INTRODUCTIONHealthy individuals may be exposed and sensitised to allergens, and have a positive response to a skin prick test despite being asymptomatic. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of atopic sensitisation and identify the reactivity of healthy volunteers to common aeroallergens.

METHODSHealthy volunteers with no known allergic symptoms were recruited in this study. All volunteers were scheduled to undergo a skin prick test with 16 common aeroallergens that were previously identified among atopic patients.

RESULTSA total of 100 volunteers (mean age 28 years) were enrolled in this study. 42 volunteers had positive skin prick tests for at least one allergen. The median number of sensitised allergen was 2 (range 1-7). Volunteers with positive skin tests (n = 42) were younger than those with negative skin tests (n = 58) (mean age 25.5 vs. 29.2 years; p < 0.05). The group with positive skin tests also had a higher proportion of males (57.1% vs. 31.0%; p < 0.01) and first-degree relatives with a history of atopic diseases (31.0% vs. 10.3%; p < 0.05). The most common sensitised allergens in these healthy asymptomatic volunteers were mite (n = 33), house dust (n = 23) and American cockroach (n = 20).

CONCLUSIONIn this study, up to 42% of healthy volunteers, particularly those with a family history of atopy, were sensitised to allergens. Reactivity of the skin test without allergic symptoms, however, does not indicate allergic disease. Therefore, the skin test should only be indicated in atopic symptomatic individuals.

Adult ; Allergens ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cockroaches ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Dust ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; Skin Tests ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of sublingual immunotherapy on Th2 type immunoreaction in patients with allergic rhinitis within 12 months' treatment. METHOD: Forty three patients with allergic rhinitis were followed-up within 12 months after receiving sublingual immunotherapy. The changes of clinic symptoms and immunoreaction were analyzed. VAS score was applied to evaluate the efficacy of clinic treatment. TIgE and sIgE in serum were tested to evaluate the systemic immunoreaction. Eosinophil counting in nasal discharge was applied to evaluate the local nasal mucosa immunoreaction. RESULT: VAS scores were decreased significantly one month after the starting point of treatment, companied by the decrease of EOS count in nasal discharge (P < 0.05). The changes of TIgE and sIgE in serum within 12 months of sublingual immunotherapy were not significant (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in nasal lavage were decreased significantly after 12 months' treatment. CONCLUSION The bias of Th2 type immunoreaction existed in nasal mucosa immune system in patients with allergic rhinitis could been rectified partially after receiving sublingual immunotherapy for 12 months, but the significant changes were not observed in systemic immune system.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; immunology ; therapy ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergens distribution of 576 allergic rhinitis patients in Qingyang, and to provide basic epidemiologic information for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Skin prick test was done to all the 576 patients with allergic rhinitis with 28 kinds of allergens. RESULT: Four hundred and eighty cases (83.3%) showed positive reaction to at least one allergen of 28 allergens. The most common allergens were Magwort (73.3%), Giant Ragweed (55.0%) Tree II (51.7%), Tree I (48.3%) Dermatophagoides farinae (43.3%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (36.7%). Moreover. the positivity decreased with age. There was no difference between male and female. CONCLUSION The study shows that Magwort. Giant ragweed and tree II are the most important allergens on Qingyang district.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; classification ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of local reactions (LRs) and systemic reactions (SRs) of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and to analyze the potential risk factors of such reactions in Chinese population.

METHODThis is a retrospective study on 234 dust mite sensitized patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma who received allergen immunotherapy in our hospital from 2003 to 2010. Chart review was conducted to capture clinical data of reactions to immunotherapy. Parameters included signs and symptoms, the onset of reaction, and interventions in treating such reactions, particularly, the administration of epinephrine (EPI) and adjustment of vaccine dosage due to LRs and SRs.

RESULTThe 234 patients received a total of 7679 injections. Among them, 4973 LRs (64.8%) and 235 SRs (3.1%) were observed in 67 patients (28.6% of all patients). SRs included respiratory symptoms (205 events, 88.4%) and cutaneous symptoms (31.5%). Of the total of 235 SR events, 212 (90.2%) were presented as mild SRs and 23 (9.8%) were in severe SR category (grade III and grade IV, EAACI grading system). Overall, severe SRs accounted for 0.3% of total injections. Seventeen of the 23 SR events required epinephrine treatment (0.2% of total injections). Of the 67 patients, 61 completed the course of treatment after dose adjustment; 36 patients had their doses decreased prior to further advancing to target dose. Nineteen subjects tolerated splitting two injections at 30 minutes interval. Six patients advanced the dose based on protocol and another 6 had to stop immunotherapy. Most of the SRs (77.4%) occurred during the maintenance phase of immunotherapy. The levels of TIgE, SIgE D1 and SIgE D2 were found to be significantly higher in patients with SRs comparing to patients without SRs (P < 0.05). SRs more commonly occurred in patients with age less than 14 years than their older counterparts (95.5% vs. 85.6%, OR = 3.58, 95%CI = 1.040 - 12.322, P < 0.01). The incidence of SRs were significantly higher in asthma patients who received SCIT than non-asthma patients (OR = 2, 95%CI = 1.136 - 4.624).

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests that risk factors of SRs include maintenance phase (higher allergen vaccine doses), patients with asthma, age of less than 14 years, higher levels of TIgE, and SIgE D1 and SIgE D2. Effective management includes proper dose adjustment, splitting doses into 2 injections at 30 min apart, and strictly following immunotherapy indications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; immunology ; therapy ; Risk Assessment ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDHaikou locates in tropical island with unique mite propagation. The aim of this stuy is to determine mite allergens levels in Haikou, and to investigate the prevalence of mite specific IgE-sensitization and IgE cross-reactivity between house dust mites.

METHODSAllergen and antigen concentrations against six mite species were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgE concentrations and cross-inhibitions were measured with ADVIA Centaur(®).

RESULTSAllergen or antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), Blomia tropicalis (Blo t) and Tyrophagus putrescentia (Tyr p) were detected in dust samples. Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1), Lepidoglyphus destructor (Lep d 2), and Acarus siro (Aca s) were found in very few samples. Specific IgE tests showed high prevalence of sensitizations against all tested mites with high IgE levels to Der p, Der f, and Blo t. Storage mites, Blo t, Tyr p, Lep d, and Aca s, could inhibit Der p from 0 to 50%. Storage mites could inhibit Der f between 30% and 100%. Der p IgE could be inhibited by Der f with up to 90%, and vice versa. Der p could inhibit Blo t from 40% to 80%. Blo t was able to fully inhibit IgE binding to Lep d, Tyr p, and Aca s compared to partial inhibition by Der p.

CONCLUSIONSDer p is the dominating mite and has the highest specific IgE prevalence among asthmatic children. Blo t represents an important source of storage mite sensitization and some patients may be independently sensitized to both Der p and Blo t. High prevalence of sensitization to Der f may be due to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity with Der p and Blo t.

Adolescent ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; Arthropod Proteins ; analysis ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross Reactions ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; analysis ; Dust ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; immunology ; Mites ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of sublingual immunotherapy with dust mite for allergic rhinitis. METHOD: The symptom score of 188 patients with dust mite allergic rhinitis were recorded before and after treatment for six months, a year, and compare the treatment effects. RESULT: Symptom scores of 188 patients were decreased after treatment than before, the symptoms of treatment were improved significantly after six months, symptoms were improved more significantly after one year, the difference was significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Sublingual immunotherapy with dust mite is a safe and effective treatment for allergic rhinitis, and it is worthy of promotion.
Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; immunology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and descriptions of the common antigens of allergic rhinitis occurred in the population of Kunshan district so as to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis,treatment and prevention. METHOD: Eight hundred and twenty allergic rhinitis patients were examined skin prick test (SPT) with 18 kinds of antigen extract of allergic rhinitis. RESULT: Six hundred and ninety-four (84.6%) cases were detected at least one antigen, 581 (83.7%) cases were detected two or more antigens. The most common antigens among all the positive cases of skin prick tests were dust mite 492 (70.9%), house dust mite 473 (68.2%), crab 32 (4.5%) and egg white 26 (3.7%). CONCLUSION Mite, crab and egg white are the most common antigens of allergic rhinitis in Kunshan. SPT is important for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; immunology ; Animals ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhaled allergens spectrum of 890 allergic rhinitis patients in Shanghai, and to provide basic epidemiologic information for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Thirteen allergens skin prick test results of 890 allergic rhinitis patients recruited were retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The main common inhaled allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in Shanghai were house dust mite (91.24%), dermatophagoides farinae (86.58%), tropical mite (51.98%), dog hair (15.96%). Moreover, the positive frequency was decreased with age increasing, and gender group had no obvious difference. CONCLUSION House dust mite and dermatophagoides farinae were the main allergens of allergic rhinitis patients in Shanghai. Skin prick test is helpful for the discovery of the allergens so as to provide important basis of immunotherapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; classification ; immunology ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; classification ; immunology ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the IgE-binding epitopes in the allergen Der p 1 of main house dust mites, which can be recognized by the specific IgE in the sera from allergic individuals, and obtain a hypoallergen derived from the T-B epitope fused peptide for potential use in specific immunotherapy (SIT).

METHODSThirty-one peptides containing 15 amino acids each, which covered the full 222 amino acids of Der p 1 protein sequence, were synthesized on the cellulous membrane by solid-phase peptide (SPOTs) synthesis, with 8 overlapping amino acids between every two neighboring peptides. The membrane bearing the spots of the synthesized peptides were incubated with the allergic serum pools consisting of the sera from 5 allergic individuals. The membrane was then probed with HRP-conjugated anti-human IgE, followed by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) for visualization and gray scale analysis of the positive peptide spots.

RESULTSThree strong IgE-binding epitopes were identified in the amino acid sequence of Der p 1 molecule, namely Ep1 (amino acids 85-99), Ep2 (amino acids 106-120) and Ep3 (amino acids 190-204).

CONCLUSIONThe 3 IgE-binding epitopes (B cell epitopes) identified in Der p 1 confirm the presence of linear epitopes in Der p 1, suggesting the possibility of constructing T/B epitope-fused hypoallergens.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; immunology ; Arthropod Proteins ; immunology ; Binding Sites, Antibody ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; immunology ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Lymphokines ; immunology ; Mites ; immunology ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of the patients with allergic rhinitis diagnosed by Skin Prick Test (SPT), especially about the epidemiologic data of the involved allergens. METHOD: The data was collected from 958 patients referred to the listed three allergy center and subsequently diagnosed as allergic rhinitis by SPT. RESULT: The intermittent mild type was more prevalent in male patients (40.5%); comparably the intermittent moderate type in female patients (70.0%); in the infant patients the moderate-severe type dominated (73.7%). The positive results of SPT comprised mainly of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der. p, 98.3%), Dermatophagoides farinae(Der. f, 96.8%), and Blomia tropicalis (Blot, 73.8%). Only 1.7% of the patients was allergic to single allergen, in contrary ,the majority of patients were allergic to multiple allergens. The positive rate to Der. p and Der. f was reversely increasing with age of the patients; and contrarily the number of positive allergens was increasing along with the age of the patients. The allergy to outdoor allergen was less common, and the positive rate in skin prick test was lower than the previously reported rate in North China ,such as timothy (3.9%), birch (2.7%), ragweed (2.0%), and mugwort (1.2%). CONCLUSION Dust Mite is the predominant allergen for patients with allergic rhinitis in Guangdong province; and the positive rate to outdoor allergen is lower than that in North China.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; analysis ; immunology ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult