Objective To investigate the treatment effect of hollow fiber ultrafiltration technology on hemolytic samples and the differences between IgE concentration and serum concentration before hemolysis in ultrafiltrate. Methods The 33 postmortem blood samples of non-frozen corpses within 72 hours after death were collected, 4 mL blood was taken from each case, among which 1 mL was centrifuged to get serum, and the remaining 3 mL blood was frozen-thawed 3-5 times to cause complete hemolysis. The 2 mL hemolytic samples were processed by hollow fiber ultrafiltration to obtain ultrafiltrate. The hemoglobin concentration in serum, complete hemolytic sample and ultrafiltrate was determined by Van-Zij solution-cyanated methemoglobin assay method, and the total IgE in serum and ultrafiltrate was determined by electrochemical luminescence method. Results The hemoglobin concentration in ultrafiltrate was significantly lower than that in complete hemolytic samples （P<0.05）. There was a good correlation between the total IgE detection values of ultrafiltrate and serum （r=0.984）. The difference between the serum and the value of IgE in ultrafiltrate after correction had no statistical significance, and the differences between the two in positive rates had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. Conclusion Ultrafiltration technology has a good treatment effect on complete hemolytic samples, and the correction value of ultrafiltrate detection is close to the serum level before hemolysis, and therefore, it can be applied to the detection of total IgE of frozen corpse hemolytic samples.
Autopsy ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/analysis* ; Serum ; Ultrafiltration

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis is the most common leukocytoclastic small-vessel vasculitis in children and mainly involves the small vessels in the skin, joints, digestive tract, and kidneys. Its pathogenesis is still unclear. Currently, it is believed that environmental factors can cause autoimmune dysfunction and lead to the deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes on the wall of arterioles on the basis of genetic factors. This article reviews the research advances in the role of immune factors in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis.
Autoantibodies ; analysis ; Complement System Proteins ; physiology ; Cytokines ; physiology ; Glycosylation ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin E ; metabolism ; Vasculitis ; etiology ; immunology

To confirm local production of IgE, and evaluate role of immunoglobulins on eosinophil activation in nasal polyp (NP) tissue, we measured IgG, IgA, secretory IgA(sIgA), total (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(DP) by ELISA in NP tissue homogenates from 51 subjects. They were classified according to skin reactivity to DP: group I, 15 highly atopic subjects; group II, 18 weakly atopic subjects; and group III, 18 non-atopic subjects. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level was measured by CAP system. Highest level of DP-sIgE was noted in group I, followed by group II and III (p<0.05). Nine (60%) of group I and 4 (22%) of group II subjects had detectable level of DP-sIgE with no significant differences in IgA, sIgA, and IgG. All of NP tissue had eosinophilic infiltration with no significant difference in activated eosinophil count or ECP level among 3 groups. A significant correlation was noted between EG2+ cell count and tIgE (r=0.55, p<0.05), and DP-sIgE level (r=0.60, p<0.05). A significant correlation was also noted between ECP and IgG (r=0.51, p<0.05) and DP-sIgE level (r=0.47, p<0.05) with no significant correlation with IgA or sIgA. These results suggest that DP-sIgE was detectable in NP tissue from weakly atopic subjects as well as highly atopic subjects. IgG and sIgE may have potential roles in eosinophil degranulation in NP tissue.
Blood Proteins/analysis ; Cell Degranulation/immunology ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/immunology ; Eosinophil Granule Proteins ; Eosinophils/immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulin E/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulin G/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulins/analysis/*immunology ; Nasal Polyps/*immunology/pathology ; *Ribonucleases

Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Cattle ; Child ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Infant ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVETo understand the sero-prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among different populations and animals in Fujian province.

METHODSOne thousand one hundred and fifty-one serum samples were collected from 5 species of animals including swine, dog, cow, sheep and rat. A total of 2209 and 1722 serum samples from the general population and from the exposed population were collected. Anti-HEV IgG was detected by ELISA. The general population was composed of healthy blood donors and the individuals who had attended physical examination including farmers, handlers, veterinarians, cooks who worked with pigs or chickens while the poultry wholesale suppliers made up the exposure population.

RESULTSThe infection rates of HEV in animals were different between species (chi2 = 406.25, P < 0.01) with the highest seen in the pig group. With pigs being kept at home, the rates were between 70.00% and 94.12% but the rate was 39.77% for those families that keeping the pigs at farms. The infection rate of HEV was 23.3% in the general population and 33.3% in the exposed populations, respectively. A significantly higher infection rate for anti-HEV was found in the exposed population when comparing with general population. The positive rate of anti-HEV IgG was significantly higher in the exposed population that closely having had contact with chickens than those who had contact with pigs. The increasing trend of HEV infection rate with age had been found but there was no significant difference between males and females in the general population. In the exposed population, the infection rate in males was significantly higher than that in females.

CONCLUSIONThe infection ratse of HEV in pigs and in the exposure population were much higher, especially for those persons in close contact with chickens or pigs, suggesting that the sub-clinical infection for HEV might exist. These data further supported the hypothesis that HEV might have been an zoonotic disease.

Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which allergens were prevalent in patients with allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease in Qingshan Wuhan. METHOD: A total of 700 cases, which were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease by history and clinical presentation, underwent ELISA test with 7 standardized allergens, and the most important sensitizing allergens were assessed. The samples were stratified on two age groups: AR and respiratory disease group and the positive rate of two main allergens in two groups were contrast analyzed. RESULT: For patients with allergic rhinitis, the positive rate of the top seven aeroallergen were dermatophagoides (47%), herbs (19.7%), tree (18%), animal dander (8.9%), house dust (6.5%), mold (4.9%) and wormwood (3%). There was no significant difference in higher sensitivity to dust mite and ragweed between allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Dust mite, Tree and Herbs are the most important three aeroallergens in Qingshan region of Wuhan.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Higher levels of IgE-containing immune complexes (IC) have been reported in sera from patients with allergic diseases than in sera from controls. To evaluate the possibility of an IC-mediated mechanism in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, we measured circulating C3-containing IgE IC (C3-IgE IC) using anti-C3 ELISA from 20 house dust mite (HDM)-sensitive asthmatics, 20 non-atopic asthmatics, and 14 non-atopic controls. C3-IgE IC levels were significantly higher in HDM-sensitive asthmatics (mean +/- S.D.: 12.2 +/- 7.8 AU/ml) than in non-atopic asthmatics (6.5 +/- 7.5 AU/ml) or controls (5.8 +/- 4.4 AU/ml). C3-IgE IC levels were significantly correlated with HDM-specific IgE levels (r = 0.50, p<0.05), but not with total IgE levels (r = 0.36, p< 0.05) in HDM-sensitive atopic asthmatics. C3-IgE IC levels in sera did not significantly change during HDM-bronchoprovocation test in six HDM-sensitive asthmatics who showed positive reaction. Part of C3-IgE IC could be precipitated by protein G coupled beads. In conclusion, C3-IgE IC levels were elevated in sera from HDM-sensitive asthmatics; moreover IgG antibodies might be a component of C3-IgE IC. Our results suggest that an IgE IC-mediated mechanism could be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma.
Adult ; Animal ; Antigen-Antibody Complex/*blood ; Asthma/*immunology ; Complement 3/*analysis ; Dust ; Human ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood ; Mites/immunology

The allergens were separated from the extracts of house dust mites by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and identified by autoradiography. Over 30 protein bands of the whole body extract of Dermatophagoides farinae were apparent on 10-20% gradient SDS-PAGE, and 13 bands with MW between 93KD and 12KD bound with specific IgE antibodies in patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The major allergenic component of the whole body extract of D. farinae was the protein of MW 14-15KD, which was detected in 95.7% of 47 patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus supplied by Bencard Company, England was thought to contain feces enriched material as noted in a few broad protein bands on SDS-PAGE. Seven allergenic components were shown by autoradiography. The protein band of MW 14-15KD was one of the most frequently revealed allergens on autoradiography, which has appeared in 32.5% of 40 patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The electrobotting technique used in the present study was fast, convenient and highly useful for both the identification of allergen components and the screening of specific IgE antibody. The individual variations of IgE immune responses to the allergenic components of the two house dust mites were discussed.
Allergens/*analysis ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Dust ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Human ; Immunoglobulin E/metabolism ; Mites/*immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVEMean diameter is the most common used parameter for wheal response assessment after skin prick test. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic capacity of mean diameter according to the outcome of oral food challenge, and to determine the cut-off points that could render food challenges unnecessary.

METHODData of 173 children referred to the Division of Primary Child Health Care for the evaluation of suspected food allergy were prospectively studied. All children underwent skin prick test and open food challenge to the relevant food(s) in clinic. The mean wheal diameter of skin prick test was measured, and open food challenge was performed to confirm food allergy. The SPSS software package version 13.0 for windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for all statistical analysis. Open food challenge was taken as the gold standard for diagnosis. Diagnostic capacity of skin prick test, including the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, was calculated by cross-table. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify the accuracy of the parameter.

RESULTFor the 173 children, 271 open food challenges were performed with egg white, egg yolk and cow's milk, In which 123 were positive, 99 children were diagnosed as food allergy. Cutaneous symptoms (87.0%) were most common, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (9.8%). The AUC of mean diameter was 0.794 for egg white, 0.804 for egg yolk and 0.904 for cow's milk. The sensitivity of skin prick test with a cut-off value of ≥ 3 mm was ranged from 71% to 87%, while the specificity was between 31% and 57%. The authors also defined food specific skin prick test mean diameters that were 100% diagnostic for allergy to egg white (≥ 8.5 mm), egg yolk (≥ 5.5 mm), cow's milk (≥ 5.5 mm).

CONCLUSIONPredictive decision points for a positive outcome of food challenges can be calculated for egg and cow's milk using mean diameter. It may help to simplify the diagnostic procedure of food allergy.

Allergens ; Egg Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; Prospective Studies ; Skin Tests ; methods

BACKGROUND: The effect of helminth infections on allergic diseases is still inconclusive. Furthermore, the effect of helminth infections on childhood allergic diseases in a tropical area where prevalence of helminth infections has undergone dramatic changes is not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and helminth infection in a cohort of schoolchildren in an area that has undergone dramatic changes in intensity of helminth infections. METHODS: Children attending grade 5 were recruited from 17 schools in Western Province of Sri Lanka. They were assessed for allergic diseases using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Their serum total IgE (tIgE) and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) for five common aeroallergens were measured by ImmunoCAP® method and stools were examined for the presence of helminth infections. RESULTS: A total of 640 children (mean age 10 years) were recruited to the study. Of them, 33.7% had evidence of allergic disease and 15.5% had helminth infections. Majority of infections (68.9%) were of low intensity. A significant relationship between allergic disease and helminth infections was not observed, however, a trend toward protective role of helminth infections against allergic diseases was noted. Multivariate analysis showed helminth infections to be an independent predictor of high tIgE levels whereas allergic disease was not. Allergic sensitization (atopy) was a significant risk factor for allergic disease only among non-infected children (odds ratio 3.025, p = 0.022) but not in infected children. The ratio of sIgE to tIgE was higher in non-infected children. CONCLUSION: Though not significant, a reduced risk of allergy in helminth-infected children was observed in this population. A Decrease in intensity of helminth infections may have contributed to the reduced capacity of immune-modulation by helminths in this paediatric population.
Asthma ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Helminths ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sri Lanka