Identification of allergens homologous to Alt a 1 from Stemphylium botryosum and Ulocladium botrytis.

Several studies have demonstrated that proteins homologous to the Alt a 1 major allergen of Alternaria alternata are expressed in other members of the Pleosporaceae family. However, since no direct biochemical data have been reported concerning the presence of Alt a 1 allergen homologues capable of binding IgE in the excretion-secretion products of Stemphylium and Ulocladium, our objective was to explore their presence in Stemphylium botryosum and Ulocladium botrytis. S. botryosum and U. botrytis culture filtrate extracts were analyzed by two-dimensional (2D)-electrophoresis and 2D-immunoblotting using polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against recombinant Alt a 1, as well as five human sera from patients allergic to Alternaria. Cross-reactivity immunoassays were performed by ImmunoCAP inhibition and 2D-immunoblotting inhibition. IgE-binding proteins recognized by the rabbit antiserum raised against Alt a 1, with apparent molecular weights of 17-18 kDa and isoelectric points of 4, were identified as Alt a 1-like proteins. Alt a 1 inhibited IgE-specific binding to the Alt a 1 homologues from S. botryosum and U. botrytis. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that allergens which are homologous to Alt a 1 are expressed in the excretory-secretory materials of the phylogenetically-related species S. botryosum and U. botrytis.

Characterisation of Alternaria alternata manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase, a cross-reactive allergen homologue to Asp f 6.

It is well known that Alternaria alternata presents a significant level of allergenic cross-reactivity with several other phylogenetically related and non-related allergenic moulds. To improve the molecular diagnosis, the identification and characterisation of all clinically relevant allergens, including both species-specific and cross-reacting proteins, is required. In this study we report the molecular and immunological characterisation of the A. alternata manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (Alt a MnSOD) and its cross-reactivity with Asp f 6, a diagnostic marker allergen in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The cDNA coding for Alt a MnSOD sequence was isolated by RACE and PCR. Alt a MnSOD is a protein of 191 amino acids that presented significant homology and potential cross-reactive epitopes with Asp f 6. The recombinant protein was produced in Escherichia coli and the immunoreactivity was evaluated in patient sera. Immunoblotting analyses showed that seven of sixty-one A. alternata-sensitised patient sera and two ABPA patient sera reacted with the recombinant Alt a MnSOD. The native counterpart contained in both A. alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus extracts inhibited IgE binding to the recombinant molecule. The allergen was named Alt a 14 by the official Allergen nomenclature subcommittee. Thus, Alt a 14 is a relevant allergen in A. alternata sensitisation that may be used to improve diagnostic procedures. Evidence of cross-reactivity between Asp f 6 and Alt a 14-recognition by ABPA patient sera suggest the existence of an Alt a 14-mediated mechanism that, similar to Asp f 6, may be related to the pathogenesis of ABPA.

Pseudotumor vesical a causa de un dispositivo intrauterino / Vesical pseudotumor due to an intra-uterine device

Se describe el caso clínico de una paciente atendida en el Hospital Oncológico Docente Provincial Conrado Benítez García de Santiago de Cuba por presentar una perforación en la vejiga y desplazamiento de un dispositivo intrauterino hacia la cavidad vesical, lo cual generó la formación de litiasis y, consecuentemente, la aparición de frecuentes infecciones urinarias y dolor en bajo vientre, sin mejoría alguna ante la terapéutica aplicada. Se decidió realizar una cistotomía para extraer la litiasis compacta junto con la T de cobre; la paciente evolucionó favorablemente y los síntomas desaparecieron

The case report of a patient assisted in Conrado Benítez García Teaching Provincial Cancer Hospital in Santiago de Cuba is described, due to a bladder perforation and displacement of an intra-uterine device toward the vesical cavity, which generated the lithiasis formation and, consequently, emergence of frequent urinary infections and pain in lower abdomen, without any improvement with therapy. It was decided to carry out a cystotomy to extract the lithiasis compacted with the copper T; the patient had a favorable clinical course and the symptoms disappeared