Double sensitization to honeybee and wasp venom: immunotherapy with one or with both venoms? Value of FEIA inhibition for the identification of the cross-reacting ige antibodies in double-sensitized patients to honeybee and wasp venom.

BACKGROUND: Double sensitization to honeybee (Apis mellifera) and wasp venom (Vespula spp.) as determined by skin test and measurement of specific IgE is common in hymenoptera sting allergy. Double-sensitized patients have either distinct antibodies for each venom or cross-reacting antibodies that recognize similar or identical epitopes in both venoms. Unfortunately, patients often fail to identify the stinging insect which makes it difficult to distinguish cross-reactors from non cross-reactors. However, for economic reasons as well as for the benefit of the patients, it would be useful to identify complete cross-reactors. METHODS: In this study we investigated 24 double-sensitized patients who were candidates for venom immunotherapy. Homologous and heterologous FEIA inhibition was carried out with honeybee (Apis mellifera) and wasp venom (Vespula spp.) preparations from two different providers. The inhibitor concentrations were ranging from 0 to 100 microg protein/ml. RESULTS: Sera of 4 patients were completely cross-reacting for one venom (3 honeybee, 1 wasp), 8 patients were partially cross-reacting and 10 patients were not cross-reacting. Two patients were excluded from the study due to insufficient homologous inhibition. Data from specific IgE measurements, skin test, and clinical history were not useful for the identification of cross-reacting patients. CONCLUSION: FEIA inhibition is easy to perform and useful for the identification of patients with complete cross-reactivity. In these patients immunotherapy might be restricted to one venom which is beneficial for the patient and cost-effective.

Food allergies associated with birch pollen: comparison of Allergodip and Pharmacia CAP for detection of specific IgE antibodies to birch pollen related foods.

Sera from 42 patients sensitive to birch pollen were investigated in a pilot study with the new Allergodip screening dipstick for cross-reactive allergens (Allergopharma). The dipstick contained nine separate allergen pads with extracts from birch pollen, hazel pollen, alder pollen, apple, hazelnut, carrot, peach, mugwort pollen and celery root (celeriac), together with negative and positive controls. The results of the test were assessed visually and classified in Allergodip classes 0-4 and compared with the results from the Pharmacia CAP method and with the symptoms reported by the patients. The Allergodip method showed good reproducibility for color intensity and visual assessment. The correspondence between Pharmacia CAP and Allergodip was high for tree pollens (98-100%) and medium for mugwort pollen, celery, hazelnut and carrot (60-71%). Apple and peach showed only 24% and 42% concordance, respectively The sensitivity and specificity of Allergodip and Pharmacia CAP differed in regard to food symptoms. However, they were always within the range of earlier publications. As a consequence of this study, the manufacturer of Allergodip has improved the apple allergen extract by adopting a low temperature extraction procedure. Subsequent measurements with sera from 14 apple-allergic patients showed greatly improved concordance with both CAP measurements and symptoms (93% and 86%, respectively).

[A method of quantitative determination of tissue tolerance in decreased relative movement between implant and tissue]. / Methode zur quantitativen Auswertung der Gewebsverträglichkeit bei verminderter Relativbewegung zwischen Implantat und Gewebe.

A method of testing in vivo tissue tolerance to different implant materials is presented. It aims at reduction of variance due to mechanical irritation at the tissue-implant interface through the use of cylindrical implants with grooves. The special type of histological preparation which is necessary and problems encountered when using these techniques are described. The numerical evaluation of round cells and foreign body giant cells seems to give uniform results with low variance, which could be of interest for standard testing of material.

[The accumulation of osteocementum around a dental implant under physical loading]. / Uber die Anlagerung von Osteozement an einen belasteten Implantatkörper.

Hollow cylinder implants of titanium with a titanium spray surface were implanted in macaca speciosa, as previously described (Schweiz.Mschr.Zahnheilk.86: 713, 1976). This time, however, the implants were submitted to masticatory forces. Histologically it can be shown that the ankylotic contact between implant and bone, which is initially obtained, remains after 6-16 months. In one case the substance encasing the implant at its deepest part was identified as genuine osteocementum.