Identification of the major allergenic proteins from silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) involved in respiratory allergic diseases.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Moths are a significant source of indoor and outdoor aeroallergens. High prevalence of IgE-mediated sensitization was demonstrated in a group of patients with allergic respiratory diseases. There are no studies on adult stage of these moth species allergens involved in allergic respiratory reactions - the aim of this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 participants were included in an experimental study, submitted to skin prick test with Bombyx mori wing extract and six other common allergens, as well as Western blot analysis with incubated nitrocellulose membrane impregnated with silkworm moth extract and human IgE-antibody. The participants were divided into 3 groups: 1) 21 allergic patients whose skin prick test was positive to Bombyx mori wing extract, 2) eight allergic patients whose skin prick test was positive to mite and negative to Bombyx mori extract 3) seven negative non-allergic subjects. RESULTS: Among the 21 participants from group 1, 19 serum samples reacted to Bombyx mori extract by Western blot. All of them reacted to a protein at 80 kDa and five other proteins (66, 50, 45, 37 and 30 kDa) were identified in more than 50% of the individuals tested, considered as major allergenic proteins. Sera from seven out of eight patients sensitized to house dust mite demonstrated IgE-reactivity to Bombyx mori extract by Western blot analysis. Serum samples from healthy participants did not react at all. CONCLUSION: Six major reactive proteins by immunoblot analysis from moth's wings sensitized patients can be potential allergens. The one at 80 kDa is the major protein, seen in all IgE-reactive patients from group 1 and in none from group 2, yet to be identified. Future studies should be conducted to better characterize these proteins.

Respiratory allergy to moth: the importance of sensitization to Bombyx mori in children with asthma and rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to prepare a silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) antigenic extract and to perform skin prick tests with this extract in patients with allergic respiratory diseases; to evaluate serum specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to Bombyx mori using ImmunoCAP® system and to report the frequency of positivity between the two methods and with clinical data. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study with 99 children and adolescents diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, who had skin reactivity to at least one of the six aeroallergens tested. Clinical data were evaluated: skin prick tests with Bombyx mori in-house extract, and total and specific IgE analysis using ImmunoCAP® were performed. RESULTS: the frequency of Bombyx mori specific IgE was found to be 52.5% and 60% using the skin prick test and ImmunoCAP®, respectively. An association between a positive skin test for Bombyx mori and the presence of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria was observed, but the same was not true for asthma or allergic conjunctivitis. There was no relation with the severity of asthma or rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: a high frequency of sensitization to Bombyx mori was observed in a selected population of patients with respiratory allergic diseases in the city of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil. The extract prepared from the wings of this moth species is effective in demonstrating this sensitivity.

Respiratory allergy to moth: the importance of sensitization to Bombyx mori in children with asthma and rhinitis / Alergia respiratória à mariposa: importância da sensibilização à Bombyx mori em crianças com asma e rinite

OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to prepare a silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) antigenic extract and to perform skin prick tests with this extract in patients with allergic respiratory diseases; to evaluate serum specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to Bombyx mori using ImmunoCAP(r) system and to report the frequency of positivity between the two methods and with clinical data. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study with 99 children and adolescents diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, who had skin reactivity to at least one of the six aeroallergens tested. Clinical data were evaluated: skin prick tests with Bombyx mori in-house extract, and total and specific IgE analysis using ImmunoCAP(r) were performed. RESULTS: the frequency of Bombyx mori specific IgE was found to be 52.5% and 60% using the skin prick test and ImmunoCAP(r), respectively. An association between a positive skin test for Bombyx mori and the presence of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria was observed, but the same was not true for asthma or allergic conjunctivitis. There was no relation with the severity of asthma or rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: a high frequency of sensitization to Bombyx mori was observed in a selected population of patients with respiratory allergic diseases in the city of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil. The extract prepared from the wings of this moth species is effective in demonstrating this sensitivity. .

OBJETIVO: preparar extrato antigênico da mariposa do bicho-da-seda (Bombyx mori) e realizar testes cutâneos com esse extrato em pacientes com doenças respiratórias alérgicas, avaliar IgE sérica específica para Bombyx mori usando o sistema ImmunoCAP(r) e comparar a frequência de positividade entre os dois métodos e com dados clínicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 99 crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de asma e/ou rinite alérgica, que apresentaram reação cutânea a pelo menos um dos seis aeroalérgenos testados. Os dados clínicos foram avaliados; testes cutâneos com extrato de Bombyx mori e análise de IgE total e específica por ImmunoCAP(r) foram realizados. RESULTADOS: a frequência de IgE específica para Bombyx mori foi de 52,5% e 60%, respectivamente, pelo teste cutâneo e ImmunoCAP(r). Foi observada uma associação entre o teste cutâneo positivo para Bombyx mori e a presença de rinite alérgica, dermatite atópica e urticária, mas o mesmo não ocorreu para a asma ou conjuntivite alérgica. Não houve relação com a gravidade dos sintomas de asma ou rinite. CONCLUSÕES: alta frequência de sensibilização à Bombyx mori foi encontrada em uma população selecionada de pacientes com doenças alérgicas respiratórias na cidade de Curitiba, estado do Paraná, Brasil. O extrato preparado a partir das asas dessa espécie de mariposa é eficaz em demonstrar essa sensibilidade. .

Quando silibância recorrente no lactente não é asma / When recurrent wheezing in infants is not asthma

Objetivo: Relatar um caso de enfisema lobar congênito (ELC) em um lactente sibilante diagnosticado como asmático, e chamar atenção para o diagnóstico diferencial de sibilância re¬corrente em lactentes. Descrição: Menino com diagnóstico de asma (sibilância recorrente) desde os cinco meses foi internado aos 16 meses de idade por insuficiência respiratória aguda e submetido à drenagem torácica após diagnóstico de pneumotórax. Após a remoção do dreno, a criança permaneceu sintomática e foi encaminhada a um centro terciário para investigação diagnóstica. As radiografias de tórax e tomografia computadorizada do tórax demonstraram lobo superior esquerdo grande, hiperlucente, com desvio do mediastino para o lado oposto. Broncoscopia foi indicada para afastar a presença de corpo estranho. Foi realizada lobectomia e a análise microscópica do tecido pulmonar confirmou o diagnóstico de enfisema lobar congênito. Dois meses após a cirurgia, a criança encontrava-se assintomática. Comentários: Sibilância é um sintoma comum na infância e queixa freqüente no consultório de pediatras e especialistas. Em geral está associada à hiper-responsividade brônquica, mas pode estar presente em qualquer situação que leve ao estreitamento das vias aéreas. O diagnóstico diferencial nestas crianças é essencial para o tratamento adequado da causa da sibilância.

Objective: To report a case of congenitallobar emphysema in a wheezing infant diagnosed with asthma and emphasizing the differential diagnosis of recurrent wheezing in infants. Description: A boy diagnosed with asthma (recurrent wheezing) since age of 5 months was admitted at 16 months of age in an emergency service with acute respiratory failure. Pneumothorax was diagnosed and draining thoracic tube was introduced. After its removal he remained symptomatic and for this reason, he was referred to a specialty care center for a complete diagnosis workup. Chest radiograph and thoracic computed tomography demonstrated a large hiperlucent left upper lobe with shift of the mediastinum away from the emphysematous side. Bronchoscopy was indicated to rule out the possibility of a foreign body aspiration. Lobectomy was performed and the microscopic examination of the lung tissue confirmed the diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema. Two months after surgery, the child was asymptomatic...