Identification of spore allergens from the indoor mould Aspergillus versicolor.

BACKGROUND: Indoor mould growth and dampness are associated with respiratory health effects and allergies and several studies demonstrated that mainly Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillium expansum are responsible for indoor mould exposure. In contrast, commercialized test systems to diagnose allergic reactions to this mould species are not available. In this study, allergenic proteins from spores of the indoor relevant species A. versicolor and P. expansum should get detected and identified. METHODS: We used two-dimensional (2D)-gel electrophoresis of spore proteins and immunoblotting with sera from patients participating in an epidemiologic study about indoor exposure of moulds and their influence on the development of allergies (ESTERSPEGA). Sera were screened for IgE antibodies specific for proteins from A. versicolor, A. fumigatus and P. expansum in one-dimensional blots and in 2D immunoblots. From the 2D gels, the corresponding spots were picked and identified by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: More than 20 allergens from A. versicolor were identified; in particular, seven major allergens were selected, which were detected by more than 90% of the positive sera. The most abundant allergen was glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, followed by an unnamed protein, which displays a high homology to sobitol/xylose reductase. The other allergens were identified as catalase A, hypothetical protein AN6918.2, enolase, hypothetical protein AN0297.2 and a protein with homology to a fungal malate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate an important role of spore proteins from A. versicolor for sensitization against indoor moulds and identification of the major allergens might enable species-specific diagnosis of allergic reactions.

[The history of epidemic environmental lead poisoning]. / Zur Geschichte der umweltepidemischen Bleiintoxikation.

For more then 2000 years mankind daily meet with the heavy metal lead. The sources of epidemic lead intoxication changed with cultural development as revealed by findings in historic literature. In the present time the danger for human health is caused mainly by using petrol with lead addition.

[Investigations on the clothing of preschool-children during winter (author's transl)]. / Erhebung über die Bekleidung von Vorschulkindern im Winter.

These investigations should control the effect of increased indoor-temperatures in facilities for children and flats on the clothing-habits of 1--3 aged children during the heating period. The indoor- and outdoor-clothing was scored by the number of dress-layers investigated in 977 crèche-children. All these attempts were carried out while 23 days during the winter 1976/77 in 2 crèches which differed significantly referring to the distribution of indoor-temperature. The statistical evaluation results that all children were dressed nearly in the like wise in spite of a considerable difference of the temperature in both crèches; only the covering of the arms was significant less in the warmer new-builded crèch. The investigations showed further that the outdoor-clothing of the children was often not according to the climate. Even 10 degrees C difference of temperature were rarely followed by variations of the outdoor-clothing. Finally the dress of 1--3 aged children can be estimated as too abundant.

[Lead concentration in permanent teeth of the population of Erfurt and its surroundings]. / Bleikonzentration in permanenten Zähnen der Bevölkerung Erfurts und seiner Umgebung.

In this study 1616 permanent teeth were collected from 1466 stomatological patients, which are living in Erfurt and surroundings. The lead levels were investigated by flame-AAS. Comparisons were need with following parameters: sex, age, living area, vitality of teeth, smoking, caries and filling of teeth. Mean lead level from investigated teeth was 13.2 microgram Pb/g tooth by mean patients-age of 38 years. The results showed that there have not been significant differences between sex and investigated areas of Erfurt and surroundings. Low influence on lead levels in teeth were found in groups when were investigated following parameters: vitality, smoking, caries, filling of teeth. High influence on tooth lead level was connected with the age of patient that is time of exposition. We found as raising factor on 3% tooth lead level per year. It was also found that incisors pick up more lead than molars and premolars, and molars more than premolars. These differences would be depend of food and respiratory air. The general result of this investigations about the consequence of tooth lead levels by the inhabitants of Erfurt point out that there is no danger of chronic lead intoxication by adults.

Detection of early lung impairment with aerosol bolus dispersion.

The broadening of inhaled aerosol boluses (aerosol bolus dispersion) during respiration provides a noninvasive measure of convective gas mixing in the lungs. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of this technique for the diagnosis of early lung impairment due to cigarette smoking was evaluated. Two hundred and sixteen randomly selected subjects (126 smokers and 90 nonsmokers) were investigated with aerosol dispersion in comparison to conventional lung function tests. The cumulative cigarette consumption of the subjects was quantified by "pack-years" (PY). Smokers were classified into the following groups: 0 < PY < or = 10; 10 < PY < or = 20; 20 < PY < or = 30; and PY > 30. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75% vital capacity (MEF25, MEF50 and MEF75) decreased significantly with increasing cigarette consumption. In comparison to nonsmokers, FEV1 was significantly reduced in smokers of 10 < PY < or = 30, and MEF75 was significantly reduced in smokers of PY > 20. Aerosol bolus dispersion increased with increasing PY. For all groups of smokers, even those with PY < 10, bolus dispersion was significantly increased in comparison to lifelong nonsmokers, indicating alterations in convective gas mixing in the lungs. Calculation of receiver operating characteristics for the lung function parameters under consideration showed that bolus dispersion has a higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional lung function parameters. Hence, the aerosol bolus dispersion test could be a promising epidemiological tool to study early abnormalities in intrapulmonary gas mixing due to environmental factors.