V. van Kampen

Multiple wheat flour allergens and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants bind IgE in baker’s asthma

To cite this article: Sander I, Rozynek P, Rihs H‐P, van Kampen V, Chew FT, Lee WS, Kotschy‐Lang N, Merget R, Brüning T, Raulf‐Heimsoth M. Multiple wheat flour allergens and cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants bind IgE in baker’s asthma. Allergy 2011; 66: 1208–1215.

Allergenic and antigenic determinants of latex allergen Hev b 1: peptide mapping of epitopes recognized by human, murine and rabbit antibodies

Background The rubber elongation factor in Hevea rubber (Hev b 1) is one of the most important latex allergen and is leading cause oflatex type 1 hypersensitivity in children with spina bifida.

Overview on denominated allergens.

Type I allergy is a heightened or altered reactivity ofthe immune system in response to external substances involving immunoglobulins of the IgE class. More than 15% of the population in industrial countries suffer from immediate-type allergic symptoms [1]. Tn recent years, allergy research into the immunological, biochemical and structural characterization of allergens has led to an enormous progress alTecting diagnostics and therapeutics. This article summarizes important aspects of allergy research work on purified allergens. Characterized and denominated allergens have been listed. These data include biochemical and structural allergen characteristics as well as research results on human histocompatibility leucocyte antigens (HLA) restriction of ihe immune response, Tand B-cell epitopes and recombinant allergen expression. Allergens were isolated from a variety of dilTerent species. The taxonomy and relationship of dilTerent vertebrate, invertebrate as well as plant species from which allergens are isolated are also shown.

EAACI position paper: Irritant-induced asthma

The term irritant‐induced (occupational) asthma (IIA) has been used to denote various clinical forms of asthma related to irritant exposure at work. The causal relationship between irritant exposure(s) and the development of asthma can be substantiated by the temporal association between the onset of asthma symptoms and a single or multiple high‐level exposure(s) to irritants, whereas this relationship can only be inferred from epidemiological data for workers chronically exposed to moderate levels of irritants. Accordingly, the following clinical phenotypes should be distinguished within the wide spectrum of irritant‐related asthma: (i) definite IIA, that is acute‐onset IIA characterized by the rapid onset of asthma within a few hours after a single exposure to very high levels of irritant substances; (ii) probable IIA, that is asthma that develops in workers with multiple symptomatic high‐level exposures to irritants; and (iii) possible IIA, that is asthma occurring with a delayed‐onset after chronic exposure to moderate levels of irritants. This document prepared by a panel of experts summarizes our current knowledge on the diagnostic approach, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of the various phenotypes of IIA.

Prediction of challenge test results by flour-specific IgE and skin prick test in symptomatic bakers.

Background:  Wheat and rye flours are among the most important allergens causing occupational asthma. Usually, the diagnosis of baker’s asthma is based on inhalation challenge tests with flours.

EAACI position paper: skin prick testing in the diagnosis of occupational type I allergies

Skin prick testing (SPT) in combination with the clinical history of the patient is one important step in the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated occupational allergies. However, skin test performance is related to the quality of allergen extracts. The present consensus document was prepared by an EAACI Task Force consisting of an expert panel of allergologists and occupational physicians from Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, and Poland. All members of the panel were also involved in the data collection within the European multicentre study STADOCA (Standard diagnosis for occupational allergy). The aim of this Task Force was the assessment of the quality of commercially available SPT solutions for selected occupational allergens under standardized procedure conditions in different European centres and institutes of Occupational Medicine. The data evaluation shows a wide variability among SPT solutions and also indicates that the sensitivity of several SPT solutions is low. Therefore, improvement and standardization of SPT solutions for occupational allergens is highly recommended. Clinical practitioners should also not presume that their SPT solutions are fully reliable. The main objective of the document is to issue consensus suggestions for the use of SPT with occupational allergens based on the European multicentre study STADOCA, on existing scientific evidence and the expertise of a panel of allergologists.

Evaluation of commercial skin prick test solutions for selected occupational allergens

Skin prick testing (SPT) is an important step in the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated occupational allergic diseases. The outcome of SPT is related to the quality of allergen extracts. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess different commercially available SPT solutions for selected occupational allergens.

Comparison of wheat and rye flour solutions for skin prick testing: a multi-centre study (Stad 1).

Background Skin prick testing (SPT) is the basic method for diagnosing IgE‐mediated allergies. However, skin reactivity is related to the quality of allergen extracts, which are often poorly defined for occupational allergens.

Chironomidae hemoglobin allergy in Japanese, Swedish, and German populations

Hemoglobins of the Diptera (insect) family Chironomidae have been identified as causative allergens in asthmatic patients. In this study, 229 Japanese, 17 Taiwanese, and 92 Swedish sera from atopic patients were tested for antibodies against Chi t I, the hemoglobin from the European midge species Chironomus thummi, and against crude extracts from the Japanese midges Tokunagayusurika akamusi (T. akamusi) and Cricotopus sylvestris (Cr. sylvestris). Nearly 40% of patients showed a positive reaction to Cr. sylvestris extract, which contains no hemoglobin. This result is probably due to the presence of other partially cross‐reacting allergens than hemoglobin. Nearly all tested Japanese serum samples showed cross‐reactivity between Chi t I and Cr. sylvestris, a finding which is evidence for common epitopes in both midge species. Furthermore, an overall good correlation between the amounts of IgE antibodies against Chi I I and Chi 1 I component III was found in sera from Swedish, Japanese, and German patients.

Trends in suspected and recognized occupational respiratory diseases in Germany between 1970 and 2005.

BACKGROUND Respiratory diseases represent a major proportion of occupational diseases in many countries. Little information is available about their incidences over the past several decades. METHODS Based on the reports of the three German federal accident insurance agencies, the numbers of suspected and recognized cases of occupational respiratory diseases between 1970 and 2005 were collected and combined. The trends in the rates per 100,000 insured workers were calculated. RESULTS In total, a decline in occupational respiratory diseases since 1998 could be observed. This trend is mainly based on the decrease in non-malignant respiratory diseases due to silica and obstructive airway diseases. In contrast, asbestos-induced diseases showed a leveling off or an increase (mesothelioma) during the last 10years. CONCLUSIONS Although trends in occupational disease may be influenced by several factors, the presented data indicate that prevention has been effective in reducing some ofthe most frequent occupational respiratory diseases in Germany.