The atopy patch test -- reproducibility and comparison of different evaluation methods.

BACKGROUND: There is still a lack of standardization of the atopy patch test (APT) in test procedures and evaluation methods. Our aim was to examine the reproducibility of APT results and to compare visual evaluation to chromametry and laser Doppler imaging. METHODS: Fifty-two volunteers with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) were included. The APT was performed on tape-stripped and unstripped test fields on their backs using cat dander, house dust mite and grass pollen allergens from two different suppliers. Responders were re-tested 4-12 weeks later with the same allergens on their forearms. RESULTS: Using Allergopharma allergens, 14 (26.9%) volunteers showed one or more positive reactions. The reproducibility rate was 56.3%. The Erlangen atopy score in APT-positive and negative volunteers was 19 +/- 6 vs 15 +/- 6. The test agreement in volunteers tested with both allergens, from Allergopharma and Stallergènes, was poor. Correlation of the results between the three evaluation methods was significant (P < or = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The low reproducibility rate of APT results and the poor inter-test-agreement using allergens from different suppliers show that much work remains to make the APT a reliable tool in identifying relevant aeroallergens that lead to flare ups of AEDS. Compared to chromametry and laser Doppler imaging, visual scoring was superior in differentiation between irritative and allergic reactions.

Safety evaluation of a glutaraldehyde modified tyrosine adsorbed housedust mite extract containing monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) adjuvant: a new allergy vaccine for dust mite allergy.

A new allergy vaccine is currently under clinical evaluation for the prevention or relief of symptoms caused by specific housedust mites. It consists of a 50:50 mixture of the mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae protein derived from aqueous extracts of the mites which is chemically modified by glutaraldehyde and adsorbed onto L-tyrosine with addition of the immunostimulatory adjuvant, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) "Polymite". A specific preclinical safety testing strategy was developed to support clinical use and comprised single and repeat dose toxicity, reproduction toxicity and local tolerance studies. Dose levels of up to 0.5ml for the mouse and up to 1ml for both the rat and the rabbit were used. Overall, the product was shown to produce no toxicological findings of significance at levels greatly in excess to those proposed for clinical use. A not unexpected, but relatively minor, immunostimulatory effect was seen following repeated dosing (once weekly for 13 weeks) at 1ml per rat; the Polymite formulation also resulted in injection site reaction which can largely be attributed to the presence of tyrosine. No reproduction toxicity was found.

Effects of the inhalation of diesel exhaust, Kanto loam dust, or diesel exhaust without particles on immune responses in mice exposed to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen.

To assess the potential enhancement by air-pollutants of immune responses in mice, especially with regard to allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production, female BDF(1) mice (60 mice in each group) were exposed to diesel exhaust (particles, 3.24 mg/m(3); nitrogen dioxide, 1.0 ppm: DE group), Kanto loam dust (particles, 3.29 mg/m(3); nitrogen dioxide, 0.01 ppm: KLD group), diesel exhaust without particles (particles, 0.01 mg/m(3); nitrogen dioxide, 1.1 ppm: DEG group), or clean air (pollen and control groups) for 16 h/day, 5 days/wk for 24 wk, as well as to Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) (around 550,000 grains of JCP/m(3)) for 2 days/wk in the same period. The control group was exposed to clean air alone throughout the experiment. The mean values for Japanese cedar pollen allergens (JCPAs)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody titers in mice sera measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the DE, KLD, and DEG groups were higher than that for the pollen alone group, but not significantly, after both 12 and 24 wk of exposure time. The percentages of animals expressing more than the minimum ELISA titer of JCPAs-specific IgE antibodies in each group were 22% (DE and pollen groups) and 27% (KLD and DEG groups) of the totals at wk 12, and no statistical differences were observed among the groups. However, at wk 24 in the DE, KLD, and DEG groups the responders comprised 73%, 63%, and 67%, respectively, significantly higher than the 33% for the pollen alone group. No significant differences were observed among the DE, KLD, and DEG groups. A slight dose-dependent increase of proliferative responses of mouse cervical lymph node cells to JCPAs in both DE and KLD groups was observed, but not in the DEG group. Remarkable decrease of interferon-gamma and significant increase of interleukin-4 in the nasal lavage fluid were apparent after DE or DEG exposure, but not in the KLD group. These results suggest that these air pollutants (DE, KLD, and DEG) enhance the production of IgE antibodies in mice, with similar adjuvant activities in each case. Furthermore, in the early phase of exposure in which sensitization occurred with exposure to pollen, the fine particles and gas components are considered to have exhibited different enhancing mechanisms in mice as follows: (1) The fine particles augmented production of IgE antibodies through activation of T lymphocytes, and (2) the gas components exhibited almost no action on T lymphocytes, but directly induced disorders of the cytokine network and augmented the production of IgE antibodies.

Predictors of group 5 grass-pollen allergens in settled house dust: comparison between pollination and nonpollination seasons.

BACKGROUND: Some sensitive pollen-allergic patients may experience perennial symptoms, and for these patients it is vitally important to know the concentration of grass-pollen allergens in their homes. The main objective of this study was to detect predictors associated with high grass allergen concentration in settled house dust during and outside the grass pollination season. METHODS: We detected group 5 grass-pollen allergens in dust samples from randomly selected homes of three counties in the region of Sachsen-Anhalt: Hettstedt (n=183), Zerbst (n=152), and Bitterfeld (n=119). Dust samples were collected from the floors of living rooms (LR) and children's rooms (CR) from April 1996 to March 1998. RESULTS: Phl p 5 was detected in settled house dust in 91% of the homes. The range was between undetectable (<30 ng/m2) and 4300 ng Phl p 5/m2 sampling area during grass pollination, and 1300 ng Phl p 5/m2 outside the pollination season, respectively. We observed a partially higher concentration of indoor allergenic activity several weeks after the grass-pollen peak. A positive association was found between Phl p 5 levels and total dust amounts throughout the year. Thus, we assume that grass allergens accumulate in settled house dust. During pollination, the Phl p 5 levels are 1.8 times higher in homes where vacuuming of carpets takes place only once a week or less than in those vacuumed daily. Furthermore, higher concentrations of Phl p 5 in settled floor dust can be expected in homes located within suburban areas (mean ratio [MR] 1.74) and prefabricated slab buildings (MR=1.54). CONCLUSIONS: Quite high levels of Phl p 5 accumulate in settled house dust even during periods when no grass pollen is present in the atmosphere. The removal of dust by frequent cleaning reduces the indoor exposure to grass allergens. Such information is essential to train patients in allergen avoidance.

Prevention of new sensitizations in asthmatic children monosensitized to house dust mite by specific immunotherapy. A six-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a recognized way of treating IgE-mediated respiratory diseases. The clinical outcome is usually better in allergic children than in adults. OBJECTIVE: To increase our knowledge of the ability of SIT to prevent the onset of new sensitizations in monosensitized subjects, so far poorly documented. METHODS: 134 children (age range 5-8 years), who had intermittent asthma with or without rhinitis, with single sensitization to mite allergen (skin prick test and serum-specific IgE), were enrolled. SIT was proposed to all the children's parents, but was accepted by only 75 of them (SIT Group). The remaining 63 children were treated with medication only, and were considered the Control Group. Injective SIT with mite mix was administered to the SIT Group during the first three years and all patients were followed for a total of 6 years. All patients were checked for allergic sensitization(s) by skin prick test and serum-specific IgE every year until the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex and disease characteristics. 123 children completed the follow-up study. At the end of the study, 52 out of 69 children (75.4%) in the SIT Group showed no new sensitization, compared to 18 out of 54 children (33.3%) in the Control Group (P < 0.0002). Parietaria, Gramineae and Olea were the most common allergens responsible for the new sensitization(s). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, SIT may prevent the onset of new sensitizations in children with respiratory symptoms monosensitized to house dust mite (HDM).

Perlite exposure and 4-year change in lung function.

Perlite is a volcanic glass or amorphous aluminium silicate composed of 71-75% SiO(2). When heated to 800-1100 degrees C, it expands to form processed perlite, which has a low density, high surface area, and a low thermal conductivity. The objective was to determine the effect of perlite exposure on pulmonary function tests. Pulmonary function tests in conjunction with chest radiogram were carried out in 36 perlite-exposed workers and 22 unexposed office workers in 1992 and 1996. Respirable dust level exceeded permissible dust levels in work places in the 4 years under study. Transfer coefficient (K(CO)) decline was significant in nonsmoker perlite-exposed workers (n=9), and found to be 5.28+/-0.71 (predicted 4.32+/-0.11) and 3.84+/-0.96 (predicted 4.18+/-0.18) 1/min/mmHg, in 1992 and 1996, respectively (P<0.001). Both smoker perlite workers and office workers showed significant obstruction to airflow in small airways with respect to predicted values and 4-year change in transfer factor (T(L), CO) was significant. Although predicted, 12-year perlite exposure did not lead to a decrease in mean pulmonary function test parameters, there was a tendency to a decline in T(L), CO in the 4-year study period, which may be due to high perlite dust levels. As early effects of perlite dust exposure may not be detected by spirometric measurements alone, the transfer coefficient should be added to spirometry.

Respiratory disorders and allergies in tea packers.

The aim of this study was to determine whether respiratory symptoms or cross-shift declines in lung function were related to occupational exposure to tea dust. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted at a tea-packing plant. Subjects completed a questionnaire, spirometry before and after a full work shift, skin prick testing and venipuncture. Among the 83% of the workers at the site who participated, the prevalences of asthma, wheezing, hay fever and atopy were similar to the general population. Work-related nasal symptoms were more commonly reported by blenders and operators. There were six (3.2%) subjects with a cross-shift decline in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s of > 10%. Specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to black or chamomile tea were observed in 10 (5.6%) employees. As there was little evidence of specific allergic sensitization to the tea varieties tested, the excess of work-related respiratory and nasal symptoms probably represented non-specific irritation.

Decreased serum IgE level, decreased IFN-gamma and IL-5 but increased IL-10 production, and suppressed cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA expression in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis after treatment with a new mixed formula of Chinese herbs.

A new mixed formula of Chinese herbs containing Shin-yi-san + Xiao-qing-long-tang + Xiang-sha-liu-jun-zi-tang by the weight of 9 + 3 + 3 g/day was prescribed for the treatment of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis for 3 months (the composition of each herb is shown in the tables of the article). We classified the patients into high (H-IgE) and low IgE (L-IgE) groups according to the titer of serum total IgE (> 200 KIU/l in H-IgE vs. < 200 KIU/l in L-IgE) and the presence of house dust mite-specific IgE. The nasal symptomatic score in the high IgE group was significantly improved from 7.19 +/- 0.18 before treatment to 2.67 +/- 0.37 after treatment. In addition, the serum total and house dust mite-specific IgE level were also decreased after treatment. For elucidating the working mechanism of the mixed formula, the Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13) cytokine production by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated mononuclear cells (2 x 10(6) cells/ml) and cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) mRNA expression in LPS or IL-13-stimulated PMN were compared before and after 3 months of treatment. We found that the mixed formula treatment significantly enhanced IL-10 but decreased IFN-gamma and IL-5 production by PHA-stimulated mononuclear cells. The IL-5 production was also decreased by PHA-stimulated lymphocyte. In addition, the COX-2 mRNA expression in stimulated PMN was significantly suppressed after treatment. These results suggest that the new mixed formula treatment is beneficial to the patients with perennial allergic rhinitis via modulating the function of lymphocytes and neutrophils.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dusts.

Exposure to wood dusts may cause various skin and mucosal symptoms. Allergic dermatoses, caused by wood dusts, diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during 1976-1999 are reported here. 16 had allergic contact dermatitis and, 2 had contact urticaria. 9 men (3 cabinet makers, 3 joiners, 1 carpenter, 1 knifemaker and 1 machinist) were mainly exposed to tropical hardwoods. 1 man had dermatitis caused by western red cedar. 5 patients, 3 men and 2 women, were exposed to Finnish pine or spruce dusts, and 1 man to aspen. 7 also had rhinitis, 4 asthma or dyspnoea and 3 conjunctivitis. On patch testing, 10 men reacted to 9 different wood dusts, including teak (5), palisander (3), jacaranda (2), mahogany (2), walnut (2) and obeche (1). Reactions to wood allergens, including lapachol (2), deoxylapachol (1), (R)-3,4-dimethoxydahlbergione (2), 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (1), mansonone A (2) and salicyl alcohol (1), were noted in 4 cases. All but 1 of 5 patients exposed to pine or spruce dusts reacted to the sawdusts, all 5 to colophonium, 3 to abietic acid, 2 to tall oil resin, 3 to wood tar mix and 4 to other wood gum resins. Of the 2 CU patients, 1 was prick and RAST positive to obeche, 1 reacted with urticarial dermatitis to punah wood dust on chamber exposure. Occupational allergic dermatoses are mainly caused by the dusts of hardwoods, mostly due to Type IV allergy, but may also be caused by softwood dusts. Patch tests can be done with wood dusts, but should be confirmed by patch testing with wood allergens if possible.

Effects of an aqueous extract of processed bidi tobacco on the growth of hamster tracheal epithelial cells.

Inhalation of tobacco dust is responsible for elevated genotoxicity and pulmonary ailments in workers engaged in processing tobacco for the manufacture of bidis, the Indian version of cigarettes. Tracheal tissue being the major site of interaction with tobacco dust, the effects of different concentrations of an aqueous extract of bidi tobacco (ATE) on the growth of a hamster tracheal epithelial cell line (HTE) were investigated. Colony forming efficiency assay revealed that ATE was cytotoxic only at the highest concentration of 5.0 mg/ml. In cultures treated with 1.25 mg/ml ATE, the cell doubling time and growth rate were similar to that of the controls, while a significant increase in cell doubling time (29.4+/-0.3 h vs 14.0+/-3.75 h, P<0.001) was observed at 2.5 mg/ml ATE concentration. Exposure of HTE cells to the non-toxic ATE concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was found to stimulate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, incorporation of [3H] methyl thymidine into DNA and increase in the S phase fraction was seen by flow cytometry. However, a 56% reduction in the growth rate of cultures treated with 2.5 mg/ml ATE was related to the prolongation of the traverse of cells through S phase. ATE-induced growth suppression was reversed when cultures were grown in ATE-free medium or upon repeated exposure to ATE. The findings suggest that increased tracheal cell proliferation induced by chronic inhalation of tobacco dust may contribute to the development of pulmonary disorders and possibly neoplasia in exposed individuals.

Response of asthma-related voice dysfunction to allergen immunotherapy: a case report of confirmation by methacholine challenge.

Professional singers and other serious voice users are particularly susceptible to alterations in their vocal apparatus. As the support for vocalization, lung function is an essential element of the production of speech and song. Patients have been described who presented with voice complaints along with minimal or no abnormalities on spirometry, but responded to conventional bronchodilator and other asthma therapy. It was proposed that this represented an exercise-induced asthmalike condition, brought on by the hyperventilation associated with performing. The objective of this study was to establish whether improvement in vocalization while performing correlated with a decrease in non-specific bronchial reactivity. We concluded that resolution of vocal complaints in conjunction with a decrease in methacholine reactivity supports the hypothesis that these patients do have an exercise-induced asthmalike condition brought on by airway drying. As with other patients with asthma, it appears to respond to allergy-directed therapy.

Month of birth, atopic disease, and atopic sensitization.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptmeria japonica; CJ) pollen and house dust mites are the two important aeroallergens in Japan. However, no epidemiological survey has been performed in Japan to investigate the relationship between month of birth and manifestations of allergic disease and sensitization. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the correlation between month of birth and sensitization to aeroallergens or the occurrence of allergic disease on 755 Japanese school children aged 12-13 years. METHODS: The personal history of atopic disease (bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and allergic conjunctivitis) as recorded by questionnaires was investigated in relation to total serum IgE and specific IgE toward house dust mites and CJ pollen. RESULTS: Positive specific IgE toward house dust mites was significantly less prevalent in the children born between January and March than those born during the rest of the year (p < 0.01). Positive specific IgE toward CJ pollen was significantly more prevalent in the children born between December and January than those born during the rest of the year (p < 0.05). High total IgE was less prevalent in the children born between February and April than in children born during the rest of the year (p = 0.05). The prevalence of bronchial asthma was 26.2% among children born between November and December, compared with a ratio of 17.3% among children born during the rest of the year (p < 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of the children with allergic rhinitis was born between August and October than during the rest of the year (p < 0.05). The prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis was 15.8% among the children who were born between December and January, compared with 9.1% among children born during the rest of the year (p < 0.01). No relationship between prevalence of eczema and season of birth was found. CONCLUSION: Month of birth appears to influence the risk in the development of allergic sensitization and atopic diseases. The findings concerning higher CJ pollen sensitization in children born in the months that proceed the CJ pollen seasons are as evident as the house-dust-mite-related findings.

Intranasal capsaicin is lacking therapeutic effect in perennial allergic rhinitis to house dust mite. A placebo-controlled study.

In a recent placebo-controlled study we demonstrated that capsaicin is an efficacious substance in the treatment of non-allergic non-infectious rhinitis. In this study the therapeutic effect lasted more than 9 months. This effect was not based on modulation of inflammation. To evaluate the effect of repeated application of capsaicin to patients with a nasal allergy to house dust mites (HDM), using the same treatment protocol as recently introduced in the treatment of non-allergic patients. Twenty-six patients with rhinitis, 15 females and 11 males (range: 20-46 years; mean 30.5), allergic to HDM were treated with either capsaicin or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design. Nasal reactivity to HDM expressed as nasal symptoms, albumin and leukotriene levels in nasal lavage fluid and responsiveness to histamine, assessed as symptoms before and 6 weeks after treatment, were used to compare both treatment groups. In addition, visual analogue scales and rhinitis quality of life (RQL) assessment before, 6 weeks after and 3 months after treatment were used as outcome variables. No significant effect of capsaicin on nasal challenge tests with HDM (nasal symptoms, albumin and leukotriene levels), on VAS or RQL outcome 6 weeks or 3 month's after treatment, was demonstrated. Capsaicin did have a small effect on the area of the curve (AUC) of histamine dose response curves (P = 0.03). Desensitization with capsaicin in doses sufficient to control symptoms in patients with severe non-allergic rhinitis is lacking therapeutic effect in perennial allergic rhinitis.

[Asthma and the environment in the Lagunera district]. / Asma y medio ambiente en la Comarca Lagunera.

AIMS: The characteristics and real dimension of the environmental problems are frequently unknown. These results in a poor knowledge about health impact and deficient planning of the measures required for their protection. Asthma is a prior health problem at Comarca Lagunera. OBJECTIVE: The analysis of environment characteristics that could affect its presentation is the objective of this paper. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We took information form several official bureaus and regional records. It identified that the coexistence of some factors, like regional weather characteristics, with extreme temperature and frequent dust storm, growing deforest, dominant flora and acute and chronic contamination by particulates material, mainly at urban areas, could explain the epidemiological profile of the disease in this urban area so an interdisciplinary participation is required for solving this problem. RESULTS: In the Comarca Lagunera, several factors coexist which precipitate symptoms in asthmatic subjects: climatological features which favor the inflammatory process and increase susceptibility to respiratory tract infections which can set off asthmatic crises. CONCLUSION: The epidemiological behavior os asthma in this regions may be associated with its climatological characteristics.

Long-term effects of specific immunotherapy, administered during childhood, in asthmatic patients allergic to either house-dust mite or to both house-dust mite and grass pollen.

In a retrospective study, asthmatic patients allergic to either house-dust mite (HDM) (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) (n = 34) or to both HDM and grass pollen (GP) (n = 14), and who were treated with specific immunotherapy (SIT) during childhood (mean duration of SIT: 61 +/- 9.70 months), were re-evaluated in early adulthood after mean cessation of SIT for 9.3 +/- 2.76 years. The results were compared to those of a control group of asthmatic patients (n = 42) with comparable asthma features, who were treated with appropriate antiasthmatic drugs during childhood, but who never received SIT. Re-evaluation was carried out with a standardized questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPT), and lung-function assessments. At the time of re-evaluation, the mean age in the SIT-treated group was 23.1 +/- 3.50 years; in the control group, it was 22.7 +/- 3.40 years. At re-evaluation, the risk of frequent asthmatic symptoms was three times higher in the control group than in the SIT-treated group (prevalence ratio: 3.43; P = 0.0006). The frequent use of antiasthmatic medication was also more pronounced in the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.38). Lung-function parameters and results of SPT with HDM were comparable in both groups. It is concluded that SIT has long-term effects on asthmatic symptoms in young adults.

Growth, carcass characteristics, and incidence of ascites in broilers exposed to environmental fluctuations and oiled litter.

The effects of diurnal temperature fluctuations and removal of respirable dust, by application of canola oil to straw litter, on growth, carcass traits, and the degree of ascites was evaluated with 1,200 male broilers studied in two replicated 6-wk trials. Each trial used four pens of 150 birds. The temperature treatment consisted of a fluctuation of 3 C in temperature above the required temperature during the day (0600 to 1800 h) and 3 C below the required temperature at night (1800 to 0600 h) for a 6 C change in daily temperature. The control temperature was constant. All pens had the same mean daily temperature. In each trial, one control temperature pen and one fluctuation temperature pen received bi-weekly applications of canola oil to the litter (1.1 L/m2 of oil over 6 wk). At 6 wk of age, 30 birds from each pen were killed for determination of breast muscle, fatpad, and heart weights. All birds were scored for lesions of ascites at time of processing. A score of 0 or 1 represented slight pericardial effusion, slight pulmonary congestion, and edema. A score of 4 represented birds with marked accumulation of ascitic fluid in one or more ceolomic cavities (other than the pericardium) and advanced liver lesions. A cross-sectional image of each 4-mm heart slice (cross-section of the ventricles) was digitally recorded, and with image analysis we determined the right ventricular area (RVA), left ventricular area (LVA), and total heart area (HA). The final BW of the broilers were significantly different, the oiled-litter treatment (2,249 g) had lower weight gain compared with the nonoiled litter treatment (2,293 g). There were no differences in fatpad weight, shank length, lung weight, and percentage breast muscle between the main treatments. The Pectoralis minor and Pectoralis major weight were significantly heavier in the temperature fluctuation treatment than in the control temperature treatment by 3.0 and 12.0 g, respectively. The birds subjected to the control temperature treatment had a lower RVW than the birds subjected to the fluctuating temperature treatment. Temperature fluctuations also resulted in a 1.4% increase in the incidence of mortality. Temperature fluctuations negatively impact broiler growth due to heat loss when litter oiling was excessive.

IL-10 reduces grain dust-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity.

To determine whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) could alter the development of grain dust-induced airway disease, we pretreated mice with either saline or IL-10 intravenously, exposed the mice to an inhalation challenge with corn dust extract (CDE), and measured inflammation and the development of airway hyperreactivity. Pretreatment with IL-10, in comparison to saline, reduced the concentration and percentage of polymorphonuclear cells in the lavage fluid 30 min after the inhalation challenge with CDE (P < 0. 05). In comparison to saline-treated mice, IL-10 did not significantly alter the degree of airway hyperreactivity 30 min after the exposure to CDE. IL-10-treated mice lavaged 18 h after challenge with CDE also exhibited a lower percentage of polymorphonuclear cells in the lavage fluid (P < 0.05) and had significantly less airway hyperreactivity than did mice pretreated with the saline placebo (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that exogenous IL-10 is effective in reducing airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity due to the inhalation of CDE.

Buckwheat allergy and reports on asthma and atopic disorders in Taiyuan City, Northern China.

Allergy to common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) has been reported from Europe and Japan, and a 24 kDa globulin protein has been identified as one of the major allergens. In China also another type, tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum) is grown and consumed. Three groups of individuals in Shanxi province, China, were investigated for buckwheat allergy using skin prick test. The groups were: agricultural researchers with occupational exposure to buckwheat (N = 16); workers in a food industry producing buckwheat noodles (N = 25), and patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease consuming buckwheat as functional food (N = 20). Information on atopic disorders and adverse food reactions were collected by a doctors-administered questionnaire. One male industrial worker had a positive skin prick test to buckwheat, but no symptoms while eating or handling buckwheat products. In total, 34% consumed buckwheat food at least every week, and 23% had a weekly consumption of tartary buckwheat. The prevalence of doctor's diagnosed asthma was low (1.6%). Four subjects (6.6%) reported a history of allergic rhinitis, with allergy to cedar pollen, carnation and peach.