Possible Role of Basidiospores as Air-borne Allergens

Air pollution and allergens.

It is well known that the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased in recent decades in the industrialized world. Exposure to environmental pollutants may partially account for this increased prevalence. In effect, air pollution is a growing public health problem. In Europe, the main source of air pollution due to particles in suspension is represented by motor vehicles--particularly those...

Food allergens as the possible cause of asthma and anaphylaxis.

It is now generally accepted that the incidence of allergic disorders including asthma and Japanese cedar pollinosis has dramatically increased during the last 3 decades to become a major public health concern (1). Although accurate epidemiological data are not available in Japan, food allergy seems to be also muchmore commonhere at present than expected. It is reported in the United States tha...

Air-Borne Infection

The Destruction of Air-Borne Bacteria

Carbohydrates as food allergens

The literature supports the notion that carbohydrate epitopes, on their own, do not contribute significantly to the induction of allergic reactions. They bind weakly to IgE antibodies and have been termed as cross reactive carbohydrate determinants. These epitopes cause confusion in in vitro IgE testing through nonspecific cross-reactivity. Coincident with the rising trends in food allergy prev...