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Farmer's lung disease (FL)- the commonest form of allergic alveolitis caused by repeated inhalation of mouldy hay, is associated with exposure to the fungus Aspergillus umbrosus among Finnish farmers. The antigen-binding avidity of A. umbrosus-specific IgG antibodies was measured in 12 FL patients in acute phases of initial and recurrent attacks and during 1 year follow up as well as in 12 healthy farmers and five healthy urban controls. The farmers' groups were further divided into two subgroups: subjects with short exposure ( < 7 years) and subjects with long exposure (> 25 years). During the first acute phase PL patients with long exposure exhibited a high avidity of A. umbrosus-specific IgG antibodies that remained high during the I year follow up, although the A. umbrosus-specific IgG antibody titre decreased. A re-exposure to mouldy hay leading to a recurrence further enhanced the maturation of the antibody avidity, so that an even higher A. umbrosus-specific IgG avidity with a less significant increase of antibody titre occurred than during the first acute attack. Notably higher IgG antibody avidity was observed in FL patients with long exposure than in healthy farmers or in healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbohydrate-containing fraction of Candida albicans was isolated from the crude extract with ConA Sepharose affinity chromatography and studied by IgE-immunoblotting with individual and pooled sera from C.albicans-allergic subjects. In the ConA-bound fraction there was a diffuse IgE binding in the high molecular weight area which also gave a carbohydrate stain (PAS). A distinct band corresponding to a molecular weight of 70 kD bound specific IgE antibodies. This glycoprotein, presumably a mannoprotein, gave a weak carbohydrate staining and a strong protein staining. Further biochemical studies are needed to reveal the exact nature of the epitopes in the ConA-bound mannose-containing fraction of C.albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of IgE, IgA and IgG antibodies directed against Candida albicans antigens in 28 asthmatic children was performed with immunoblotting after SDS-PAGE. Analysis with the purified cytoplasmic protein fraction revealed a major protein allergen with an MW of 46 kD. In addition to the major allergen, 15 other antigenic bands with molecular weights between 16 and 135 kD bound IgE. Ten of 13 anti-C. albicans IgE-positive children had IgE towards the 46 kD major allergen. None of the subjects in the study group or in the non-atopic controls had IgA or IgG antibodies towards this protein. Analysis of the crude surface extract showed that mannan, a carbohydrate, was an intermediate allergen contrary to being the major antigen in IgA and IgG antibody responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-soluble antigens of Candida albicans were sequentially extracted from intact and disrupted yeast cells grown on protein-free agar, and analysed on immunoblots after SDS-PAGE. Washing of the cells in saline before proper extraction resulted in loss of 47.2% of the total carbohydrate and 1.5% of the total protein. The protein fraction contained 14 antigenic bands when analysed with hyperimmune rabbit antisera. Four of these bound IgE when probed with a RAST-positive serum pool and beta-galactosidase-labelled anti-IgE. Extraction of the disrupted cells resulted in 15% of the total carbohydrate and 94% of the total protein. The cytoplasmic protein fraction showed 69 antigenic bands, 13 of which bound IgE. The carbohydrate fraction contained mannan, which was found in the washing solutions and in the surface extract as well as in the cytoplasmic extract. Allergens found in washing solutions were also present in cytoplasmic fraction. This study suggests that the rapid release of allergens from saprophytic C. albicans cells on mucous membranes of the body may cause continuous exposure and result in sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast allergen extracts of Candida albicans, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondi, C. humicola, C. norwegica, C. utilis, Cryptococcus albidus, Geotrichum candidum, Pityrosporon pachydermatis, P. ovale, Rhodotorula minuta, R. rubra, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulopsis glabrata and Trichosporon cutaneum were investigated regarding their common allergenic properties. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using rabbit anti-Candida albicans antiserum showed remarkable immunological cross-reactivity only between the Candida species. However, there was a significant multiple sensitivity to the extracts of C. albicans, C. utilis, Cr. albidus, R. rubra and S. cerevisiae in skin prick testing in atopic patients, suggesting the possible presence of one or more common skin reactive allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is popular belief that mushrooms are capable of eliciting allergic symptoms. Studies on this subject are few and take no account of many of the important mushroom families, for example, in Scandinavia. The word mushroom refers mainly to macrofungi with edible fruiting bodies and other minor macrofungi. The word mushroom is used here in its widest sense. As the taxonomy is subject to continual review scientist have chosen to use the latest accepted latin name but mention in brackets the name used in the original article reviewed.

This study was undertaken to analyze the differences in exposure and sensitization to five common environmental yeasts. The responses of IgG, IgA. and IgE to Candida albicans, C. utilis, Cryptococcus albidus. Rhodotorula rubra, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and purified S. cerevisiae enolase were analyzed by immunoblotting (IgE-IB). and the cross-reactivity of their IgE-binding components by IgE-IB inhibition. Twenty atopic subjects, with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis were included. In skin prick tests (SPT). 12 of the patients showed simultaneous reactivity to at least two of the five yeasts, four reacted to one of the yeasts, and four had no responses. Antigens run in SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose were probed with enzyme-labeled IgA-, IgG-, and IgE-specific antibodies. The IgE immunoblotting revealed most IgE-binding bands in C. albicans (11 bands) followed by C utilis (eight bands). S. cerevisiae (five bands), R. rubra (five bands), and Cr. albidus (four bands). Six of the IgE-binding bands of C. albicans and C. utilis shared molecular weight, and only two bands shared molecular weight with other yeasts. These were the 46-kDa band, shared by all five yeasts, and a 13-kDa band shared by four yeasts. Prominent IgE binding was seen to a 46-kDa band of C. albicans (seven patients), C. utilis (five patients), and S. cerevisiae (one patient) and to corresponding weak bands of Cr. albidus and R. rubra (one patient). The possible cross-reactivity of the 46-kDa band was analyzed by IgE-IB inhibition and densitometry, revealing clear C. albicans inhibition of C. utilis (80%) and enolase (98%) (autoinhibition 100%), The strongest IgG responses were seen against S. cerevisiae and C albicans. The responses were mainly against mannans of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae, suggesting that most of the exposure is to these yeasts. Yeasts with different types of exposure, from saprophytic growth on human mucous membranes to exposure by air and food, were shown to cross-react at the allergenic level, Atopic patients primarily sensitized by C. albicans and S. cerevisiae may develop allergic symptoms by exposure to other environmental yeasts due to cross-reacting IgE antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A standardized, controlled procedure for preparation of an in-house reference (IHR) preparation of an allergen extract of Candida albicans is described. The procedure, based on previous studies of allergens of C. albicans, is designed to yield a maximum of allergens in optimum extraction conditions and to provide a reference preparation for further extract production. The SDS-PAGE. igE-immunoblotting, and crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) analyses showed that the procedure is reproducible with acceptable batch-to-batch variation. The variation in the content of the most important allergens, namely, proteins with molecular weights of 46, 29, and 27 kDa in the pooled final batches, is acceptable (coeff. of variation <15%), although in the intermediate batches of different strains, the coefficient of variation may occasionally exceed 20%. A comparison with other C. albicans allergen preparations used in our previous studies is also presented. The resulting extract can be used as a reference in further extract production and also in experimental in vitro and in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effects of anthropogenic pollution on water-soluble proteins and specifically allergens in birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) pollen, we analyzed extracts of pollen from the pollution gradient around a factory complex (emitting sulfur oxides and heavy metals) by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and IgE immunoblotting. In addition, tree density-associated shading of the tree habitat, and quantity and quality of proteins and allergens in pollen of the two birch species were studied. The two studied birch species gave identical allergen profiles even though their protein profiles differed. Distance from the factory did not affect the amount of birch pollen major allergen. Bet v 1 (17 kDa), or of two other strong allergens (23 and 36 kDa). Trees growing in shaded places had significantly stronger responses to Bet v 1 and to the 23-kDa allergen than trees growing in open or half-open environments. Thus, we propose that combined heavy metal and sulfur dioxide pollution does not have an important effect on birch pollen allergens. Instead, other factors, e.g., shading and soil properties of the tree habitat, as well as the genetic background of the tree, may have a stronger influence on the quantity and relative composition of allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three immunologic tests, skin prick test, RAST, and basophil histamine-release test (BHRT), were compared by provocation in the diagnosis of occupational asthma and rhinitis. Twenty-three positive bronchial or nasal challenges were performed on 16 patients (six farmers, six bakery workers, and four food industry workers) and asthma or rhinitis was diagnosed as caused by cereal flour or grain, cow epithelium, storage mites, garlic, or soy dust. A control group consisted of 12 patients, of whom four (two bakery workers, one food industry worker, and one farmer) were challenge-negative, and the rest suffered from pollen allergy and seasonal rhinitis and were not challenged. The sensitivity and specificity of the prick test, RAST, BHRT, and a panel of them were as follows: 74 and 89%, 57% and 86%, 78 and 93%, and 91 and 71%, respectively. The overall concordance among these three type I allergy tests or between immunologic tests and challenge was relatively good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of world heritage which refers to cultural heritage. Topics discussed include the association of world heritage to the project of global ethics that aim to identify values that are common to all the people in the world and a complex net of interactions and contradictions between the ideals of truth, beauty and goodness.

The article examines the allergens of Ficus benjamina indoor plant. About three to four percent of all atopics exhibit skin reaction to the plant. Ficus benjamina sap extracts have been characterized in an immunoblotting study. The sap extract serves as the best source of the plant allergens. Allergens in the sap are species-specific.

Examines extrinsic allergic alveolitis from pine sawdust. Increase in the total amount of cells in the bronchoalveolar fluid; Collection of sawdust from pine, spruce, birch, beech and apple; Methods in preparing antigen extracts.

The article discusses the ethical aspects of teaching. Topics discussed include preparing students to be good persons as one of the aims of education, giving people education that allow them to fill the roles that are desirable and acceptable to the community, the goal of ethics to challenge students to make their own valuations and choices and ethics as the search of a synoptic view.