M. van Hage-Hamsten

A revised nomenclature for allergy. An EAACI position statement from the EAACI nomenclature task force.

This report has been prepared by an EAACI task force representing the five EAACI Sections and the EAACI Executive Committee composed of specialists that reflect the broad opinion on allergy expressed by various clinical and basic specialties dealing with allergy. The aim of this report is to propose a revised nomenclature for allergic and related reactions that can be used independently of target organ or patient age group. The nomenclature is based on the present knowledge of the mechanisms which initiate and mediate allergic reactions. However, the intention has not been to revise the nomenclature of nonallergic hypersensitivity.

Direct and indirect exposure to pets – risk of sensitization and asthma at 4 years in a birth cohort

Introduction There are conflicting data on the association between early exposure to pets and allergic diseases. Bias related to retrospective information on pet ownership has been addressed as a reason for distorted study results.

Influence of early and current environmental exposure factors on sensitization and outcome of asthma in pre-school children.

Background: Exposure to furred pets in early life has been considered to increase the risk of allergic sensitization and consequent development of asthma later in children. However, recently, it has been suggested that early exposure to pets prevents sensitization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of early exposure to pets and other environmental risk factors in asthmatic children.

Eosinophil cationic protein in tears in allergic conjunctivitis.

AIMS/BACKGROUND--Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a quantifiable product secreted by activated eosinophils. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of eosinophil activity in different clinical stages of various forms of allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS--Tears were collected in glass capillary tubes from 14 subjects with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), 23 subjects with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), 16 subjects with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), 10 subjects with giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), and 16 healthy control subjects. The samples were analysed in duplicate with a radio-immunoassay for ECP. RESULTS--Statistically significant differences were evident between healthy controls and allergic subjects (p < 0.001). Subjects with AKC and VKC had significantly higher tear ECP values than subjects with GPC and SAC. In addition, there was a significant correlation between ECP values and disease severity in all disorders. CONCLUSION--The data suggest a particular pathogenic role of the eosinophil in VKC and AKC, and a less pronounced but still important eosinophil involvement in the disease processes of GPC and SAC.

Effectiveness of occlusive bedding in the treatment of atopic dermatitis – a placebo-controlled trial of 12 months' duration

Background: Several studies on avoidance of house‐dust‐mite (HDM) and cat allergens have been carried out, most of them in asthmatic patients and only a few in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). No study so far has focused on which subgroup of AD patients benefits from avoidance measures.

Allergenic cross-reactivity between the nematode Anisakis simplex and the dust mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

Background: The nematode Anisakis simplex is a common parasite on fish and other seafood. It is considered to be a food allergen and to induce IgE‐mediated reactions. Allergenic cross‐reactivity between A. simplex and other nematodes has been reported, as has cross‐reactivity with arthropods: red mosquito larvae and German cockroach. We have here studied the allergenic relationship between A. simplex and four different dust‐mite species.

Nasal challenges with recombinant derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 induce fewer symptoms and lower mediator release than rBet v 1 wild-type in patients with allergic rhinitis

Background Genetic engineering of the major birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1) has led to the generation of recombinant Bet v 1 derivatives with markedly reduced IgE‐binding capacity, but with retained T cell activating ability.

Storage mites dominate the fauna in Swedish barn dust.

The mite fauna in hay dust of 16 farms located on the island of Gotland was analysed to establish whether there is a dear relationship between environmental exposure to storage mites and development of allergic symptoms. Eight of these farms belonged to farmers with respiratory symptoms related to barn dust (RS) and eight to healthy farmers (H). All farmers had previously participated in an epidemiological survey of hypersensitivity to respiratory allergens. The symptomatic farmers had not only a positive RAST to storage mites but they developed more than a 20% fall in FEV, when challenged with Lepidoglyphus destructor (L. destructor) extract. The asymptomatic farmers were all negative in RAST to storage mites. Mites were found on all farms and the degree of infestation varied enormously, mite counts ranging from 75–150,000 mites/g dust. Five genera were detected but the different mite species were not represented on all farms. L. destructor was the dominating species on 13 of 16 farms. Samples from RS FARMS contained a significantly higher number of mites than H farms. The results of this study are in good agreement with our earlier studies showing that L. destructor is the most important allergen causing symptoms from both upper and lower airways among farmers.

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

Background Allergen‐specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long‐lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy.

Risk factors associated with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis among Swedish farmers

Background: Earlier studies have shown a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in farming communities and that storage mites constitute important allergens. We examined risk factors associated with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis among Swedish farmers.