An epidemiological survey of Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) was conducted in dogs in Tucson and Phoenix. Dogs were tested for delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) using coccidioidin, a reagent that is not commercially available and results of the skin tests were compared with corresponding serologic test results.

Dogs in the Tucson area with a known history of clinical Valley Fever were tested with two skin test reagents to determine their ability to detect delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the Coccidioides spp. The reagents used were Spherusol, from Nielsen Biologicals, and coccidioidin, which is no longer commercially available. Skin tests were read 48 hours after placement and evaluated for erythema and/or induration.

2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies were detected in serum of BALB/c mice using the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test following the second intraperitoneal immunization with 1, 10, or 100 ug of 2,4-D0keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate administered with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The groups that received 1 ug of 2,4-D conjugate had the highest antibody titers (geometric mean of 60). A paper radioallergosorbent test (PRAST) was developed for determination of 2,4-D-specific IgE. The PRAST was equally as sensitive as and showed a positive correlation with the PCA assay. The anhydride of the diacid metabolite of malathion (MMA) coupled to KLH elicited MMA-specific IgE following secondary immunization with 10 and 100 ug and tertiary immunizations with 1, 10, and 100 ug of conjugate. The highest PCA titers (geometric means of 208 and 195) were found after three immunizations with 10 or 100 ug of conjugate, respectively. A PRAST for MMA-specific IgE was developed and yielded results equivelant to those obtained using the PCA procedure. Concurrently with these studies, dinitrophenyl-specific IgE elicited with 1 ug of dinitrophenyl-KLH conjugate was measured by the PCA test at all intervals examined. 2,4-D and malathion applied epicutaneously on two days or over four weeks failed to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Cptafol produced DTH responses at both dose levels tested. Following two applications, ear thickness, incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'deoxyuridine-labelled cells, and histology of ears indicated swelling and cellular infiltration. Multiple sensitizations over the period of a month also produced DTH as indicated by increases in ear thicknesses. Mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide produced larger responses 24 hours post-challenge but equivalent responses at 48 hours as compared to mice pretreated with saline. Sensitization with a known sensitizer, dinitrofluorobenzene, also elicited DTH. Neither 2,4-D- nor MMA-specific IgE antibodies were detected in serum during the four week epicutaneous sensitization period. Low titers of dinitrophenyl-specific IgE were elicited in mic treated with dinitrofluorobenzene.

Chow, Yin Sau Joyce. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-140). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.V / Acknowledgements --- p.VIII / Publications --- p.X / Table of contents --- p.XII / Abbreviations --- p.XV / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Allergic diseases and allergic inflammation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Allergic diseases and their prevalence --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Immunopathology of allergic inflammation --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biology of human eosinophils --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Morphology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Cell surface receptors and mediators --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Origin and development of eosinophils --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Eosinophils and allergic inflammation --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Adhesion molecules on eosinophils for emigration --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Eosinophil activation and inflammatory mediators --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Survival of eosinophils in allergic inflammation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Immunopathological roles of eosinophils in allergic inflammation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4 --- Intracellular signaling mechanisms --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Signal transduction pathways of eosinophils --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Inhibitors of signaling molecules --- p.26 / Chapter 1.5 --- Aim of study --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methods --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Human eosinophils --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cell culture --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cell surface and intracellular immunofluorescent staining --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Detection of cytokine and chemokine release --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Detection of cell viability and apoptosis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Protein extraction --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Purification of human eosinophils --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Cell culture --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cell surface and intracellular immunofluorescent staining --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Detection of cytokine and chemokine release --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Detection of cell viability and apoptoas --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Protein extraction --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.51 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Role of Novel IL-1 Family Cytokine in Allergic Inflammation: IL-33-mediated Eosinophil Activation --- p.52 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "Total protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2, of human eosinophils" --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Intracellular protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2，in human eosinophils" --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- "Extracellular protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2, on human eosinophils" --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- "Effects of IL-1β IL-18, and IL-33 on survival of human eosinophils" --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- "Effects of IL-1β, IL-18, and DL-33 on surface adhesion molecule expression on human eosinophils" --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- "Effects of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 on chemokine and cytokine release from human eosinophils" --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- "Synergistic effects of IL-1β, IH8, and IL-33 on IL-6 release from human eosinophils" --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- "Effects of transcription and translation inhibitors on IL- 1β, IL-18, and IL-33-induced chemokine and cytokine release from human eosinophils" --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- "Effects of different inhibitors on lL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33-induced survival enhancement of human eosinophils" --- p.75 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Effects of different inhibitors on IL-1β and IL-33-mediated surface expression of adhesion molecules on human eosinophils --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- "Effects of different inhibitors on IL-33, IL-1β，and IL-18-induced release of CCL2，CXCL8，and IL-6 from human eosinophils" --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- "Effects of IL-33, IL-1β and IL-18 on activation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kB pathways in human eosinophils" --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.85 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Co-culture of Eosinophils & Epidermal Keratinocytes Upon IL-33 Stimulation: Implications for Immunopathology of Atopic Dermatitis --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Effect of IL-33 on surface expression of CD18 and ICAM-1 upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effect of IL-33 on CCL2 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effect of IL-33 on CXCL8 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Effect of IL-33 on IL-6 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Source(s) of CCL2 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Source(s) of CXCL8 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation --- p.105 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Source(s) of IL-6 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon BL-33 stimulation --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- "Effect of transwell insert on the induction of CCL2，CXCL8, and IL-6 release in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation" --- p.110 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.113 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives --- p.120 / Chapter 5.1 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future Perspectives --- p.123 / Appendix --- p.126 / References --- p.127

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

INTRODUÇÃO: A incidência de pacientes apresentando alergia à proteína do leite de vaca (APLV) após os 5 anos de idade vem crescendo. Definir se estes pacientes tolerariam a ingestão de alimento produzido com leite processado a altas temperaturas (LPAT) proporcionaria melhor qualidade de vida, definiria melhor prognóstico e possibilitaria avaliar a indicação de dessensibilização com muffin. OBJETIVO: (1) identificar quais pacientes com APLV persistente aos quatro anos poderiam tolerar a ingestão de LPAT, (2) descrever as características clínicas e laboratoriais dos grupos reativo e não reativo ao LPAT, e (3) compara-las entre os dois grupos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, utilizando amostra de conveniência, incluindo todos os pacientes acompanhados no ambulatório de alergia alimentar do Instituto da Criança HCFMUSP que preenchiam os critérios de inclusão e que concordaram em realizar o TPO, entre janeiro/2013 e novembro/2014. Os pacientes foram admitidos em hospital-dia sob supervisão médica e submetidos à ingestão de um muffin contendo 2,8 gramas de proteína do leite de vaca. Foram definidos como tolerantes se não apresentassem nenhuma reação alérgica. Estes pacientes foram submetidos na sequência a novo TPO com leite de vaca in natura para excluir a tolerância ao leite de vaca. RESULTADOS: Foram realizados 38 TPO com LPAT, sendo que 30 pacientes (15 masculinos) preencheram todos os critérios de inclusão. A mediana da idade foi de 7 anos e 7 meses (4a10m -14a2m). 14 pacientes (46%) não apresentaram reação após a ingestão do muffin, sendo considerados como não reativos. A análise comparativa entre os grupos reativos e não reativos ao LPAT, não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante quanto às características clínicas: idade (p=0,8), sexo (p=0,4), história pessoal de rinite (p=0,7), história pessoal de asma (p=0,7), história pessoal de outras alergias (p=0,6), história familiar de rinite (p=0,7), história familiar de asma (p=0,3), história familiar de outras alergias (p=0,1), relato de anafilaxia prévia (p=0,07), relato de ingestão de traços de leite previamente ao TPO (p=0,4), relato de reação alérgica no último ano antes da provocação (p=0,6), relato de anafilaxia no último ano antes do TPO (p=0,6). Não se observou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos para IgE total (p=0,1) e eosinófilos (p=0,6). O teste de puntura para leite de vaca e frações mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante para ?-lactoalbumina (p= 0,01) e para a caseína (p = 0,004); em relação ao ImmunoCAP® apenas para a caseína (p= 0,05) essa diferença foi significante. Ao avaliar estes pacientes 1 ano após o TPO, nenhum dos 16 pacientes que foram reativos ao LPAT estava ingerindo leite de vaca, enquanto 28% dos pacientes que foram tolerantes ao LPAT estavam consumindo leite de vaca in natura sem reação (p=0,037). CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostrou que os pacientes com APLV desta amostra brasileira apresentaram 2 diferentes fenótipos, sendo que aproximadamente metade tolerou o LPAT. Sendo assim, o TPO para LPAT deve ser considerado para pacientes com APLV, sempre sob supervisão médica e estrutura segura e adequada, pois pode contribuir para uma mudança no paradigma do seguimento destes pacientes. Teste de puntura e ImmunoCAP® para caseína podem sugerir quais pacientes estariam tolerantes ao TPO com LPAT, reforçando dados da literatura internacional / INTRODUCTION: The incidence of patients with cow\'s milk allergy (CMA) after the age of 5 has been growing. Defining whether these patients can tolerate the ingestion of food produced with baked milk without allergy reaction could provide a better quality of life, a better prognosis and would make it possible to evaluate indication of desensitization with baked milk. OBJECTIVE: (1) To identify which patients with persistent CMA at the age of four could tolerate the baked milk, (2) to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the baked milk reactive group and the baked milk non-reactive group, and (3) to compare those two groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January/2013 and November/2014. A convenience sample was applied, including all the patients followed in the Food Allergy Center of the Instituto da Criança HCFMUSP, who met inclusion criteria and agreed to carry out the oral food challenge (OFC). The patients were admitted to a day-hospital under medical supervision. They were submitted to a muffin intake containing 2.8 grams of cow\'s milk protein, and then classified as tolerant if they did not present any allergic reaction. To exclude cow\'s milk tolerance these patients were submitted to a new OFC with cow\'s milk in natura. RESULTS: 38 OFC with baked milk were performed, 30 patients (15 male) met all of the inclusion criteria. The median of age was 7 years and 7 months (4y10m -14y2m). 14 patients (46.6%) were considered as non-reactive because they did not present any reaction after the muffin intake. The comparative analysis between baked milk reactive group and baked milk non-reactive group did not show statistically significant difference in the clinical characteristics: age (p=0.8), gender (p=0.4), personal history of rhinitis (p=0.7), personal history of asthma (p=0.7), personal history of others allergies (p=0.6), family history of rhinitis (p=0.7), family history of asthma (p=0.3) family history of others allergies (p=0.1), previous anaphylaxis report (p=0.07), report of milk traits intake prior to OFC (p=0.4), allergic reaction in the last year before the OFC (p=0.6), anaphylaxis in the last year before the OFC (p=0.6). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for total IgE (p=0.1) and eosinophils (p=0.6). The Prick test for cow\'s milk and fractions showed statistically significant difference for ?-lactalbumin (p = 0.01) and for casein (p =0.004); in relation to the ImmunoCAP® only for casein (p=0.05) this difference was significant. After 1 year of the OFC, none of the patients which have been reactive to the baked milk were ingesting cow\'s milk, while 28% of the baked milk tolerant patients were consuming cow\'s milk in natura without reaction (p=0.037). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that patients with CMA of this brazilian sample presented 2 different phenotypes. Approximately half of them tolerated baked milk at age four. In conclusion, OFC for baked milk should be considered for patients with CMA, always under medical supervision and appropriate structure, so it could contribute for a change in these patients follow-up. Prick test and ImmunoCAP® for casein can suggest which patients would tolerate the OFC with baked milk, strengthening data of international literature