Acaroid mite,intestinal and urinary acariasis

AIM: To investigate epidemiology and pathogenic mite species of intestinal and urinary acariasis in individuals with different occupations.METHODS: A total of 1994 individuals were tested in this study. History collection, skin prick test and pathogen identification were conducted. The mites were isolated from stool and urine samples by saturated saline flotation methods and sieving following centrifugation, respectively.RESULTS: Among the 1994 individuals examined, responses to the skin prick test of "+++", "++", "+","±" and "-" were observed at frequencies of 3.96 % (79), 3.21% (64), 2.31%(46), 1.25 % (25) and 89.27 % (1780), respectively. A total number of 161 (8.07 %) individuals were shown to carry mites, with 92 (4.61%) positive only for stool samples, 37(1.86 %) positive only for urine samples and 32 (1.60 %)for both. The positive rate of mites in stool samples was 6.22 % (124/1994), being 6.84 % (78/1140) for males and 5.39 % (46/854) for females. No gender difference was observed in this study (χ2=1.77, P＞0.05). The mites from stool samples included Acarus siro, TynoPhagus putrescentiae,Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Glycyphagus domesticus, G.ornatus, Carpoglyphus lactis and Tarsonemus granaries. The positive rate of mites in urine samples was 3.46 % (69/1994). The positive rates for male and female subjects were found to be 3.95 % (45/1140) and 2.81%(24/854) respectively, with no gender difference observed (χ2=1.89, P＞0.05). Mites species in urine samples included Acar us siro, Tynophagus putrescentiae, T. longior, Aleunocglyphus ovatus, Caloglyphus berlesei, C mycophagus, Suidasia nesbitti, Lardoglyphus konoi, Glycyphagus domesticus,Carpoglyphus lactis, Lepidoglyphus destructor,Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Euroglyphus magnei, Caloglyphus hughesi, Tarsonemus granarus and T.hominis. The species of mites in stool and urine samples were consistent with those separated from working environment. A significant difference was found among the frequencies of mite infection in individuals with different occupations (χ2=82.55, P＜0.001), with its frequencies in those working in medicinal herb storehouses, those in rice storehouse or mills, miners, railway workers, pupils and teachers being 15.89 % (68/428), 12.96 % (53/409), 3.28 %(18/549), 2.54 % (6/236), 5.10 % (13/255) and 2.56 % (3/117), respectively.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of human intestinal and urinary acariasis was not associated with gender, and these diseases are more frequently found in individuals working in medicinal herb, rice storehouses or mills and other sites with high density of mites. More attention should be paid to the mite prevention and labor protection for these highrisk groups.     

Gluten immunogenic peptide excretion detects dietary transgressions in treated celiac disease patients

BACKGROUND Life-long removal of gluten from the diet is currently the only way to manage celiac disease(CeD). Until now, no objective test has proven useful to objectively detect ingested gluten in clinical practice. Recently, tests that determine consumption of gluten by assessing excretion of gluten immunogenic peptides(GIP) in stool and urine have been developed. Their utility, in comparison with conventional dietary and analytical follow-up strategies, has not been fully established.AIM To assess the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and point-of-care tests(PoCTs) for GIP excretion in CeD patients on gluten-free diet(GFD).METHODS We conducted an observational, prospective, cross-sectional study in patients following a GFD for at least two years. Using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire, patients were classified at enrollment as asymptomatic or symptomatic. Gluten consumption was assessed twice by 3-d dietary recall and GIP excretion(by ELISA in stool and PoCTs(commercial kits for stool and urine) in two consecutive samples. These samples and dietary reports were obtained 10 day apart one from the other. Patients were encouraged to follow their usual GFD during the study period.RESULTS Forty-four patients were enrolled, of which 19(43.2%) were symptomatic despite being on a GFD. Overall, 83 sets of stool and/or urine samples were collected.Eleven out of 44 patients(25.0%) had at least one positive GIP test. The occurrence of at least one positive test was 32% in asymptomatic patients compared with 15.8% in symptomatic patients. GIP was concordant with dietary reports in 65.9% of cases(Cohen′s kappa: 0.317). PoCT detected dietary indiscretions. Both ELISA and PoCT in stool were concordant(concomitantly positive or negative) in 67 out of 74(90.5%) samples. Excretion of GIP was detected in 7(8.4%) stool and/or urine samples from patients considered to be strictly compliant with the GFD by dietary reports.CONCLUSION GIP detects dietary transgressions in patients on long-term GFD, irrespective of the presence of symptoms. PoCT for GIP detection constitutes a simple homebased method for self-assessment of dietary indiscretions.     

Epidemiological survey of cryptosporidiosis in Anhui Province China

AIM: To provide scientific evidence for prevention and controlling of cryptosporidiosis, the infection of Cryptosporidium parvum and its epidemiological characteristics were studied in some areas of Anhui Province.METHODS: The oocyst of Cryptosporidium parvum in 5421fresh stool samples from eleven areas of Anhui Provincewas tested by auramine-phenol stain and improved anti-acidstain respectively. The specific antibody of IgG, IgM and Tsubsets of 41 patients with positive Cryptosporidium parvumin stools were detected by ELISA and biotin-streptavidin(BSA) respectively.RESULTS: The total infective rate of Cryptosporidiumparvum was 1.33 % (74/5421). Among them, the positiverates of oocyst in the areas of Huaibei (1. 82 % ) and Fuyang( 1. 80 % ) were higher. The positive rates of oocyst in stoolsof infants, pupils, middle school students, collegestudents, adults, patients with diarrhea, and those withimmunodeficiency were 3.15 % (28/889), 0.82 % (9/1098), 0.82 %(9/1092), 0.83 %(8/969), 0.85 % (9/1095), 2.88 %(8/27g) and 8.33 %(3/36) % respectively. The positive rates ofoocyst in infants and the patients with diarrhea andimmunodeficiency were significantly higher than those incontrols ( P ＜ 0.01 ). The positive rate of oocyst in maleswas similar to that in females ( P＞ 0.05). The positive rateof oocyst in urban areas ( 1. 13 %) was significantly lowerthan those in rural areas ( 1. 72 %, P ＜ 0.01 ). The positiverates of specific IgG, IgM and IgG + IgM in sera of thepatients with positive oocyst in stool were 63.4 % ( 26/41 ),17.1% (7/41), 19.5 % (8/41) respectively. The numberfractions of T subsets of CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + of the patients were 0.66 ± 0.07, 0.44 ± 0.06, 0.28 ± 0.04 and 1. 58 ± 0.32 respectively. The difference between thepatients and the controls was significant ( P ＜ 0. 05). Themain manifestations of the patients were subclinicalinfection, in forms of slight abdominal pain, mild diarrhea,and loose stool.CONCLUSION: There are two infection peaks in infection ofCryptosporidium parvum and its infection can he foundmore often in infants, patients with diarrhea orimmunodeficiency, and in rural areas. Subclinical infectionis the main manifestation and might he easily misdiagnosed.When the therapeutic effectiveness is low for diarrhea, theinfection of Cryptosporidium parvum should he considered,conceming their age and immune function.     

Epidemiological survey of Blastocystis hominis in Huainan City,Anhui Province,China

AIM：To provide scientific evidence for prevention and controlling of blastocystosis,the infection of Blastocystis homon is and to study its dinical significance in Huainan City,Anhui Province,China.METHODS:Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools taken from 100infants,100pupils,100middle school students and 403patie nts with diarrhea was smeared and detected with method of iodine staining and hematoxylin staining,After preliminary direct micosopy,the shape and size of Blastocystis homonis were observed with high power lens.The cellular immune function of the patients with blastocystosis was detected with biotin-streptavidin(BSA).RESULTS:The positive rates of Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools taken from the infants,pupils,middle school students and the patients with diarrhea,were1.0%(1/100),1.0%(1/100),0%(0/100)and5.96%(24/403)respectively,Furthermore,the positive rates of blastocystis homonis in the stool samples taken from the patients with mild diarrhea,intermediate diarrhea,severe diarrhea and obstinate diarhea were6.03%(14/232).2.25%(2/89),0%(0/17)and12.31%(8/65)respectively.The positive rates of Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools of male and female patients with diarrhea were 7.52%(17/226)and3.95%(7/177)respectively,and those of patients in urban and rural areas were4.56%(11/241)and8.02%(13/162)respectively,Theere was no significant difference between them(P>0.05).The positive rates of CD3^+,CD4^+,CD8^+in serum of Blastocystis homonis-positive and-negative individuals were0.64±0.06,0.44±0.06,0.28±0.04and0.60±0.05,0.40±0.05and0.30±0.05respectively,and the ratio ofCD4^+/CD8^+of the two groups were1.53±0.34and1.27±0.22,There was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of Blastocystis homins as an enteric pathogen in human seems not to be associated with gender and living environment,and that blastocystis hominis is more common in stool samples of the patients with diarrhea ,especially with chronic diarrhea or obstinate diarrhea.When patients with diarrhea infected by Blastocystis hominis,their cellular immune function decreases,which make it more difficult to be cured.     

Protozoan parasites in irritable bowel syndrome:A case-control study

AIM To investigate the putative role of protozoan parasites in the development of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS The study included 109 IBS consecutive adult patients fulfilling the Rome Ⅲ criteria and 100 healthy control subjects. All study subjects filled a structured questionnaire, which covered demographic information and clinical data. Fresh stool samples were collected from patients and control subjects and processed within less than 2 h of collection. Iodine wet mounts and Trichrome stained smears prepared from fresh stool and sediment concentrate were microscopically examined for parasites. Blastocystis DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction, and Cryptosporidium antigens were detected by ELISA.RESULTS A total of 109 IBS patients(31 males, 78 females) with a mean age ± SD of 27.25 ± 11.58 years(range: 16-60 years) were enrolled in the study. The main IBS subtype based on the symptoms of these patients was constipation-predominant(88.7% of patients). A hundred healthy subjects(30 males, 70 females) with a mean ± SD age of 25.0 ± 9.13 years(range 18-66 years) were recruited as controls. In the IBS patients, Blastocystis DNA was detected in 25.7%, Cryptosporidium oocysts were observed in 9.2%, and Giardia cysts were observed in 11%. In the control subjects, Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in 9%, 0%, and 1%, respectively. The difference in the presence of Blastocystis(P = 0.0034), Cryptosporidium(P = 0.0003), and Giardia(P = 0.0029) between IBS patients and controls was statistically significant by all methods used in this study.CONCLUSION Prevalence of Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium and Giardia is higher in IBS patients than in controls. These parasites are likely to have a role in the pathogenesis of IBS.     

Role of needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy in the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoma

AIM:To study the role of needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy in the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoma.METHODS:In this study the authors retrospectively analyzed clinical records of patients with periampullary tumors diagnosed by ampullary biopsy taken after needle knife papillotomy in whom surface ampullary biopsies were non contributory.RESULTS:Between January 2008 and December 2010,38 patients with periampullary tumors were seen by us and initial side viewing endoscopy with surface biopsy from the papilla was positive for malignancy in 25 patients.Thirteen patients with a negative surface biopsy for malignancy underwent a repeat ampullary biopsy following needle knife papillotomy.There were 8(61.5%)males and 5(38.5%)females.The most common presenting symptom was jaundice(100%),followed by fever(46.2%),melena(38.5%),abdominal pain(30.8%)and weight loss(30.8%).All the patients had hyperbilirubinemia with a mean ± SD serum bilirubin of(11.2 ± 1.9)mg/dL(normal value <1 mg%)and the mean ± SD serum alkaline phosphatase was(288.0 ± 94.3)IU/L(normal value < 129 IU/L).Serum CA 19.9 level estimation was done in 11 patients;it was elevated(cut off value > 70.5 IU/L)in all of them with a median of 1200 IU/L(inter quartile range 274-3500).Side viewing endoscopy showed a bulky papilla in all of them.Adequate tissue was obtained in all of the 13 patients for histological evaluation;12 of the 13 patients were reported to have adenocarcinoma while one patient had adenoma.There were no complications from the needle knife papillotomy in any of the patients.CONCLUSION:Needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy appears to be a safe and effective diagnostic modality for periampullary carcinoma.     

Pulmonary involvement in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To determine the relationship of pulmonary abnormalities and bowel disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).METHODS:Thirty ulcerative colitis(UC)and nine Crohn’s disease patients,and 20 control subjects were enrolled in this prospective study.Detailed clinical information was obtained.Extent and activity of the bowel disease were established endoscopically.Each patient underwent pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT).Blood samples for measurement of C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),angiotensin converting enzyme and total IgE were delivered by the patients.RESULTS:Ten(25.6%)patients had respiratory symptoms.A pulmonary function abnormality was present in 22 of 39 patients.Among all patients,the most prevalent abnormalities in lung functions were a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s(FEV1),FEV1/forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory flow(FEF)25%-75%,transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide(DLCO),DLCO/alveolar volume.Increased respiratory symptoms score was associated with high endoscopic activity index in UC patients.Endoscopic and clinical activities in UC patients were correlated with FEV1,FEV1/FVC,and FEF 25%-75%.Smoking status,duration of disease and medication were not correlated with pulmonary physiological test results,HRCT abnormalities,clinical/endoscopic disease activity,CRP,ESR or total IgE level or body mass index.CONCLUSION:It is important that respiratory manifestations are recognized and treated early in IBD.Otherwise,they can lead to destructive and irreversible changes in the airway wall.     

Colorectal mucosal histamine release by mucosa oxygenation in comparison with other established clinical tests in patients with gastrointestinally mediated allergy

AIM: This study evaluated colorectal mucosal histamine release in response to blinded food challenge-positive and -negative food antigens as a new diagnostic procedure. METHODS: 19 patients suffering from gastrointestinally mediated allergy confirmed by blinded oral provocation were investigated on grounds of their case history, skin prick tests, serum IgE detection and colorectal mucosal histamine release by ex vivo mucosa oxygenation. Intact tissue particles were incubated/stimulated in an oxygenated culture with different food antigens for 30 min. Specimens challenged with anti-human immunoglobulin E and without any stimulus served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Mucosal histamine release (% of total biopsy histamine content) was considered successful (positive), when the rate of histamine release from biopsies in response to antigens reached more than twice that of the spontaneous release. Histamine measurement was performed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The median (range) of spontaneous histamine release from colorectal mucosa was found to be 3.2 (0.1%-25.8%) of the total biopsy histamine content. Food antigens tolerated by oral provocation did not elicit mast cell degranulation 3.4 (0.4%-20.7%, P = 0.4), while anti-IgE and causative food allergens induced a significant histamine release of 5.4 (1.1%-25.6%, P = 0.04) and 8.1 (1.5%-57.9%, P = 0.008), respectively. 12 of 19 patients (63.1%) showed positive colorectal mucosal histamine release in accordance with the blinded oral challenge responding to the same antigen (s), while the specificity of the functional histamine release to accurately recognise tolerated foodstuffs was found to be 78.6%. In comparison with the outcome of blinded food challenge tests, sensitivity and specificity of history (30.8% and 57.1%), skin tests (47.4% and 78.6%) or antigen-specific serum IgE determinations (57.9% and 50%) were found to be of lower diagnostic accuracy in gastrointestinally mediated allergy. CONCLUSION: Functional testing of the reactivity of colorectal mucosa upon antigenic stimulation in patients with gastrointestinally mediated allergy is of higher diagnostic efficacy.     

BRAF, K-ras and BAT26 mutations in colorectal polyps and stool

AIM: To assess the feasibility of using BRAF, K-ras and BAT26 genes as stool-based molecular markers for detection of colorectal adenomas and hyperplastic polyps (HPs). METHODS: We applied PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing to detect BRAF mutations of polyps and paired stool samples. Primer-mediated restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and mutant-enriched PCR were used in detection of K-ras mutations of polyp tissues and paired stool samples respectively. BAT26, a microsatellite instability marker was examined by detection of small unstable alleles in a poly (A) repeat. RESULTS: No genetic alterations were detected in the 36 colonoscopically normal patients in either tissues or stools. BRAF, K-ras and BAT26 mutations were found in 4 (16%), 10 (40%) and 3 (12%) of 25 adenoma tissues and among them, 75%, 80% and 100% of patients were observed to contain the same mutations in their corresponding stool samples. In HPs, mutations of BRAF and K-ras were detected in the tumor DNA of 2 (11.1%) and 8 (33.3%) of 18 patients respectively, all of whom had identical alterations in their stools. Taken together, the three genetic markers detected 15 (60%) of 25 adenomas and 8 (44.4%) of 18 HPs. The sensitivity of stool detection was 80% for adenomas and 100% for HPs with an overall specificity of 92% for adenomas and 100% for HPs. CONCLUSION: BRAF, K-ras and BAT26 genes have the potential to be molecular markers for colorectal adenomas and HPs, and can be used as non-invasive screening markers for colorectal polyps.     

Factors associated with early virological response to peginterferon-α-2a/ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To evaluate the impact of sociodemographic/clinical factors on early virological response (EVR) to pegin-terferon/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in clinical practice. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study in Hepatology Units of 91 Spanish hospitals. CHC patients treated with peginterferon α-2a plus ribavirin were included. EVR was defined as undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV)-ribonucleic acid (RNA) or ≥ 2 log HCV-RNA decrease after 12 wk of treatment. A bivariate analysis of sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with EVR was carried out. Independent factors associated with an EVR were analyzed using a multiple regression analysis that included the following baseline demographic and clinical variables: age (≤ 40 years vs > 40 years), gender, race, educational level, marital status and family status, weight, alcohol and tobacco consumption, source of HCV infection, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (≤ 85 IU/mL vs > 85 IU/mL), serum ferritin, serum HCV-RNA concentration (< 400 000 vs ≥ 400 000), genotype (1/4 vs 3/4), cirrhotic status and ribavirin dose (800/1000/1200 mg/d).RESULTS: A total of 1014 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 44.3 ± 9.8 years, 70% were male, and 97% were Caucasian. The main sources of HCV infection were intravenous drug abuse (25%) and blood transfusion (23%). Seventyeight percent were infected with HCV genotype 1/4 (68% had genotype 1) and 22% with genotypes 2/3. The HCV-RNA level was > 400 000 IU/mL in 74% of patients. The mean ALT and AST levels were 88.4 ± 69.7 IU/mL and 73.9 ± 64.4 IU/mL, respectively, and mean GGT level was 82 ± 91.6 IU/mL. The mean ferritin level was 266 ± 284.8 μg/L. Only 6.2% of patients presented with cirrhosis. All patients received 180 mg of peginterferon α-2a. The most frequently used ribavirin doses were 1000 mg/d (41%) and 1200 mg/d (41%). The planned treatm     

储藏食物孳生粉螨群落结构及多样性分析

目的探讨储藏食物孳生粉螨群落结构及其多样性。方法用光照集螨法和水膜镜检法对采集样本进行粉螨分离,并对采集的粉螨进行分类鉴定、计数和数据分析。结果695份样本发现粉螨,阳性率为48.3%(695/1440),其中储藏干货的阳性率为55.4%(306/552),食用调料的阳性率为43.9%(158/360),海产食品的阳性率为35.8%(129/360),甜品的阳性率为60.7%(102/168)。共检获粉螨23种,隶属于7科18属。不同月份储藏食物孳生粉螨群落参数不同,以6～8月粉螨群落参数数值较高。同时还发现不同种类储藏食物孳生粉螨群落参数也不同,储藏干货孳生粉螨的物种丰富度指数(Margalef指数=2.148)和多样性指数(H’=2.995)最高;食用调料孳生粉螨的均匀度指数(J=0.978)最高。结论储藏食物粉螨污染严重。同时温湿度及粉螨食性对储藏食物粉螨群落的组成和多样性起直接限制作用,应加强储藏食物管理,保护储藏食物品质,预防人体螨病。     

Does skin prick test correlate with basophil-associated mite-specific IgE in atopic children?

Skin prick test (SPT), as the standard diagnostic tool for immediate hypersensitivity to aeroallergens, is an expression of IgE-dependent mediator release from dermal mast cells. Though probably involved in the late-phase response, peripheral blood basophils (PBB) don't seem to participate in the immediate hypersensitivity response in the skin. We aimed to assess a possible correlation between the SPT to mites and levels of basophil-associated mite-specific IgE. We sequentially enrolled 15 children with allergic rhinitis and documented class > II mite sensitization, mean age 13 years (range 9.5-18), 11 males, 4 females. Symptoms score was determined using a validated questioner. SPT area under the curve (AUC) for 10 common respiratory allergens was measured in all patients. Heparinized blood after basophil enrichment, was lysed with CHAPS. Determination of allergen-specific and total IgE in serum and cell lysate supernatant was performed using standard commercial kits. Basophil-associated, mite-specific IgE could be reliably determined only in 10 patients with a skin reaction greater than 70 mm2, OR 36 (95% CI 1.8-732, p = 0.02). We found a strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.74, p = 0.001) between mite-specific basophil-associated IgE density (IgE molecules per cell) and the SPT AUC. This finding suggests that skin mast cell precursors and basophil both bind specific IgE at a common site prior to the arrival of mast cells to the skin.     

某地高校食堂调味品粉螨孳生情况调查

目的 了解某地区高校食堂调味品中粉螨的孳生情况。方法 采集餐厅现用调味品13种和储藏调味品29种。先用水膜镜检法和电热集螨法分离样品中的粉螨,然后显微镜下制片、鉴定和计数。结果 仓储调味品中有18种检出粉螨,检出率为62.07%,隶属于5科10属13种。食堂现用的调味品中有9种检出粉螨,检出率为72.73%,隶属4科9属11种。结论 该地区高校食堂常用调味品中粉螨孳生严重,食堂餐厅现用或已打开包装的调味品容易孳生粉螨。     

Bronchial hyperreactivity and allergic status in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Despite the known systemic manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a large number of reports associating lung disease and IBD, the frequency of atopy and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in IBD remains obscure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal pulmonary function tests, BHR and the atopic status in patients with IBD. METHODS: Thirty patients with IBD (19 with ulcerative colitis and 11 with Crohn's disease; 19 male, 11 female) and 16 controls without any gastrointestinal disease (9 female, 7 male) were included. Patients were questioned with respect to pulmonary and allergic symptoms; subsequently, lung function tests, BHR, skin prick test positivity, peripheral eosinophilia and serum IgE levels were evaluated and compared with those of control subjects. RESULTS: The mean duration of IBD was 5.3 +/- 4.8 years. IBD patients had significantly more often respiratory symptoms in comparison with controls (odds ratio, OR: 9.0, p < 0.04). A previous diagnosis of asthma and antiasthmatic drug treatment were noted in 3/30 (10%) IBD patients. Allergic symptoms were more prevalent in IBD patients in comparison with the controls (OR: 13, p < 0.007), particularly in patients with ulcerative colitis (OR: 16, p < 0.004). The mean FEV(1 )was 3.1 +/- 0.9 liters (96 +/- 18% predicted), mean methacholine PD(20): 14.7 +/- 3.6 mg/ml, mean IgE: 190.5 +/- 305.6 IU/ml (normal value <94 IU/ml) and the percentage of peripheral eosinophils was 3.1 +/- 3.3% in the IBD patients. These values did not result in statistically significant differences in comparison with controls. Furthermore, abnormal lung function and BHR were observed in 8/30 (27%) and 5/30 (17%) IBD patients, respectively. Abnormal lung function tests were more prevalent in the IBD patients than in the controls (OR: 12, p < 0.04). Skin prick tests were positive in 15/30 (50%) IBD patients. The risk of a positive skin prick test increased in the IBD patients in comparison with the controls (OR: 7.0, p < 0.02). Duration and activity of IBD did not influence the prevalence of BHR, allergic and respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function, high serum IgE levels and skin test positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic symptoms, respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function tests and skin prick test positivity were more common among the IBD patients in comparison with the controls.     

合肥市某口岸职工食堂储粮间粉螨孳生情况调查

目的 了解合肥市某口岸职工食堂储粮间粉螨孳生情况。 方法 采集合肥市某口岸 2 个职工食堂储粮间的地脚粉和地脚米样本,每个储粮间采集 10 份样本,其中地脚米 5 份,地脚粉 5 份。 用直接镜检法分离样本中的粉螨,制作成玻片标本,显微镜下观察其形态特征并进行螨种鉴定及计数。 结果 20 份样本中均检出粉螨,检出率为100%;共检出 5 种粉螨,即腐食酪螨(Tyrophagus putrescentiae)、纳氏皱皮螨(Suidasia nesbitti)、害嗜鳞螨(Lepidoglyphus destructor)、粉尘螨(Dermatophagoides farinae)和屋尘螨(D. pteronyssinus);共分离出粉螨 986 只,平均孳生密度为 4. 93 只 / g,地脚粉样本中粉螨的平均孳生密度高于地脚米样本,腐食酪螨的平均孳生密度最高,为 2. 18 只 / g。结论 合肥市某口岸职工食堂储粮间均有粉螨孳生,应加强对粉螨的防制,预防人体螨病。     

A preliminary study on determining total serum IgE and specific anti-mite IgE antibody in cigarette manufacturing workers

Total serum IgE and specific anti-mite IgE antibody (IgEAM) were determined in cigarette manufacturing workers with (but not asthma) or without respiratory symptoms (30 cases in each) 16 patients with bronchial asthma, 8 with asthmatic bronchitis and 6 with other respiratory diseases. The total serum IgE level was significantly higher in symptomatic workers (825.8 +/- 22.3 IU/ml) than that of asymptomatic (162.1 +/- 28.0 IU/ml) (P less than 0.001) and patients with other respiratory diseases (P less than 0.05), but was lower than that of patients with bronchial asthma (3310.3 +/- 26.3 IU/ml) and asthmatic bronchitis (2278.4 +/- 25.5 IU/ml) (P less than 0.001). IgEAM was undetectable in all cases except one with asymptomatic worker and one with asthma. The respiratory symptoms in these workers seemed to be related to type I allergic reaction, possibly due to the chemical components in the cigarettes.     

淮南市不同环境中粉螨群落组成和多样性现场调查

目的 调查不同环境中粉螨群落的物种组成和多样性。 方法 选取仓储环境（储藏物和/或地尘）、人居环境（卧室或学生宿舍中的床尘及地尘)和工作环境（纺织厂或制药厂工作车间中的地尘）等3类不同环境各30个采样点，每个采样点各采集样本2份，每份10g，过筛后留取尘渣，进行粉螨的采集、分类、鉴定及计数以及数据分析。 结果 3类不同环境共检获粉螨26种，隶属于7科19属。多样性分析结果表明：3类环境的粉螨平均孳生密度为15.35±6.13～31.27±8.34，物种数为11～26，物种丰富度指数（Rmargalef）为1.99～4.35，多样性指数（Shannon-Wiener指数）为2.27～3.13，均匀度指数（Pielou指数）为0.95～0.96。 结论 3类不同环境中粉螨的孳生密度及多样性差异较大。     

Natural immunity to dust mites in adults with chronic asthma. I. Mite-specific serum IgG and IgE

Natural immunity to dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) antigen was assessed in a population of 63 adults with a clinical diagnosis of chronic asthma. Immunity was determined by measuring immediate hypersensitivity to an intracutaneous injection of dust mite antigen, mite-specific serum IgG concentrations using a double antibody ELISA, and mite-specific serum IgE concentrations by RAST. Using these tests, 68% of the asthmatic patients exhibited a positive skin test; 38% had elevated concentrations of mite-specific IgE, and 63% had elevated concentrations of mite-specific IgG. In contrast, when analyzed individually, these tests were positive in only 10 to 11% of normal subjects or patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Only 10% of asthmatics had elevated serum concentrations of mite-specific antibodies of the IgG4 subclass. The asthmatic patients could be subdivided into 4 groups based on their immunologic reactivity to dust mites; 24% of the patients had elevated concentrations of mite-specific IgG in the absence of allergic reactivity to mites (skin test). A second subgroup (27%) exhibited allergic reactivity in the absence of elevated concentrations of mite-specific serum IgG. A third subgroup (41%) consisted of patients who exhibited both allergic reactivity and elevated IgG concentrations. The smallest subgroup (8%) consisted of patients with no measurable immunity to mites. In total, 94% of the asthmatic group exhibited a positive immune response to at least one of the dust-mite-specific tests, whereas only 26% of the normal subjects could be considered to be immune using the criteria of a positive reaction in at least 1 of the 3 tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tuberculous IgE antibodies. Part II. Study of its concentrations in different forms of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis-afflicted lung are infiltrated by two functionally types of lymphocytes, which presumably counteract with each other by producing proinflammatory (type 1) and anti-inflammatory (type 2) cytokines. It is held that irregular sequestration of antigen into different compartments of the lung may lead to preferential activation of T-helper 1 or T-helper 2 lymphocytes. Unlike IgE antibodies, specific tuberculosis IgE antibodies are seen only in tuberculosis infection. The mean values of IgE antibodies in tuberculosis (7.661 +/- 0.849 IU/ml) are significantly greater than those in other pulmonary diseases (1.768 +/- 0.116 IU/ml). Low concentrations of tuberculosis IgE antibodies in persons with a marked hyperergic response to tuberculin (1.808 +/- 0.097 IU/ml) are of importance. Significant concentrations of mycobacterial IgE antibodies are mainly detected in fibrocavernous (14.56 +/- 1.11 IU/ml), infiltrative (10.10 +/- 1.08 IU/ml), peripheral lymph nodal (10.53 +/- 1.09 IU/ml) tuberculosis rather than intrathoracic lymph nodal tuberculosis (4.555 +/- 0.340 IU/ml). There is a particularly considerable increase in specific IgE antibodies in a phase of decay (15.98 +/- 1.64 IU/ml) and infiltration (12.66 +/- 1.08 IU/ml). These groups also show a concurrent rise in tuberculosis IgG antibodies, which nevertheless disagree with the increase of IgE (the correlation coefficient is 0.599).