Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Mar 2002

In this study we produced and purified a high titer of specific and high affin ity Fab fragments of anti-digoxin antibody. Immunization of rabbits with a conju gate of the cardiac glycoside digoxin, coupled by a periodate oxidation method to the amino group of lysine in bovine serum albumin resulted in the production of this type of high titer digoxin-specific antibodies with exceptionally high affinity (109 L/mol) and specificity in immune response. Increase in titer was found in steps of purification ending up with the highest titer for Fab fragment to be at 1.75 ug of purified Fab (for 50% binding of I25I-digoxin). High specificity for antigenic determinants of the steroid nucleus of digoxin was observed such that much less cross-reaction with digoxin (2.3%) and no cross-reaction with ouabaine, estradiol, Cortisol, progesterone and testosterone were detected.

Helicobacter pylori, the most important cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer, has recently been associated with several extradigestive diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and effects of bacterium eradication in 50 patients affected by idiopathic chronic urticaria. Helicobacter pylori was assessed by serology or biopsy and urease test or 13C urea breath test. Amoxicillin, bismuth subcitrate (Denol), metronidazole and cimetidine were given to infected patients for 2 weeks. The results of therapy were assessed by urea breath test six weeks after therapy. In response to treatment urticaria clinically regressed in 16 out of 24 patients (66.6%). Thus bacterium eradication was associated with a remission of urticaria symptoms, suggesting a possible role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Maternal leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is required for successful implanta tion in mice, but little is known about its role and expression in human reproduc tion. Here we report on the pattern of LIF mRNA expression in 30 samples of previously fertile and 11 infertile human endometrium, 10 samples of previously fertile post-menopausal endometrium and 10 uterine (Fallopian) tubes from pre viously fertile women using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All samples were removed with informed patient consent and Ethical Sheffield university Committee approval. Pieces of each sample were processed for electron microscopy to confirm tissue normality and stage of cycle. LIF mRNA was expressed throughout most of the secretory phase (from about day 18 of the cycle) and menstruation phase (days 1-4 of cycles) in fertile women. However it was not expressed during the proliferative phase. In addition LIF mRNA was absent from the uterine tube at all stages of the cycle and from the postmeno pausal and infertile tissue. These results suggest that LIF is expressed in a men strual cycle-dependent manner in fertile human endometrium and its expression is likely to be under hormonal control and is not dependent on pregnancy. In addition, our results showed lack of LIF production in infertile women, which may suggest a role for LIF in fertility.

The prevalence of allergic diseases is high in the general population, and the high prevalence of these diseases not only leads to considerable mortality and morbidity, but also has economic importance. In this study 400 patients were evaluated in Tehran and Karaj cities during 1995-1998. Skin prick test with stan dard extracts was done in patients in comparison with controls. Selection of ex tracts was according to clinical data and regional herbal geography. 48.3% of patients were females and 51.7% were males. Mean age of patients was 19 years old. The most common problem was allergic rhinitis. The results of skin prick test were: weeds (51.5%), grasses (34%), trees (28%) and flowers (1.1%).

Mumps is an acute contagious viral disease that usually manifests as inflam mation of the parotid glands. The disease may be associated with symptoms such as parotitis, orchitis and meningoencephalitis. 85% of cases occur in children under 15 years of age. The disease is rare below two years but increases with age, reaching a maximum at 5 to 9 years. Some studies in Iran showed that the highest susceptibility to the disease was in age groups of over 70, 0 to 9, and 10 to 19 years old. Therefore the elderly, children and teenagers are susceptible to the dis ease. In this study the susceptibility of 74 children between 5 to 10 years old to mumps was evaluated. The results showed that 5 and 6 year old children were the most susceptible group (p<0.05), and 10 year old children had the lowest suscep tibility. However, this study showed that there was antibody in %70 of the cases. Thus similar studies with larger samples may help us to achieve a suitable strat egy for prevention and eradication of this disease in our country.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by telangiectasia, progressive ataxia, sinopulmonary infection, hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation, and a combined immunodeficiency, usually consisting of selective IgA and IgG, deficiencies, cutaneous anergy, and often depressed but not absent in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness. Reviewing the medical records of 50 patients with AT during 1975 through 1998 admitted to our center, we have noted the following the mean age of the patients was 8.3 (range 3 to 14) years, parents of 33 patients were consanguinous, and the sex ratio was 6:5, occuring more in boys than in girls. All 50 patients showed cerebellar ataxia and telangiectasia, 67% were mentally retarded, and 75% have had sinobronchitis and pulmonary infections. 36 patients were tested for ccj-fetoprotein, all of whom showed a positive test. Liver enzymes and plasma glucose levels were not signifi cantly abnormal. 24 patients had IgA deficiency, and 8 patients had IgG2 defi ciency and 15 patients showed low IgE levels. All patients were tested for T-cells which were abnormal in 17 patients and 20 patients were tested for B-cells, which were abnormal in 18 patients. One patient had growth hormone deficiency. 17 patients had malignancies.

Although research on adult subjects has demonstrated a positive correlation between humor and increased concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A, the literature has not addressed whether humor might have a similar effect on children. Fifth grade student volunteers (n= 190) at elementary schools in Hamadan were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. The study compared secretory immunoglobulin A levels collected before and after the treatment group subjects (n=105) participated in a humorous program and the control group sub jects (n-85) participated in an educational non-humorous presentation. Concen trations of immunoglobulin A were increased in those who observed a humorous presentation.