Identification of the main allergen sensitizers in an Iran asthmatic population by molecular diagnosis

Background: There has been a significant growth in the prevalence of allergy, mainly associated to IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma and rhinitis. The identification of atopy in asthmatic patients through the measurement of specific IgE can help to identify risk factors that cause asthmatic symptoms in patients. The development and use of individualized allergen-based tests by the Component Resolved Diagnosis has been a crucial advance in the accurate diagnosis and control of allergic patients. The objective of this work was to assess the usefulness of molecular diagnosis to identify environmental allergens as possible factors influencing the development and manifestation of asthma in a group of asthmatic patients from Iran. Methods: Studied population: 202 adult asthmatic patients treated at the Loghman Hakim Hospital and Pasteur Institute of Teheran (Iran) from 2011 to 2012. Specific IgE determined by the ImmunoCAP system were used to both evaluate the patients' atopic condition and the molecules involved in the allergic sensitization. SDS-PAGE IgE-immunoblotting associated with mass spectrometry was carried out to study the cockroach IgE-binding sensitizing proteins. Results: Forty-five percent of all patients could be considered atopic individuals. Eighty-two percent of atopic patients were sensitized to pollen allergens. The Salsola kali (Sal k 1) and the Phleum pratense (rPhl p 1 and/or rPhl p 5) major allergens were the most common sensitizers among pollens (71% and 18%, respectively). Thirty-five percent of the atopic population was sensitized to cockroach. Four different allergens, including a previously unknown alpha-amylase, were identified in the cockroach extract. No significant associations could be demonstrated between the severity of asthma and the specific IgE levels in the atopic population. Statistical analysis identified the Sal k 1 as the main protein allergen influencing the development and expression of asthma in the studied population. Conclusions: Pollen and cockroach were the most relevant allergen sources in the asthmatic population. The Salsola kali major allergen was the main cause for sensitization in the atopic patients suffering asthma. Using the Component Resolved Diagnosis, it was possible to identify a new Blattella germanica cockroach allergen (Blattella alpha amylase 53 kDa) that could sensitize a relevant percentage of this population.

Manuel pratique d'identification des poissons du lac d'Ayamé (Rivière Bia, Côte d'Ivoire)

A taxonomic assessment of fish species was carried out in the Lake Ayamé as a preliminary evaluation within the framework of a project to appraise the biodiversity changes occurred in fish after the construction of a dam at Ayamé in 1959.

Genetic identification of four Malaysian mackerel species off Coast of Peninsular Malaysia based on molecular marker

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene sequences were utilized to fingerprint and construct phylogenetic relationships among four species of mackerel commonly found in the Straits of Malacca namely Rastrelliger kanagurta, R. brachysoma, Decapterus maruadsi and D. russelli. The UPGMA dendogram and genetic distance clearly showed that the individuals clustered into their own genus and species except for the Decapterus. These results were also supported by partial mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences (279 bp) which found monotypic sequence for all Decapterus studied. Cytochrome b sequence phylogeny generated through Neighbor Joining (NJ) method was congruent with RAPD data. Results showed clear discrimination between both genera with average nucleotide divergence about 25.43%. This marker also demonstrated R. brachysoma and R. kanagurta as distinct species separated with average nucleotide divergence about 2.76%. However, based on BLAST analysis, this study indicated that the fish initially identified as D. maruadsi was actually D. russelli. The results highlighted the importance of genetic analysis for taxonomic validation, in addition to morphological traits.