A case of an anaphylactic shock following topical application of chlorhexidine preparation is reported. Specific skin-sensitizing antibodies against chlorhexidine were demonstrated in the serum from the patient by a passive transfer test. IgE antibodies against chlorhexidine were also detected hy radioallergosorbent technique (RAST). Paper discs conjugated with chlorhexidine-HSA (human serum albumin) significantly bound the IgE antibodies. Furthermore, all of the sera from seven other patients with shock reactions following the topical application of chlorhexidine preparation also showed high RAST counts. Both chlorhexidine gluconatc and chlorguanide which represents approximately half a molecule of chlorhexidine inhibited the reaction in a dose-dependent fashion. It is suggested that the shock reactions following topical application of chlorhexidine are mediated by IgE antibodies against chlorhexidine and that chlorhexidine and chlorguanide share the same antigenic determinant.
Background and aims-Recent studies suggest that tropomyosin (TM) may act as a putative autoantigen in ulcerative colitis (UC). Recently, we identified, by computer homology analysis, a specific peptide (HIAEDADRK) in human TM that can bind to HLA-DPw9. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of autoantibodies against this peptide in UC. Conclusions-Anti-TM antibody was detected in UC sera by a specific peptide based ELISA with high reproducibility. This peptide may be an antigenic epitope of TM involved in the immunopathogenesis of UC and, perhaps, PSC. (Gut 2000;47:236-241)
Methods-Antibodies
Guinea pigs were infected with Trichinella spiralis. A pooled serum from the infected guinea pigs was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. An IgE-rich fraction was injected into rabbits. The antiserum from the rabbits, after appropriate absorption with a normal guinea pig plasma, formed a precipitin line in immunoelectrophoresis and in immunodiffusion against a guinea pig serum containing IgE antibodies to ovalbumin. Uptake of 125I ovalbumin was observed in radioimmunoelectrophoresis. This anti IgE could be used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of IgE antibodies to ovalbumin.
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