A ortodontia pressupõe o uso de artefatos. Os bráquetes são ligados por fios ortodônticos, denominado arcos, para que possam ser movimentados juntamente com os dentes por sistemas de molas e ancoragens de vários materiais unidos por diferentes processos. Isto propicia uma pilha galvânica e liberação de níquel pelo aparelho. Atualmente existem materiais livres de níquel, porém os aços inoxidáveis possuem menor custo e maior facilidade de uso. A alergia ao níquel contido no aço inoxidável do aparelho causa desconforto e, em alguns casos, a interrupção do tratamento. Tal alergia provém dos íons de níquel liberados pelo aço inoxidável e transportados pela saliva até os tecidos do paciente. Este trabalho teve por objetivo aplicar a técnica dos anodos de sacrifício utilizada para a proteção catódica de estruturas metálicas expostas a meios salinos. Esta técnica foi aplicada na proteção do aço inoxidável e suas combinações com outros metais usados em tratamentos ortodônticos. Foram efetuadas várias combinações de anodos de sacrifício e eletrólitos em duas etapas de testes, com arranjos compostos por uma banda soldada com solda prata a um meio arco pré-contornado mais cinco bráquetes presos nele por um fio de amarril. Na primeira etapa foram avaliados quatro anodos de sacrifício amarrados aos arranjos e soluções aquosas com três salinidades obtendo-se em torno de cinquenta por cento de redução na liberação de níquel. A segunda etapa foi melhor sucedida e, a quantidade de níquel liberada, ficou abaixo do limite de detecção do equipamento de absorção atômica eletroquímica que foi utilizado neste trabalho. Nessa segunda etapa foram utilizados anodos de zinco e magnésio para a proteção e soro fisiológico com e sem fluoreto de sódio. O contato elétrico dos anodos de sacrifício com o aço inoxidável foi melhorado e, possivelmente, causou a menor liberação de níquel nesta etapa. Isto valida o método de proteção catódica na diminuição da liberação de níquel pelos aparelhos ortodônticos de aço inoxidável. / Orthodontics involves the use of artifacts. The orthodontic brackets are connected by wires, called arches, so that they can be moved together with the teeth by springs and anchoring systems of different materials together by different processes. This possibly creates a galvanic cell, and release of nickel by the device. Currently there are nickel-free materials. However stainless steels have lower value and ease of use. Allergy to nickel contained in the stainless steel unit causes discomfort and in some cases to discontinuation of treatment. This allergy comes from nickel ions released by stainless steel through the patient's saliva. This study aimed to apply the technique of sacrificial anodes used for cathodic protection of steel structures exposed to saline. This technique was applied to the stainless steel protection and their combinations with other metals used in orthodontic treatments. Various combinations of sacrificial anodes and electrolytes were made. Two stages of tests were carried out and arrangements consist of a welded band with silver solder in the middle pre-skirted five brackets bow stuck in it with amarril wire. In the first stage were evaluated four anodes sacrifice tied to the arrangements and aqueous solutions with various salinities yielding around fifty percent reduction in nickel release. The second step was more successful and the amount of nickel released, was below the detection limit of electrochemical atomic absorption device used in this work. In the second stage we used zinc and magnesium anodes for the protection and saline with and without sodium fluoride. The electrical contact of sacrificial anodes with stainless steel has been improved and possibly caused the lower nickel release at this stage. This validates the method of cathodic protection in the reduction of the release of nickel stainless steel orthodontic appliances.

Les maladies allergiques sont devenues un enjeu de santé publique majeur en raison d’une prévalence en constante augmentation ces dernières années, d’un risque accru de choc anaphylactique et de l’absence de traitement curatif existant. Les allergies alimentaires sont caractérisées par une évolution fréquente vers le choc anaphylactique. Les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Treg), cellules permettant le maintien de l’homéostasie immunitaire et le contrôle des réponses, sont au centre du processus de régulation des réponses allergiques. Il a été démontré qu’il existait un déficit quantitatif et qualitatif de ces cellules chez les patients allergiques et que les manifestations allergiques étaient exacerbées en l’absence de Treg. L’induction, in vivo, de ces cellules semble donc être une alternative thérapeutique prometteuse afin de prévenir et traiter les maladies allergiques en particulier, l’allergie alimentaire. L’interleukine-2 (IL-2), cytokine du système immunitaire permettant la survie, l’expansion et la différenciation des lymphocytes, notamment les Tregs lorsqu’elle est utilisée à faible dose, constitue une avancée thérapeutique majeure. L’objectif de cette thèse a été d’évaluer le potentiel thérapeutique de l’IL-2 faible dose dans l’allergie alimentaire. L'IL-2 faible dose induit l’expansion et l’activation de Treg permettant la mise en place d’une protection contre les manifestations cliniques d'allergie alimentaire dans deux modèles de souris avec l'ovalbumine et l'arachide. L’abolition de cet effet clinique chez les souris dont les Treg ont été éliminés démontre la contribution majeure des Treg dans l'efficacité de la thérapie IL-2. Les mécanismes associés à la protection peuvent être corrélés à une modification locale de la balance Th1 / Th2 et une inhibition du recrutement et de l'activation des mastocytes. Nous avons démontré que l’IL-2 induit une protection clinique durable, supérieure à 7 mois, aussi bien lorsqu’elle est administrée de façon préventive (avant la phase de sensibilisation), que curative (après la sensibilisation ou le déclenchement de l’allergie). Cette protection à long terme est également dépendante des Treg dans la mesure où leur déplétion entraine la perte de protection de souris. Ces résultats, combinés à l’absence visible d’augmentation des Treg en fin de protocole, nous ont conduits à caractériser les mécanismes immunorégulateurs inhérents à ce contrôle effectif à distance et sur le long terme après traitement, en analysant notamment les sous populations de cellules régulatrices particulièrement efficace pour contrôler les réponses allergiques. Les résultats préliminaires obtenus, qu’il conviendra de reproduire, ne nous permettent pas de conclure clairement quant à la sélection des Treg spécifiques de l’allergène, ou de sous population de Treg, réputées protectrices dans l’allergie. Toutefois, nos résultats constituent la preuve de concept de l’utilisation de l’IL-2 faible dose dans l’allergie alimentaire. De même l’IL-2 a également montré son efficacité dans un modèle murin d’allergie respiratoire (ovalbumine). Nous avons aussi démontré que des voies d’administration alternatives étaient possibles, notamment la voie orale. De ce fait, un essai clinique de phase II testant l’administration d’IL-2 faible dose dans la rhinoconjonctivite va prochainement être mise en place par notre centre d’investigation clinique. Ainsi, nous espérons développer une nouvelle biothérapie, sûre, efficace et peu coûteuse, dans la prise en charge thérapeutique des allergies. / Regulatory T cells (Treg) are pivotal for maintenance of immune self-tolerance, and also regulate immune responses to exogenous antigens, including allergens. Both decreased Treg number and function have been reported in allergic patients, offering new therapeutic perspectives. The in vivo induction of these cells therefore, appears to be a promising therapeutic option in order to prevent and treat allergic diseases in particular, food allergy. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), allowing the survival, expansion and differentiation of lymphocytes, especially Treg when used at low doses, is a major therapeutic advance. Here, we evaluated the ability of low dose IL-2 (intraperitoneal route to control) allergy in an experimental model of food allergy. Low dose IL-2 (ld-IL-2) induced Treg expansion and activation that elicited protection against clinical manifestations of food allergy in two mouse models with ovalbumin and peanut. This clinical effect was lost in Treg-depleted mice demonstrating the major contribution of Treg in ld-IL-2 efficacy. Also, protection from allergy could be explained by a Treg-dependent local modification of the Th1/Th2 balance and an inhibition of mast cell recruitment and activation. Then, preventive and therapeutic effects of ld-IL-2 were observed over a 7-month period, highlighting its long-term efficacy. This long-term protection is also dependent on Treg insofar as their depletion results in the loss of protection of mice. These results, with the loss of increase of Treg at the end of the protocol, led us to better characterize the immunoregulatory mechanisms involved in the ld-IL2 long term efficacy, in particular by analyzing subpopulations of Treg particularly effective in controlling allergic responses. The preliminary results obtained, which should be reproduced, do not allow us to conclude clearly to the selection of allergen-specific Treg, or Treg subpopulation involved in the regulation of allergic responses. However, our results demonstrate the proof of concept of the use of low-dose IL-2 in food allergy. Similarly IL-2 has also shown its efficacy in a mouse model of asthma (ovalbumin). Alternative routes of administration were also demonstrated, including oral route. As a result, a clinical trial testing low-dose IL-2 in rhinoconjunctivitis will soon be initiated by our center. The present data show for the first time the therapeutic potential of ld-IL-2 for the treatment of food allergy, and should prompt hope, in the therapeutic management of allergies. Patients will be offered the first curative treatment developed in food allergies to improve their quality of life. Keywords: Allergy, Interleukin 2, biotherapy, therapeutic option, allergen-specific Treg, peripheral Treg.

The work is divided into a theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part of the work is focused on explaining the basic concepts in allergology, types of allergies are presented, their symptoms and treatment. Furthermore, the work describes the types of prevention and the task of a nursing in allergology. In the practical part of the work three goals were set up. The first goal was to determine the role of a nurse in secondary prevention in patients / clients with an allergic disease. The second objective of the research was to determine whether differences exist by nurses in the provision of secondary prevention in patients / clients with an allergic disease at selected sites. The third objective was to determine how nurses prepare patients / clients for the adherence to a treatment regimen associated with their allergic disease. To achieve these objectives a qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews has been selected. The research group consisted of ten nurses, two nurses working in the allergology ambulance at the hospital and four nurses from private ambulances in České Budějovice, two nurses from private ambulances and one from the allergology ambulance at the hospital in Písek, and one nurse from the private allergology ambulance in Strakonice.

Doctor of Philosophy / Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Junehee Kwon / Food allergies affect nearly 15 million Americans, and accommodating customers with food allergies has become a challenge for the restaurant industry. One third of the fatal food allergy reactions occurred in restaurants, and it is important for the restaurant industry to properly communicate and manage the food allergy risks. This study explored perceived risks and risk communication related behaviors of restaurant staff when serving customers with food allergies by using both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (online survey) approaches. Telephone interviews with 16 restaurant managers were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and organized to identify themes. Most participants were aware of the severity of food allergy reactions but perceived that it was the customers’ responsibilities communicating their food allergies with restaurant staff before placing their orders. Training for service staff on food allergies and risk communication topics were limited, and some managers perceived such training unnecessary for restaurant business. Findings from interviews were used to develop an online survey instrument. The survey instrument was pilot-tested and distributed to restaurant employee panels by an online survey research firm. Of 1,328 accessed the survey, 316 usable survey responses (23.8%) were collected from full-service restaurant service staff. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and regression analyses. Results indicated that limited information about food allergies was provided on printed (35.1%) or online menus (28.2%), and very few restaurants had separate menus (8.5%) or complete ingredient lists (14.6%) for customers with food allergies. Meanwhile, restaurant servers lacked knowledge about common food allergens (12.7% correct), differences between food allergies and intolerances (34.2% correct), and government regulations related to food allergies (15.5% correct). Most restaurant servers (82.0%) agreed or strongly agreed that initiating communication and preventing food allergy reactions were responsibilities of customers with food allergies. Perceived severity of food allergy reactions, previous communication training, sources of media exposure, and perceived responsibilities of preventing food allergy reactions were found to influence restaurant servers’ risk reduction and communication behaviors (R²=0.367, p<0.001). Restaurateurs, foodservice educators, food allergy advocates, and policy makers may use these findings when developing food allergy training and strategies to prevent food allergy reactions in restaurants.

The problem of this study was the ingestion of certain foods and their observed effects on behavior. The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible relationships between specific foods and (1) weight loss and gain; (2) hunger urges; (3) depression scores; (4) hand-eye coordination; (5) short-term auditory memory; and (6) heart rate. The subject in this study had previously been diagnosed as having sensitivities to certain foods. To determine the effects of certain foods on the subject a repeated measure design was employed. Specifically, an A-B-B-A-B-A design was used where A phases represented a 6-day period in which the subject ate foods to which she was sensitive. During earlier testing, the subject was found to be sensitive to corn, citrus fruit, pork, lamb, carrots, nuts, watermelon, and pineapple. These foods were found to induce irregular psycho-behavioral and physiological characteristics upon repeated and systematic testing procedures. Her nonreactive foods include fish, chicken, most green and yellow vegetables, bananas, cantaloupe, pears, apples, strawberries, and blueberries.

"A preschool for all", as often referred to by politicians, means that preschool should be an activity that is inclusive and adapted to each child's individual needs, prerequisites and abilities. But how does it actually work with inclusion in practice? Our study aims at gaining insight into how caregivers of children with food allergies experience the treatment and inclusion of preschools in children with food allergy. It also aims at gaining into if educators think they have sufficient knowledge in the subject and how to best respond and include children with these special needs. The study was conducted through a total of eight qualitative interviews with both caregivers and educators around the Stockholm area. For the theoretical part of this study we have chosen the developmental egological model, which in its entirety is based on the individual´s interaction with the environment. The result shows that the perceptions look a bit different, but most caregivers still think that cooperation with preschool works well, although knowledge about food allergy is not always there. Educators also find themselves having similar views. Everybody believes that it is the ultimate responsibility of the chef to ensure that all children are included in meal situations. Most educators also say that the knowledge they received came primarily from the caregivers of children with food allergies. None of the educators have gained knowledge through the workplace.

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2017-03-30T13:07:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3105346 bytes, checksum: 743a49eb2c327b5bb4a178343286d03e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-30T13:07:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3105346 bytes, checksum: 743a49eb2c327b5bb4a178343286d03e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Ouabain (OUA), a potent Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, was identified as an endogenous substance present in human plasma. It was shown that OUA is able to interfere in several aspects of the immune system and inflammation, but the effect of this substance in allergic lung inflammation had not been previously investigated. Lower airways inflammation process is characterized by cell migration and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as a result of sensitization by protein antigens such as ovalbumin (OVA). Aim: Evaluate the effect of ouabain on the model of allergic pulmonary inflammation induced by OVA. Methods: BALB/c mice (n = 6) were sensitized and challenged with OVA and pretreated intraperitoneally (ip) with OUA (0.56 mg/kg) two days before the sensitization and one hour before them, or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) subcutaneously 1 hour before to each challenge. Allergic inflammation parameters, such as cell migration, and production of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), mucus production and pulmonary histopathologic remodeling, and IgE quantitation were analyzed posteriorly. Results: Ouabain reduced (60%) BALF cells as a reflex of polymorphonuclear leukocyte inhibition and T CD3+ lymphocytes, as well as it reduced the production of Th2 profile cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13. Furthermore, ouabain also reduced histopathologic parameters of inflammation, such as hyperplasia of goblet cells and with consequent mucus decrease, besides it reduced OVA-specific IgE titer. Conclusion: These results suggests that OUA presents anti-inflammatory effect on pulmonary allergic inflammation, modulating Th2 phenotype parameters. / A ouabaína (OUA), um potente inibidor da Na+/K+ ATPase, foi identificada como uma substância endógena presente no plasma humano. Nos últimos anos, foi evidenciado que a OUA é capaz de interferir em diversos aspectos do sistema imunológico e em diferentes modelos de inflamação, porém o seu efeito na inflamação alérgica pulmonar não tinha sido investigado previamente. Processos inflamatórios alérgicos das vias aéreas inferiores são caracterizados por migração celular e hiperresponsividade brônquica, em decorrência da sensibilização por antígenos proteicos como a ovalbumina (OVA). Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da ouabaína no modelo de inflamação alérgica pulmonar induzida por OVA. Métodos: Camundongos BALB/c fêmeas (n = 6) foram sensibilizados e desafiados com OVA e pré-tratados via intraperitoneal (i.p.) com OUA (0,56 mg/kg) dois dias antes das sensibilizações e uma hora antes destas, ou com dexametasona (2 mg/kg) subcutânea 1 hora antes de cada desafio. Parâmetros da inflamação alérgica, como migração celular e produção de citocinas no fluido do lavado broncoalveolar (BALF), produção de muco e remodelamento histopatológico pulmonar quantificação de IgE sérica, foram analisados posteriormente. Resultados: A ouabaína reduziu em 60% o número total de células presentes no BALF como um reflexo da inibição de leucócitos polimorfonucleares e linfócitos T CD3+, bem como a produção de citocinas do fenótipo Th2, IL-4 e IL-13. Ademais, a ouabaína reduziu os parâmetros inflamatórios histopatológicos, como hiperplasia das células caliciformes com consequente diminuição de muco, além de reduzir o título de OVA-IgE específica. Conclusão: Estes dados sugerem que a OUA apresenta efeito anti-inflamatória no modelo de inflamação alérgica pulmonar, modulando parâmetros do fenótipo Th2.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-12-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:58:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 verissimo_dmm_me_assis.pdf: 445435 bytes, checksum: 93b36ce929159ed46a80e679738d150a (MD5) / A maternidade é conhecida como um momento sublime na vida da mulher, mesmo em meio às transformações ocorridas no mundo contemporâneo, essa visão idealizada da maternidade é composta de fatores: sociais, culturais e históricos. A psicanálise também contribuiu na construção desta visão, tanto para uma responsabilização das mães pela estruturação psíquica das crianças, quanto para a naturalização da maternidade caracterizado-a como própria da feminilidade. Porém, inúmeros autores apontam para as dificuldades e pressões vivenciadas pelas mães da gestação ao pós-parto na relação com seu bebê, pois a vivência da maternidade sempre vem acompanhada de sentimentos conflitantes, ou seja, ambivalências. A literatura aponta também que a ambivalência se torna mais intensa quando o encontro com o bebê real é marcado por uma doença. No caso do presente trabalho, estudamos os efeitos da alergia à proteína do leite de vaca (APLV), na relação mãe-bebê, uma vez que essa doença, que vem ganhando importância no contexto pediátrico, apresenta uma particularidade: ao atingir o bebê em aleitamento, quem realiza uma dieta livre de qualquer produto lácteo é a mãe; devido à essa particularidade acreditamos que essa doença ao atingir bebês cria uma condição especial ao desenvolvimento da relação mãe-bebê. Com o objetivo de compreender as manifestações do sentimento de ambivalência em mães de bebês com a referida alergia realizamos uma investigação qualitativa psicanalítica, tendo como ponto de partida um estudo sobre os cuidados maternos ao longo da história, seguido de revisão... / Motherhood is known as a sublime moment in the life of a woman, even with the changes in the contemporary world, this idealized vision of motherhood is composed by some factors: social, cultural and historical. Psychoanalysis has also contributed in building this vision, not only the responsibility of these mothers for the psychic structure of these children, but also for the naturalization of motherhood characterized it as their own femininity. However, many authors pointed out the difficulties and pressures experienced by the these mothers from pregnancy to post partum relate to their babies, because the experience of motherhood always comes along with a conflicted feelings, and this is called ambivalence. The literature also indicates that ambivalence becomes more intense when the encounter with the real baby is marked by a disease. In the present work, we studied the effects of allergy to the protein in cow's milk (APLV) in mother-infant relationship, once that this disease which has become importance in the pediatric context ,it shows an particularity: when it get to the baby who is breastfeeding, who carries on a free diet of any dairy product is the mother because of this particularity we believe that whenever this disease reaches the baby it creates a special condition between the development of mother-infant relationship. In order to understand the manifestations of ambivalence feelings in mothers who have allergic babies , we carried out a qualitative investigation of psychoanalysis, and as a starting... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: José Lacerda Neto / Coorientador: Kamila Gravena / Banca: Pedro Vicente Michelotto Junior / Banca: Annelise Carla Camplesi dos Santos / Abstract: Horse respiratory diseases is second most commom cause of poor performance and premature retirement, which the one are musculoskeletal disorders. The stabling and poor quality feedings may the favor predispose of diseases in airways. In order we measure the influence of the types of bedding used in the horse stalls about responses allergic airway. Three groups of five horses each are formated, two groups kept in stables but each group with a different type of bedding (autoclaved wood- MA shaving and sawdust-SE) . The third group is the control and stays at pasture. The groups remained in this condition for 45 days with biweekly reviews (D0, D15, D30 and D45). It was realize the physical examination, venous and arterial blood samples collection to realize hemogram and hemogasometry analysis, the bronchoalveolar lavage samples was colected to realize the cytological analysis and to measure alkaline phosphatase. In addition, samples of the beds (clean and dirty) and haylage was collected to realize mycological analysis. In the physical examination was noticed higher intensity of coughing and sneezing at SE group. Hematological analysis remained within the normal standards. Findings of hemogasometric analysis were observed the biggest pH values at horses to pasture (7.47 ± 0.02). At stables horses was observed smaller values of partial pressure dioxide (D15 to D45), (values between 38.3 to 43.7 mmHg) to horses to pasture (values between 43.7 to 46.5 mmHg). The values oxygen pa... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumo: As afecções do sistema respiratório são a segunda causa de queda de desempenho e afastamento dos equinos do esporte ou trabalho, as quais estão atrás somente das desordens musculoesqueléticas. A estabulação e alimentação a base de fenos predispõe os equinos a inalação de grande número de agentes irritantes as vias aéreas. No intuito de mensurar a influência dos tipos de cama utilizado em baias de equinos nas respostas alérgicas das vias aéreas estudou-se 3 grupos com 5 equinos cada sendo dois mantidos em cocheiras com diferentes tipos de forração à base de madeira (maravalha de pinus autoclavada-MA e serragem-SE) e por último um grupo controle à pasto por 45 dias com avaliações quinzenais (D0, D15, D30 e D45). Foi realizado nestes momentos o exame físico, coleta de amostras de sangue venoso e arterial para realização de hemograma e hemogasometria respectivamente, lavado broncoalveolar com análise citológica e mensuração de fosfatase alcalina, além de amostras das camas (limpa e suja) e feno pré-secado para análise micológica. No exame físico foi notado tosse e espirros em maior intensidade e número nos equinos do grupo SE. A análise hematológica permaneceu dentro dos padrões de normalidade. Já nos achados hemogasométricos os maiores valores de pH foram observados nos equinos à pasto (7,47 ± 0,02). Nos grupos embaiados foi observado valores de pressão parcial de dióxido, de D15 à D45, inferiores (valores entre 38,3 a 43,7 mmHg) ao grupo a pasto (valores entre 43,7 a 46,5 mmHg)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 2003 / Allergic conditions among workers processing seafood are most often related to inhalation of the seafood antigens or via direct unprotected handling of the seafood and its products. This can cause sensitised individuals to suffer from asthma, rhino-conjunctivitis, urticaria and protein contact dermatitis, which are IgE mediated. Food intolerance may also occur which is a non-IgE mediated reaction, however the exact mechanism is yet to be determined. There is therefore a need to develop reliable tests to identify sensitised workers processing seafood. The objective of this study was to prepare specific seafood extracts from raw and cooked lobster; raw and cooked saltwater bony fish species (mackerel, red eye, maasbanker, pilchard and anchovy) and fishmeal dust obtained from a fish-processing factory. These extracts were tested by SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis to characterise the seafood proteins, and the allergenicity was confirmed by the Western blot technique. Polyclonal IgG antibodies were also successfully generated in rabbits, using the specific seafood extracts isolated from the various species. The second objective was to optimise and standardize an Enzyme Allergosorbent Test (EAST) method to quantify specific IgE antibodies in the sera of factory workers. This EAST was optimised and validated to detect allergen-specific IgE to each of the different fish species and also one crustacean species (rock lobster). Sera from a group of workers were selected and analysed for specific IgE antibodies by the optimised EAST (S) (South African laboratory), and commercial RAST techniques. Analysis was performed for the three most important extracts, pilchard (canned), anchovy, and lobster. The same samples were analysed by EAST (R) in the reference laboratory (Dr Gerald Reese; Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Germany). The different techniques, and the EAST (R) and the EAST (S) results were compared by using a statistical software package. An EAST method was successfully developed, however, compared to the results obtained by the reference laboratory the sensitivity and specificity was below 80%. The main reason for the low agreement between the two laboratories was the fact that the South African laboratory used a modified EAST method, and different data calculation methods, for categorising positive results. The South African laboratory did not use a kit-based assay and a serum dilution of 1:4 and not 1:2 were used when compared to the reference laboratory. When the EAST results were compared to the RAST results, poor agreement was found due to the fact that canned pilchard was used in the EAST while raw pilchard in the commercial RAST assay. For pilchard, anchovy and lobster EAST, different species were utilized compared to the RAST, and this can also explain the poor level of agreement. Future directions would be to further standardise the EAST method and to introduce reference sera and a standard curve to determine positive results, thereby ensuring more reproducible results between laboratories.