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Biomedical subjects

X Baur

Publications and source records attributed to X Baur.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Humidifier lung and humidifier fever.

The aim of our study was to evaluate clinical diagnoses in symptomatic persons exposed to aerosols from humidifiers or air conditioners. In addition, we tried to identify the causative antigens. Results of clinical investigations, including inhalation challenge tests, demonstrated a typical hypersensitivity pneumonitis (humidifier lung) in 9 persons and isolated systemic symptoms without significant changes in lung function and chest x-rays (humidifier fever) in 3 persons. Microbiological studies revealed a variety of fungi and bacteria in the water supplies of humidifiers and air conditioners at patients' workplaces. The detection of 4 members of the order Sphaeropsidales (Deuteromycotina), not previously associated with humidifier-induced diseases, is of special interest. By means of an improved polystyrene tube-immunoradiometric assay, high concentrations of IgG antibodies against extracts prepared from water of patients' humidifier systems were found in all cases. In addition, patients demonstrated low concentrations of IgG antibodies against thermophilic Actinomycetes, and usually also against various fungi, such as Alternaria tenuis, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergilli, and fungi of the order Sphaeropsidales, which were isolated and cultured from humidifier water supplies. The much higher concentrations of antibodies against humidifier/air conditioner water extracts seem to result from sensitization to a variety of antigens from different fungi and bacteria. For in vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests in humidifier-induced lung diseases, we especially recommend using extracts from water systems installed at the corresponding workplaces.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A common epitope on major allergens from non-biting midges (Chironomidae).

A synthetic peptide corresponding to sequence 91-101 of the Chironomus thummi thummi haemoglobins (Chi t I) components III and IV was used to investigate binding and cross-reactivity with polyclonal human IgE and rabbit IgG antibodies and murine IgG1 subclass monoclonal antibodies (MABs). The synthetic peptide reacted with antibodies from all three mammals. The specificity of the reaction, especially that with IgE antibodies was shown by dose dependent inhibition with native Chi t I component III. Epitope(s) reacting with these antibodies were also found in haemoglobins from 14 of the 15 chironomid species analyzed. The synthetic peptide III/IV 91-101 enabled the identification of an important antigenic/allergenic determinant of the broadly distributed insect family Chironomidae. The antigenic potency of this synthetic peptide as shown by testing with human IgE, rabbit IgG and mouse MABs, and the widespread occurrence of the epitope in an identical or homologous sequence and/or superficial location, qualifies the peptide for therapeutic applications in medicine.

Allergens↗
PubMed1987

[Dominant autosomal humeroperoneal syndrome with early contractures and cardiomyopathy (Emery-Dreifuss syndrome)].

At least seven members of a family coming from southern Germany (Franconia) have manifested Emery-Dreifuss syndrome within four generations. This syndrome is characterized by slowly progressing atrophic pareses, generally in a humeroperoneal distribution, premature joint contracture, and cardiomyopathy with reduction of functional capacity. Up to now four members of this family have died from cardiac causes between the age of 39 and 46 years. Three family members have now been thoroughly examined; they showed typical muscular atrophies and contractures. The two older patients were diagnosed as having a cardiomyopathy with a complete atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia. Electromyographic and histological findings indicate a primary neurogenic process. Regular cardiological examinations combined with effective therapy (for example, implantation of a cardiac pacemaker and treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs) will be necessary in treating the serious arrhythmias. Progressive myocardial insufficiency required heart transplantation in one of our patients, which was successfully performed. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the explanted heart showed a dilatative cardiomyopathy with hypertrophy and dilatation of both atria and ventricles, differences in the diameters of individual heart muscle cells, and a predominately focal interstitial fibrosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Binding to cellulose of IgG from patients with interstitial lung diseases.

Sera from some patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and lung fibrosis contain immunoglobulin G (IgG) which strongly binds to cellulose as measured by binding to paper discs. This binding is Fab-dependent. The IgG-species which binds to cellulose also binds to protein-saturated nitrocellulose membranes. This makes the detection, in patients sera, of antibodies to etiologic antigens by immunoblotting difficult. Detection by immunoblotting can, however, be performed much more precisely if patients' sera are preincubated with cellulose powder to remove cellulose-binding IgG.

Binding Sites, Antibody↗
PubMed1987

Epitope mapping of major insect allergens (chironomid hemoglobins) with monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (m ABs) were raised against the physically and chemically well-defined insect allergen, component CTT III from Chironomus thummi thummi (CTT) hemoglobin. With these m ABs, we observed epitopes present in as many different hemoglobin (Hb) molecules from the widespread insect family Chironomidae as possible. These Hbs were identified as important allergens in previous studies. Twenty m ABs from seven different clones were tested for specificity against the CTT Hbs III, IIIa, IV, and I to X, as well as against Hbs from 14 other chironomid species; m ABs 1 to 3 were found to be specific for an epitope that was expressed on the CTT III component as well as in Hbs from three other species. m ABs 5 to 7 and 15 recognized an epitope expressed in CTT III, CTT IIIa, CTT IV, and in Hbs from 13 other species. m ABs 8 to 14 and 16 to 20 demonstrated heteroclitic behavior, that is, they bound CTT IIIa better than the immunogen CTT III. Reactivity of m AB 6 with a clinically relevant epitope was demonstrated by up to 15% inhibition of antibody binding by human IgE from sensitized patients. Our results demonstrate that clinically relevant allergenic epitopes can be localized on different molecules with m ABs. This could be important in the development of immunotherapy protocols with highly purified or fragmented allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMed1987

Lung-reactive antibodies in sera of patients with farmer's lung disease.

Lung-reactive antibodies were detected in sera of patients with farmer's lung disease and in sera of healthy persons. A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was adapted for measurement of titers of human antibodies to sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-solubilized lung proteins. The titers of antilung antibodies in patients sera were 2-5 times as much as those of healthy persons. Using the immunoblotting technique, antibodies to individual lung polypeptides could be detected. Although the specificity patterns of antibodies to lung polypeptides differed from one serum to another, patients sera contained, in general, antibodies to larger numbers of lung polypeptides as compared to sera of healthy persons. The relationship between antilung antibodies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis is discussed.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1987

Study of familial alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency including a rare proteinase inhibitor phenotype (IZ). I. Alpha-1-phenotyping and clinical investigations.

Proteinase inhibitor (PI) phenotyping and clinical investigations were performed on 20 persons in three generations of a family with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Two persons were homozygotes and 9 were heterozygotes for the Z allele; one is the first reported IZ phenotype; 11 were common M-types. Both homozygotes and 5 of the heterozygotes, including the IZ individual, had suffered from recurring or chronic respiratory diseases. However, only mild to moderate impairment in lung function tests was observed in some of these patients (DLCO steady state, 3 subjects; FEV1, 3 subjects; FEF25-75, 2 subject; elevation of RV, 2 subjects). The rare IZ type, a 35-year-old female, smoker, showed normal lung function except for an elevated RV. Our results indicate that PI deficiency is not necessarily associated with severe lung destruction if noxious inhalants are absent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Antigens of powdered pearl-oyster shell causing hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

We describe the identification and characterization of antigens of the pearl-oyster shell which caused hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a 42-year-old worker. He was occupationally exposed to the dust of this shell in the manufacture of different ornaments. In addition to a typical history, the diagnosis was confirmed through a workplace-related exposure test and high titres of antigen-specific IgG antibodies. By means of the immunoblot technique, several relevant antigens could be detected in the shell of the pearl-oyster. Control sera also contained immunoglobulins that bound to some electrophoretically separated bands; these could represent antibodies that react with lectin-like components in the shell in a nonimmunologic manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Solid phase radioimmunoassay for the quantitative determination of antigen-specific IgG-antibodies in the serum of patients with farmer's lung].

In this study we have investigated a number of technical aspects of a sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay (microtitre-plate RIA) for the quantitative determination of antigen-specific IgG antibodies in the sera of patients suffering from farmer's lung. Microtitre-plates were coated with antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus, Micropolyspora faeni, Aureobasidium pullulans, Alternaria tenuis, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and hay. Optimal antigen concentration and serum dilution were determined, the temperature-dependence of the assay and the kinetics of the binding of antibodies and protein A were studied. A comparison between glutaraldehyde-activated and non-activated microtitre-plates showed that the RIA with activated microtitre-plates produces values approximately 10-times higher than those with non-activated plates. However, the use of activated plates did not significantly increase the ratio between patient and control values.

Antibody Formation↗