N. Johansen

Hymenoptera venom allergy: analysis of double positivity to honey bee and Vespula venom by estimation of IgE antibodies to species-specific major allergens Api m1 and Ves v5

Background:  In patients with hymenoptera venom allergy diagnostic tests are often positive with honey bee and Vespula venom causing problems in selection of venoms for immunotherapy.

Temporal trends of aeroallergen sensitization over twenty-five years.

Background Little is known about time trends of allergic respiratory disease in adults, in particular in older adults. Furthermore, few trend studies have used objective measurements of IgE sensitization against inhalant allergens.

Phleum pratense alone is sufficient for allergen-specific immunotherapy against allergy to Pooideae grass pollens.

Background Specific immunotherapy is the only causal treatment of allergy available today. Traditionally, therapeutic products based on either a single grass species or a mix of such extracts are used for grass pollen immunotherapy. Investigations comparing the immunological response to these allergen preparations are needed to ensure optimal treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate patterns of T and B cell cross‐reactivity to Pooideae single‐species extracts and to extract mixes.

Association between alcohol consumption and aeroallergen sensitization in Danish adults

Background It has been proposed that alcohol consumption may be one of the lifestyle factors associated with a westernized, urban, and affluent lifestyle contributing to the rise in atopic disease.

Screening for allergic respiratory disease in the general population with the ADVIA Centaur Allergy Screen Assay.

Background:  In patients in whom the clinical indication for immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergic respiratory disease is weak, a single qualitative multiallergen‐screening assay for IgE antibody to multiple allergen specificities may support the absence of IgE‐mediated allergic respiratory disease. The aim was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of a new multiallergen‐screening assay in relation to skin prick test (SPT) reactivity and objective diagnoses of allergic respiratory disease in a general population setting.

Incidence and Remission of Specific IgE Aeroallergen Sensitization from Age of 40 to 60 Years, and Association with Alcohol Consumption

Background: Data on incidence and long-term persistence of IgE aeroallergen sensitization in older adults are limited. Alcohol consumption is a strong immune-modulator with a significant impact on the IgE response. Objectives: We aimed to assess the incidence and remission of aeroallergen sensitization from the age of 40 to 60 years. Furthermore, we examined the relationship of alcohol consumption to the prevalence and incidence of aeroallergen sensitization. Methods: In 1976–1977, a total of 1,200 people born in 1936 and randomly selected from the general population were invited for a health examination (1,052 were examined). At 60 years, they were invited for a re-examination (695 were examined). Stored serum samples from both examinations were analyzed consecutively for serum-specific IgE to aeroallergens by using a qualitative multi-allergen immunoassay. Results: We observed a total of 32 (7.1% of those not sensitized at 40 years) incident cases and 35 (41.1% of those sensitized at 40 years) remittent cases of aeroallergen sensitization over this 20 year period. Persistent as well as incident sensitization was significantly associated with self-reported atopic disease at 60 years. Alcohol consumption (>14 drinks per week) at 40 years was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensitization at 40 years, but not with the incidence of sensitization. Conclusions: In older adults, aeroallergen sensitization as reflected by serum-specific IgE positivity to aeroallergens is a dynamic process. Both persistent and incident sensitization was associated with atopic disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the influence of alcohol on the allergen-specific IgE response.