Serum immunoglobulin E reactivity to cross-reacting panallergen components in north-eastern Poland patients pollen sensitized.

Background: The presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which cross-reacts with allergen components, such as profilins, polcalcins, and cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCD), creates a problem when selecting patients for allergen immunotherapy by using conventional methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sensitization to profilins, polcalcins, and CCDs in patients with seasonal pollen allergic rhinitis. Methods: The study was performed on a group of 112 patients with seasonal pollen allergic rhinitis, ages 14 to 55 years, with sensitization to at least one seasonal allergen (IgE > 0.7 kUA/L). The presence of IgE sensitization to recombinant (r) Bet v 2, rPhl p 12, rBet v 4, rPhl p 7, and CCDs, in addition to rBet v 1, rPhl p 1, rPhl p 5, was evaluated by using a multiparameter immunoblot. Results: Among the studied patients, 64.3, 80.4, and 41.1% were sensitized to birch, timothy grass, and mugwort pollen, respectively. Sensitization to profilins rBet v 2/Phl p 12 was demonstrated in 28.6%, to polcalcins Bet v 4/Phl p 7 in 8.9%, and to CCDs in 25%. In 29.3%, serum IgE reactivity to any of the cross-reactive components could be demonstrated. Serum IgE reactivity to rBet v 2 was always accompanied by IgE reactivity to rPhl p 12, and IgE reactivity to rBet v 4 was always accompanied by IgE reactivity to rPhl p 7. Among the patients with pollinosis co-sensitized to at least two allergen sources according to extract-based diagnosis, possible false-positive results due to sensitization to cross-reactive components were detected in 17.9%. Conclusion: Evaluation of sensitization to cross-reacting components may be useful in evaluation of patients with pollen allergy who are being assessed for allergen immunotherapy to optimize the constitution of their immunotherapy vaccines.

Bronchial allergen challenge in allergic children: continuous increase of nitric oxide in exhaled air 72 hours after allergen inhalation independent of bronchial obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Changes in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) occurring after bronchial allergen challenges (BAC) are still not understood, neither are any possible associations between FeNO and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)). The aim of the study was to compare the fluctuations of FeNO and FEV(1), which occur within 72 h of BAC in children sensitive to grass pollen. METHODS: Seventy-four children were divided into two groups based on their medical histories and the results of skin prick tests with 10 common allergens. Individuals in whom the test yielded a positive result to at least grass pollen (Group A, n = 57), and those with negative test results against all of the allergens applied (Group B, n = 17) were subjected to BAC. FeNO was measured at a baseline and at 1, 8, 21, and 72 h after the last dose of the allergen inhalation, whereas FEV(1) was measured at a baseline, hourly for 8 h after the challenge and at 21 and 72 h thereafter. RESULTS: Baseline FeNO in sensitive subjects (Group A) was significantly higher than in controls of Group B. In all grass pollen-sensitive subjects, even those that were free of a bronchial response, FeNO was markedly elevated compared to its baseline values, starting from the eighth hour onward, and still increased 72 h post-BAC, whereas FEV(1) returned to a baseline at the 72nd h post-BAC. The highest increase in FeNO was registered in individuals with a dual asthmatic response. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in FeNO in sensitive subjects starts a few hours later than the decrease in FEV(1). Consequently, measurements of FeNO seem to be useful in long-term monitoring of the allergic reaction triggered by a specific allergen.

[Fifty percent of pollinosis patients sensitive to birch pollen demonstrate bronchoconstriction during bronchial provocation test with the allergen]. / Polowa chorych na pylkowice, uczulonych na pylek brzozy, reaguje skurczem oskrzeli w trakcie oskrzelowego testu prowokacyjnego z alergenem.

UNLABELLED: Birch pollens are known as seasonal asthma precipitants. Our earlier studies evidenced a very high frequency of positive results bronchial allergen challenges in pollinosis patients sensitive to grass pollen. The aim of the study was to evaluate how often the bronchial challenge with birch pollen allergen causes bronchoconstriction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Studies were performed outside of pollen season on 30 patients sensitive to birch pollen allergen. Before the allergen challenges bronchial provocation tests with methacholine were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: About 13% of examined group had bronchial hyperreactivity (PC20FEV1Mch < 8 mg/ml) and 50% demonstrated bronchoconstriction after birch pollen allergen inhalation. CONCLUSIONS: About 13 percent of patients sensitive to birch pollen demonstrated nonspecific hyperrectivity out of pollen season. Bronchial birch allergen challenge tests are positive in about half of birch sensitive patients with pollinosis.

[Seasonal changes in bronchial reactivity in pollinosis patients]. / Sezonowe zmiany reaktywnosci oskrzeli u chorych na pylkowice.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate seasonal changes in bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in patients suffering from pollinosis, sensitive to Ryegrass engl. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies were carried out on 26 patients and 20 healthy subjects. All the patients had a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The following measurements were performed outside and during the pollen season: bronchial provocation test (BPT) with metacholine and 4.5% NaCl, serum concentration of specific and total IgE. RESULTS: Outside the pollen season additionally the BPT with Ryegrass engl. allergen was performed and 88% of the pollinosis patients had positive result of the test. After 4.5% NaCl bronchial challenge positive results had 2 out of 26 patients outside the season, and 3 during the season. Bronchial hyperreactivity to metacholine (PC20 < 8 mg/ml) were observed in 4/26 (15.4%) persons outside the season and in 7 (26.9) during the season. The healthy subjects had no bronchoconstriction neither after metacholine or 4.5% NaCl. During the pollen season the increase in serum concentration of tIgE and sIgE was observed only in pollinosis patient. CONCLUSIONS: There was not found a correlation between BHR to the allergen and serum total IgE nor specific IgE concentration.