Cat allergy is a major trigger factor for respiratory reactions (asthma and rhinitis) in patients with immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization. In this study, we used a comprehensive panel of purified cat allergen molecules (rFel d 1, nFel d 2, rFel d 3, rFel d 4, rFel d 7, and rFel d 8) that were obtained by recombinant expression in Escherichia coli or by purification as natural proteins to study possible associations with different phenotypes of cat allergy (i.e., rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, and dermatitis) by analyzing molecular IgE recognition profiles in a representative cohort of clinically well-characterized adult cat allergic subjects (n = 84). IgE levels specific to each of the allergen molecules and to natural cat allergen extract were quantified by ImmunoCAP measurements. Cumulative IgE levels specific to the cat allergen molecules correlated significantly with IgE levels specific to the cat allergen extract, indicating that the panel of allergen molecules resembled IgE epitopes of the natural allergen source. rFel d 1 represented the major cat allergen, which was recognized by 97.2% of cat allergic patients; however, rFel d 3, rFel d 4, and rFel d 7 each showed IgE reactivity in more than 50% of cat allergic patients, indicating the importance of additional allergens in cat allergy. Patients with cat-related skin symptoms showed a trend toward higher IgE levels and/or frequencies of sensitization to each of the tested allergen molecules compared with patients suffering only from rhinitis or asthma, while there were no such differences between patients with rhinitis and asthma. The IgE levels specific to allergen molecules, the IgE levels specific to cat allergen extract, and the IgE levels specific to rFel d 1 were significantly higher in patients with four different symptoms compared with patients with 1–2 symptoms. This difference was more pronounced for the sum of IgE levels specific to the allergen molecules and to cat extract than for IgE levels specific for rFel d 1 alone. Our study indicates that, in addition to rFel d 1, rFel d 3, rFel d 4, and rFel d 7 must be considered as important cat allergens. Furthermore, the cumulative sum of IgE levels specific to cat allergen molecules seems to be a biomarker for identifying patients with complex phenotypes of cat allergy. These findings are important for the diagnosis of IgE sensitization to cats and for the design of allergen-specific immunotherapies for the treatment and prevention of cat allergy.
In vivo laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) is primarily used in oncology for the diagnosis of malignant tumors. This paper provides background for and describes experiments modeling nonmalignant local hypoxia and inflammation. LIFS techniques were used to assess the dynamics of induced fluorescence from endogenous porphyrins in the first case and the Photosens exogenous photosensitizer in the second case. In both cases, the fluorescence intensity was observed to be higher in the pathological area than in an intact area. This provides a strong impetus for taking a second look at the use of LIFS in oncology and also provides the foundation for a promising in vivo diagnosis method for ischemic hypoxia and inflammatory processes in areas other than oncology.
BACKGROUND: The role of microcirculatory disorders is progressively being accepted in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of current study is to assess whether we can consider skin microcirculation disorders as a biomarker of cardiovascular events. METHODS: Group 1 consisted of healthy volunteers (n = 31); group 2 (n = 42) consisted of patients with diseases that increase the risk of cardiovascular events; group 3 (n = 39) included patients with the history of cardiovascular events. Skin microcirculation measurement was performed using laser Doppler flowmetry during the heating test. RESULTS: LDF parameters reflecting the rapid response of microcirculation to heating (“Slope 120 s” and “Slope 180 s”) significantly differed in three groups (p < 0.05). A decrease in the “Slope 180 s” parameter less than 0.5 PU/s is associated with cardiovascular events (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 66.7%; the area under the ROC curve, 0.667; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.545–0.788, p = 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that “Slope 180 s≤0.5 PU/s” was significantly related to cardiovascular events (adjusted odds ratio = 3.9, p = 0.019, CI 95% 1.2–12). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced reactivity of the skin microcirculation may be useful as a biomarker of severe damage to the cardiovascular system and is promising as a risk factor for cardiovascular events.
BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular disturbances are suggested to play a key role in higher morbidity and worse prognosis in patients with COVID-19 and cardiometabolic diseases. OBJECTIVE: Study was aimed to establish relationships between the skin microcirculation parameters and various clinical and laboratory indicators. METHODS: The study included 18 patients with moderate disease according to WHO criteria. Skin microcirculation measurements were performed by laser Doppler flowmetry using a heating test on the hairy skin of the right forearm. RESULTS: Baseline perfusion only correlated with C-reactive protein (Rs = 0.5, p = 0.034). Microcirculation indices characterising the development of hyperaemia during the first minute of heating (LTH1 and AUC60) showed significant correlations (Rs from 0.48 to 0.67, p < 0.05) with indices of general blood analysis and blood coagulation (fibrinogen, D-dimer, haemoglobin, erythrocyte count and haematocrit). Indexes characterising the dynamics of hyperaemia development over longer time intervals showed correlation with the glomerular filtration rate (Rs = 0.6, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Known COVID-19 risk factors (haemorheological parameters, age) are correlated with the microvascular reactivity to heating in patients with COVID 19. We suggest that, prospectively, the method of laser Doppler flowmetry could be used for non-invasive instrumental assessment of microcirculatory disorders in patients with COVID-19.
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