Allergenicity and cross-reactivity of Senecio pollen: identification of novel allergens using the immunoproteomics approach.

Background: The genus Senecio is the largest genus of the family Asteraceae (Compositae). The allergenicity of Senecio has not been assessed previously.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the allergens of Senecio jacobea pollen and to determine their immunological characteristics and clinical relevance.

Characterisation of immune mediator release during the immediate response to segmental mucosal challenge in the jejunum of patients with food allergy.

Background: Food allergy is a common complaint among patients with a broad spectrum of abdominal and extra-abdominal symptoms that must be distinguished from other more common non-immunological food intolerances.

Aims: To investigate whether human intestinal hypersensitivity reactions are associated with detectable release of inflammatory mediators from activated cells, which may serve as a biological marker of true allergic reactions.

Patients/methods: In eight patients with food allergy and seven healthy volunteers, a closed-segment perfusion technique was used to investigate the effects of jejunal food challenge on luminal release of tryptase, histamine, prostaglandin D(2), eosinophil cationic protein, peroxidase activity, and water flux.

[Investigation of the efficacy and tolerability of azelastine nasal spray versus ebastine tablets in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis].

The efficacy and safety of the nasally administered histamine H1 receptor blocking drug Azelastine was investigated in an open, multicenter, randomized comparative trial with Ebastine in seasonal allergic rhinitis. 110 patients in two parallel groups were treated for 14 days and efficacy was assessed by the physician using a rating scale measuring 10 nasal and ocular symptoms of seasonal rhinitis (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe). Tolerability was measured on the basis of reported adverse events.

Release of mast cell mediators into the jejunum by cold pain stress in humans.

Background & Aims: The central nervous system regulates gut functions via complex interactions between the enteric nervous and immune systems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mast cell mediators are released into the human jejunal lumen during stress.

Methods: A closed-segment perfusion technique was used to investigate jejunal release of tryptase, histamine, prostaglandin D2, and water flux in response to the cold pressor test in 8 healthy subjects and 9 patients with food allergy.

Blood sample processing effect on eosinophil cationic protein concentration.

Background: Asthma is considered to be an inflammatory disease. The most important cell involved in the inflammation is the eosinophil. These cells and their mediators, such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), are potential markers of the inflammation's severity.

[Anaphylaxis caused by royal jelly].

Royal jelly is the food on which are fed and which causes them to develop into queen bees. It is claimed to have rejuvenating virtues for human beings. This report describes a 15-year-old atopic woman who presented, 15 minutes after the intake of royal jelly, local angioedema, generalised urticaria, dysphonia and bronchospasm.

[Anaphylaxis caused by human seminal fluid].

Anaphylaxis to human seminal fluid (HSF) is rare. We present an atopic woman with postcoital cutaneous and respiratory symptoms. Prick by prick to HSF was positive.

[Hereditary angioedema. Control and treatment in 7 cases].

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is due to a deficit of the C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) of a dominant autosomic inheritance. Seven patients are presented from a family with HAE, four of whom with poor prognosis due to the frequency and site of the angioedema. Prophylaxis was obtained with long-term danazol since antifibrinolytic drugs are not efficient in the prevention of outbreaks of angioedema.

Diagnosis of parietaria pollinosis.

A prospective study of 54 patients showed that pollinosis due to parietaria is prevalent in Spain and frequently causes asthma and rhinitis. Because of its atypical clinical features, patients are often erroneously thought to have intrinsic asthma. False negative skin tests may occur, probably related to the type of extract used.