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The article presents a study which discusses the relationship between helminthic infection and allergic diseases. Rabbits with nematode ascaris lumbricoides (Al) antigens were immunized to determine the cross-reactivity of anti-ascaris and antibody elements. Results shows that immunization of rabbits with ascaris antigens from human parasite Al induced the production of antibodies cross-reactivity to house dust mite (HDM) antigens.

Background: Booklice (Liposcelis bostrichophila) are a common household insect pest distributed worldwide. Particularly in Japan, they infest 'tatami' mats and are the most frequently detected insect among all detectable insects, present at a frequency of about 90% in dust samples. Although it has been hypothesized that they are an important indoor allergen, studies on their allergenicity have been limited. Methods: To clarify the allergenicity of booklice and the cross-reactivity of this insect allergen with allergens of other insects, patients sensitized to booklice were identified from 185 Japanese adults with allergic asthma using skin tests and IgE-ELISA. IgE-inhibition analysis, immunoblotting and immunoblotting-inhibition analysis were performed using sera from these patients. Allergenic proteins contributing to specific sensitization to booklice were identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis and two-dimensional immunoblotting. Results: The booklouse-specific IgE antibody was detected in sera from 41 patients (22% of studied patients). IgE inhibition analysis revealed that IgE reactivity to the booklouse allergen in the sera from one third of booklouse-sensitized patients was not inhibited by preincubation with extracts from any other environmental insects in this study. Immunoblotting identified a 26-kD protein from booklouse extract as the allergenic protein contributing to specific sensitization to booklice. The amino acid sequence of peptide fragments of this protein showed no homology to those of previously described allergenic proteins, indicating that this protein is a new allergen. Conclusions: Sensitization to booklice was relatively common and specific sensitization to this insect not related to insect panallergy was indicated in this population. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing amounts of data have shown that some Asian populations are more susceptible to increased weight and development of noncommunicable disease than Western populations. However, little is known about the association between increased weight, particularly within the normal range, and the development of asthma among Asian populations. Methods: To examine the association between increased body mass index (BMI) and asthma among Japanese adults, data from a nationwide population-based cross-sectional survey of asthma prevalence in Japan were analyzed (n = 22,962; age range 20-79 years). BMIs were classified into 7 categories considering WHO recommendations (cutoff points: 17.00, 18.50, 23.00, 25.00, 27.50 and 30.00), and the association between BMI and the prevalences of asthma as well as asthma symptoms were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalences of obesity (BMI ≥30.00) in this population were relatively low (males 3.0%, females 2.3%). BMI categories of 25.00 or higher in both genders were significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma compared with the reference category (BMI 18.50-22.99). Even in females with a BMI of 23.00-24.99, the prevalence of asthma significantly increased (adjusted odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.16-1.92) compared with that in the reference category. Conclusions: An increase in the prevalence of asthma among Japanese females starts at a BMI of 23.00, which was relatively lower than those reported from Western countries. This finding suggests that the Japanese population is likely to have asthma with a lesser degree of obesity than Western populations. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In most cases of anaphylactic transfusion reaction, the mechanisms underlying its development are unclear. We found a donor whose transfused blood components were implicated in two cases of anaphylactic transfusion reaction, and we found that the donor plasma showed mast cell degranulation activity. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The donor plasma was examined to identify the mast cell-activating factors in it. Cultured mast cells prepared from cord blood were used for in vitro degranulation assay. Serum prepared from the donor plasma was fractionated by three-step chromatography using mast cell degranulation activity as a marker. The fractions selected from the third step of chromatography were analyzed by mass spectrometry after separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The characteristics of the identified proteins and other plasma samples that had been donated by the donor over several years were examined. RESULTS: Two plasma proteins of high molecular weight were detected in the anion-exchange fractions and identified as human immunoglobulin (Ig)Es of 500 kDa and higher. The mast cell degranulation activity of the IgEs decreased in the presence of monomeric human IgE as well as an anti-human IgE antibody. Mast cell degranulation activity was detected in the donor plasma since January 4, 2002, when the first case was reported. CONCLUSION: We identified high-molecular-weight IgEs as the mast cell-activating factors in the donor plasma. Results of analysis suggest that these IgEs were dimeric and trimeric and that they directly activated the transfusion recipient's mast cells by triggering the crosslinking of Fcε receptor I, thereby inducing an anaphylactic transfusion reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The fractional concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FENO) is used as a biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. FENO is increased in patients with asthma. The relationship between subjective asthma symptoms and airway inflammation is an important issue. We expected that the subjective asthma symptoms in women might be different from those in men. Therefore, we investigated the gender differences of asthma symptoms and FENO in a survey of asthma prevalence in university students. Methods: The information about asthma symptoms was obtained from answers to the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire, and FENO was measured by an offline method in 640 students who were informed of this study and consented to participate. Results: The prevalence of asthma symptoms on the basis of data obtained from 584 students (266 men and 318 women), ranging in age from 18 to 24 years, was analyzed. Wheeze, chest tightness, an attack of shortness of breath, or an attack of cough within the last year was observed in 13.2% of 584 students. When 38.0 ppb was used as the cut-off value of FENO to make the diagnosis of asthma, the sensitivity was 86.8% and the specificity was 74.0%. FENO was ≥ 38.0 ppb in 32.7% of students. FENO was higher in men than in women. The prevalence of asthma symptoms estimated by considering FENO was 7.2%; the prevalence was greater in men (9.4%) than women (5.3%). A FENO ≥ 38.0 ppb was common in students who reported wheeze, but not in students, especially women, who reported cough attacks. Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma symptoms in university students age 18 to 24 years in Japan was estimated to be 7.2% on the basis of FENO levels as well as subjective symptoms. Gender differences were observed in both FENO levels and asthma symptoms reflecting the presence of eosinophilic airway inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grass and birch pollens are known to induce asthma. However there are few reports about other pollen-induced asthma. Japanese cedar is the most common allergen in rhinitis in Japan but is controversial on whether it can provoke asthma. Methods: To clarify Japanese cedar pollen-induced asthma, we studied adult patients who were sensitized only to the Japanese cedar (CAP-RAST > = 2) and had symptoms of asthma during the cedar season. We defined cedar asthma as a patient who satisfied the 2 criteria mentioned above. Results: We found 6 adult asthma patients who fulfilled the two criteria. Five patients suffered from cedar pollinosis in addition to asthma, and 1 patient had no pollinosis. The cedar pollinosis preceded asthma in 3 cases and occurred at almost the same time in the other 2 cases. Pulmonary function was normal in these cases (FEV 1%, mean ± SD, 76.5 ± 10%), with a high threshold value in the non-specific airway hypersensitivity test (Ach-PC20, 2,696 to 20,000 µg/ml, 9294 ± 2) and low total IgE (101 ± 86 IU/ml). In the allergen provocation test, 3 subjects showed both an immediate and late asthmatic reaction. Conclusions: We concluded that Japanese cedar pollen could provoke not only pollinosis but also asthma in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although a number of studies have been carried out to examine the baseline concentrations of inflammatory mediators in asthmatic patients, the clinical utility of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in allergen-induced bronchoconstriction has not yet been clarified. Objective: We examined whether the release of inflammatory mediators can be detected in EBC after allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients. Methods: We quantified mast cell–associated mediators in EBC and their corresponding urinary metabolites before and after allergen inhalation. Results: Early asthmatic responses (EARs) caused significant increases in the concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs; median, 10.4 vs 99.0 pg/mL; P < .0001) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2; median, 2.26 vs 8.72 pg/mL; P = .0077), but not that of histamine, from baseline concentrations. Significant increases in the concentrations of urinary leukotriene E4 and 9α, 11β-prostaglandin F2 were detected in patients with EARs. However, the percentage increases in the concentrations of CysLTs and PGD2 in EBC did not correlate with those of their corresponding urinary metabolites. The increases in concentrations of CysLTs and PGD2 in EBC in patients with EARs correlated with each other and correlated with the extent of decrease in FEV1. An insignificant difference in tyrosine concentration before and after the inhalation test demonstrated that errors caused by dilution of inflammatory mediators are negligibly small in EBC collected over a short period. Conclusion: In patients with allergen-induced EARs, pulmonary generation of mast cell–associated mediators can be evaluated by quantifying CysLTs and PGD2 in EBC, suggesting that the quantification of EBC mediators might be useful in monitoring acute asthmatic airway inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) with asthma precedes the onset of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) in half of all patients with CSS. It is not known what determines whether patients with CEP after asthma will have CSS. Objective: We examined whether activation of regulatory T cells in patients with CEP inhibits CSS development and is otherwise involved in the mechanism of CSS disease. Methods: In patients with CSS (n = 38), CEP with asthma (n = 20), and general adult asthma (n = 108), we examined the number of CD4+CD25+ T cells in peripheral blood, as well as levels of expression of the cytokines IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and TGF-β by CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+CD25− T cells, or both. Results: At disease onset, patients with CSS, unlike patients with CEP, had significantly fewer CD4+CD25+ T cells than patients with any step of asthma. CD4+CD25+ T cells producing IL-10 were rarely detected in patients with CSS at disease onset or relapse, whereas the numbers of IL-10–producing T cells in patients with CEP were high at disease onset. There were fewer CD4+CD25− T cells producing IL-2 in patients with CSS before treatment than in patients with CEP at disease onset. The proportions of CD4+CD25+ T cells producing IL-10 and CD4+CD25− T cells producing IL-2 in patients with CSS increased at remission. Conclusions: Maintenance of the numbers of regulatory T cells in patients with CEP with asthma might inhibit CSS development through the action of cytokines, such as IL-10 and IL-2, produced by CD4+CD25+ or CD4+CD25− T cells. This might be part of a mechanism that influences progression and prognosis in these diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Viral infection causes asthma exacerbations and airway hyperreactivity. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of viral or synthetic origin in a fashion different from protein kinase R (PKR). The aim of this study was to examine the expression and function of TLR3 in human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Methods: Expression of TLR3 and muscarinic receptor (MR), histamine receptor (HR), and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLTR) subtypes was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometry, or Western blotting. It was assessed whether ASM cells respond to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic analog of dsRNA, with alterations in M2R, M3R, H1R, and CysLT1R expression. The function of these subtypes was evaluated by cholinergic regulation of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation or by mobilization of intracellular calcium upon stimulation. Results: ASM cells expressed TLR3 and PKR, and intracellular TLR3 expression was demonstrated. Poly I:C caused decreased M2R and increased M3R expression, without affecting H1R and CysLT1R expression. Poly I:C-treated cells showed decreased cholinergic inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and enhanced calcium flux in response to acetylcholine, but not to histamine and LTD4. These modulating effects of poly I:C were reversed by chloroquine, but not by 2-aminopurine. Conclusions: The data indicate that poly I:C internalized by ASM cells differentially regulates M2R and M3R expression and function by interacting with TLR3 rather than with PKR, suggesting that these changes may contribute to airway hyperreactivity. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]