Lupus band test: clinical applications

The presence of immunoglobulin deposits at the dermal-epidermal junction (DE J) in skin lesions of patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) was first noted by Burnham and co-workers¹ in 1963. Independently, Cormane² in 1964, noted the same findings but also reported that similar immunoglobulin deposition occurs in normal-appearing skin of patients with systemic LE (SLE). Tan and Kunkel,³ Ten Have-Opbroek,⁴ and Pohle and Tuffanelli⁵ soon confirmed these findings and suggested that the presence of immunoglobulin deposits in normal-appearing skin provided a means of differentiating chronic discoid LE (DLE) and SLE. Although not positive in all cases of SLE, the “lupus band” test or LE band test (immunoglobulin deposits in clinically normal skin) is one of several useful tests for confirming the diagnosis of SLE.     

Allergen carriage by atmospheric aerosol: II. Ragweed-pollen determinants in submicronic atmospheric fractions

Outdoor air was drawn by a vacuum system through a 0.8 μm molecular membrane filter and a back-up, refrigerated condenser from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily during the 1982 ragweed-pollen season. Sample sets from each day were collected and stored separately. Condensate was collected in a freezing jacket, thawed, refiltered through a 0.45 μm filter, and lyophilized. Reconstituted condensates evoked wheal-and-flare skin reactions in a ragweed-sensitive individual and produced significant inhibition in an IgG-ELISA system by use of ragweed-pollen protein or ragweed antigen E conjugated to polystyrene microtiter plates, pooled serum of patients on ragweed immunotherapy, and alkaline phosphatase-labeled anti-human IgG. Earlier, in 1983 in this Journal, we reported the presence of airborne ragweed-pollen antigen in aerosol fractions below 5 μm. The present data demonstrate similar activity in filtrates well below the micronic range. Furthermore, these antigenic properties are substantially associated with atmospheric water vapor-either naturally or as a readily-induced result of the collection procedure. These results suggest that naturally occurring mists, although free of native particulates, may yet carry allergens of clinical significance.     

Theoretical Model for Delivery of Congenital Heart Surgery in the United States

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