[Prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in Tokyo--from field investigation in 1996 by Tokyo Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergy Measurements and Review Committee].

Prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen was investigated by means of questionnaires and immunological examinations in residents of 3 regions in Tokyo (Akiruno city, Chofu city, and Ota ward). The results were as follows: 1) the prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in Tokyo was 25.7% in Akiruno city, 21.1% in Chofu city, and 17.7% in Ota ward in 1996; 2) stratification by the age reveal that the prevalence rate was the highest in the age group of 30 to 44, and the group showed prevalence rate of above 40% in Akiruno city; 3) overall prevalence rate of Tokyo was 19.4% in 1996, which was approximately twice as much as that in 1985; 4) increase in prevalence rate in the recent decade was most significant in Akiruno city where the largest number of Japanese cedar pollen was detected in the air, and prevalence rate tended to rise in the young group of 14 or less.

Early and late phases of ocular anaphylaxis in actively immunized guinea pigs.

A model of ocular anaphylaxis with distinct early- and late-phase components was studied in actively immunized guinea pigs. Twenty guinea pigs were injected with dinitrophenylated (DNP) bovine gamma globulin emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant and challenged topically with di-DNP-lysine. Clinical signs were monitored over a 48 h period. An early-phase reaction (EPR) characterized by conjunctival edema, conjunctival erythema, lid swelling, and lid redness was observed. This reaction peaked at 0.5 h after challenge and subsided to a low point at 3-4 h. Subsequently, a second episode of lid swelling and lid redness was observed at 4-8 h. All animals in both groups exhibited an EPR. In addition, 75% of the animals underwent an EPR and an LPR. No animals exhibited an isolated LPR. Of the animals that underwent a dual response, 47% were biphasic, 6% were prolonged and 47% were multiphasic. The development of an active model of ocular anaphylaxis exhibiting both EPR and LPR components will enable studies of mechanisms which regulate the frequency and magnitude of these ocular allergic responses.