BACKGROUND: Grass pollen grains are important causes of respiratory allergies. The Philippines has a different grass flora compared to that of western countries, so pollen extracts have to be processed for use in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergies. The local pollen extracts available in clinical practice have not yet been characterized, which is important in improving extract quality.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform physicochemical characterization through protein content determination and gradient sodium-dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of extracts from four grasses: Cynodon dactylon (bermuda grass), Axonopus compressus (carabao grass), Imperata cylindrica (cogon), and Saccharum spontaneum (talahib) and immunologic characterization by identifying its IgE-binding component through immunoblot.
METHODS: This is a descriptive study. The pollen grains were processed into allergen extracts and protein contents were determined. The extracts were separated by gradient SDS-PAGE and subjected to immunoblotting. Bands were visualized using Fluorchem C2 aided with Alpha View Software.
RESULTS: Total protein in the pollen extracts ranged from 281.3-968.61 µg/ml. Protein bands of bermuda were in the 14.4-66.3 kDa range, carabao grass at 3.5-66.3 kDa, cogon at 3.5-200 kDA, and talahib at 21.5-66.3 kDa. A single IgE-binding protein band was seen on immunoblot at 55.4 kDa using a single serum sample.
CONCLUSION: Protein contents of the allergen extracts vary. The molecular weights of the different protein bands seem to correspond to known groups of grass pollen allergens. There was only one IgE-binding protein band seen on preliminary immunoblot.

Allergens ; Bermuda ; Cynodon ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Galectin 3 ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Molecular Weight ; Philippines ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; Saccharum ; Sodium ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Objectives. As part of the global initiative to eradicate poliovirus infections this study aims to: (1) estimate the prevalence of vaccine-derived poliovirus excretion among persons diagnosed with primary immune (B-cell or combined B/T-cell) deficiency disorders (PIDD) in the Philippines; (2) describe clinical features of these PIDD patients excreting poliovirus; (3) genetically characterize vaccine-derived polioviruses isolated from persons with PIDDs; and (4) determine the duration of poliovirus excretion among subjects who tested positive for vaccine-derived poliovirus excretion. Methods. Seventy-one (71) Filipino patients (ages 0-35 years of age) with PIDD were recruited retrospectively and prospectively over a period of 16 months. The study participants, after informed consent and administration of a questionnaire for baseline data, underwent further testing of quantitative immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and stool poliovirus isolation using two stool samples. Stool specimens which tested positive for the poliovirus were sent to the Regional Reference Laboratory in Australia for further characterization by Intratypic Differentiation (ITD) and Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) real-time PCR. These participants were then monitored on a monthly basis until laboratory tests identified two sequential months of negative poliovirus stool specimens. Results. Seventy-one (71) patients underwent interview and quantitative serum immunoglobulin testing. However, one patient expired prior to stool isolate collection. This study, then, documented that none of the remaining 70 Filipino individuals (0-35 years old) with confirmed or suspected PIDDs chronically excreted immunodeficiency-associated vaccine-derived poliovirus (IVDPV). One patient who was a recent OPV-recipient excreted poliovirus Sabin-like 1 transiently (less than 1 month) and two patients excreted non polio-enteroviruses. Conclusions. Chronic and prolonged poliovirus excretion appears to be uncommon among Filipino patients with diagnosed Primary Immunodeficiency Disease Disorders. However, as part of the continuing global initiative for poliovirus eradication, vigilance is still necessary in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Adequate identification of these patients followed by monitoring their capacity for viral excretion and environmental contamination may be necessary to achieve this goal.
Human ; Male ; Female ; POLIOVIRUS VACCINE, ORAL

Background. Asthma is a complex disorder characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and an underlying inflammation. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and its burden of disease is exceedingly high. According to current guidelines, the asthma action plan is a cornerstone in the management and control of asthma exacerbations. Written action plans are now recommended for all children with asthma as part of initial home management of acute wheezing episodes and exacerbations. Translating the written asthma action plan to Filipino and testing it for cultural content validity and reliability will make it useful on a wider scale in our country, help reduce morbidity, and improve asthma control in the Filipino pediatric population.

Objectives. To perform content and cultural validation and reliability testing of the Filipino Written Asthma Action Plan (FWAAP).

Methods. The Written Asthma Action Plan was translated to Filipino following conventional translational steps: 1) forward translation, 2) back translation, 3) pilot testing and validation, 4) final translated version. We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered the FWAAP during pilot testing among children and caregivers with asthma attending an asthma clinic.

Results. We included 31 patients. The participants considered the FWAAP to be relevant to their disease, understandable, concise and useful in the management of asthma. The tool was shown to be highly consistent (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.9235 showing that the. Seigel and Castellan's Kappa (Inter-rater or Inter-observer consistency) showed inter-rater agreement of 0.9615 (kappa of 0.7787) and 0.923 (kappa of 0.8846) respectively showing adequate inter-rater agreement.

Conclusion. The Filipino asthma action plan is a reliable and valid tool for managing asthma in the home setting.

Asthma