allergy
[Contact allergy to epoxy resins plastics based on materials collected by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine]

[Article in Polish]

Kiec-Swierczynska M, Krecisz B.

Przychodni Chorob Zawodowych Instytutu Medycyny, Lodzi. marswier imp.lodz.pl

Of the 5604 patients examined in 1984-2001 for suspected occupational dermatitis, 160 persons (2.8%) showed allergy to epoxy resins plastics. Allergy was more frequent in men (4.9%) than in women (1.2%); in 154 persons, allergy was of occupational etiology (in a group of 160 patients with allergy to epoxy resins, the following proportions were observed: bricklayers, platelayers--17.5%; fitters, turners, machinist millers--13.8%; plastics molders--13.1%; laminators--11.3%; electrical equipment assemblers--10.6%; painters--10.0%). Having compared the frequency of allergy to components of epoxy resins in the years 1984-1993 and 1994-2001, it was found that allergy to resin, reactive diluents and plasticizers was on increase, whereas allergy to amines and acid anhydrides hardeners was on decrease. In a group of 13 chemical compounds entering into the composition of epoxy resins, epoxy resin contributed to the largest number of positive patch tests (77.5% of epoxy-allergic persons). This was followed by triethylenetetramine (23.1%), ethylenediamine (13.1%), phthalic anhydride (8.1%), diethylenetetramine (6.9%) and phenylglycidylether (6.2%). In addition, three patients reacted to both epoxy resin and cycloaliphatic resin.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12923997&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Prevalence of latex allergy and evaluation of some risk factors in a population of atopic children.

Meglio P, Arabito E, Plantamura M, Businco L.

Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. pameglio tiscali.it

The aims of our study were to evaluate (1) the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy in an unselected population of atopic children; (2) the diagnostic efficacy of skin prick tests (SPTs) with latex extracts; (3) the correlation between positive SPTs to latex and risk factors such as atopy, fruit allergy, history of surgery cares or dental cares. We randomly enrolled 151 unselected atopic and 59 nonatopic children who underwent SPTs with common inhalant and food allergens, and SPTs with two different latex extracts. A clinical history concerning allergic history, symptoms after contact with latex objects or after ingestion of fruits or vegetables, dental and surgical treatments was obtained. Six of the 151 atopic children were positive to latex SPTs, but only one out of 59 nonatopic children was positive to latex SPTs. Concerning risk factors, 86% of children with SPT positive to latex were atopic, 71.4% had a clinical history of surgery, and none of them had undergone dental or orthodontic treatments. The prevalence of NRL sensitization in our unselected population of atopic children was 3.9%, but the prevalence of NRL allergy was 2.6%. Concerning NRL allergy, the sensitivity and the specificity of SPTs with latex extracts are high (1.00 and 0.98, respectively), as well as negative predicting value (1.00); the positive predictive value is low (0.70). We conclude that atopy, surgical treatments, and sensitization to foods cross-reacting with NRL are important risk factors for NRL sensitization. We have no data concerning dental or orthodontic cares.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12926184&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
A national survey of the provision for patients with latex allergy.

Yuill GM, Saroya D, Yuill SL.

North-west (E) Deanery, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 7JE, UK.

The prevalence of latex allergy has increased since the 1980s. As latex is found throughout hospitals and operating theatres, careful planning is required for latex-allergic patients who present pre-operatively. We conducted a postal survey of 269 departments of anaesthesia in England and Wales; responses were received from 208 (77%). Of these, 198 (95%) had a latex allergy protocol and 181 (87%) had a store of latex-free equipment. Only 113 (54%) had a named nurse and 58 (28%) had a named consultant responsible for the update of latex allergy provisions. Access to allergy clinics and further investigations were available to 189 (91%). Many respondents called for national guidelines. We are reassured that the majority of trusts have an up-to-date latex allergy protocol and latex-free equipment store. However, relatively few have nominated members of staff responsible for these and peri-operative care of susceptible patients.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12859469&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Diagnosis of cypress pollen allergy: in vivo and in vitro standardization of a Juniperus ashei pollen extract.

Hrabina M, Dumur JP, Sicard H, Viatte A, Andre C.

Departement Scientifique et Medical, Stallergenes S.A., Antony, France; Aix en Provence, France.

BACKGROUND: Cypress pollen allergy is a major cause of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in the Mediterranean area. The nonstandardized cypress allergen extracts currently available for the diagnosis of cypress allergy have a low level of activity. The search for an active material has led to the selection of Juniperus ashei (Ja) pollen because of its very high cross-reactivity with cypress extracts and its superior allergenic activity. The aim of this study was to characterize in vitro and calibrate in vivo an in-house reference extract (IHRS) of J. ashei pollen and determine the specificity and sensitivity of a standardized Ja extract for the prick test diagnosis of cypress allergy. METHODS: Juniperus ashei pollen extract was analysed by 2-D electrophoresis. The IHRS Ja extract was calibrated by skin prick testing in 28 cypress-allergic patients. The sensitivity and specificity of cypress allergy diagnosis using a standardized Ja extract was studied by skin prick test in 42 cypress-allergic patients and 53 nonallergic patients. Jun a 1 content of the IHRS was determined by a monoclonal antibody-based electrophoretic technique. RESULTS: The Jun a 1 content of the 100 IR/ml Ja IHRS extract was 180 microg/ml. For in vivo diagnosis of cypress allergy, Ja pollen extract demonstrated a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 96%, and a positive predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: Standardized Ja pollen extract is therefore a very appropriate tool for the in vivo diagnosis of cypress pollen allergy and good candidate for specific immunotherapy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12859563&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
[Role of immediate hypersensitivity to airborne allergens in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis]

[Article in Polish]

Silny P, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Silny W.

Katedra i Klinika Dermatologii Akademii Medycznej w Poznaniu.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E directed against common environmental allergens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate type of immunological reaction indicated by airborne allergens in the pathomechanism of atopic dermatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 529 patients with AD aged (0.5-60 years) who fulfilled basic Hanifin and Rajka criterias and 60 healthy volunteers in the control group were investigated. In order to evaluate IgE-mediated allergy to common airborne and alimentary allergens skin prick tests (SPT) were performed (26 airborne and 7 basic alimentary allergens) and concentration of serum antigen specific IgE (asigE) was measured. RESULTS: Our results indicated airborne allergy in case of 405 patients (76.6%) and food allergy only in 67 cases (12.7%). In the group of children aged 0.5-4 years food allergy was predominant but later on the predominance of airborne allergy was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that airborne allergy plays an important and predominant role in the pathomechanism of atopic dermatitis.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15190601&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Comparison of subject-reported allergy versus skin test results in a common cold trial.

Krahnke JS, Gentile DA, Cordoro KM, Angelini BL, Cohen SA, Doyle WJ, Skoner DP.

Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the relationship between subject-reported allergy and results of allergy skin testing in large unselected or unbiased cohorts. The objective of this study was to compare the results of self-reported allergy via verbal questioning with the results of allergy skin testing by the puncture method in 237 healthy adult subjects enrolled in a common cold study. METHODS: On enrollment, all subjects were verbally asked if they had a history of allergy and then underwent puncture skin testing to 19 relevant aeroallergens, as well as appropriate positive and negative controls. A skin test was considered positive if its wheal diameter was at least 3 mm larger than that obtained with the negative control. RESULTS: Forty-eight (20%) subjects reported a history of allergy and 124 (52%) subjects had at least one positive skin test response. A history of allergy was reported in 40 (32%) of the skin test-positive subjects and 8 (7%) of the skin test-negative subjects. At least one positive skin test response was found in 40 (83%) of those subjects reporting a history of allergy and 84 (44%) of those subjects denying a history of allergy. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that there is a relatively poor correlation between self-reported history of allergy and skin test results in subjects enrolled in a common cold study. These results have implications in both clinical practice and research settings.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12862405&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine



allergy
Long-term cetirizine treatment may reduce new sensitisations in allergic children: a pilot study.

Ciprandi G, Frati F, Marcucci F, Sensi L, Milanese M, Tosca MA.

Allergy-ENT Unit, Head Neck Dpt., San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.

Experimental data demonstrate that mite allergy is characterized by persistent chronic inflammation. This suggests that long-term continuous treatment may be included in the global strategy of allergy management as recently reported. Moreover, most of allergic subjects show polysensitisation. We conducted a study to investigate whether a long-term cetirizine treatment may reduce the occurence of new sensitisations in children with mite allergy. This study was initially double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled, with two parallel groups of 10 children with mite allergy receiving either cetirizine or placebo daily. All children could assume cetirizine as rescue medication (i.e. symptomatic treatment). After six months, parents of continuously-treated children decided to continue the treatment for 3 years. Other subjects continued to assume cetirizine on symptomatic basis. All children were prospectively followed for other 3 years. Outcome measure was skin prick test, yearly performed. Cetirizine-continuously-treated group showed a significant lower incidence of new sensitisations (p = 0.002). In conclusion, cetirizine administered daily for prolonged periods (i.e. 3 years) may decrease the development of new sensitisations in monosensitised children, showing a potential effect of tertiary prevention of allergy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12872679&dopt=Abstract allergy medicine