Biogeographical variation in specific IgE recognition of temperate and subtropical grass pollen allergens in allergic rhinitis patients.

Objective: Globally, grass pollens (GP) are major aeroallergen triggers of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. However, patterns of allergic sensitisation to pollen of temperate (Pooideae: ) and subtropical (Chloridoideae: and Panicoideae: ) subfamilies in diverse climates remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the level of allergic sensitisation and IgE specificity for major GP allergens representing the three subfamilies in biogeographically distinct regions.

Specific IgE recognition of pollen allergens from subtropic grasses in patients from the subtropics.

Background: Pollens of subtropical grasses, Bahia (Paspalum notatum), Johnson (Sorghum halepense), and Bermuda (Cynodon dactylon), are common causes of respiratory allergies in subtropical regions worldwide.

Objective: To evaluate IgE cross-reactivity of grass pollen (GP) found in subtropical and temperate areas.

Methods: Case and control serum samples from 83 individuals from the subtropical region of Queensland were tested for IgE reactivity with GP extracts by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific IgE to the major pollen allergen component, Pas n 1, of the subtropical Bahia grass.

Background: Pollens of the Panicoideae subfamily of grasses including Bahia (Paspalum notatum) are important allergen sources in subtropical regions of the world. An assay for specific IgE to the major molecular allergenic component, Pas n 1, of Bahia grass pollen (BaGP) would have immunodiagnostic utility for patients with pollen allergy in these regions.

Methods: Biotinylated Pas n 1 purified from BaGP was coated onto streptavidin ImmunoCAPs.

Total transcriptome, proteome, and allergome of Johnson grass pollen, which is important for allergic rhinitis in subtropical regions.

Background: Genomic data are lacking for many allergen sources. To circumvent this limitation, we implemented a strategy to reveal the repertoire of pollen allergens of a grass with clinical importance in subtropical regions, where an increasing proportion of the world's population resides.

Objective: We sought to identify and immunologically characterize the allergenic components of the Panicoideae Johnson grass pollen (JGP; Sorghum halepense).

Causes of ant sting anaphylaxis in Australia: the Australian Ant Venom Allergy Study.

Objective: To determine the Australian native ant species associated with ant sting anaphylaxis, geographical distribution of allergic reactions, and feasibility of diagnostic venom-specific IgE (sIgE) testing.

Design, Setting And Participants: Descriptive clinical, entomological and immunological study of Australians with a history of ant sting anaphylaxis, recruited in 2006-2007 through media exposure and referrals from allergy practices and emergency physicians nationwide. We interviewed participants, collected entomological specimens, prepared reference venom extracts, and conducted serum sIgE testing against ant venom panels relevant to the species found in each geographical region.

Season of birth and childhood food allergy in Australia.

Background: Recent studies suggest a possible role for low ultraviolet radiation exposure and low vitamin D status as a risk factor for food allergy. We hypothesized that children born in autumn/winter months (less sun exposure) might have higher food allergy rates than those born in spring/summer.

Methods: We compared IgE-mediated food allergy rates by season of birth in 835 children aged 0-4 yr assessed 1995-2009 in a specialist referral clinic, using population births as controls.

Optimising the management of allergic rhinitis: an Australian perspective.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent medical conditions. It has significant effects on quality of life and can have considerable socioeconomic effects. The traditional classification of perennial and seasonal rhinitis does not distinguish between provoking factors, nor does it indicate the most appropriate treatment.

Stinging and biting insect allergy: an Australian experience.

Background: Stings and bites from various insects are responsible for many anaphylactic events.

Objective: To document the clinical features of specific forms of anaphylaxis and investigate clinical concerns regarding stinging and biting insect allergy.

Methods: All patients presenting for evaluation of adverse reactions to insect stings or bites between December 1980 and December 1997 had the clinical details of their reactions recorded and their reactions classified.

ASCIA guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and child-care centres.

These guidelines have been developed by the anaphylaxis working party of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy to provide advice for minimizing the risk of food-induced anaphylaxis in schools, preschools and child-care centres. The guidelines outline four steps for the prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in children at risk and food policy measures specific to school age and preschool age children.

Anaphylaxis due to Red Imported Fire Ant sting.

The invasive Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) is well established at two locations in the Brisbane area, and we report a patient with anaphylaxis after a sting. The potential for anaphylactic events in Australia due to S. invicta will be greater than for native ants because of its unusual venom, its habit of forming supercolonies in grassy areas, and its aggressive group territorial defence, which can result in multiple stings.

Allergy to stinging and biting insects in Queensland.

Over an eight and a half year period 742 patients were assessed for allergy to stinging and biting insects in Queensland; 452 (61%) had allergic reactions to honey bees, 244 (33%) to wasps, 30 (4%) to various ants, 11 (1.5%) to march flies (Tabanus sp.) and five to tick infestation.

Penicillin allergy: clinical experience with a battery of skin-test reagents.

From 1971 through August 1978, 778 patients underwent penicillin skin testing. Each patient gave a history of previous penicillin allergy. The skin-test reagents consisted of (1) fresh solutions of commercially prepared penicillin G (PEN G), ampicillin (AMP), and methicillin (METH); (2) polylysine conjugates of the major antigenic determinants of each of the three drugs: and (3) alkaline hydrolysates of each drug.

Elevated levels of the eosinophil granule major basic protein in the sputum of patients with bronchial asthma.

The eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) is toxic to parasites and mammalian cells. Because eosinophilia is characteristic of asthma, we tested the effect of MBP on bronchi and assayed sputa for this protein. We found that MBP damaged bronchial epithelium in vitro and produced changes that mimicked those in asthma.

Elevated serum levels of the eosinophil granule major basic protein in patients with eosinophilia.

A radioimmunoassay was established for the human eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP). The mean level of MBP in sera from 105 normal control patients was 454 ng/ml, whereas in a sample of 188 patients with various forms of diseases, including the hypereosinophilic syndrome, levels as high as 14,000 ng/ml were measured. Serum levels of MBP did not correlate with eosinophil counts in normal subjects, but a positive correlation was seen in patients with eosinophilia; the patients with eosinophil counts greater than 350/mm3 generally showed increased levels of MBP.

The therapeutic response of urticarial vasculitis to indomethacin.

Ten patients with urticarial vasculitis, characterized clinically by persistent painful urticarial lesions, angioedema, recurrent arthralgia, abdominal pain, and low-grade fever, were selected for study. All patients had histologic evidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis in the urticarial lesions. Results of direct immunofluorescence microscopy of urticarial lesions were positive in all nine of the patients tested.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Penicillium species.

An entomologist developed an illness with typical features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. On-site investigations indicated that on the days of his attacks he was exposed to dust laden with several species of mold, especially Penicillium spp., as well as to mists generated by reservoir-type humidifiers.

Chronic active liver disease with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia.

Progressive liver injury in chronic active liver disease is usually associated with elevation of serum immunoglobulin levels. However, the role of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure. We report here the case of a 41-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia since at least 1964 in whom chronic active liver disease later developed.