Mediator release assay for assessment of biological potency of German cockroach allergen extracts.

Background: Cockroach is an important allergen in inner-city asthma. The diagnosis and treatment of cockroach allergy has been impeded by the lack of standardized cockroach extracts.

Objective: We investigated the utility of a mediator release assay based on rat basophil leukemia (RBL) cells for comparing the potency of German cockroach extracts.

A novel mouse model of experimental asthma.

Background: Animal models that mimic the pulmonary features observed in human asthma are important tools to study the mechanism(s) of allergen-induced asthma. Cockroach and dust mite allergens are two common allergens found in the 'inner city' environment. In this study, we examined the interaction between recombinant cockroach (r Bla g 2) and dust mite (r Der f 1) allergens in inbred mouse strain (A/J).

Survival of wild polio by a patient with XLA.

Background: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by failure of B-cell differentiation and hypogammaglobulinemia. In addition to being susceptible to bacterial infections, patients with XLA are also susceptible to enteroviruses. Systemic enterocytopathogenic human orphan virus (ECHO), coxsackie virus, and vaccine-related polio infections have caused severe morbidity and high mortality rates in XLA patients.