allergens using fluoro-immuno-enzymatic method FEIA UNICap 100. The control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers. The concentrations of IL17A were determined in all patients using ELISA method with eBioscience kits, and elastase using BenderMed Systems kits. Chemiluminescence of non-stimulated neutrophils was evaluated using luminol-dependent kinetic method for 40 min on Luminoskan (Labsystems luminometer). The results of serum IL-17A concentrations and the values of chemiluminescence obtained by non-activated neutrophils, as well as elastase concentrations, were higher in patients with food allergic hypersensitivity compared to healthy volunteers. This study demonstrates a significance of IL-17A and activated neutrophil granulocytes in the course of diseases with food allergic hypersensitivity.

Assessment of cross-reactivity in patients allergic to birch pollen by immunoblotting

Cross-reactivity related to birch pollynosis and ingestion of certain food poses a severe clinical and diagnostic problem. Sera were taken from 21 adult patients allergic to birch pollen with symptoms after ingestion of apples, carrots and celeries, and seven control subjects allergic to birch pollen only. Concentrations of allergen-specific IgE against allergens of birch pollen, apple, carrot and celery were measured with enzyme immunoassay, fluorimetric enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunoblotting. Immunoblotting technique may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for birch pollen associated cross-reactivity.

Composition of inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric mucosa of patients with food and airborne allergies

Introduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric mucosa of patients with food and airborne allergies. Patients and methods. This study included 80 subjects: 30 patients with food allergy, 30 patients with airborne allergy, as well as 20 healthy, allergy-free individuals. Gastroscopy was performed in all patients and gastric mucosal biopsies were taken for histopathological examination that included the assessment of Helicobacter pylori infection status and the presence of eosinophils within the inflammatory infiltrate. Results. Eosinophils were revealed in the biopsies of gastric mucosa originating from 12 (40%) food allergy patients, eight (27%) individuals with airborne allergy, and two controls. Compared to the controls, patients with food allergies were characterized by significantly higher prevalence of eosinophilic infiltrates (p=0.0206); there were no other significant intergroup differences in regards to this parameter. Colonization with Helicobacter pylori was confirmed in 9 (30%) subjects with food allergy, 6 (20%) individuals with airborne allergy, and in 10 (50%) controls. These three groups did not differ significantly in terms of HP colonization rates. Conclusions. Compared to the controls, patients with food allergy were characterized by a significantly higher prevalence of eosinophils within inflammatory infiltrate. No significant differences in regards to this parameter were documented between food and airborne allergy patients as well as between individuals with airborne allergy and the controls. Colonization of gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori was less frequent amongst airborne (20%) and food allergy patients (30%) than the controls (50%).

Metabolic activity of neutrophilic granulocytes measured with chemiluminescence test (cl) in patients with allergic hypersensitivity to food

Introduction. Neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils) are the most important cells of non-specific immune response. These cells have capability of chemotaxis and phagocytosis and also participate in inflammatory processes. Stimulated neutrophils release reactive oxygen species (ROS) important mediators of inflammatory process responsible for tissues injury. The aim of the study was assessment of oxygenic metabolism as one of representatives regarding metabolic activity of neutrophilic granulocytes measured with chemiluminescence test (CL) in patients with allergic type of hypersensitivity to food. Material and methods. The study contained 30 patients with diagnosed food allergy on the base of medical history, clinical symptoms, positive prick tests and the presence of allergen-specific IgE against selected food allergens in the serum. The control group contained 10 healthy volunteers. Chemiluminescence of basal and stimulated during 40 minutes neutrophils (fMLP, PMA, OZ) was assessed with kinetic luminol-dependent method using luminometer LUMINOSCAN - LABSYSTEM. Results. Mean values of obtained chemiluminescence from basal and stimulated neutrophils were statistically significantly higher in patients with allergic hypersensitivity to food than values in group of healthy persons. Conclusions. The results of performed analyses indicate that neutrophils participate and have increased activity in the process of allergic inflammation in patients with food allergy.

An assessment of cross reactivity with patients allergic to birch pollen using the immunoblotting.

The aim Evaluation of the applicability of immunoblotting for diagnosing cross reactivity between homologous proteins present in various sources. Method and material: Group of 21 patients with birch pollen allergy aged 41,7±5,2 revealing symptoms after eating cross-reacting food and positive skin tests, or prick by prick tests with native food allergens. Control group 7 persons aged 39,8±4,7, allergic to birch pollen without any symptoms after having eaten the above mentioned food. Concentration of asIgE for birch pollen, apple, carrot and celery allergens has been measured with EIA method. Concentration of asIgE against recombinant allergens of birch pollen Bet v1, Bet v2 and celery Api g1 has been evaluated with FEIA-UniCAP 100. As plant material served specially prepared extracts of apples’, separately peel and pulp, as well as of carrot and celery. The detection of proteins following the immunobloting was conducted by incubating in the darkness the nitrocellulose membrane in a buffer solution and peroxidase substrate.

Evaluation of sE-selectin and sPECAM-1 levels in patients diagnosed with food allergy

Results The average sE-selectin levels in the food allergy patient population were 54.0 +/- 21.6 ng/mL, while in the allergy-free population, the average sE-selectin levels were 57.7 +/-17.9 ng/mL. No statistically significant difference between sE-selectin levels was found between food allergy patients and patients with dyspeptic symptoms without concomitant food allergy (Mann-Whitney U-test, p =0.453028). In the food allergy patient population, average sPECAM-1 levels were 132.8 +/-31.4 ng/ ml, while in the allergy-free population average sPECAM-1 levels were 139.6 +/- 31.1 ng/ml. The analysis of the obtained results revealed no statistically significant difference between sPECAM-1 levels in food allergy patients and patients with dyspeptic symptoms without concomitant food allergy. Conclusions The results of examinations conducted in this study showed no statistically significant differences in serum PECAM-1 and E-selecine levels between the study groups.

Evaluation of peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum ECP levels of eosinophils in inflammatory infiltrates of gastric mucosa in food allergy patients

Eosinophilic infiltration may be found in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. The goal of this study was to evaluate the peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum ECP levels and presence of eosinophils in inflammatory infiltrates of the gastric mucosa in food allergy patients.