The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Nov 1995
Multicenter StudyStudies on the relationship between the level of specific IgE antibodies and the clinical expression of allergy: I. Definition of levels distinguishing patients with symptomatic from patients with asymptomatic allergy to common aeroallergens.
The detection of specific IgE antibodies to environmental allergens does not always coincide with a diagnosis of clinically evident allergic disease, because some patients with positive skin and/or in vitro test results have no symptoms related to the allergen or allergens that induced the antibodies. ⋯ Cutoff values for specific serum IgE antibody levels are likely to be useful in clinical practice to distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic allergy in patients with positive skin test results.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Oct 1995
Comparative StudyEvidence for distinct cytokine expression in allergic versus nonallergic chronic sinusitis.
The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between tissue cytokine expression and the cellular infiltrate present in chronic hyperplastic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CHS/NP) and to compare the immunopathology and cytokine profile of patients with allergy versus patients without allergy. ⋯ We conclude that distinct mechanisms of eosinophilia exist in patients with allergic versus nonallergic CHS/NP. The allergic mechanism involves production of TH2-type cytokines, including GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5, by infiltrating T lymphocytes. The nonallergic mechanism remains unknown but does involve production of GM-CSF, IL-3, and IFN-gamma. However, nonallergic eosinophilia is independent of IL-4 and IL-5, cytokines that contribute to tissue eosinophilia in allergic inflammation. Aspirin sensitivity is strongly correlated with nonallergic CHS/NP and production of the nonallergic CHS/NP profile of cytokines, including IFN-gamma.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 1995
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (extrinsic allergic alveolitis) induced by isocyanates.
Chemical-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been so far rarely described. The purpose of this study was to find out whether hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a common disorder in isocyanate workers. ⋯ Occupational exposure to isocyanate vapors and aerosols induces typical hypersensitivity pneumonitis in at least 1% of the isocyanate workers with symptoms. Diphenylmethane diisocyanate was found to be the main cause of this disorder.