New reversed phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for the determination of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil by rapid resolution liquid chromathography with ultraviolet-visible and mass spectrometry detection.

The determination of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil using a new reversed phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (RP-DLLME) procedure coupled with rapid resolution liquid chromatography-diode array and mass spectrometry detection (RRLC-DAD-MS) have been performed. A rapid resolution Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 µm particle size) has been employed and eighteen phenolic compounds belonging to different families have been identified and quantified spending a total time of 26 and 13 min with UV-visible and MS detection, respectively. Response surface methodology has been applied by means of a central composite design for the optimization of the variables affecting the extraction procedure searching for the best recovery. The validation of the methods was performed through the establishment of the external standard calibration curves and the analytical figures of merit. Limits of detection ranging from 10 to 400 ng mL(-1) and 1 to 200 ng mL(-1) were achieved using UV-visible and MS detection, respectively. The extraction of phenolic compounds from virgin olive oil was performed in a simple and rapid way by RP-DLLME with ethanol:water 60:40 (v/v) as extracting solvent and 1,4-dioxane as disperser solvent. The quantification of the phenolic compounds in virgin olive oils from different olive varieties was carried out by means of the standard addition method and, finally the procedure for the sample treatment was validated using the well established solid phase extraction procedure with Diol cartridges.

Simple quantification of phenolic compounds present in the minor fraction of virgin olive oil by LC-DAD-FLD.

This paper presents the results of the study on the extraction, identification and quantification of a group of important phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil (VOO) samples, obtained from olives of various varieties, by liquid chromatography coupled to UV-vis and fluorescence detection. Sixteen phenolic compounds belonging to different families have been identified and quantified spending a total time of 25 min. The linearity was examined by establishing the external standard calibration curves. Four order linear ranges and limits of detection ranging from 0.02 to 0.6 µg mL(-1) and 0.006 to 0.3 µg mL(-1) were achieved using UV-vis and fluorescence detection, respectively. Regarding the real samples, for the determination of the phenolic compounds in higher concentrations (hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol) a simple liquid-liquid extraction with ethanol was used to make the sample compatible with the mobile phase. Recovery values close to 100% were obtained. However, a previous solid phase extraction with Diol cartridges was necessary to concentrate and separate the minor phenolic compounds of the main interferences. The parameters affecting this step were carefully optimized and, after that, recoveries near 80-100% were obtained for the rest of the studied phenolic compounds. Also, the limits of detection were improved 15 times. Finally, the standard addition method was carried out for each of the analytes and no matrix effect was found, so the quantification of the 16 phenolic compounds from different monovarietal VOO was carried out by using the corresponding external standard calibration plot.

Development of a non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method with UV-visible and fluorescence detection for phenolics compounds in olive oil.

Response surface methodology has been applied to the optimization of a simple and rapid non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method for the separation and determination of several phenolic compounds belonging to the different families present in olive oil. A Box-Behnken design was employed and a total of 27 experiments were performed using olive oil samples spiked with the phenols and injected directly in the capillary after dilution 1:1 with 1-propanol. Finally, the background electrolyte (BGE) was constituted of 25 mM boric acid and 18 mM KOH in a mixture of 74:26 (v/v) 1-propanol/methanol. The hydrophobicity of the BGE allows its miscibility with the olive oil and, as a consequence, the possibility of characterizing and determining these kinds of compounds in this sample without any pretreatment. A hydrodynamic injection (6 s, -30 mbar) was applied and the separation was carried out using 35 °C and +20 kV of separation temperature and voltage, respectively. A capillary with two detection windows for serial online UV and fluorescence detection was satisfactorily employed. The validation of the method was carried out by setting the calibration curves, and the figures of merit were finally obtained. A lineal relationship between the corrected peak area and concentration and limits of detection in the order of micrograms per milliliter were found.

Efectividad y seguridad de terapia biológica en pacientes con artritis idiopática juvenil del Hospital san Juan de Dios (HSJD) durante 2008-2012 / Effectiveness and safety of biological therapy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at San Juan de Dios Hospital (HSJD) during 2008-2012

Introducción: La artritis idiopática juvenil (AIJ) es la enfermedad reumatológica más prevalente en la infancia y en Chile es incorporada al GES en 2010, permitiendo el acceso a terapia biológica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con AIJ refractarios a terapia habitual que iniciaron terapia biológica en el HSJD desde 2008. Se revisaron las fichas clínicas de todos los pacientes, se evaluó la mejoría clínica alcanzada mediante el índice ACR30/50 (American College of Rheumatology) y efectos adversos previo y posterior al uso de biológicos. Resultados: Han recibido terapia biológica 14 pacientes desde 2008, 76 por ciento mujeres. La edad promedio de inicio de la enfermedad fue de 7,8 años, con una duración promedio de la enfermedad de 5,9 meses al diagnóstico. Todos recibieron etanercept. El 71 por ciento recibió etanercept antes de los cinco años del diagnóstico y el 86 por ciento tenía más de 10 años. El 50 por ciento presentaba AIJ de tipo poliarticular, 36 por ciento asociada a entesitis, 5 por ciento sistémica y 5 por ciento indiferenciada. Primero recibieron tratamiento con metotrexato, sulfasalazina, corticoides y/o AINE. Se consignaron 37 reacciones adversas a fármacos (54 por ciento infecciones virales, 41 por ciento bacterianas, 5 por ciento hepatotoxicidad). Durante el uso de terapia biológica ocurrieron 27 reacciones adversas (56 por ciento infecciones bacterianas, 44 por ciento virales). La incidencia de reacciones adversas con uso exclusivo de DMARD fue de 0,0698 mensual y en tratamiento combinado de biológicos con DMARD (en menor dosis) fue de 0,0683 (sin diferencias significativas). Un 69 por ciento y 82 por ciento de los pacientes lograron un índice de ACR30 a los seis y 12 meses de terapia, respectivamente, y ACR50, 62 por ciento y 73 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusión: La terapia biológica fue efectiva y segura en la mayoría de los pacientes, comparable a lo reportado a nivel internacional.

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent rheumatic disease in childhood and in Chile is included in the GES program since 2010, allowing access to biological therapy. Materials and methods: Is a retrospective study of patients with JIA refractory to standard therapy, who initiated biologic therapy in HSJD since 2008. We reviewed the medical data of all patients, clinical improvement was evaluated using the ACR30/50 (American College of Rheumatology) index and adverse effects before and after the use of biologics. Results: 14 patients received biological therapy since 2008, 76 percent female. The average age of disease onset was 7.8 years with a mean disease duration of 5.9 years at diagnosis. All received etanercept. 71 percent received it before 5 years of diagnosis and 86 percent had more than 10 years of diagnosis. 50 percent ad polyarticular JIA, 36 percent associated with enthesitis, 5 percent systemic JIA and 5 percent undifferentiated JIA. First they all received treatment with methotrexate, sulfasalazine, corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs. 37 had adverse drug reactions (95 percent viral or bacterial infections and 5 percent hepatotoxicity). During biologically therapy adverse reactions occurred 27 times (56 percent bacterial, 44 percent viral). The incidence of monthly adverse reactions only with DMARDs was 0.0698 and in the combined therapy (biological plus DMARDs at lower doses) was 0.0683 (no significant difference). 69 percent and 82 percent of patients achieved the ACR30 at 6 and 12 months of therapy respectively and 62 percent and 73 percent achieved ACR50 respectively. Conclusion: Biologic therapy was safe and effective in most patients, comparable to the worldwide reports.

Microbiological counts during beet sugar extraction.

In order to discover the main microbial populations present throughout the process of beet sugar extraction and to identify the steps where possible control measures could be implemented, four Spanish beet sugar extraction factories were investigated. Eighteen stages were sampled at each factory and analyzed for several microbial groups and physicochemical parameters. Beets, cossettes, and diffusion juices were the most contaminated samples during beet sugar extraction, and mesophiles, thermophiles, and yeasts were the most numerous microbiota. Differences in contamination among factories and among stages of the sugar extraction process were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Beets and cossettes showed high numbers of mesophiles and lactic acid bacteria, with gum-forming bacteria and yeasts being at levels of >6 log CFU/g. Diffusion juices were highly contaminated with aerobic mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, and thermophiles. Beet-washing water, equipment, and air were also important sources of contamination; in contrast, diffusion water showed moderate levels of microorganisms due to the acid treatment performed. Gum-forming bacteria, which are present at high levels from the first step of the extraction, survive the diffusion process and remain in the diffusion juice, where they may produce "gums" responsible for obstruction of filters. Thermophiles were present, although at levels lower than expected in most samples. Other microbial groups, particularly yeasts, may also contribute to the destruction of sugar. No biocides were used during the beet sugar extraction in the factories investigated.

Effect of semen dilution to low-sperm number per dose on motility and functionality of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa using low-density lipoproteins (LDL) extender: comparison to Triladyl and Bioxcell.

Artificial insemination with doses containing low-sperm numbers has been utilized to optimize the use of elite bulls. Hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extender protecting the spermatozoa. Its action is due to the presence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the hen egg yolk. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of the semen dilution to low-sperm number/dose on sperm motility and integrity of sperm plasma membrane in the cryopreservation process, using two commercial extenders (Triladyl, Bioxcell and LDL extender prepared in our laboratory, 97% purity. Fifteen ejaculates were collected from five fertile crossbred bulls (Bos taurusxBos indicus). After collection, sperm motility was examined by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (Hamilton Thorne), morphological sperm characteristics were evaluated by differential interference microscopy and the integrity of plasma membranes was determined using the hypo-osmotic swelling test. The semen was subsequently divided into three aliquots and diluted with the three extenders into 120 x 10(6), 60 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6)sperm/mL, corresponding to 30 x 10(6), 15 x 10(6) and 5 x10(6) sperm/dose, respectively. This study revealed that LDL extender was more effective in preservation of motility and integrity of the plasma membrane of spermatozoa than Bioxcell and Triladyl (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between Triladyland Bioxcell. Therefore we can conclude that LDL extender could be used instead of Triladyl or Bioxcellat low semen concentration per dose for elite bulls, it also could be envisaged for the industry of sex-stored semen.

Diagnostic validity of an expert tuberculosis commission that assists the diagnosis of bacteriologically negative suspected TB cases in Havana, Cuba.

The Provincial Tuberculosis Commission of Havana, Cuba, a multi-speciality committee, assists clinicians in diagnosing bacteriologically negative tuberculosis (TB). At its weekly meetings, clinicians present the files of suspected TB cases for discussion, diagnosis and recommendations. This prospective study assessed the validity of the diagnoses made by the Commission by comparing the diagnoses made with diagnoses ascertained after one year of follow-up. Between October 2002 and December 2003, 126 patients suspected to have TB but who were bacteriologically negative completed diagnostic work at the Commission. Fifty-three (42%) were diagnosed as TB cases. The definite diagnosis of 116 patients (92%) was ascertained after one year of follow-up. Six patients diagnosed by the Commission as TB cases were suffering from other diseases, while one patient diagnosed with pneumonia had a definite diagnosis of pulmonary TB. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the Commission were 98% (95% CI 93-100) and 92% (95% CI 85-98), respectively. The Provincial Tuberculosis Commission of Havana can be considered a valuable tool for the diagnosis of TB in patients suspected of TB but who are bacteriologically negative. A comparable approach, adapted to the local conditions, could prove useful in other epidemiological and healthcare settings.

Determination of fenthion and fenthion-sulfoxide, in olive oil and in river water, by square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry.

Square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry technique has been used to develop a method for the determination of fenthion in olive oil. Due to the fact that fenthion does not give any electrochemical signal at mercury electrode, the method has been based on a previous oxidation of fenthion to its metabolite, fenthion-sulfoxide, by using KMnO(4). The metabolite gives rise to a peak due to an adsorptive-reductive process at -0.786 V. Fenthion is isolated from olive oil by carrying out a solid-liquid extraction procedure using silica cartridge, followed by a liquid-liquid partitioning with acetonitrile. The detection limit in olive oil is 78.8 ng g(-1) and recoveries for four levels of fortification are ranged from 85% to 109%. On the other hand, it has been developed a method for the simultaneous determination of fenthion and its metabolite fenthion-sulfoxide, in river water. Pesticides are isolated from water by carrying out a liquid-liquid partitioning with trichloromethane. The detection limits are 0.41 ng g(-1) and 0.44 ng g(-1), for fenthion and fenthion-sulfoxide, respectively. Recoveries for three levels of fortification are ranged from 96% to 103% for fenthion and 94% to 104% for fenthion-sulfoxide.

Producción de biomasa de Saccharomyces cerevisiae y Candida utilis usando residuos de pulpa de Coffea arabica L

Los avances en biotecnología industrial ofrecen oportunidades potenciales para la utilización económica de residuos agro-industriales tales como la pulpa de café, material mucilaginoso, fibroso (producto secundario) obtenido durante el proceso húmedo o seco del beneficio de las cerezas de café. El propósito de este trabajo fue utilizar los residuos de la pulpa de café, rico en materia orgánica, como sustrato para la producción de biomasa de levaduras por procesos de fermentación aeróbica. Los residuos de café se sometieron a hidrólisis con una solución de ácido sulfúrico al 2%, en una relación 10:1 (líquido:sólido), con un tamaño de partícula ≤ 2 mm., operando a presión atmosférica, ebullición a reflujo, durante 4 horas. El extracto ácido se filtró y se ajustó a pH 4,5 y luego se esterilizó a 120 ºC por 15 minutos. La fermentación se realizó con Saccharomyces cerevisiae y Candida utilis, medio de producción extracto de café enriquecido con sales nutritivas. Se formularon diferentes medios de producción (1,2,3 y 4), siendo el N°3, enriquecido con extracto de café hidrolizado, 1L; urea, 3g/L; fosfato ácido de potasio, 2g/L; extracto de malta, 1,3g/L y melaza, 30g/L, el cual aportó los mejores resultados. El tiempo total de fermentación fue de 8 horas. Se obtuvo 10g/L de biomasa con un incremento proteico de 7,39 a 42,5%. Se puede concluir que la pulpa de café constituye un sustrato adecuado para obtener biomasa o proteína unicelular, que podría ser destinada como suplemento en formulaciones para alimentación animal.

The advances in industrial biotechnology offer potential opportunities for the economic use of agro-industrial remainders such as the coffee pulp, mucilagenous, fibrous material (secondary product) obtained during the humid or dry process of the benefit of the coffee cherries. The intention of this work was to use the remainders of the pulp of coffee, rich in organic matter, like substrate for the production of biomass of leavenings by processes of aerobic fermentation. The coffee remainders were put under hydrolysis with a sulfuric acid solution to 2%, in a 10:1 relation (liquid: solid), with a size of particle ≤ 2 mm, operating to atmospheric pressure, boiling to ebb tide, during 4 hours. The acid extract filtered and it adjusted to pH 4,5 and then it sterilize to 120 ºC by 15 minutes. The fermentation was made with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis, the production means: extract of coffee enriched with nutritious salts. Different means from production were formulated (1,2,3 and 4), being the N°3, enriched with extract of hydrolyzed coffee, 1L; urea, 3g/L; acid potassium phosphate, 2g/L; extract of Malta, 1,3g/L and molasses, 30g/L, which contributed the best results. The total time of fermentation was of 8 hours. 10g/L of biomass with a protein increase from 7.39 to 42.5% was obtained. It is possible to be concluded that the coffee pulp constitutes an suitable substrate to obtain biomass or unicellular protein, that could be destined like supplement in formulations for feeding animal.

Comparison of different fluorimetric signals for the simultaneous multivariate determination of tocopherols in vegetable oils.

This paper deals with the simultaneous determination of the quaternary mixture of tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-T) performed using fluorimetric techniques and partial least squares (PLS-1) multivariate analysis. In this study, PLS-1 was applied to matrices made up of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra (EEM) and with fluorescence excitation, emission, and synchronous spectra (EESM) of tocopherols dissolved in hexane: diethyl ether (70:30 v/v). A calibration set of 55 samples based in a central composite plus a full factorial plus a fractionated factorial design was constructed. When synthetic samples were analyzed, recoveries around 100% were obtained and detection limits were calculated using EEM and EESM. For the analysis of the oils, the samples, diluted in hexane, were cleaned in silica cartridges and tocopherols were eluted with hexane: diethyl ether (90:10 v/v). The developed method was applied to different edible oils. The results are satisfactory for alpha-, beta-, and gamma-, but they are worse for delta-T.

[Study of effectiveness of craving control with topiramate in patients with substance dependence disorders]. / Estudio de la efectividad del control del craving con topiramato en pacientes con trastornos por dependencia de sustancias.

INTRODUCTION: Effectiveness and tolerability of topiramate at 3 and 6 months was assessed in patients requesting dehabituation programs. METHODS: Observational, prospective, national and multicenter study of 6 months, in patients on treatment with topiramate, who fulfilled criteria for dependence of opiates according to ICD-10 participating in therapeutic programs of dehabituation, without concomitant psychiatric illnesses and any responsible relative. Main measures of effectiveness were retention rates, alcohol consumption and other illicit drugs by urine tests (opiates, cannabis, cocaine) and treatment needs by EuropASI scale. Other parameters were HAM-D, DAS-SV and SF-36. RESULTS: Patients with consumption by urine tests decreased from 94.1 % (n = 64) at baseline to 39.6 % (n = 19) after 6 months of treatment, as was seen by means of the mean score in EuropASI scale, for all substances except methadone. No consumption was accompanied by a low rate of relapse of 33.3 % at 6 months. Twenty one patients had adverse reactions (28 %). The most frequent adverse reactions were somnolence (n = 9; 12 %), paraesthesia (n = 5; 6.7 %) and depression (n = 4; 5.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: In real clinical practice, topiramate showed a good response with a relevant decrease of percent of patients with abuse or consumption, and a satisfactory tolerability profile for the treatment of patients with dependence on heroine, cocaine, and other opiates, showing better outcomes than those obtained in previous trials.

Effects of Sapindus saponaria fruits on ruminal fermentation and duodenal nitrogen flow of sheep fed a tropical grass diet with and without legume.

Six adult African-type hair sheep (BW = 40.3 +/- 6.3 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were subjected to four treatments. Sheep were offered basal diets at a rate of 80 g of DM/kg of metabolic BW (equivalent to ad libitum access) consisting either of a low-quality grass hay (Brachiaria dictyoneura, 3.7% CP, DM basis) alone or in combination with a forage legume (Cratylia argentea, 18.6% CP, DM basis) in a 3:1 ratio (DM basis). In addition, 0 or 8 g of DM of Sapindus saponaria fruits (12.0% crude saponins, DM basis) per kilogram of metabolic BW was administered intraruminally. Supplementation of C. argentea increased intakes of OM (+21%; P < 0.01) and CP (+130%; P < 0.001), as well as ruminal fluid ammonia N concentrations (from 2.40 to 8.43 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Apparent OM and N digestibilities were not affected by legume addition, but ADF digestibility decreased by 10% (P < 0.01). Total ruminal VFA concentration was unchanged, but acetate:propionate was lower (P < 0.01) and isobutyrate proportion was greater (P < 0.001) with the legume addition. Legume supplementation increased duodenal flows of total N (+56%; P < 0.001), nonammonia N (+52%; P < 0.001), ruminal escape N (+80%; P < 0.001), and microbial N (+28%; P < 0.05). Microbial efficiency was not affected by legume addition. Supplementation of S. saponaria increased (P < 0.05) dietary OM intake by 14%, but had no effect on CP intake and ruminal fluid ammonia concentration or on OM and N digestion. Digestibility of ADF was decreased (P < 0.01) by 10% with S. saponaria as was acetate:propionate (P < 0.001) and the isobutyrate proportion (P < 0.001). Ruminal protozoa counts increased (P < 0.01) by 67% with S. saponaria. Duodenal N flows were not significantly affected by S. saponaria supplementation, except for microbial N flow (+34%; P < 0.01). Microbial efficiency was greater (P < 0.05) by 63% with the addition of S. saponaria. Few interactions between legume and S. saponaria supplementation were observed. The NDF digestibility was decreased with S. saponaria in the grass-alone diet, but not in the legume-supplemented diet (interaction; P < 0.05). Interactions were absent in ruminal fermentation measures and duodenal N flow, indicating that effects were additive. Results suggest that, even when not decreasing ruminal protozoa count, supplementation of S. saponaria fruits is a beneficial way to improve ruminal VFA profile, microbial efficiency, and duodenal flow of microbial protein in sheep fed tropical grass-alone or grass-legume diets.

Spectrophotometric and adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetric determination of iron in olive oils, as complex with 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione 1,2-dioxime 3-thiosemicarbazone (DCDT).

Two methods for the determination of iron in olive oil by spectrophotometry and by adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry (Ad-SSWV) have been developed. These two methods are based on the formation of a 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione 1,2-dioxime 3-thiosemicarbazone (DCDT)-iron(II) complex in strongly acid media. In both, iron is extracted from the olive oil by using HCl. Spectrophotometric determination of iron with DCDT is based on the feature that the DCDT-Fe complex shows an absorbance maximum at 550 nm. A calibration graph has been constructed from 0 to 4000 ng mL(-)(1), and the detection limit was 115 ng mL(-)(1) (57 ng g(-)(1) in olive oil). On the other hand, the voltammetric determination of the metal is based on the appearance of a peak due to an adsorptive reductive process of the complex that it is observed when the Ad-SSWV technique is used. A calibration graph has been constructed from 0 to 30 ng mL(-)(1), and the detection limit was 0.55 ng mL(-)(1) (13.75 ng g(-)(1) in olive oil according to the proposed procedure).

[In vitro immunologic diagnosis of hypersensitivity to vegetables]. / Diagnóstico inmunológico in vitro en la hipersensibilidad a legumbres.

Acute reaction to food allergens is a fairly common problem that is often seen in the allergist's office, its incidence being specially high in childhood. Milk and eggs are the most common sensitizing foods, but usually the type of food allergens responsible for these reactions varies according to food habits in different countries. Legumes occupy an important role in the Spanish diet, being responsible for a large number of allergic reactions. It has been shown that legumes occupy the fourth place in importance among the food allergens, inducing hypersensitivity reactions in Spanish children. This article describes five patients with clinical features suggestive of being mediated by IgE antibodies specific for different legumes. In all the cases, disorders appeared immediately after the ingestion or even the inhalation of vapours from cooked legumes (lentil, bean or chick-pea). Clinical features consisted of: urticaria, angioedema, abdominal symptoms and rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma. The five patients required hospital emergency care on several occasions. Two patients suffered also from seasonal pollinosis with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. All the patients complained of these type of disorders with any legume, but lentil was found to induce the most severe reactions and it was therefore selected for this study. The presence of specific IgE antibodies was demonstrated in vivo in all the patients by means of skin prick-test. It was performed using a lentil extract prepared in our laboratory. Negative controls were also included. A reverse enzymeimmunoassay (REIA) revealed the presence of specific IgE antibodies in the sera of the five subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Detection of IgE specific for egg yolk by enzyme immunoassay. Description of a case]. / Detección de IgE específica a la yema de huevo por enzimoinmunoensayo. Descripción de un caso.

Food allergy is a common disease in our country, especially affecting atopic children. Egg-white hypersensitivity is frequently found in these patients. However, egg-yolk hypersensitivity is not usually reported in patients with egg allergy. This article describes a young patient with egg-yolk hypersensitivity, a 12 year old female patient with a medical history of contact urticaria, angioedema and severe acute bronchospasm shortly after the intake of small amounts of egg-yolk. All these episodes required treatment in emergency care units because of the severity of the symptoms. The patient did not describe any other food hypersensitivity and remained symptom-free after the intake of boiled or fried egg-white. She had clinical symptoms of grass pollen hypersensitivity and was therefore on specific immunotherapy at the time of the study. The skin prick-tests were positive to grass pollen and egg-yolk and were negative to mites, moulds, animal dander and to the common food tested (milk, fish, peanut, almond and hazel-nut). Total serum IgE was 1.160 UL/ml. The patient had a positive RAST to egg-white (0.0 PRU/ml) as well as to egg-yolk (8.6 PRU/ml). Furthermore, an indirect enzyme immunoassay as well as a reverse enzyme immunoassay also revealed the presence of specific IgE antibodies. The reverse enzyme immunoassay uses microtiter plates as a solid surface. These plates are coated with a monospecific antihuman IgE antibody. Thereafter, the serum samples are incubated overnight in the wells. After several washings, the presence of specific antibodies is revealed by means of a peroxidase conjugated allergen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)