The performance of a component-based allergen-microarray in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy is based on allergen-specific history and diagnostic procedures using natural allergen extracts for in vivo and in vitro tests. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to comparatively analyse a new component-based allergen-microarray and the 'quasi-standard' ImmunoCAP for their clinical relevance in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to five aeroallergens [house dust mite (HDM), cat dander, birch, grass and mugwort pollen] in a prospective, double-centre study. METHODS: We enrolled 120 subjects at the two study centres. Allergic patients were defined as having an allergen-specific history plus a concomitant positive skin-prick test (SPT) to natural allergen extracts and specific serum IgE was measured by both methods. Each allergen was analysed separately. RESULTS: The microarray performed equally well in receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses when compared with the CAP in cat (23 allergic vs 97 non-allergic, ROC area under the curve microarray 0.950 vs CAP 0.894, P = 0.211), birch (31/89, 0.908 vs 0.878, P = 0.483) and grass pollen (47/73, 0.923 vs 0.915, P = 0.770). It was slightly less sensitive in HDM-allergic subjects (26 allergic vs 94 non-allergic, ROC area microarray 0.808 vs CAP 0.911, P = 0.053) and displayed a reduced sensitivity in the mugwort pollen-allergic patients (17/103, 0.723 vs 0.879, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Component-based testing and the whole-allergen CAP are equally relevant in the diagnosis of grass-, birch- and cat-allergic patients. Although slightly less sensitive, the microarray is sufficient for the diagnosis of HDM-allergic patients, but needs alternative and/or additional components for detecting mugwort allergy.

[Experimental studies on intraligamental anesthesia]. / Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur intraligamentären Anästhesie.

In an experimental study on animals the correlation between the pressure created by periodontal ligament injection and the distribution pattern of the anesthetic solution was examined. It was possible to demonstrate the penetration following intraligamental injection by scintiscanning of the mandibular bone. A correlation between pressure and distribution could not be established.

[Vitamin A requirement of fattening turkeys. 1. Vitamin A requirement of fattening turkeys under conditions of intensive rearing on the ground]. / Untersuchungen zum Vitamin-A-Bedarf der Mastputen. 1. Mitteilung. Untersuchungen zum Vitamin-A-Bedarf von Mastputen under den Bedingungen der Bodenintensivhaltung.

In two experiments with a total of 2,250 fattening turkeys at VEB KIM Turkey and Goose Production Gühlen-Glienicke graded doses of vitamin A (0...20,000 I.U./kg feed) in a ration type poor in vitamin A and carotene were tested in dependence on sex. After a 20-day depletion period the vitamin A supplement of 0, 125 and 250 I.U.vitamin A/kg feed resulted in vitamin A deficiency symptoms after feeding this ration for 1 week. A supplement of between 500 and 1,000 I.U. vitamin A/kg feed diminished consumption in some cases significantly. On the basis of parameters of the fattening performance and of the vitamin A content of the liver it could be proved that the optimal growth of the male and female animals requires approximately 2,000 I.U. and the adequate storage of vitamin A in the liver approximately 5,000 I.U./kg feed. The requirements are fulfilled by the current supplements of the mixed feed for fattening turkeys kept intensively on the ground.

[Studies on the vitamin requirement and vitamin supply in fattening turkeys. 2. Checking the vitamin supplements to state-approved mixed animal feed for fattening turkeys]. / Untersuchungen zum Vitaminbedarf und zur Vitaminversorgung von Mastputen. 2. Mitteilung. Uberprüfung der Vitaminzusätze zu den staatlichen Mischfuttermitteln für Mastputen.

In turkey fattening experiments, the vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotine and choline chloride additions to mixed feeds for fattening turkeys were checked. The vitamin A requirement of the fattening turkey is met, in all stages of growth, by adding 3,000 I.U./kg feed. For vitamin D3 the necessary supplements are 1,000 and 500 I.U./kg for starter feed and fattening mixes, respectively. The requirements for vitamins B2, B6, B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotine of the fattening turkey are covered by the respective amounts contained in the ration components. To ensure adequate choline supply (optimum gain, small losses) during the starter period, the addition of 500 mg/kg feed proved necessary. On the basis of the results presented, recommendations are given for requirement norms and mixed feed supplementation that have been fully implemented in the meantime.