Antigen resorption from the gastrointestinal tract. A historical perspective on the pathophysiological foundation of modern sublingual/oral immunotherapy.

Resorption of small particles and proteins through the mucous membranes of the intestines has been extensively studied for well over a 100 years and the arrival of sublingual/oral immunotherapy in clinical practice has renewed interest in this process. The first line of immune response to a potential allergen is at the site of contact with a mucous membrane and both inhaled and ingested allergens usually lead to some level of direct clinically appreciable manifestation on the mucous membrane. The initial process of antigen resorption has been relatively well understood for almost one century; however, the metabolic and/or immunological fate of large particles is the subject of more recent studies.

Mucosal histamine content and histamine secretion in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and allergic enteropathy.

Histamine exhibits various biological effects in inflammatory and immunological reactions. To further define its potential role in allergic enteropathy and inflammatory bowel disease, both gut mucosal histamine levels and histamine release from endoscopic biopsy samples were measured. Tissue histamine content resulted from addition of the released amount of histamine and the remaining part of tissue histamine.

Levocabastine nasal spray better than sodium cromoglycate and placebo in the topical treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The efficacy and safety of the nasal administration (twice in each nostril, four times a day) of levocabastine (0.5 mg/ml) were compared with those of sodium cromoglycate (20 mg/ml) and placebo in a 2-week, parallel, double-blind trial in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. At the end of treatment, 89% of patients in the levocabastine-treated group rated their treatment as globally good or excellent as compared with 32% (p = 0.

[Cefixime therapy in sinusitis].

In a clinical study, 40 patients suffering from acute, recurrent or chronic sinusitis were treated with cefixime. The duration of therapy ranged from seven to 15 days. The dosage was 200 mg bid.

Clinical efficiency of neobiphyllineR-studies on lung function and serum levels after rectal application of a combination of methyl-xanthines.

In a group of 12 patients suffering from reversible airways obstruction, lung function data and serum levels were studied before and after rectal application of a combination of methyl-xanthines (400 mh theophylline, 600 mg diprophylline, 600 mg proxyphylline). The follow-up over a period of 10 hours showed an immediate bronchodilator effect of the mixture within 30 minutes to 1 hour; bronchodilation was still detectable after an interval of 10 hours. The improvement in lung function correlated with the serum levels.

The formation of allergens during the development of rye pollen (secale cereale).

During pollen development loading of pollen grains of rye with allergen(s) takes place in the anther. Young microspores after meiosis have no allergenic activity. Under greenhouse conditions rye pollen becomes allergenically active about 6 days before release of pollen grains from the anther.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic implications of allergic processes in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (author's transl)].

At the present time most authors do not believe, that allergic processes do play a role in the etiology of Crohn's disease or of ulcerative colitis. Data are presented however demonstrating a pathogenic role of mould fungus allergens in these diseases. Diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these results are discussed.

[Bronchodilator effect of methylxanthine derivatives (author's transl)].

The bronchodilator effect of theophylline ethylenediamine was compared with that of a combination of the methylxanthines theophylline, diprophylline and proxyphylline, after administration of slow-release capsules. At an initial dose of twice two capsules the two drug preparations produced similar, therapeutically significant, effects. When reducing the dose to twice one capsule, during long-term treatment, there was a clinically and statistically significantly greater bronchodilator effect among those patients receiving the combined methylxanthine preparation.

[Importance of mould allergens in chronic recurrent gastrointestinal diseases (author's transl)].

This report deals with allergological, diagnostic and therapeutic methods in gastrointestinal allergic diseases with special consideration of mould allergens. Possibilities of using these methods in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis are being discussed.

Inhibitory effect of beta-adrenergic stimulants on the histamine reaction of the human skin. II. Studies with several derivatives in regard to the dosage used and reaction depending on time.

In 56 volunteers the inhibitory effects of the beta-adrenergic stimulants fenoterol, salbutamol, isoproterenol, orciprenaline, terbutaline, epinephrine and phenylephrine were studied. There was a difference between the substances in regard to the applied dose and duration of inhibitory effect. The latter parameter particularly depended on the hydrosolubility of the individual substances.

Pyroglyphid mites, xerophilic fungi and allergenic activity in dust from hospital mattresses.

Dust from mattresses of different composition and age was analysed for mites, xerophilic fungi and allergenic activity. The mites of the genus Demodex were the most abundant (58.2 per cent).

Inhibitory effect of beta-adrenergic stimulants on the histamine reaction in human skin. I. Studies with fenoterol.

In 20 volunteers histamine inhibition by fenoterol (Th 1165 a) was studied. The wheal and erythema reaction caused by intracutaneous application of 5 mug histamine can be inhibited by applying fenoterol in doses from 100--400 mug in form of a metered aerosol on the skin 5 min before the injection of histamine. In this study the dose-reaction effect yielded on ED50 of 140 mug fenoterol.

[Protective effect of beta-adrenergic substances on the allergic rhinitis (author's transl)].

The protective and curative effect of Th 1165a (Fenoterol) and Salbutamol on the allergic rhinitis is reported. 70 patients with positive nasal provocation tests (speezing, rhinitis and eosinophilia of the secretions) were tested some days later with the same allergen after application of 100 mug TH 1165a. Protective effect could be shown in 64 patients who did not react with clinical symptoms.