Filaroidosis Infection in an Immunocompetent Adult Dog from France.

A dog from Paris (France) was referred with a 2-week history of dry cough, intermittent acute onset of dyspnoea, and acute abdominal pain. A generalised bronchoalveolar infiltrate with a patchy distribution was observed at chest x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. Negative results were obtained through several faecal examinations for cardiorespiratory nematodes by using the Baermann technique and at two blood analysis with a commercially available test for the detection of A. vasorum antigen (the first one at the first visit and second one at the control visit, one month later). PCR methods for the identification of A. vasorum and C. vulpis were also accomplished. At the control visit, nematode L1s were found during direct microscopic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Thus, a different antigen-based assay for the detection of A. vasorum was performed with a positive result. Moreover, based on morphology, isolated larvae were identified as Filaroides hirthi. The dog was treated with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg per os once daily) for two consecutive weeks. After five months, the dog was referred again for the intermittent acute onset of dyspnoea and was found to be still positive for F. hirthi larvae at BALF examination. A 15-day treatment regimen with fenbendazole in combination with three subcutaneous injections of ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg, once every two weeks), was then performed. No larvae were detected at two BALF microscopical examinations performed one month apart. Results from this case report underline the importance of including F. hirthi infections in the differential diagnosis of dog bronchopneumonia.

Detection of 20 kDa and 32 kDa IgE-binding proteins as the major allergens in Italian sesame seed allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Sesame seed allergy, a potentially very severe food allergy, seems on the rise worldwide but is still uncommon in Italy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the allergenic profile of Italian sesame seed-allergic patients. METHODS: Patients with genuine sesame seed allergy diagnosed over one year in a large number of allergy centers scattered through Italy were considered for the study. Their IgE reactivity to sesame seed allergens was characterized by immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Eleven sesame seed allergic patients were detected and studied. 10/10 patients showed IgE reactivity against a sesame allergen at about 20 kDa, and 7/10 showed an extremely strong reactivity at about 32 kDa. The same 7 sera reacted also against a 28 kDa allergen, although such reactivity was significantly weaker in 6/7 cases. Eight patients showed IgE reactivity at about 48 kDa, and 5 sera reacted against higher m.w. proteins at about 67 kDa. Two sera showed IgE reactivity at about 43 kDa as well. Only one serum appeared to react to 2S-albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Italian sesame seed-allergic patients react mostly against allergens other than those described so far as major ones. A large number of recombinant sesame allergens will be needed for a comprehensive component- resolved diagnosis of allergy to this food.

Heterogenity of IgE response to walnut and hazelnut in Italian allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of IgE reactivity against genuine walnut and hazelnut allergens is poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: The IgE response to walnut and hazelnut was investigated in Italian patients with primary allergy to these nuts. METHODS: Sera from 36 patients allergic to hazelnut and/or walnut, not reactive to PR-10, profilin, and LTP, underwent immunoblot analysis with extracts of both nuts. RESULTS: Most patients had a history of systemic symptoms following the ingestion of the offending food(s). Twelve patients were sensitized to both walnut and hazelnut, and 13 were sensitized to other nuts and seeds (cashew, peanut, sesame, pine nut, almond, Brazil nut, and pistachio). On walnut immunoblot, the 7 sera which scored positive showed much variability in their IgE profile. Two reacted uniquely at 10 kDa, and the others at 35 , 40, 45, 50, 67, and > 67 kDa. The profiles obtained under reducing and non-reducing conditions showed several differences. The 7 sera positive on hazelnut immunoblot under reducing conditions recognized sera at 10 kDa and at <10 kDa (n=1), 20 kDa (n=4), at about 22, 24, 30, 40, 43, 58, 60, and 90 kDa, and higher m.w. in other cases. Under non-reducing conditions IgE reactivity at 20, 28, 35, 40, 45, 60, 90, and 100 kDa, was detected. Only two sera scored positive under both conditions and showed an IgE profile that partly changed from one assay to another. CONCLUSION: The current list of walnut and hazelnut allergens is far from being complete. Both reducing and non-reducing conditions are needed to detect IgE reactivity in individual patients.

Dose-dependent clinical and immunological efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with mite monomeric allergoid.

Sublingual immunotherapy with monomeric carbamylated allergoid (LAIS) is an effective and well tolerated treatment of respiratory allergy. The aim of the present study was to correlate the efficacy of two maintenance doses (1000 AU vs 3000 AU) of LAIS with the immunological modulation of allergen-driven Th1, Th2 and T regulatory cytokines produced in vitro by PBMCs, in patients suffering from mite allergic rhinitis. Forty-eight consecutive patients with mite allergic rhinitis were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned to group A (n=24) or group B (n=24), respectively receiving 1000 AU or 3000 AU weekly during one-year maintenance phase. Each patient was evaluated for rhinitis severity (ARIA protocol), and for drug consumption at the time of the inclusion and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Patients were also asked to report the perceived severity of the disease and the tolerability of the treatment in a visual analogical scale (VAS). Before and at the end of the treatment allergen-driven release of cytokines by PBMCs in vitro was measured. After 1-year treatment, a statistically significant reduction of all clinical parameters was observed in all patients, associated with reduction of IL-4 and increase of INF-γ secreted in vitro by mite-challenged PBMCs. Notably, the group treated with the higher dose showed significantly better clinical and immunological results. The efficacy of LAIS is correlated to the immune modulation in a clear dose-dependent effect.

[Allergic contact dermatitis to nickel: modification of receptor expression on peripheral lymphocytes of women after oral provocation tests (preliminary data)]. / Dermatite allergica da contatto a nichel: modificazioni delle espressioni recettoriali dei linfociti periferici in donne dopo test di provocazione per via orale (dati preliminari)

Blood lymphocyte subset evaluation was performed before after oral challenge with 10 mg of Ni, in 9 healthy women and in 15 allergic to Ni. Following challenge, 7 allergic showed a flare up of eczema and/or urticaria. In the controls, CD4+ lymphocytes were modified 24 hours after Ni challenge: CD4+/CD44RO- "virgin" cells were reduced while CD4+/CD45RO+ "memory" cells increased. The allergic women, not sensitive to oral Ni, showed an increase of B lymphocytes after the test. On the contrary, the oral Ni reacting patients presented a reduction of monocytes 4 hours after Ni ingestion and marked reduction (ranging from 20 to 50%) of T and B lymphocytes after 24 hours. These significant T and B lymphocytes changes suggest a migration of the cells in peripheral tissues, likely skin and GUT mucosa.

Expression of c-kit gene products in known cellular targets of W mutations in normal and W mutant mice--evidence for an impaired c-kit kinase in mutant mice.

The proto-oncogene c-kit, a transmembrane tyrosine protein kinase receptor for an unknown ligand, was shown recently to map to the dominant white spotting locus (W) of the mouse. Mutations at the W locus affect various aspects of hematopoiesis, as well as the proliferation and/or migration of primordial germ cells and melanoblasts during development. Here, we show that c-kit is expressed in tissues known to be affected by W mutations in fetal and adult erythropoietic tissues, mast cells, and neural-crest-derived melanocytes. We demonstrate that the c-kit associated tyrosine-specific protein kinase is functionally impaired in W/WV mast cells, thus providing a molecular basis for understanding the developmental defects that result from these mutations.

Lymphocyte subpopulations of workers in a plant producing plastic materials (preliminary study).

Lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in 31 men working in a plant producing plastic materials in relation with control groups of similar age and smoking habit. 8 workers (group A) were exposed to solvents (mainly methylethylketone and dimethylformamide), 8 men (group B) to dust containing particles of calcium carbonate, polyvinylchloride, phtalates, unsaturated oils, paraffin wax, iron oxides, titanium bioxides, barium, zinc and lead and 15 men (group C), working in the same department as group B, were studied after a period of 16 months during which lead chromate was employed in the preparation of colors. The lymphocyte subpopulations were normal in group A, while in B there was a significant increase of HLA-DR + cells (monocytes, B and activated T lymphocytes). In group C, T helper/inducer lymphocytes (mainly CD4(+)-CD45RO- "virgin" lymphocytes), CD19+ B lymphocytes, CD3-HLADR+ and CD3-CD25+ (activated B lymphocytes and monocytes) were significantly reduced without changes of serum IgM, IgG and IgA. Highly significant correlation was found between B lymphocytes (reduced in the workers about 40%) and CD4(+)-CD45R0+ "memory" lymphocytes (reduced about 20%). Moreover, blood lead (correlated with urinary chromium) showed a highly significant negative correlation with the B lymphocytes. This study demonstrates that combined exposure to toxic agents produces specific modifications in the lymphocyte subsets without changes in immunoglobulins and confirms the results of previous researches showing that the exposure to lead or chromate induces reduction of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

[Evaluations of respiratory functional parameters in sponge fishers from the island of Kalimnos (Greece)]. / Valutazioni dei parametri di funzionalità respiratoria nei pescatori di spugne dell'isola di Kalimnos (Grecia).

We had intended to study functional respiratory patterns of a sponge-divers group from the Island of Kalymnos (Greece). Such a group constitutes a very homogeneous sample for dietary habits and underwater activity, handed down from father to son. Some of these sponge-divers dives holding his breath; others use "narghilè", a special apparatus consisting in a nosepiece connected to an air compressor placed in the boat. As their activity is continuative and prolonged for several months in the years with repeated dives from dawn to dusk, and because air output of narghilè is nearly constant, it is possible to deduce that in these subjects functional respiratory modifications are occurred. After evaluated three groups (skindivers, narghilè-divers and control-group) we didn't notice any particular change of static and dynamic pulmonary volumes. Only Expiratory Reserve Volume is higher in spite to Knudson's values; this is probably due to psychological and emotional factors.

Day/night variations of airway reactivity after drug premedication.

Seventeen asthmatic, non-atopic patients (aged 15-48 years) were studied at different hours of the day. On 3 different days, they were submitted to a fog-test at 03:00 p.m. and at 03:00 a.m. On 2 different days, they were given fenoterol (200 micrograms) or Duovent (fenoterol 200 micrograms plus ipratropium bromide 80 micrograms). We were able to demonstrate significant inter-hour differences of the basal values of all parameters, except FVC, in all patients at 03:00 p.m. and at 03:00 a.m. We did not observe any inter-hour difference after the fog-test. Both fenoterol and Duovent improved challenge-induced bronchoconstriction. After the fog-test, both drugs showed an inter-hour variability of ventilatory parameters, which was not significant without drugs because it was masked by the magnitude of the obstructive response to challenge.

Chronobiological aspects of bronchial tone.

The aim of the investigation was to demonstrate the existence of cyclic variations of bronchial tone, correlated with the increase of vagal tone during nocturnal hours and with the increase of adrenergic tone in the late morning and afternoon. Twenty-five healthy subjects were tested, utilizing forced expiration curve (V/V loop), Raw and SGaw. We did not detect a statistically significant rhythm for FVC, FEV1, PEF, because they are effort-dependent parameters. On the contrary, we demonstrated significant fluctuations for V max50, FEF25.75 (acrophase in the later morning and early afternoon), for Raw (acrophase in late evening) and for SGaw (Acrophase in antiphase with Raw); these parameters are effort-independent as well as direct and sensitive indexes of the tone of peripheral and central airways.

[Circadian rhythm of ventilatory parameters of intrinsic asthma in clinical remission]. / Ritmo circadiano dei parametri ventilatori nell'asma primitiva in remissione clinica.

In six subjects with intrinsic asthma in clinical remission, time-structure of ventilatory parameters has been evaluated in order to evaluate: 1) which indexes present statistically significant circadian fluctuations; 2) if phase-shifts occur in comparison with normal subjects. After a period of synchronization of 7 days (L/D: 07.30-23.00; meal timing at 08.00, 13.00 and 20.30) all subjects have been studied by spirometry, flow-volume loop and Raw determination 6 times in a 24-hr period at constant intervals of 4 hrs. The results have been evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic analysis statistical significant fluctuations have been shown in these functional indexes: MEF50, Raw, SRaw, SGaw, FRC and RV; no phase-shifts occurred in comparison with normal subjects. On the contrary a circadian rhythm has not been shown in FVC, FEV1, and PEF. Therefore only the effort-independent test should be used to study correctly the bronchial tone.