Mouse models of chronic toxoplasmosis and atopic dermatitis (AD) were combined to clarify the effect of opportunistic Toxoplasma gondii infection on the development of AD. AD was induced as a chronic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) with repeated challenge of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) on the dorsal skin of mice. TNCB induced skin thickness increases in both normal and toxoplasmic mice. The changing patterns were different from the sigmoidal which saturated at 20 days in normal mice to the convex saturated at 12 days in toxoplasmic mice with the crossing at 18 days. Compared to normal mice, toxoplasmic mice presented CHS more severely in earlier times and then moderately in later times. These data suggest that host immune modification by T. gondii infection enhances CHS in early times of atopic stimulation but soothes the reaction of CHS in later times in mouse model.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact/*immunology/parasitology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Picryl Chloride/adverse effects ; Skin/immunology/parasitology ; Toxoplasmosis/*immunology/parasitology

The present study reports a human case of cutaneous gnathostomiasis with recurrent migratory nodule and persistent eosinophilia in China. A 52-year-old woman from Henan Province, central China, presented with recurrent migratory reddish swelling and subcutaneous nodule in the left upper arm and on the back for 3 months. Blood examination showed eosinophila (21.2%), and anti-sparganum antibodies were positive. Skin biopsy of the lesion and histopathological examinations revealed dermal infiltrates of eosinophils but did not show any parasites. Thus, the patient was first diagnosed as sparganosis; however, new migratory swellings occurred after treatment with praziquantel for 3 days. On further inquiring, she recalled having eaten undercooked eels and specific antibodies to the larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum were detected. The patient was definitely diagnosed as cutaneous gnathostomiasis caused by Gnathostoma sp. and treated with albendazole (1,000 mg/day) for 15 days, and the subsequent papule and blister developed after the treatment. After 1 month, laboratory findings indicated a reduced eosinophil count (3.3%). At her final follow-up 18 months later, the patient had no further symptoms and anti-Gnathostoma antibodies became negative. Conclusively, the present study is the first report on a human case of cutaneous gnathostomiasis in Henan Province, China, based on the past history (eating undercooked eels), clinical manifestations (migratory subcutaneous nodule and persistent eosinophilia), and a serological finding (positive for specific anti-Gnathostoma antibodies).
Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Helminth/immunology ; China ; Eosinophilia/diagnosis/drug therapy/immunology/*parasitology ; Female ; Gnathostoma/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Gnathostomiasis/diagnosis/drug therapy/immunology/*parasitology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis/drug therapy/immunology/*parasitology

The intradermal studies with the fraction of Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara canis were performed to human and dog, and the following results were observed. Wheal and erythema were appeared in the cases of ascaris infection or who had past history, but not in the ascaris free before. The size of wheal reached to peak 30 minutes after the injection. The crude antigen had specificity and showed no cross reaction. The crude antigen cause the strongest and largest reaction than the other substances; protein, polysaccharide and the mixed antigen. No cutaneous reaction was observed with the fraction of polysaccharides. The size of wheal did not parallel with the worm burden. The skin reaction was appeared four weeks after the infection.
parasitology-nematode-Ascaris lumbricoides ; Toxocara canis ; immunology-crude antigen-skin test ; dog ; protein ; polysaccharide ; antigen

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the characteristics of skin prick test (SPT) and immumofluorescence method (IFM) in detecting the atopy of dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and dermatophagoides farinae (Df)and explore the relationship of them. METHOD: Four hundred and ninety-one patients with two or more symptoms of nasal obstruction,itching, sneezing and rhinorrhea received SPT and serum specific IgE detection using IFM. RESULT: SPT was more sensitive than IFM in detecting the atopy of Dp and Df (P < 0.05). If using the IFM as the gold standard, the sensitivity of SPT was all above 95% with the specificity a little bit lower than 80%. These two methods had a positive correlation in detecting the atopy of Dp and Df (r = 0.779, 0.776; P < 0.01). The sIgE concentrations of these two mites were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.954, P < 0.01), the SPT was highly correlated with each other (r = 0. 946, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION SPT was more sensitive than IFM in detecting the atopy of Dp and Df. In most cases, SPT can replace IFM to detect patients' allergia on mites. Besides, it is good enough to detect either of the serum specific IgE concentrations of Dp and Df.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; immunology ; parasitology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Tests ; methods ; Young Adult

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/immunology+ACo- ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology ; Animal ; Antibody Specificity ; Asthma/immunology ; Asthma/etiology ; Asthma/epidemiology ; Citrus/parasitology+ACo- ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human ; IgE/blood ; IgG/immunology ; IgG/blood+ACo- ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mites/immunology+ACo- ; Occupational Exposure+ACo- ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology+ACo- ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/etiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology ; Skin Tests

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/immunology+ACo- ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology ; Animal ; Antibody Specificity ; Asthma/immunology ; Asthma/etiology ; Asthma/epidemiology ; Citrus/parasitology+ACo- ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human ; IgE/blood ; IgG/immunology ; IgG/blood+ACo- ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mites/immunology+ACo- ; Occupational Exposure+ACo- ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology+ACo- ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/etiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology ; Skin Tests

This study investigated whether trinitroglycerine (TNG) as nitric oxide (NO) releasing agent had anti-leishmanial effects and mediated pathology in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a zoonotic infection caused by leishmania protozoa is still one of the health problems in the world and in Iran. NO is involved in host immune responses against intracellular L. major, and leishmania killing by macrophages is mediated by this substance. Moreover, application of CL treatment with NO-donors has been recently indicated. In our study, TNG was used for its ability to increase NO and to modify CL infection in mice, in order to evaluate NO effects on lesion size and formation, parasite proliferation inside macrophages, amastigote visceralization in target organs, and NO induction in plasma and organ suspensions. Data obtained in this study indicated that TNG increased plasma and liver-NO, reduced lesion sizes, removed amastigotes from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, declined proliferation of amastigotes, hepatomegaly, and increased survival rate. However, TNG reduced spleen-NO and had no significant effects on spelenomegaly. The results show that TNG therapy reduced leishmaniasis and pathology in association with raised NO levels. TNG had some antiparasitic activity by reduction of positive smears from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, which could emphasize the role of TNG to inhibit visceralization of L. major in target organs.
Animal Structures/parasitology ; Animals ; Antiprotozoal Agents/chemistry/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Leishmania major/*drug effects/immunology ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous ; Macrophages/parasitology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide/blood/metabolism/*pharmacology ; Nitroglycerin/*analogs & derivatives/*therapeutic use ; Severity of Illness Index ; Skin/pathology ; Survival Analysis