House dust mite induces expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in EoL-1 human eosinophilic leukemic cells.

The house dust mite (HDM) is considered to be the most common indoor allergen associated with bronchial asthma. In this study, we investigated whether crude extract of the HDM Dermatophagoides farinae could activate human eosinophilic leukemic cells (EoL-1) to induce upregulation of cell-surface adhesion molecules. When EoL-1 cells were incubated with D.

Comparison of allergic indices in monosensitized and polysensitized patients with childhood asthma.

Monosensitization differs both immunologically and clinically from polysensitization, and specific immunotherapy is more effective in patients sensitized only to a single pollen than in multiple-pollen sensitized patients. To further examine the differences between monosensitized and polysensitized allergies, allergic indices were examined in 68 monosensitized and 62 polysensitized patients with childhood asthma. Measurements included symptom scores, eosinophil counts, skin prick tests, serum total and specific IgE levels, and IL-10 levels, and were used to compare allergic indices between the two groups.

Peritonsillar abscess in a 40-day-old infant.

A peritonsillar abscess is one of the most commonly occurring deep space infections of the head and neck in adults and children. A peritonsillar abscess that appears in newborns, however, is extremely rare. The treatment of a peritonsillar abscess requires both the selection of appropriate antibiotics and the best procedure to remove the abscessed material.

Relationship among pulmonary function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and atopy in children with clinically stable asthma.

Pulmonary function testing plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of asthma in children. However, the literature does not clearly show whether children with clinically stable asthma have significantly reduced lung function when compared with normal children. We compared the lung function of 242 clinically stable asthmatic children who were initially diagnosed with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma with the lung function of 100 nonasthmatic controls.

CTLA-4 expression in T cells of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4; CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells with sequence homologous to CD28, and may act as a negative regulator of T-cell activation. In murine animal models, cross-linkage of CTLA-4 molecules on the cell surface results in decreased T-cell proliferation, accompanied by increased interleukin (IL)-2 production and apoptosis. To clarify the activation of peripheral blood T cells, we studied the CTLA-4 expression in 32 patients with atopic dermatitis who visited our institution, and 19 normal children who visited for pre-operative laboratory examination were used as normal controls.

Effect of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lysate on interleukin-8 gene expression in human respiratory epithelial cells.

Study Objectives: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory disease. Several studies have suggested that respiratory infection by M pneumoniae is associated with reactive airway disease and asthma. Interleukin (IL)-8 has been suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma, and is well known to be expressed in bronchial epithelial cells.

Correlation between inhalant allergen-specific IgE and pulmonary function in children with asthma.

Sensitization to aeroallergens is associated with diminished lung function in adults. Little has been studied on the relationship between the inhalant allergen-specific IgE and pulmonary function in asthmatic children. This study was focused on four major inhalant allergens found in Korea, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p.

Food sensitization in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. Children with AD tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergies. This study investigated the clinical significance of food sensitization in AD patients.