Search

Allergy to non-specific lipidtransfer protein (nsLTP), the major allergen of grape (Vit v1), is considered as one of the most common fruit allergies in Iran. Therefore, a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) can be used for the characterization and assessment of. Accordingly, this study aimed to generate and characterize a mAb against Vit v1 with a diagnostic purpose. To this end, Vit v1 allergen (9 kDa) was extracted using a modified Bjorksten extraction method. Natural Vit v1-immunized mouse splenocytes were fused with SP2/0Ag-14 myeloma cells for generating hybridoma cells. Specific antibody-secreting Hybridoma cells were selected using ELISA. Finally, anti-Vit v1 mAb was characterized by western blotting, ELISA, and isotyping methods. In the current study, a 9 kDa (Vit v1) protein was attained fromcrude and fresh juice of grape extracts and the isotype of desired anti-Vit v1 mAb was determined as IgM with κ light chain. In addition, The ELISA results demonstrated that anti-Vit v1 mAb was specified against natural Vit v1 in the grape cultivar and related LTP allergens, such as Pla or 3 (p<0.0001). In the present study, a specific mAb was produced for detecting the LTP allergen. This mAb with a confirmed specificity can be utilized for evaluating the LTP allergens and their allergenicity in different grape cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of Mycobacterium simiae pulmonary infection is increasing and diagnosis and treatment are challenging. We surveyed the clinical features, risk factors, diagnosis, and management in 20 patients from northeastern Iran diagnosed by line probe assay and confirmed by sequencing the ITS (16S‐23S) rRNA region and carried out a literature review using the keywords "pulmonary infection" and "Mycobacterium simiae." The mean age of patients was 55.1 years, with 80% female and 90% diagnosed by sputum. Clinical symptoms included severe cough (90%), sputum production (70%), haemoptysis (50%), and chest pain (35%). Comorbidities included a history of tuberculosis (60%), smoking (40%), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20%). Patients were treated with levofloxacin, clarithromycin, and co‐trimoxazole. Except for two patients, the clinical symptoms improved. Mycobacterium simiae pulmonary infection is increasing in people with underlying diseases. Although choosing the most appropriate treatment remains a challenge, combining successful treatments could be useful in treating these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium simiae is an emerging and spreading pathogen in Iran and little data about its drug susceptibility test (DST) and no standard treatment regimen are available. We report a case of multidrug‐resistant M. simiae respiratory infection in a 65‐year‐old woman with a history of previous Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The patient was treated with clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole for one year and eventually died while still suffering from respiratory problems. For DST, broth microdilution method was used according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines as well as molecular DST in clinical isolate. Mycobacterium simiae was resistant to streptomycin, moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, and cotrimoxazole antibiotics and was sensitive to clofazimine and amikacin antibiotics. Inappropriate use of antibiotics without determining the pattern of antibiotic resistance increases the likelihood of resistance and, for resistant specimens, the need to review the treatment protocol and replace antibiotics. Effectiveness based on antibiotic resistance pattern is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of grape (Vitis vinifera) allergy in the northeast of Iran is second to melon allergy. Type IV chitinase is one of the major grape allergens. The current study investigates the level of type IV chitinase in four grape variants for the first time in Khorasan Razavi Province using a highly sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This assay was developed using a polyclonal antibody as a capture antibody and monoclonal antibody as a secondary one. Finally, the amount of type IV chitinase was measured by the validated ELISA test. The sensitivity of the developed sandwich ELISA is 16 ± 0.05 ng/ml, and its mean coefficients of intraday and interday variations are <5% and <15%, respectively. The recovery of the designed ELISA is 64 ± 0.9 %. The assessments showed that the highest level of type IV chitinase was 39.7 ± 2.3 μg/g in Peykani grape, whereas in the Sultana cultivar, it was 1.76 ± 0.1 μg/g. According to the data, the level of type IV chitinase is variable in different cultivars, and hence, it will be helpful for clinicians to recommend a less allergenic variety to the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.Vitis vinifera vitis(grape) cultivar Sultana is a causative agent of oral allergy syndrome (OAS) in Iran. In this study, the IgE-reactive proteins of this cultivar were characterised.Methods. IgE-reactivity of sera from patients with history of OAS to grape and positive skin prick test (SPT) were evaluated. Grape immunoreactive components were also purified and characterised.Results. The purified 10 kDa allergen showed the highest immunoreactivity in component-resolved ELISA and the results were in correlation with SPT results. The patients' sera were mostly reactive with 10, 28 and 60 kDa allergens; meanwhile, a 16 kDa protein can be considered as a novel marker for OAS to grape. The 24, 28 and 30 kDa allergens were identified as thaumatin-like protein, class IV chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase, respectively.Conclusion. The Sultana cultivar showed a rather similar pattern of IgE reactivity with other cultivars. Several allergens play role in OAS to grapes, however, the 10 kD protein is the main allergen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic disorders are common ailments, which cause socioeconomic problems. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of allergic disorders and symptoms suggestive of asthma in Mashhad city, Northeast Iran. We performed a cross-sectional survey in a randomly selected representative sample of the Mashhad population. A questionnaire was used based on the standard questionnaire of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The questionnaires asked about allergy-related symptoms including nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, atopic dermatitis symptoms, confirmed asthma, asthma-related symptoms, and nonspecific allergic symptoms. Some of the environmental triggers of allergic reactions such as pollen, dried plant, dust, drugs, food, fruit, condiments, makeup, perfume, jewelry, latex gloves, and keeping a pet were considered in the questionnaire. The prevalence of allergic disorders in this study was found to be 27.5% in the city of Mashhad. According to our definitions, the rates detected of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma were 22.4, 6.6, 13.5, 9.5, and 2.3%, respectively. Half of the allergic group suffered from rhinorrhea and other symptoms were significantly higher than in the non-allergic group. Dust and pollen were found to be the most important triggers of allergic reactions in the allergic group. This report may be useful to understand the factors contributing to asthma and allergic disorders and may help in management and control of these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]