Saliva antibodies after vaccination.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
J Croce
Publications and source records attributed to J Croce.
Study of humoral and cellular immunity in lobomycosis.
Fourteen patients with lobomycosis from the Amazon Basin were studied in order to assess their humoral and cellular immunological responses. The humoral response was normal, as shown by the normal levels of serum immunoglovulins. The cellular immunity was depressed for recent sensitizations as measured by skin contact test with DNCB (negative in 83.3% of 12 patients). The intradermal reactions to PPD and fungal extracts suggested that all patients were able to respond to at least 2 of the antigens used. It was also observed that patients reacting to PPD did not become sensitized to DNCB. Conversely, some Mantoux negative patients had positive reactions to DNCB. Both tests were negative in 3 patients.
Antibody Formation↗
[Maximum expiratory flow rate (peak flow) in healthy persons and patients with bronchial asthma].
Lung function tests were done on 42 patients, 22 asthmatics and 20 normal volunteers. The peak flow and expiratory flows at different levels of the forced vital capacity curve were evaluated. The flow-volume curves were obtained with a conventional spirometer, and the peak flow was determined with a Wright flowmeter. The peak flow obtained by the two methods were within the normal range, although the values registered by the Wright flowmeter were consistently lower. A reduction of the expiratory flow in the distal part of the vital capacity curve was observed in asthmatics, suggesting small airways obstruction. In conclusion, peak flow is not of use in the detection of predominantly distal airways obstruction.
Adult↗
[The evaluation of cellular immunity in the aged by skin tests].
UNLABELLED: Cellular immunity of persons over 60 years of age was evaluated by intradermal testing with ubiquitous antigens, such as PPD, Trichophytin, Candidine and Varidase (SK, SD-40-10 U/ml) and by skin sensitization with DNCB. The group consisted of 290 individuals, 95 men and 195 women, without any signs of disease other than the usual geriatric disturbances, such as osteoporosis, ostearthritis and mild systolic hypertension. No medication was used that could interfere with the results of the tests. The patients were divided into 2 groups, group I, 190 cases between 60 and 75 years of age, and group II, 100 cases over 75. RESULTS: Intradermal tests with all ubiquitous antigens were negative in 7,4% of group I and 13% of group II, while in a control of younger adults each had at least had 2 positive tests. This difference was mainly due to a lower sensitivity to PPD in the elder persons. 16% of group I and 23% of group II did not sensitize with DNCB. All skin tests, intradermal and DNCB, were negative in 1,1% of group I and 4% of group II. Our results suggest a decreasing immunological activity according age which could explain the higher incidence of infections, neoplasms and autoimmune diseases in old people. Also periodical repetition of the test in elderly people could evaluate immunological competence and, consequently, susceptibility to these diseases. Patients with negative tests or only one positive test, should be carefully investigated in order to exclude the existence of pathology. Our results and considerations also suggest the possibility that, by increasing immunological reactivity, the occurrence of certain diseases could the prevented.
Age Factors↗
Biochemical properties and study of antigenic cross-reactivity between Africanized honey bee and wasp venom.
Africanized honey bees and the wasp Polistes versicolor are common insects in Brazil; their venoms are composed of a complex mixture of components which present several biological activities. Stinging accidents are very frequent and are generally followed by important clinical reactions, and even deaths are not uncommon. In the present study, venom was extracted from Africanized honey bees and P. versicolor, and it was biochemically characterized and the antigenic cross-reactivity was investigated by Western blot analysis and specific IgE determination by ELISA in the sera of subjects allergic to each venom. The honey bee venom presented higher phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase activities than P. versicolor venom, which in turn presented higher lipase, acid phosphatase and esterase activities. A high incidence of false-negatives was also observed during determinations of specific IgE for P. versicolor venom when the kits with venoms from wasps of temperate climates were used, suggesting that the diagnosis of allergy to neotropical wasp venom must take into consideration the clinical history and skin tests.
Adolescent↗
Library fungi at the University of São Paulo and their relationship with respiratory allergy.
In this study, we investigated the fungi most frequently found in the air and the books of 28 libraries at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In a second phase, 314 librarians were questioned about the presence of asthmatic or rhinitic symptoms, and the relationship with the site of work. Forty-nine percent of them reported this type of symptoms and 80% related them to the place of work. In the third stage, librarians underwent intracutaneous tests against the 20 fungi most frequently isolated in libraries. Eighteen librarians presented positive tests, 12 of whom reported rhinitis and 6 of whom were asymptomatic. In 19.5% of symptomatic patients wheals > 15 mm were observed after 6 h, while 9% of the asymptomatic patients presented similar wheals. Fourteen librarians with positive tests underwent tests with each of the 20 fungi constituting the pool. The airborne fungi isolated in libraries are likely to be found anywhere in the city of São Paulo, but they are likely to be present in higher concentrations in libraries, subsequently producing respiratory allergies.
Adolescent↗
Candidin in immediate hypersensitivity. Comparison of two antigens.
One hundred outpatients in a Clinic of Allergy were submitted to intradermic tests with two types of candidins. The main focus of the research was the comparison of two antigens obtained from the same strains of Candida albicans: one a suspension of yeast cells and the other, a polysaccharide. The readings, taken 20 minutes after the intradermic injections, with positive results were considered as hypersensitivity of the immediate type. Positive results were obtained in 74% of the patients with the yeast cell antigen and in 73% with the polysaccharide antigen. This research mainly deals with the advantages that can be obtained by using the polysaccharide antigen in intradermic tests for evaluating hypersensitivity of the immediate type.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Systematic isolation of the genus Alternaria in the atmosphere of the "Grande Sao Paulo" area (Brazil).
The genus Alternaria has been isolated from the atmosphere of several countries and its spores are considered as having a strong allergenic power. The description of the genus isolation with a relative frequency was noted in the following countries: Mexico, the United States of America, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, South Africa, Denmark and Argentina. Many Brazilian authors have pointed out the rare incidence of this genus excluding Faria (5) who recorded in the city of Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, a frequency of 21.1%. Several authors have failed to detect Alternaria sp. spores in the atmosphere of the city of Sao Paulo. As we were studying in our laboratory the airborne fungi of a region called Greater Sao Paulo, where the collections were made in some boroughs of the main city and its neighborhood, we began to make findings of the Alternaria sp. This gave us the opportunity of studying its incidence in that area during a period of one year. We chose 11 areas of this region where we made weekly plate expositions performing 429 trials in all. The technique of collection was the usual one with the exposition of the Petri dishes containing Sabouraud Agar distributed 72 hours before. The collection was made from September 1973 to August 1974. The exposition period was of 5 minutes duration in the open air or in a protected place when it rained. The exposition height was 1 meter from the ground. The identification was made through the colony macroscopic morphology and through the Riddell technique. The Alternaria sp. was isolated in the mentioned area through all the months of the year with its highest frequency in August (35.8%) and its lowest in December 3.7%). The average relative frequency obtained was of 17%. The highest isolation frequency was attained in Winter, the lowest in Spring; in Summer and Autumn, it remained at a medium level. In relation to the studied areas, the Alternaria sp. was isolated in all of them with a minimum frequency of 8.3% in Campos Eliseos and with a maximum frequency of 28.9% in Osasco. The authors would like to emphasize this unusual finding because in the region studied the Alternaria sp. was previously considered absent.
Air Microbiology↗
Acquired immunity to Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom in Brazilian beekeepers.
Seventy-eight Brazilian beekeepers who had been stung on average six times per month were studied. Sixty-eight beekeepers (87.1%) showed restricted local clinical reactions; nine individuals (11.5%) had extensive local reactions, and only one (1.2%) suffered anaphylactic shock. The humoral immunologic pattern of these individuals were studied by using immunoenzymatic methods to determine the serum titles of specific IgE and specific IgG4. Three groups of beekeepers presenting different humoral immunologic patterns were identified, in which the predominant pattern was the absence of specific IgE and high levels of specific IgG4 (38.4%). There was a positive correlation between the high levels of specific IgG4 and the number of bee stings. This correlation was not found in either specific or total IgE. The results of the present study suggest: i) the immunologic response to the number of exposures to Africanized honey-bee venom is not related to the number of exposures; and, ii) other nonhumoral and/or nonimmunologic factors may be involved in the reaction to the insect sting, which are responsible for both the clinical symptoms and protection.
Adolescent↗
Honeybee venom specific IgG subclass antibodies in Brazilian beekeepers and in patients allergic to bee stings.
Fifty-nine beekeepers who had been practicing apiculture for more than 2 years were selected in order to determine the distribution of bee venom specific IgG subclasses using ELISA. The assays were standardized into arbitrary units. For comparison, IgG subclasses were determined in eight individuals allergic to bee stings who did not receive specific treatment. No correlation was detected between beekeeping time and specific IgG1, IgG2 or IgG4 levels. There was a correlation between IgG2 levels and mean number of stings per month received by the beekeepers. Twenty-five percent of the beekeepers presented bee venom specific IgE class II or more in an ELISA assay. The IgG1 levels detected in beekeepers were similar to those detected in allergic individuals. IgG2 and IgG4 levels were significantly higher in beekeepers than in allergic individuals. IgG3 was not detected in any group studied. In conclusion, the maintenance of high levels of bee venom specific IgG2 and IgG4 represents a characteristic of beekeepers. These subclasses may be related to a modulatory effect of IgG on allergic reactions.
Adult↗
[Hereditary angioedema: clinical and laboratory aspects of 7 cases].
Hereditary angioedema is caused by a defect in C1 inhibitor activity (C1INH). Its occurrence is rare and it is associated with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. We describe seven patients (4M:3F), age from 12 to 50 years old, who are affected by hereditary angioedema; four of them belong to the same family. The main clinical manifestations were: angioedema of face, hands and feet (6/7) and abdominal pain (2/7). No triggering factors were associated with symptoms in 4/7 patients and trauma (2/7) and menses (1/7) were reported in the other three ones. One patient was submitted to laparotomy for partial intestinal resection, before diagnosis. Laboratory complement analysis revealed the absence of hemolytic function of complement, reduced C4 (6/7) and low C1INH levels. All patients received Danazol (100 mg/day) with clinical control. Hereditary angioedema has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of angioedema, since an early diagnosis of this immunodeficiency, leading to specific treatment in order to decrease the complications.
Adult↗
Characterization of allergenic fractions from Drechslera monoceras.
Drechslera monoceras, a fungus of the Deuteromycota phylum, is fairly frequent in Brazil, and is spread through the atmosphere. In previous studies done in the city of Sao Paulo, it was found that in relation to 42 other fungi extracts, the crude extract of this fungi demonstrated a more intense cutaneous reaction in patients with respiratory allergies. Biochemical, antigenic and allergenic evaluations were carried out at various growth stages of this fungus. Based on these facts, the purpose of this research was the fractionation and allergenic characterization of the allergenic extract of D. monoceras to be used in diagnosis and immunotherapy in patients with positive cutaneous reaction to this fungus. In the city of Sao Paulo, 13 of 248 patients with respiratory allergy (asthma and/or rhinitis) showed positive reaction following cutaneous tests (skin prick tests). The crude extract of D. monoceras was fractionated by SDS-PAGE. The visible fractions were then separated by electroelution to be inoculated into BALB/c mice to evaluate the production of IgE antibody. The IgE content was detected by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test in Wistar rats, and two fractions of approximate molecular weights of 14.4 and 36 KDa reacted to the test. The in vitro allergenic characterization was carried out by Western blotting, and three fractions of approximate molecular weights of 14.4, 36 and 60 KDa were positive. It was concluded that the extract of D. monoceras has at least three allergenic determinants, which can be used for diagnosis and immunotherapy in patients with respiratory allergy to this fungi.
Allergens↗