International archives of allergy and immunology
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This is a report about influenza vaccines. Recommendations for the 1995/1996 influenza season vaccine components are cited. ⋯ Experimental live vaccines have been developed and evaluated for their usefulness in the immunoprophylaxis of influenza in humans, especially for those at high risk of death from influenza virus infection. The current inactivated vaccines do not provide complete protection.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · May 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNitrogen dioxide increases eosinophil activation in the early-phase response to nasal allergen provocation.
Recent studies have suggested that exposure to air pollutants may sensitise susceptible individuals to allergen. We have investigated the effect of exposure for 6 h to 400 ppb NO2 on nasal airways resistance (NAR) and changes in inflammatory mediators (IMs) in nasal lavage in subjects with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In this single blind crossover study, 8 patients were randomised to exposure to either air or 400 ppb NO2 in air and evaluated for changes in NAR and IM, before and after exposure. ⋯ In contrast, ECP was significantly increased by allergen challenge only after exposure to NO2. Neither MPO nor IL-8 were altered after allergen challenge. These results suggest that NO2 may increase eosinophil activation in the early-phase response to nasal allergen provocation in allergic rhinitis.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Mar 1995
Correlations between complaints, inflammatory cells and mediator concentrations in nasal secretions after nasal allergen challenge and during natural allergen exposure.
A quantitative determination of the inflammatory mediators was performed and correlated with complaints and the measurement of the inflammatory cells in nasal secretions of 18 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients (group 1) outside the pollen season and 40 symptomatic patients (group 2) with seasonal allergic rhinitis during the pollen season. Ten nonallergic subjects (group 3) were also studied as a normal control group. In group 1, 17 (94%) out of 18 patients had an immediate response of nasal symptoms accompanied by a significant increase of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and tryptase 5 min after nasal allergen challenge (NAC). ⋯ Mostly one observed significantly (p < 0.01) higher concentrations of ECP, LTC4 and histamine but not of tryptase than the baseline values of group 1. The authors concluded that during the pollen season allergic rhinitis reflects mainly a chronic state of allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa involving various inflammatory components induced by one or more episodes of early-phase type allergic reaction. Infiltration of eosinophils and consequently release of the various late-phase inflammatory mediators into the nasal secretions are certainly believed to be the predominant pathophysiologic condition in the patients.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Aug 1994
Comparative StudyCord blood mononuclear cell responsiveness to beta-lactoglobulin: T-cell activity in 'atopy-prone' and 'non-atopy-prone' newborns.
We have studied the T-cell-mediated response to the major allergen of cow's milk, in a group of newborns at risk of developing cow's milk allergy, and in a control group. Before any atopic status has developed, we observe beta-lactoglobulin-specific primary proliferation only in the group at risk for food-related allergies. ⋯ In the responder population, the response to p145-161 appears linked to a primary response to ovalbumin, another frequent food allergen. On the basis of our findings, we propose a model in which development of allergic diseases is linked to an alteration of T-cell activation through the engagement by the antigen; the HLA phenotype determines the allergen(s) involved, and other genetic or environmental factors dictate the clinical characteristics of the disease.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 1993
ReviewPathogenic significance and diagnostic value of lupus autoantibodies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a panoply of autoantibodies (more than 50). Some of them are more prevalent (anti-ds DNA > 80%) while others are less frequently detected, but highly specific for SLE (anti-Sm, 20%). In this review we will discuss the clinical significance of anti-RNP, anti-Ro, anti-La and anti-phospholipid antibodies. We will also summarize the clinical and experimental evidence for the pathogenic role attributed to each one of these antibodies.