Nasal filters: a novel approach to tackling allergic rhinitis.

More than 300 million individuals in industrialized countries suffer from allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis is a disease characterized by stuffy or runny nose, followed by red, itchy watering eyes and repeated sneezing. But more common problems for rhinitis patients are the overlooked social difficulties, with the majority reporting tiredness, feeling miserable or irritable.

Halogen immunoassay, a new method for the detection of sensitization to fungal allergens; comparisons with conventional techniques.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of allergy to specific fungal species is confounded by the variability in allergens occurring with different diagnostic systems. We compared the halogen immunoassay (HIA), which uses allergens expressed by freshly germinated spores that are bound to protein binding membranes (PBM), with the commercial Pharmacia UniCap assay (CAP) and with skin prick tests (SPT).

Methods: Serum from 60 subjects was used; 30 were SPT positive and sensitized to at least one of Alternaria alternata or Aspergillus fumigatus and the other 30 were SPT negative to these fungi but known to be sensitized to non-fungal allergens.

Enumeration and detection of aerosolized Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium chrysogenum conidia and hyphae using a novel double immunostaining technique.

The identification of collected airborne unicellular fungal conidia and hyphae using nonviable techniques is subjective and an imprecise process. Similarly, to determine whether an individual is allergic to a particular genus requires a separate immunodiagnostic analysis. This study demonstrates the development of a novel double immunostaining halogen assay, which enables (1) the simultaneous identification of collected airborne fungal conidia and hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium chrysogenum using monoclonal antibodies and (2) the demonstration of patient-specific allergy to the same particles using human serum IgE.

Detection of aerosolized Alternaria alternata conidia, hyphae, and fragments by using a novel double-immunostaining technique.

A double-immunostaining halogen immunoassay was developed to identify aerosolized conidia, hyphae, and fragments of Alternaria alternata by using an anti-Alternaria polyclonal antiserum, while, simultaneously, allergy to these components was concurrently determined by using human immunoglobulin E antibodies.

Fungal fragments and undocumented conidia function as new aeroallergen sources.

Background: More than 100 genera of fungal conidia are currently recognized as sources of allergens. The contribution of other fungal genera plus airborne fungal hyphae and fragmented conidia to allergic diseases is poorly understood.

Objective: We sought to investigate the expression of allergens from airborne wild-type fungi using the Halogen immunoassay, which uses allergic serum IgE to immunostain immobilized allergens extracted from individual fungal particles.

Allergen detection from 11 fungal species before and after germination.

Background: Allergens dispersed by airborne fungal spores play an important but poorly understood role in the underlying cause and exacerbation of asthma. Previous studies suggest that spores of Alternaria and Aspergillus release greater quantities of allergen after germination than before germination. It is unknown whether this is true of other allergenic fungi.

Inhaled latex allergen (Hev b 1).

Background: IgE-mediated responses to natural rubber latex allergens have become a major health problem among recognized risk groups.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to measure the amounts of Hevea brasiliensis latex allergen (Hev b 1) inhaled and deposited on surfaces when latex or vinyl gloves were worn and compare the results with the conventional measures (breathing zone samplers) of occupational exposure.

Methods: Hev b 1 exposure was measured by nasal sampling and breathing zone sampling.

Comparison of vacuuming procedures for reservoir dust mite allergen on carpeted floors.

Allergen concentration in dust collected from a single square meter of carpet has been widely used as a proxy for aeroallergen exposure in a room. However, little is known about the horizontal distribution of allergens in carpeting or whether sampling several smaller sites might better approximate the average level. Eight bedrooms and 4 lounge rooms were divided into squares of 0.