Identification of the soybean hull allergens involved in sensitization to soybean dust in a rural population from Argentina and N-terminal sequence of a major 50 KD allergen.

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to soybean hull (SH) allergens occurs in subjects from Argentina, a soybean producer country. However, the causative allergens have not been identified. The purposes of this study are to: (i) identify the SH allergens using sera of 29 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina exposed to soybean dust who have a positive (weal with SH/weal with histamine > or = 0.5) skin prick test to SH; and (ii) determine the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a major 50 K SH allergen that sensitizes this population. METHODS: All sera were assayed for specific IgE (RIA), IgG4 (ELISA), and IgE and IgG4-Western blots. A sera pool from 10 healthy subjects was a negative control. N-terminal amino acid sequencing was performed by the Edman degradation method. RESULTS: Positive specific IgE only was found in 12/29 (41.4%), IgG4 in 3/29 (10.3%), and both IgE and IgG4 in 14/29 (48.3%) sera. IgE-Western blot demonstrates: (i) an allergen, MW 50 K (51.7% binding); (ii) one or two distinct allergens, MW < 20.2 K (72.4% binding), depending on the sera; and (iii) 1-5 additional IgE binding proteins, MW > 20.2 to < 46.9 K (41.4% binding), depending on the sera. IgG4-Western blot demonstrates: (i) a band, MW 70K (31% binding); (ii) a band, MW 50 K (17.2% binding); (iii) one or two additional bands, MW < 20.2 K (51.7% binding), depending on the sera; and (iv) a band, MW > 20.2 to < 28.5 K (20.7% binding). The 50 K allergen N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 17 amino acids indicates a significant homology with chlorophyll A-B binding protein precursors from tomato, spinach, and petunia. CONCLUSIONS: Specific IgE and IgG4 to SH are common in sera from allergic individuals living in rural areas in Argentina. SH contain an IgE binding protein, MW about 50 K, not previously described. Sensitization to this allergen is common in subjects who are repeatedly exposed to soybean dust inhalation.

[Association between soybean dust exposure, allergic sensitivity and profile of respiratory symptoms]. / Asociación entre exposición a polvo de soja, sensibilidad alérgica y perfil de síntomas respiratorios.

The purpose of this study was to correlate soybean dust (SD) exposure, skin reactivity to soybean hull (SH) allergens, and symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. A group of 365 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and a control group of 50 individuals without respiratory symptoms were studied. The level of exposure to SD is defined as follows: 1) direct (DE); 2) indirect (ID), and 3) urban (UE). All subjects completed standard questionnaires. Skin tests with a SH extract and with common allergens were performed by the prick technique (SPT). Fifty-six (15.3%) patients and no subjects from control group had positive SPT (histamine index > or = 0.5) with a SH allergen extract. The percentages of positive SPT to SH extract were 38.7%, 20.3% and 8.4% in subjects with DE, IE and UE, respectively (p < 0.001). Monosensitization to SH was absent in all subjects. The percent of subjects with positive SPTs to mites (p < 0.01), pollen (p < 0.01) and molds (p < 0.05) were higher in subjects with a positive SPT to SH versus those with a negative SPT to SH. Sixty-six percent of subjects with DE and 13.6% of subjects with IE or UE reported respiratory symptoms after SD inhalation (Odds Ratio: 12.67 [2.4-74.9], p < 0.001). Compared to subjects exclusively sensitized to mites, patients sensitized to SH presented significantly different clinical characteristics. Soybean production has been increasing in Argentina during the last 20 years, determining an increase in the population exposed to chronic SD inhalation. This fact determines a high risk of sensitization and triggering of respiratory symptoms in atopic subjects. This study demonstrates that there is: 1) a high prevalence of skin reactivity to SH in subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina and that this prevalence is associated with the level of exposure to SD, and 2) an association between sensitivity to SH and severity of asthma. Measures to avoid release and inhalation of SD in rural areas from Argentina are needed.

Asociación entre exposición a polvo de soja, sensibilidad alérgica y perfil de síntomas respiratorios / [Association between soybean dust exposure, allergic sensitivity and profile of respiratory symptoms]

The purpose of this study was to correlate soybean dust (SD) exposure, skin reactivity to soybean hull (SH) allergens, and symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. A group of 365 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and a control group of 50 individuals without respiratory symptoms were studied. The level of exposure to SD is defined as follows: 1) direct (DE); 2) indirect (ID), and 3) urban (UE). All subjects completed standard questionnaires. Skin tests with a SH extract and with common allergens were performed by the prick technique (SPT). Fifty-six (15.3

) patients and no subjects from control group had positive SPT (histamine index > or = 0.5) with a SH allergen extract. The percentages of positive SPT to SH extract were 38.7

in subjects with DE, IE and UE, respectively (p < 0.001). Monosensitization to SH was absent in all subjects. The percent of subjects with positive SPTs to mites (p < 0.01), pollen (p < 0.01) and molds (p < 0.05) were higher in subjects with a positive SPT to SH versus those with a negative SPT to SH. Sixty-six percent of subjects with DE and 13.6

of subjects with IE or UE reported respiratory symptoms after SD inhalation (Odds Ratio: 12.67 [2.4-74.9], p < 0.001). Compared to subjects exclusively sensitized to mites, patients sensitized to SH presented significantly different clinical characteristics. Soybean production has been increasing in Argentina during the last 20 years, determining an increase in the population exposed to chronic SD inhalation. This fact determines a high risk of sensitization and triggering of respiratory symptoms in atopic subjects. This study demonstrates that there is: 1) a high prevalence of skin reactivity to SH in subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina and that this prevalence is associated with the level of exposure to SD, and 2) an association between sensitivity to SH and severity of asthma. Measures to avoid release and inhalation of SD in rural areas from Argentina are needed.

Asociación entre exposición a polvo de soja, sensibilidad alérgica y perfil de síntomas respiratorios. / [Association between soybean dust exposure, allergic sensitivity and profile of respiratory symptoms]

The purpose of this study was to correlate soybean dust (SD) exposure, skin reactivity to soybean hull (SH) allergens, and symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. A group of 365 subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and a control group of 50 individuals without respiratory symptoms were studied. The level of exposure to SD is defined as follows: 1) direct (DE); 2) indirect (ID), and 3) urban (UE). All subjects completed standard questionnaires. Skin tests with a SH extract and with common allergens were performed by the prick technique (SPT). Fifty-six (15.3

) patients and no subjects from control group had positive SPT (histamine index > or = 0.5) with a SH allergen extract. The percentages of positive SPT to SH extract were 38.7

, 20.3

and 8.4

in subjects with DE, IE and UE, respectively (p < 0.001). Monosensitization to SH was absent in all subjects. The percent of subjects with positive SPTs to mites (p < 0.01), pollen (p < 0.01) and molds (p < 0.05) were higher in subjects with a positive SPT to SH versus those with a negative SPT to SH. Sixty-six percent of subjects with DE and 13.6

of subjects with IE or UE reported respiratory symptoms after SD inhalation (Odds Ratio: 12.67 [2.4-74.9], p < 0.001). Compared to subjects exclusively sensitized to mites, patients sensitized to SH presented significantly different clinical characteristics. Soybean production has been increasing in Argentina during the last 20 years, determining an increase in the population exposed to chronic SD inhalation. This fact determines a high risk of sensitization and triggering of respiratory symptoms in atopic subjects. This study demonstrates that there is: 1) a high prevalence of skin reactivity to SH in subjects with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis from Argentina and that this prevalence is associated with the level of exposure to SD, and 2) an association between sensitivity to SH and severity of asthma. Measures to avoid release and inhalation of SD in rural areas from Argentina are needed.

Prevalencia de sensibilización a lepidoglyphus destructor, tyrophagus putrescentiae y chortoglyphus arcuatus en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis residentes en Rosario / Prevalence of sensitization to lepidoglyphus destructor, tyrophagus putrescentiae and chortoglyphus arcuatus in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis living in Rosario, Argentine

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la prevalencia de la sensibilización a Lepidoglyphus destructor (Ld), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) y Chortoglyphus arcuatus (Cha) en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis que residen exclusivamente en Rosario y compararla con otros ácaros estudiados previamente. En tres centros privados y tres hospitales públicos, se estudiaron 216 pacientes, 54,6 por ciento de sexo femenino, con edades comprendidas entre los 5 y 55 años (x 23,3 años). El 20,8 por ciento de ellos presentaba asma, el 38,9 por ciento rinitis y el 40,3 por ciento ambas patologías. Se confeccionó un cuestionario tipo y se realizaron prick tests (SPT) con extractos de Ld, Tp, Cha, Dermatophagoides pteronsyssinus (Dp) y Blomia tropicalis (Bt) obtenidos a partir de aislamiento y cultivos locales, y con una batería de aeroalergenos comerciales. El 79,6 por ciento (n = 172) de los pacientes presentó al menos un STP (+) y de ellos, el 94,8 por ciento mostró sensibilidad a algún ácaro y el 48,3 por ciento a otros alergenos. La prevalencia de sensibilización a alguno de los tres ácaros en estudio fue de 76,2 por ciento (Ld 69,2 por ciento, Cha 64,0 por ciento y Tp 61,6 por ciento), siendo de 66,1 por ciento en los pacientes con rinitis, de 78,9 por ciento en asma y de 82,7 por ciento para ambas patologías. No se observaron diferencias entre centros públicos y privados. El 54,6 por ciento de los pacientes (n=89) tuvo SPT (+) para los 5 ácaros testeados, el 6 por ciento (n=13) fue (-) para Dp y (+) para alguno de los otros 4 ácaros y el 3 por ciento (n=6) fue (+) sólo a Ld, Tp ó Cha. Se concluye que la prevalencia de sensibilización a Ld, Tp y Cha hallada en Rosario justifica ampliamente su inclusión en el panel de aeroalergenos, lo que permitiría identificar sensibilizaciones inaparentes

Prevalencia de sensibilización a lepidoglyphus destructor, tyrophagus putrescentiae y chortoglyphus arcuatus en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis residentes en Rosario / Prevalence of sensitization to lepidoglyphus destructor, tyrophagus putrescentiae and chortoglyphus arcuatus in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis living in Rosario, Argentine

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la prevalencia de la sensibilización a Lepidoglyphus destructor (Ld), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) y Chortoglyphus arcuatus (Cha) en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis que residen exclusivamente en Rosario y compararla con otros ácaros estudiados previamente. En tres centros privados y tres hospitales públicos, se estudiaron 216 pacientes, 54,6 por ciento de sexo femenino, con edades comprendidas entre los 5 y 55 años (x 23,3 años). El 20,8 por ciento de ellos presentaba asma, el 38,9 por ciento rinitis y el 40,3 por ciento ambas patologías. Se confeccionó un cuestionario tipo y se realizaron prick tests (SPT) con extractos de Ld, Tp, Cha, Dermatophagoides pteronsyssinus (Dp) y Blomia tropicalis (Bt) obtenidos a partir de aislamiento y cultivos locales, y con una batería de aeroalergenos comerciales. El 79,6 por ciento (n = 172) de los pacientes presentó al menos un STP (+) y de ellos, el 94,8 por ciento mostró sensibilidad a algún ácaro y el 48,3 por ciento a otros alergenos. La prevalencia de sensibilización a alguno de los tres ácaros en estudio fue de 76,2 por ciento (Ld 69,2 por ciento, Cha 64,0 por ciento y Tp 61,6 por ciento), siendo de 66,1 por ciento en los pacientes con rinitis, de 78,9 por ciento en asma y de 82,7 por ciento para ambas patologías. No se observaron diferencias entre centros públicos y privados. El 54,6 por ciento de los pacientes (n=89) tuvo SPT (+) para los 5 ácaros testeados, el 6 por ciento (n=13) fue (-) para Dp y (+) para alguno de los otros 4 ácaros y el 3 por ciento (n=6) fue (+) sólo a Ld, Tp ó Cha. Se concluye que la prevalencia de sensibilización a Ld, Tp y Cha hallada en Rosario justifica ampliamente su inclusión en el panel de aeroalergenos, lo que permitiría identificar sensibilizaciones inaparentes (AU)

Prevalencia de sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis en Rosario: estudio multicéntrico / The prevalence of the sensitivity to Blomia tropicalis in Rosario city: multicenters studies

Se evaluó la prevalencia de la sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis que residen exclusivamente en la ciudad de Rosario,para valorar si existen diferencias entre la respuesta cutánea a cuerpo total y a partículas fecales y relacionar la misma con diferentes parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio. Se estudiaron 314 pacientes, 164 femeninos (52,2 por ciento) con edades entre 5 a 55 años (x 20,8 DS ñ 13,7). 87 pacientes presentaban solamente asma, 91 solamente rinitis y 136 ambas patologías. El estudio se realizó en 8 centros asistenciales de la ciudad de Rosario, 3 públicos y 5 privados, completando todos un cuestionario tipo y realizando la misma técnica de testificación con un extracto de idéntico origen (División de Alergia e Inmunología, University of South Florida, Tampa, U.S.A.). Se llevó a cabo prick test (SPT) a una concentración de 1/50 p/v de cuerpo total (ECT) de Blomia tropicalis y de partículas fecales (EPF) de la misma, comparando la pápula obtenida con cada extracto con la de la histamina y se consideró positivo un índice de histamina > 0,5. Además, cada centro, realizó SPT con una batería de aeroalergenos, considerando como positiva una pápula mayor de 5 mm. Se obtuvo un total de 280 (89,2 por ciento) pruebas cutáneas positivas para al menos un aeroalergenos. De los 314 individuos estudiados 224 (71,3 por ciento) resultaron positivos para el extracto de cuerpo total de B. tropicalis y 207 (66 por ciento) para el extracto de partículas fecales. Veinte (7,1 por ciento) de los 280 SPT "+" respondieron exclusivamente a Blomia tropicalis. La prevalencia de sensibilización a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus y/o Dermatophagoides farinae fue del 76,1 por ciento (239 pacientes) y la de otros neumoalergenos del 38,5 por ciento (121 pacientes). Confirmando un reporte previo, la prevalencia de sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis posee una relevancia casi tan importante como la de los ácaros Pyroglyphidos en la ciudad de Rosario. El análisis comparativo mostró que la sensibilidad a Blomia tropicalis es significativamente mayor en el grupo etario de 10 a 20 años (x²= 11,1 p<0,01), en los pacientes con una IgE total > 300 kU/l (x²=33,5 p<0,001) y en los pacientes con asma y rinitis (x²=14,4 p<0,001). Fué también significativa la diferencia entre el tamaño de la pápula del extracto de cuerpo de Blomia tropicalis y los distintos grupos etarios (x²=28,6 p<0,001) así como en el nivel de IgE total (x²=34,9 p<0,001).

Prevalencia de sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis en Rosario: estudio multicéntrico / The prevalence of the sensitivity to Blomia tropicalis in Rosario city: multicenters studies

Se evaluó la prevalencia de la sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis en pacientes con asma y/o rinitis que residen exclusivamente en la ciudad de Rosario,para valorar si existen diferencias entre la respuesta cutánea a cuerpo total y a partículas fecales y relacionar la misma con diferentes parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio. Se estudiaron 314 pacientes, 164 femeninos (52,2 por ciento) con edades entre 5 a 55 años (x 20,8 DS ñ 13,7). 87 pacientes presentaban solamente asma, 91 solamente rinitis y 136 ambas patologías. El estudio se realizó en 8 centros asistenciales de la ciudad de Rosario, 3 públicos y 5 privados, completando todos un cuestionario tipo y realizando la misma técnica de testificación con un extracto de idéntico origen (División de Alergia e Inmunología, University of South Florida, Tampa, U.S.A.). Se llevó a cabo prick test (SPT) a una concentración de 1/50 p/v de cuerpo total (ECT) de Blomia tropicalis y de partículas fecales (EPF) de la misma, comparando la pápula obtenida con cada extracto con la de la histamina y se consideró positivo un índice de histamina > 0,5. Además, cada centro, realizó SPT con una batería de aeroalergenos, considerando como positiva una pápula mayor de 5 mm. Se obtuvo un total de 280 (89,2 por ciento) pruebas cutáneas positivas para al menos un aeroalergenos. De los 314 individuos estudiados 224 (71,3 por ciento) resultaron positivos para el extracto de cuerpo total de B. tropicalis y 207 (66 por ciento) para el extracto de partículas fecales. Veinte (7,1 por ciento) de los 280 SPT "+" respondieron exclusivamente a Blomia tropicalis. La prevalencia de sensibilización a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus y/o Dermatophagoides farinae fue del 76,1 por ciento (239 pacientes) y la de otros neumoalergenos del 38,5 por ciento (121 pacientes). Confirmando un reporte previo, la prevalencia de sensibilización a Blomia tropicalis posee una relevancia casi tan importante como la de los ácaros Pyroglyphidos en la ciudad de Rosario. El análisis comparativo mostró que la sensibilidad a Blomia tropicalis es significativamente mayor en el grupo etario de 10 a 20 años (x²= 11,1 p<0,01), en los pacientes con una IgE total > 300 kU/l (x²=33,5 p<0,001) y en los pacientes con asma y rinitis (x²=14,4 p<0,001). Fué también significativa la diferencia entre el tamaño de la pápula del extracto de cuerpo de Blomia tropicalis y los distintos grupos etarios (x²=28,6 p<0,001) así como en el nivel de IgE total (x²=34,9 p<0,001). (AU)

Evaluation of circulating immune complexes in cutaneous diseases associated with immune disorders.

Several skin diseases associated with immune disorders may be related to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and their skin deposition. Sera from 20 controls and 108 patients, including: 23 psoriasis, 10 lichen planus, 30 atopic eczemas, 32 cases of leprosy, 10 vasculitis and 3 pyoderma gangrenosum were evaluated for the presence of IgG-containing CIC by the microconsumption complement test (MCT). Additionally, the presence of IgE-containing CIC by means of a polyethylene glycol precipitation and radioimmunoassay technique was evaluated in 10 patients with atopic eczema. It was found that 56.5% of psoriatic patients show moderate CIC concentrations, as well as 34% of leprosy patients, with increased levels when bacillus were detected in skin lesions, and in 90% of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A close relationship between CIC levels and the clinical evolution of skin lesions was demonstrated in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum and lichen planus. IgG-CIC were detected in 33% and IgE-CIC in 30% of patients with atopic eczema, with the presence of both types of CIC in 2 out of 3 cases. The systematic research on CIC presence in some selected skin diseases shows that immune complexes take part, with different degrees of relevance, in the pathogenesis of all the entities.

Avances en enfermedades alérgicas e inmunodeficiencias

Se desarrollan trabajos pertenecientes al campo de la neumonologia, la alergoinmunologia, la dermatologia y las enfermedades infecto-contagiosas, desde el punto de vista medico y odontologico

Avances en enfermedades alérgicas e inmunodeficiencias

Se desarrollan trabajos pertenecientes al campo de la neumonologia, la alergoinmunologia, la dermatologia y las enfermedades infecto-contagiosas, desde el punto de vista medico y odontologico

Correlation between serum IgA, secretory IgA and total serum IgE in asthmatic and rhinitic affected patients.

We studied 1,030 patients of both sexes, classified according to atopic and non-atopic, those suffering from bronchial asthma (AB), rhinitis (R) or associated AB and R, with ages between 3 months to 62 years. Total IgE, serum IgA and secretory IgA were determined in all of them in order to establish their values and to make the corresponding comparisons. Serum IgA did not show any difference in both groups, while secretory IgA showed lower values in atopic patients than non-atopic patients during childhood. Later on, their values reached a similar level. Total IgE values in atopics significantly differed from non-atopic values at all ages. There was a negative correlation coefficient between total IgE and secretory IgA in the 6 years old patients' group, and in adults. Our results suggest that IgE synthesis, genetically determined in atopics, may be influenced to higher levels in patients with lower secretory IgA levels. This latter factor, as we only measured total secretory non-specific IgA level, must be considered of relative importance.

Immune complexes in epidemic (type A) hepatitis. Detection by three methods using laser nephelometry.

Thirty-eight children with acute epidemic hepatitis (Type A) and 22 children in "contact" with the disease, 5 of whom subsequently developed hepatitis, were studied. Three technics based on laser ray nephelometry were employed to investigate the presence of circulating immune complexes. Our results indicated that circulating immune complexes are present in the serum during the course of epidemic hepatitis. These were demonstrated in 79% of the patients. The capacity to fix complement diminishes as the disease evolves toward the convalescent phase. We also detected a similar percentage of immune complexes (80%) in the patients during the incubation period. In the subjects in "contact" with the disease who subsequently did not develop hepatitis, the immune complexes were shown to have a greater capacity to fix complement, and the percentage of immune complexes present was higher (94%). The specificity of the immune complexes was verified by correlating the antivirus A antibody activity with the percentage of C4 in the precipitates obtained by polyethylene glycol (3.5%).

The use and limitations of laser nephelometry.

The quantitative determination of several proteins in serum and liquor received new impulses with Laser Nephelometry. The method is characterized by its speed, precision, accuracy, high sensitivity, good correlation when compared with radial immunodiffusion and the possibility of automatization. The detection of mycotic antigens and precipitating antibodies against organic dusts and against DNS and the detection of immune complexes show the flexibility of the new method.

Etiopatogenia y diagnostico de las alveolitis alergicas extrinsecas. / Etiopathogeny and diagnosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis

Las alveolitis alergicas extrinsecas constituyen un grupo de enfermedades que afectan el interticio pulmonar. Son producidas por inhalacion de particulas de polvos organicos diversos que actuan como antigenos desencadenando por mecanismo inmunologico el cuadro anatomoclinico. La sintomatologia puede explicarse actualmente sobre la base de mecanismos alergicos. Se estudia aqui la patogenia de la enfermedad y los metodos diagnosticos para llegar a la etiologia y asi poder aplicar la terapeutica correcta