Immunodetection and comparison of melaleuca, bottlebrush, and bahia pollens

Pollen extracts of two trees, Callistemon citrinis (bottlebrush) and Melaleuca leucadendron (melaleuca), as well as the grass Paspalum notatum (bahia) were analyzed for antigenic and allergenic cross-reactivity using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. SDS-PAGE analysis of all three pollen extracts revealed multiple antigenic components which were reactive with rabbit antisera made to each pollen extract. Comparison of reduced and nonreduced mobility patterns suggested the possible presence of multichain proteins linked by disulfide bonds. Clinical studies demonstrated that 81% of the patients skin test positive to at least one of the pollens were also positive to the other two. Sixty-three percent of allergic individuals studied showed a high correlation between skin test results and the number of IgE-binding components analyzed by immunoblotting. These IgE-reactive components were detected in the molecular weight range of 29-66 kD. Western blot analysis detected more IgE-binding components in bahia pollen extracts as compared with the tree pollens, consistent with other reports of grass pollens being more allergenic than those from trees and weeds. Each patient's serum had a unique IgE-binding pattern, indicating heterogeneity of immune response; however, common major determinants were detected by a large percentage of the allergic patient's sera.

Allergenic cross-reactivity between Callistemon citrinis and Melaleuca quinquenervia pollens

Aqueous extracts of both Callistemon citrinis (bottlebrush) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca) were analyzed for allergenic cross-reactivity. Inhibition analysis using the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was performed on the ammonium bicarbonate extracts of bottlebrush (NH4B) and melaleuca (NH4M) pollens. RAST inhibition analysis demonstrated that the extracts contained allergenically cross-reactive components. Sephadex G-100 column chromatography of NH4B and NH4M extracts resulted in at least 4 distinct peaks for each extract analyzed. These fractions were designated NH4B1-NH4B4 and NH4M1-NH4M4. A modified dot-blot assay for detection of allergenic components was utilized to show that the first elution peaks of bottlebrush and melaleuca, NH4B1 and NH4M1, respectively, contained allergenic components. These allergenic components, NH4B1 and NH4M1, had estimated molecular weights of 50,000 and 35,000 daltons, respectively.

Isolation and characterization of cross-reactive allergenic components in Callistemon citrinis and Melaleuca quinquenervia pollen by trans-blot enzyme-linked crossed immunoelectrophoresis

Antigenic extracts obtained from Callistemon citrinis (bottle brush) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca) pollen were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), tandem-crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TCIE), and trans-blot enzyme-linked crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TECIE). CIE analysis detected 14 and 12 antigenic components in bottle brush and melaleuca, respectively. TCIE analysis of bottle brush pollen, employing rabbit anti-melaleuca serum in the intermediate gel, demonstrated that all of the antigenic components detected were cross-reactive. Similar analysis of melaleuca using rabbit anti-bottle brush serum in the intermediate gel also showed that all of the antigenic components were cross-reactive. At least three bottle brush and two melaleuca cross-reactive pollen components were demonstrated to be allergenic by TECIE analysis of CIE and TCIE gels.

Systemic anaphylaxis immediately following delayed hypersensitivity skin tests

Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests are performed frequently for other than primary immunologic disorders. Systemic anaphylaxis occurred during delayed hypersensitivity skin testing on a healthy, non-atopic individual. This reaction appeared to be IgE mediated. Anaphylactic recovery sets must be readily available whenever such testing is performed.

Serum IgE antibodies to psyllium in individuals allergic to psyllium and English plantain

Psyllium is used in the production of bulk laxatives. By means of the RAST assay the authors demonstrated that psyllium can induce the formation of IgE antibodies. They also demonstrated that IgE antibodies in individuals allergic to English plantain may cross react to psyllium.

An IgE inhibition assay for the detection of allergen specific IgE

A method for the detection of specific IgE in human serum is described, using a modified radioimmune assay termed the Inhibition Assay Technique (IAT) The technique is based on the ability of specific IgE to bind with allergen. The difference in total IgE before incubation with the allergen and after incubation with the allergen gives a relative concentration of specific IgE to that particular allergenic substance. The assay has been shown to correlate with both the intradermal skin test as well as the standard RAST now used to determine specific IgE.

The use of beclomethasone diproprionate inhaler complicated by the development of an eosinophilic pneumonia reaction

As an insoluble steroid aerosol, beclomethasone diproprionate was recently made available in the United States. Only minor complications have been reported previously. A more serious development of adrenal insufficiency may occur upon the improper replacement of systemic steroids. We report on a patient who developed the clinical findings of pulmonary eosinophilia. The possible mechanisms for this complication in out patient are discussed. While a lower systemic steroid dosage may have been the provoking factor, we feel that an adverse reaction to oleic acid, a dispersing agent in the aerosol freon vehicle, is a strong possibility.

A new deficient variant of alpha1-antitrypsin (MDUARTE). Inability to detect the heterozygous state by antitrypsin phenotyping

A new molecular variant of alpha1-antitrypsin was discovered in the family of a woman with severe antitrypsin deficiency and bullous emphysema. The variant resembles the Z variant in most respects in that it results in severe antitrypsin deficiency with the homozygous state and intermediate deficiency with the heterozygous state, and is associated with diastase-resistant, periodic acid-Schiff-positive globules in the liver cells. It differs from the usual Z variant, however, by having normal mobility on acid-starch electrophoresis so that the heterozygous state with the normal M form cannot be distinguished by phenotyping procedures on either acid-starch or alkaline-agarose electrophoresis. The variant has been labeled MDUARTE. A review of phenotype patterns in all patients previously classified as having a homozygous ZZ phenotype reveals extra, fast-moving bands on acid-starch suggestive of an MDUARTEZ heterozygous state in 7.9 per cent of such cases. When intermediate antitrypsin deficiency occurs in the presence of a normal phenotype pattern, one must consider that the patient has inherited either a null gene for antitrypsin synthesis or an MDUARTE variant.