MALDI-TOF MS analysis of labile Lolium perenne major allergens in mixes.

Background: It is well known that allergen extracts used for specific therapy of allergic disorders are commonly stored as mixtures, causing an alteration of its stability.

Objective: The aim of this report is to identify pollen allergens susceptible to degradation during storage of mixtures containing different sources of proteases in the absence of glycerol as a preserving agent.

Methods: Mixes containing Lolium perenne (Lol p) pollen extract with either Aspergillus fumigatus or Periplaneta americana extracts were prepared and co-incubated for 90 days at 4 degrees C.

Antigenicity and immunocrossreactivity of orange tree pollen and orange fruit allergenic extracts.

Background: It is important to study the crossreactivity between orange tree pollen (OTPE) and orange fruit (OFE) due to the high incidence of pollen/food-related allergies worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the antigenic relationship between OTPE and OFE.

Methods: OTPE and OFErabbit antisera as well as sera from patients allergic to OTPE and OFE were comparatively applied in IgG- and/or IgE-specific ELISA inhibition, crossover or inhibition immunoblotting assays using OTPE and OFE allergenic extracts as solid phase.

Serine proteinases with gelatinolytic activity in an Aspergillus fumigatus allergenic extract.

The presence of proteolytic activity in Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) extract was analyzed in polyacrylamide gelatine containing gels at different pHs. The gelatinolytic pattern showed three major activities (180, 70, and 34 kDa bands) over a broad pH range (pH 4-8). All bands showed maximum activity at pH 8, and the activity declined at lower pH, showing no activity at pH 2.

[Hypersensitiviy to Trichophyton rubrum antigens in atopic and non-atopic podiatrists].

Background: Podiatrists as well as manicurists are exposed to inhale nail dust contaminated with mycotic particles when filing and burring the onychomycotic nails of their patients. As some of them with atopic background suffered worsening of their symptoms we decided to study the immune response to the fungus Trichophyton rubrum (Tr) that was isolated from the nail dust obtained from the podiatrists office.

Methodology And Results: A detailed clinical record, intracutaneous skin tests with a extract of Tr and the serum levels of total and specific IgE were performed in rhinitis-asthma as well as control patients.

Immunological changes during cockroach immunotherapy.

Data obtained in a 3-year survey of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with a Periplaneta americana antigen (Pa-1) are presented. Parameters such as serum IgE-paperadioimmunosorbent test, specific IgE and IgG, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-4R levels were recorded before and after SIT. While serum IgE levels and IgE-RAST-anti-Pa-1 did not change throughout SIT (p = not significant), IgG-RAST-anti-Pa-1 showed a marked increase from the first year (p < 0.