Studies on experimental iodine allergy: 1. Antigen recognition of guinea pig anti-iodine antibody.
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It has generally been thought that iodine allergy is cross-sensitive to various iodine-containing chemicals. However, this concept seems to deviate from the immunological principle that immune recognition is specific. To solve this contradiction, we hypothesize that iodine allergy is an immunological reaction to iodinated autologous proteins produced in vivo by iodination reaction from various iodine-containing chemicals. Antisera to iodine were obtained from guinea pigs immunized subcutaneously with iodine-potassium iodide solution emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The specificity of guinea pig anti-iodine antiserum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition experiments using microplates coated with iodinated guinea pig serum albumin (I-GSA). Antibody activities were inhibited by I-GSA, diiodo-L-tyrosine, and thyroxine, but not by potassium iodide, monoiodo-L-tyrosine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, monoiodo-L-histidine, or diiodo-L-histidine, or by ionic or non-ionic iodinated contrast media. The results that antigen recognition of anti-iodine antibody is specific to iodinated protein support our hypothesis. While protein iodination usually takes place both at histidine residues as well as at tyrosine residues, only iodinated tyrosine acted as an antigenic determinant and no antibody activities to iodinated histidine were detected in our experimental iodine allergy model. (+info)
Studies on experimental iodine allergy: 2. Iodinated protein antigens and their generation from inorganic and organic iodine-containing chemicals.
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We hypothesize that iodine allergy is an immune response to iodinated autologous proteins generated in vivo from iodine-containing organic and inorganic chemicals. In this report, effects of protein iodination on elicitogenic activity in guinea pig iodine allergy model and iodinated protein antigen generation in vitro from iodine-containing chemicals were investigated. Active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) tests were performed in guinea pigs immunized with iodine. The amount of iodine (I2) reacted to proteins for giving them an eliciting activity of ACA was > or = 0.15 micromol for 1 mg of albumin. DTH reactions were provoked by intradermal injection of 10(6) PECs reacted with > or = 0.075 micromol of I2. I2 was generated from a potassium iodide (KI) solution or iodinated contrast media by UV light irradiation. X-ray irradiation of KI and iodinated contrast media in the presence of protein resulted in the generation of iodinated protein antigens. The generation of iodinated protein antigens was inhibited in the presence of reducing agents. Therefore, it is noteworthy that iodine allergy of the present hypothesis is dependent on reactive oxygens. By presenting these ex vivo and in vitro data, we discuss the possibilities for the generation of iodinated protein antigens in vivo. (+info)
Studies on experimental iodine allergy: 3. Low molecular weight elicitogenic antigens of iodine allergy.
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We hypothesize that iodine allergy is an immune response to iodinated self proteins produced in vivo from various iodine-containing chemicals. Since an antigenic determinant of experimental iodine allergy is diiodotyrosine (DIT), we designed low molecular weight DIT derivatives having provocative antigenicity without sensitizing immunogenicity. Tetraiododityrosine and hexaiodotrityrosine provoked dose-dependent skin reactions in guinea pigs previously immunized with iodine. No guinea pigs immunized with hexaiodotrityrosine showed anaphylactic reaction by i.v. challenge with hexaiodotrityrosine and none of their antisera showed positive passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in guinea pigs, indicating the non-immunogenic nature of the compound. Erythrosine, one of the color additives having a structure common with DIT, was assessed for its immunological property. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition studies on erythrosine revealed that the inhibitory activity of erythrosine was stronger than that of DIT. Furthermore, erythrosine provoked a PCA reaction in animals sensitized with anti-iodine antisera. In conclusion, hexaiodotrityrosine is thought to be useful for skin testing of iodine allergy without any fear of sensitization to the allergen. Erythrosine was shown to provoke an experimental iodine allergy and, also, the relationships between the new concept of iodine allergy and features of clinical findings of adverse effects by iodocontrast media are discussed. (+info)
Outbreaks of pythiosis in two flocks of sheep in northeastern Brazil.
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Two outbreaks of cutaneous pythiosis caused by Pythium insidiosum were diagnosed in two herds of crossbred hair wool sheep of different ages in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In one herd of 120 sheep, 40 were affected. The other outbreak affected six sheep out of 80. Local swellings with ulcerative lesions were observed in the limbs and abdominal and prescapular regions. Three sheep were necropsied. Two of them had lung metastasis characterized by multifocal nodules measuring 0.5-2 cm. In one animal, the prescapular lymph node was also affected. In another, the cutaneous lesion extended to the sesamoid bone. Microscopically, there were multifocal granulomas with intralesional P. insidiosum hyphae and Splendore-Hoeppli material surrounding the hyphae. The diagnosis was based on the histologic lesions, immunohistochemical identification, and culture of the etiologic agent. One sheep treated with potassium iodide recovered. Standing in swampy water for long periods in a warm aquatic environment seems to be the reason for the high prevalence of the disease. (+info)
Thyroid blockade during a radiation emergency in iodine-rich areas: effect of a stable-iodine dosage.
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We examined the effect of stable iodine on thyroid gland blockade in patients with hyperthyroidism in order to make a preliminary evaluation of the appropriate dose of iodine prophylaxis in the event of a radiation emergency in Japan in which radioiodine is released to the environment. Eight patients were orally given single doses of 50 mg or 100 mg of potassium iodide, which contained 38 mg and 76 mg of iodide, respectively. Both doses significantly suppressed a thyroid uptake of (123)I for 24 h (p = 0.03). The protective effects at 24 h were 73.3% and 79.5%, respectively. No side effects were observed during the trial. The present study demonstrates that a single oral administration of 38 mg of iodide produces a thyroid-blocking effect equivalent to that of 76 mg of iodide, suggesting that a reevaluation of the stable iodine dosage during radiation emergencies in iodine-rich areas such as Japan is warranted. (+info)
Sporothrix schenckii fungemia without disseminated sporotrichosis.
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Fungemia is a rare complication of Sporothrix schenckii infection and has always been associated with disseminated sporotrichosis. We describe an immunocompetent patient with localized lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis from whose blood the fungus was isolated. A lysis-centrifugation blood culture system may have improved our ability to detect low-level S. schenckii fungemia. (+info)
Radioiodine and thyroid carcinoma: KI prophylaxis in children.
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The Chernobyl disaster was followed by a large increase in the incidence of thyroid carcinoma in children. It has been proved that KI prophylaxis may prevent such a heavy consequence. Italy has no more nuclear power plants in activity but is surrounded by the several ones of the neighbouring countries; moreover, relevant amounts of nuclear material are still present in the territory. Therefore a nuclear risk is present in Italy as well as in other close countries and a KI prophylaxis should be organized for our children, at least for those living within 200 miles from a possible source of radioiodine pollution. Guidelines concerning KI prophylaxis exist and are internationally shared in their general outlines. Guidelines we recommend for italian children are summarized in part II ("theory"). However, to be timely and effective, KI prophylaxis must be organized long before the nuclear alarm, and the coordination of its several steps needs to be checked through a mock trial. We suggest a model of organization and describe the practical aspects of carrying out a KI prophylaxis for 82.000 subjects aged 0-18 years living in the Province of Parma (Progetto Sperimentale Parma, PSP). The main goal of PSP is to offer a controlled and reliable model of KI prophylaxis,which could be applied in any other area (previous local adjustement), whenever the central or regional Authorities will consider it necessary or desirable. (+info)
Molecular characterization of radial spoke subcomplex containing radial spoke protein 3 and heat shock protein 40 in sperm flagella of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis.
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Members of the heat-shock protein (HSP)40 regulate the protein folding activity of HSP70 proteins and help the functional specialization of this molecular chaperone system in various types of cellular events. We have recently identified Hsp40 as a component of flagellar axoneme in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, suggesting a correlation between Hsp40 related chaperone system and flagellar function. In this study, we have found that Ciona 37-kDa Hsp40 is extracted from KCl-treated axonemes with 0.5 M KI solution and comigrates with radial spoke protein (RSP)3 along with several proteins as a complex through gel filtration and ion exchange columns. Peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight/mass spectrometry revealed that other proteins in the complex include a homolog of sea urchin spokehead protein (homolog of RSP4/6), a membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat protein with sequence similarity with meichroacidin, and a functionally unknown 33-kDa protein. A spoke head protein, LRR37, is not included in the complex, suggesting that the complex constructs the stalk of radial spoke. Immunoelectron microscopy indicates that Hsp40 is localized in the distal portion of spoke stalk, possibly at the junction between spoke head and the stalk. (+info)