Allergenic pollen of ornamental plane trees in a Mediterranean environment and urban planning as a prevention tool

Green spaces and urban green infrastructure are new concepts in urban planning, and lately, the influence of green spaces in cities and how this presence affects local climate change have been taken into account. Moreover, some of the ornamental trees most used in cities provoke allergic symptoms in sensitized people. Due to the importance the plane trees in our parks and cities have as ornamental trees, this article assesses the urban Platanus airborne pollen concentration in the air of five cities of the SW Iberian Peninsula and tries to determine the differential factors that its distribution has by means of combining continuous monitoring of the air using volumetric spore traps and the geolocation of plane trees. They were counted separately according to the direction (Q1 NE, Q2 SE, Q3 SW, Q4 NW) around the spore trap location in circles of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 m in diameter. Pollen sums were distributed according to the predominant wind direction for each day. The highest concentrations for Platanus pollen were recorded in Don Benito. Differences amongst pollen stations were found and were mainly related to their degree of maturity and their proximity to spore traps, and finally, with the number of plane trees. Furthermore, other factors, as the pruning, which is different in each city and even in a more local way, affects pollination and is frequently unknown to aerobiological studies. The geolocation of ornamental trees can be a useful tool for providing summarized information about their behavioral differences amongst cities, which can be used to create healthy itineraries, minimizing the natural hazards in human health (allergic diseases) and could be implemented into a model to help policy-makers to create measures to improve green urban development.     

Essential Fatty Acid Supplementation In The Treatment Of Canine Atopy: A Preliminary Study

Abstract— In an open, uncontrolled study, 10 dogs with atopy were given evening primrose oil (EPO) (5ml/10kg/day) over a period of 9 weeks. During the first three weeks pruritus, scaling and oedema worsened but erythema and coat condition tended to improve. Subsequently all these parameters tended to improve. The effect on oedema was significant (p < 0.05). Eight of these dogs and two others were then given a 4:1 mixture of EPO and marine fish oil for 9 weeks. Although further reductions in scale and improvements in coat condition were marked in some animals, no significant changes occurred. Alterations in the plasma phospholipid essential fatty acid levels reflected the compositions of the two supplements. These findings suggest that EPO can ameliorate of atopy in dogs. This mirrors observations obtained in studies of human atopic eczema. Résumé— Dans une étude ouverte, sans lot témoin, 10 chiens souffrant d'atopie ont reçu de l'huile d'onagre (5 ml/10 kg/jour) pendant une période de 9 semaines. Pendant les 3 premières semaines, le prurit, le squamosis et l'oedème se sont aggravés mais, l'érythème et l'aspect du poil tendaient à s'améliorer. Enfin tous ces parametres tendaient à s'améliorer. L'effet sur l'érythème a été significatif (p < 0.05). Huit de ces chiens et deux autres ont alors reçu un mélange (4:1) d'huile d'onagre et d'huile de poisson de mer pendant 9 semaines. Bien qu'ultérieurement la diminution du squamosis et l'amélioration de l'état de la fourrure aient été manifestes chez certains animaux, il n'y eut pas de changement significatif. Les modifications des taux d'acides gras essentiels des phospholipides plasmatiques ont reflété la composition des deux supplémentations. Ces observations suggèrent que l'huile d'onagre peut apporter une amélioration de l'atopie canine. Cela reflète certains résultats observés lors d'études sur l'eczéma atopique de l'homme. Zusammenfassung— In einer offenen, nicht kontrollierten Untersuchung wurde 10 Hunden mit Atopie Nachtkerzenöl (EPO) in einer Dosierung von 5 ml/10 kg/Tag über einen Zeitraum von 9 Wochen verabreicht. Während der ersten 3 Wochen verschlimmerten sich Pruritus, Schuppenbildung und Ödeme, während Erytheme und Fellzustand eher eine Tendenz zur Besserung zeigten. Danach besserten sich alle diese Parameter. Die Wirkung auf Erytheme war signifikant (p < 0.05). Acht dieser Hunde und zwei andere erhielten 9 Wochen lang Nachtkerzenöl und Seefischöl in einer Mischung von 4:1 im Anschlufl an diese Untersuchung. Obwohl eine weitere Verminderung der Schuppenbildung und eine Vorbesserung der Fellqualität bei einigen Tieren festgestellt wurden, waren diese Veränderungen nicht signifikant. Die Veränderungen der essentiellen phospholipiden Fettsäuren im Plasma spiegeln die Zusammensetzung der beiden verabreichten Öle wieder. Diese Befunde weisen darauf hin, daß die Atopie des Hundes durch EPO gebessert werden kann. Dies entspricht auch Beobachtungen bei Untersuchungen des atopischen Exzems des Menschen.     

The Influence of Oral Corticosteroids or Declining Allergen Exposure on Serologic Allergy Test Results

Abstract— Twenty-seven proven atopic dogs had a serologic allergy test performed on the day of skin testing and again after either a 21-day course of corticosteroid treatment or 60 days without therapy during which time exposure to botanical aeroallergens was reduced or absent. There was no statistical difference in preand post-corticosteriod treatment results. There were significantly more positive scores recorded in the 60-day follow-up samples in the untreated dogs. Résumé— Vingt-sept chiens ayant une atopie prouvée ont subi des tests sérologiques d'allergie avant et 21 jours après une corticothérapie ou 60 jours sans traitement et sans exposition pollinique. Il n'y avait pas de difference statistiquement significative avant et après le traitement corticoïde. Il y avait beaucoup plus de résultats positifs à 60 jours chez les animaux ne subissant aucun traitement. Zusammenfassung— Bei 27 Hunden mit nachgewiesener Atopie wurde ein serologischer Allergietest am selben Tab wie der Hauttest und erneut entweder nach 21-tägiger Kortikosteroidbehandlung oder nach 60 Tagen ohne Therapie durchgeführt. Bei der zweiten Gruppe wurde die Exposition gegenüber pflanzlichen Aeroallergenen reduziert oder fehlte. Es gab keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied bei den Ergebnissen vor und nach Korikosteroidtherapie. Es trat eine statistch signifikant höhere Zahl positiver Reaktionen in den Proben der nicht behandeltentiere nach 60 Tagen aug. Resumen Veinti-siete perros en los que se había diagnosticado previamente atopía, se hizo un test serológico de alergia simultáneamente con tests de inyecciones intradérmicas durante el mismo día, volviendose a repetir a los 21 días despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides, o después de 60 días sin ningun tipo de medicacion, durante en cual exposición a aero-alergenos botánicos fué minima o inexistente. No se observó diferencia de tipo estadístico en animales antes o despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides. En los animales que no recibieron medicación, después de 60 días se observó un aumento significativo de respuestas positivas.     

Equine recurrent airway obstruction and insect bite hypersensitivity: understanding the diseases and uncovering possible new therapeutic approaches

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) are allergic conditions that are commonly encountered in the horse. Whilst complete allergen avoidance is an effective management strategy for both diseases, this may not be achievable in all cases and treatment options are therefore required. The inflammatory response is the main therapeutic target for glucocorticoids given to horses with RAO and severe cases of IBH, whilst the bronchodilators used in RAO primarily target airway smooth muscle. Such drugs are effective in most but not all individuals and there may be unwanted adverse effects. This article will review how knowledge of drug action and the pathogenesis of RAO and IBH can be utilised to identify potential targets for novel therapeutic agents that, in the longer term, may be safer and/or more effective in managing the allergic horse.     

A contribution to the study of airborne Citrus pollen in Córdoba,southern Spain

Citrus species, and especially oranges, are widely grown in Córdoba (southern Spain) both as ornamentals (Citrus aurantium) and as cash crops (Citrus sinensis). There has been little research into the incidence of orange-pollen allergy in the local population. Given the abundant presence of orange trees in Córdoba, a study was designed to determine local Citrus pollen counts at human height in areas where these trees are densely planted. Although standard aerobiological studies report negligible airborne Citrus pollen counts, the samplers used are located at greater heights and in open areas; as a result, large Citrus pollen grains are not recorded. It was found that when Hirst-type volumetric samplers were placed on the roof of a building – the recommended position for aerobiological research – airborne Citrus pollen counts were very low. By contrast, portable samplers placed at human breathing height recorded very high counts, reaching around 2000 pollen grains/m³ during the peak day. This finding suggests that greater attention should be paid to the potential negative impact on the local population, given that the sparse research has highlighted the allergenic nature of orange pollen. Citrus pollen could have an adverse local health impact in areas where orange-trees are densely planted, particularly given reported cross-reactivity with other pollen types. However, further aerobiological and clinical research into Citrus pollen is required in order to draw wholly reliable conclusions.     

鸡蛋蛋白过敏综述

鸡蛋过敏是一种复杂的无序状态,许多鸡蛋蛋白均可引起过敏。鸡蛋蛋白过敏受多种免疫机制驱动,过敏发生率和占主导地位的过敏机制随年龄改变而改变。鸡蛋过敏一般为免疫球蛋白E(IgE)介导型过敏反应,鸡蛋蛋白中主要的过敏原为卵白蛋白、卵类黏蛋白、卵转铁蛋白、溶菌酶。鸡蛋过敏真实患者或疑似患者及早避食蛋制品和及时给予喂养指导十分重要。通过对过敏的诱发和免疫机理的了解探讨了导致鸡蛋过敏反应的过敏原特征和检测手段,并对过敏反应的预防策略进行分析。     

Results of a Hypoallergenic Diet Survey of Veterinarians in North America with a Nutritional Evaluation of Homemade Diet Prescriptions

Abstract— One hundred and sixteen veterinarians in North America completed a survey recording the use of specific commercial hypoallergenic diets in dogs and cats, ingredients recommended for homemade diets, and perceptions about problems with, or unacceptable ingredients in, current commercial pet foods. A wide variety of both commercial and homemade rations was recommended by the respondents for dogs and cats suspected of having adverse reactions to food. Homemade diets were recommended most often as the initial test diets for both dogs and cats with suspected food allergy. Ingredients recommended most often for homemade diets were lamb, lamb baby food, rice, potatoes, rabbit, fish, venison and tofu. Unacceptable ingredients in commercial pet foods mentioned multiple times included preservatives and dyes, wheat, beef, fish or fish meal, poultry/chicken, egg, soy and dairy products. Homemade diet recommendations of the respondents were evaluated for their nutritional adequacy. Most (90 per cent) of the homemade elimination diets were not nutritionally adequate for adult maintenance based on currently available recommendations. Résumé— 116 vétérinaires d'Amérique du Nord ont participéà une enquête sur l'utillsation d'aliments hypoallergéniques commerciaux pour chien et chats, les ingrédients recommandés dans les préparations ménagères et les recommandations concernat les problèmes rencontrés avec les aliments courrants industriels ou les ingrédients inacceptables dans leur composition. Un très large éventail de regimes ménagers ou industriels étaient recommandés par les participants pour les chiens et les chats suspects d'intolérance alimentaire. Des préparations ménagères étaient le plus souvant recommandées comme test d'exclusion, pour les chiens et les chats suspects d'allergie alimentaire. Les ingrédients les plus souvents recommandés étaient: viande d'agneau, viande d'agneau en pots pour bébés, riz, pommes de terre, lapin, poisson, gibler et pâte de soja. Les ingrédients mentionnés plusieurs fols comme étant à exclure des preparations industrielles étaient: conservateurs et colorants, bié, viande de boeuf, poisson, volaille, ouef, soja et produits laitiers. L'équilibre des preparations ménagères recommandées par les participantrs a étéétudié. La piupart (90 pour cent) de ces preparations étaient déséquilibrées par rapport aux recommendations courament admises pour l'entretien d'un chien adulte. Zusammenfassung— Einhundertsechzehn Tierärzte in Nordamerika nahmen an einer Umfrage teil, die folgende Punkte untersuchte: Einsatz von bestimmtem kommerziellen hypoallergenen Diätfutter für Hund und Katze, für hausgemachtes Diätfutter empfohlene Zutaten und Probleme mit gängiger kommerzieller Tiernahrung oder mit darin enthaltenen unannehmbare Inhaltsstoffen. Eine große Vielfalt sowohl von kommerziellen als auch hausgemachten Diäten wurde von den Befragten für Hunde und Katzen mit Verdacht auf adverse Reaktionen auf Futter empfohlen. Hausgemachte Diäten wurden am häufigsten als initialer Test für Hunde und Katzen mit Verdacht auf Futtermittelallergie empfohlen. Die am häufigsten empfohlenen Zutaten für hausgemachte Diäten bestanden in Lammfleisch, Lamm-Babynahrung, Reis, Kartoffeln, Kaninchen, Fisch, Wild und Tofu. Die als unannehmbar mehrfach genannten Inhaltsstoffe in kommerzieller Tiernahrung schließben Konservierungs-und Farbstoffe, Weizen, Rindfleisch, Fisch oder Fischmehl, Geflügel/Huhn, Ei, Soja und Milchprodukte mit ein. Die hausgemachten Diätemfehlungen der Befragten wurden auf ernährungsphysiologische Ausgewogenheit überpfrüft. Die meisten der hausgemachten Eliminationsdiäten [90%] waren nach den gängigen Ernährungsempfehlungen für den Erhaltungsbedarf erwachsener Tiere ernährungsphysiologische nicht ausgewogen. Resumen Cientosésis veterinarios en Norteamérica llevaron a cabo una estadística del uso de ciertas dietas comerciales hipoalergénicas en perros y gatos, ingredientes recomendados en dietas caseras e impresiones de los problemas causados por ingredientes inaceptables en la dietas comerciales de uso corriente. Los casos responsivos indicaban una gran variedad de comidas caseras y dietas comerciales para perros y gatos, en los que se sospecharon reacciones adversas a los alimentos. Dietas caseras se recomendaron mas frecuentamente como test inicial para ambos, perros y gatos sospechosos de algeria alimentaria. Los ingredientes más comunmente recomendados fueron cordero, alimento para bebé basado en cordero, arroz, patatas, conejo, pescado, venado y tofu. Ingredientes inaceptables en dietas comerciales mencionados en multiples ocasiones incluyeron preservativos y tintes, trigo, vacuno, pescado o harina de pescado, pollo/aves de corral, soja y productos lácticos. Las dietas caseras recomendadas de los casos responsivos se evaluaron por su eficacia nutricional. La mayoría de las dietas caseras de tests de eliminación, el 90%, no eran adecuadas desde el púnto de vista nutritivo papa la manutención de animales adultos, comparada con las corrientes recommendaciones.     

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immunomodulatory and mast cell stabilising properties, in skin of horses suffering from Culicoides hypersensitivity

Lactoferrin (LF), a glycogen of the transferrin family with anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties, is expressed in various secretions and tissues. Cutaneous LF serves as a mast cell stabilising compound, modulates T cell activity and is found during IgE-mediated late phase reactions at allergen challenged sites. Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) in horses is a common IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis, characterised by an early and late phase cutaneous reaction upon allergen challenge. The aim of the study presented here was to examine whether LF mRNA expression in skin biopsies from horses affected by CHS prior to and 4h following intradermal challenge with a commercial C. nubeculosus extract is modified in comparison to skin biopsies from non-affected horses. In order to obtain reliable data, real time PCR was performed and genes of interest were normalized using three different housekeeping genes, beta-actin, GAPDH, beta-2-microglobulin. In comparison to non-affected horses, higher variation in LF mRNA levels both prior to and post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract was seen in horses affected by CHS. However, the statistical analysis demonstrated that LF mRNA expression was not significantly different between CHS affected and non-affected horses prior to intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract. Intradermal injection of C. nubeculosus extract did not result in local upregulation of LF mRNA at 4h post-injection. LF mRNA expression was therefore not significantly different pre- or post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract in either group. Our data indicate that clinically normal skin of horses affected by CHS is not characterized by modified maintenance levels of LF mRNA. In contrast to human skin allergen challenged sites, LF mRNA levels in horses affected by CHS are not significantly different to that of control sites at 4h post-injection of C. nubeculosus extract.     

A comparison of intradermal testing and detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in horses affected with skin hypersensitivity

Skin hypersensitivities (allergies) in horses are often diagnosed using clinical signs only. Intradermal testing or serological assays are diagnostic options to confirm the allergic nature of the disease and to identify the allergen(s). Our objective was to develop an allergen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody specific for horse IgE and to examine its potential for allergen detection in serum in comparison to intradermal testing. Intradermal testing with 61 allergen extracts was performed on 10 horses affected with skin hypersensitivity. Their sera were analyzed by ELISA for IgE antibodies to the same allergens. The kappa test of concordance was used for comparison of the results of both tests. Out of 61 allergen extracts, only two (Timothy and Quack) had kappa values greater than 0.60, suggesting a substantial agreement between skin testing and IgE ELISA. The statistical comparison of the remaining 59 allergens showed little or no concordance between the tests beyond chance. To identify parameters that may influence the sensitivity of the ELISA, the assay was modified to detect allergen-specific IgGb and IgG(T) in serum, and the protein content in all allergen extracts was determined by SDS-PAGE. The commercial allergen extracts revealed a high variation in detectable protein. High concentrations of allergen-specific IgG in horse serum were found to compete with IgE for binding to the plates. In conclusion, an ELISA using whole serum and crude allergen preparations provides limited diagnostic information in horses. The reliable diagnosis of allergens in equine skin hypersensitivity is essential to improve allergen-specific treatments, such as hyposensitization, or the development of allergy vaccines.