Fish, cephalopods and shellfish provide a healthy source of high-quality proteins, essential vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The beneficial effects of fish consumption on human ...health such as protection against coronary heart disease and certain cancer may be offset by fish decomposition and the formation of chemical contaminants such as biogenic amines. There are several toxicological effects of biogenic amines on humans, especially histamine. It is the causative agent of histamine or scombroid fish poisoning which is a significant public health problem. In individuals with diminished histamine detoxification, ingestion of even a low or moderate histamine- or tyramine-containing fish may lead to food intolerance. Biogenic amines such as putrescine, tyramine and cadaverine can potentiate histamine toxicity. Furthermore, dietary polyamine intake should be minimised in some cancer patients. Besides their potential toxicity, biogenic amines are used for the evaluation of hygienic quality of different marine and freshwater species. Spoilage pattern and biogenic amine formation are species specific. Histamine has been traditionally used as an indicator of the quality of histidine-rich fish (dark-muscle fish). On the other hand, putrescine and cadaverine are the most objective indicators of quality of histidine-poor fish (white-muscle fish), shellfish and fermented seafood products.
Seafood allergies have been increasing their presence in the last 2 decades. Allergic reactions to seafood can range from mild urticarial and oral allergy syndrome to life-threatening anaphylactic ...reactions. Ingestion of seafood infested with Anisakis larvae can cause a disease known as anisakiasis with symptoms similar to true seafood allergy. Furthermore, some adverse reactions to seafood including histamine fish poisoning (HFP), and intolerance to histamine can trigger clinical symptoms, which, although nonallergic in origin, are similar to true immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Because seafood allergy usually remains a lifelong food allergy, this review focuses on the current knowledge on fish and shellfish allergens and emphasizes the importance of differentiating seafood allergy from other allergy-like reactions (anisakiasis, HFP, and intolerance to histamine).
Key teaching points:
* Fish and shellfish are potent allergens that can provoke serious IgE antibody-mediated adverse reactions in sensitive individuals.
* Sensitization to seafood allergens can be achieved by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
* Shellfish major allergen, tropomyosin, shares significant homology to arthropods (dust mites and cockroaches).
* Accidental exposures to seafood products cross-contaminated with fish or shellfish allergens (hidden allergens) during processing may present a health risk for sensitive individuals.
* Allergens of fish parasite A. simplex present common hidden allergens in seafood, particularly in raw and undercooked home-made fish dishes.
* Symptoms caused by HFP, histamine intolerance, and anisakiasis are similar to true seafood allergy.
Indoor Exposure to Mould Allergens Prester, Ljerka
Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju,
12/2011, Letnik:
62, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Humid indoor environments may be colonised by allergenic filamentous microfungi (moulds), Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Alternaria spp. in particular. Mould-induced ...respiratory diseases are a worldwide problem. In the last two decades, mould allergens and glucans have been used as markers of indoor exposure to moulds. Recently, mould allergens Alt a 1 (Alternaria alternata) and Asp f 1 (Aspergillus fumigatus) have been analysed in various environments (residential and occupational) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, which use monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Household Alt a 1 and Asp f 1 levels were usually under the limit of the method detection. By contrast, higher levels of mould allergens were found in environments with high levels of bioaerosols such as poultry farms and sawmills. Data on allergen Alt a 1 and Asp f 1 levels in agricultural settings may provide information on possible colonisation of respective moulds and point out to mould-related diseases in occupants.
Vlažni, unutarnji prostori mogu biti kolonizirani alergogenim, filamentoznim mikrogljivicama (plijesni) uglavnom rodova Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium i Alternaria. Respiratorne bolesti uzrokovane plijesnima zdrastveni su problem diljem svijeta. U posljednja dva desetljeća, neki sastavni dijelovi plijesni kao alergeni i glukan rabe se kao pokazatelji izloženosti plijesni u unutarnjem okolišu. Nedavno su alergeni plijesni Alt a 1 (Alternaria alternata) i Asp f 1 (Aspergillus fumigatus) određivani u različitom okolišu (kućnom i profesionalnom) enzim-imunokemijskom metodom koja rabi monoklonska ili poliklonska antitijela. Razina Alt a 1 i Asp f 1 u kućnoj prašini ispod je granice detekcije. Nasuprot tomu, alergeni plijesni su određeni u okolišu s visokom razinom bioaerosola kao peradarnici i pilane. Razine alergena Alt a 1 i Asp f 1 u nekim poljoprivrednim objektima pružaju informaciju o mogućoj kolonizaciji plijesnima, što upućuje na moguće zdravstvene učinke kod zaposlenika.
Asp f 1 (ribotoxin) is the main allergen of Aspergillus fumigatus and a critical factor in provoking allergic responses and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This study investigated the prevalence of ...allergen Asp f 1 in dust samples collected at two Croatian sawmills from different working sites (sawmilling, parquetry and sorting). A total of thirty-five floor dust samples were collected, extracted, and the mass fraction of Asp f 1 was determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. More than 91 % of the collected dust samples had detectable levels of Asp f 1 (limit detection 3.6 ng g⁻¹). The median Asp f 1 mass fractions in Sawmill 1 and Sawmill 2 were 49.4 ng g⁻¹ (range <3.6–120 ng g⁻¹) and 35.5 ng g⁻¹ (range 15.1–77.2 ng g⁻¹), respectively. At both sawmills, higher median Asp f 1 values were found in the dust from sawmilling than from parquetry sites. These preliminary findings suggest the abundance of allergen Asp f 1 in reservoir dust in the woodworking environments of both sawmills. Assessment of Asp f 1 in future studies will provide further insight into the role of this allergen in eliciting respiratory morbidity.
Arthropod allergens in urban homes Prester, Ljerka
Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju,
2012, Letnik:
63 Suppl 1, Številka:
Supplement-1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Dust mites, cockroaches, and pets (cats, dogs) are common in homes worldwide, and many species are the source of potent allergens which cause allergic diseases. These diseases are influenced by ...genetic predisposition and environmental exposure. Generally, the levels of house dust mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and cockroach (Bla g 1, Bla g 2) allergens are used as markers of indoor exposure to arthropods.This article reviews the findings of allergens Der p 1, Der f 1, and Bla g 1 in randomly selected urban households in Zagreb (Croatia) measured from 2006 to 2010 and compares them with exposure to arthropod allergens in other countries. In short, house dust mite allergen levels in Croatian homes are low, but exposure is common; Der p 1 was found in 73 % and Der f 1 in 83 % of the households. By contrast, exposure to cockroach allergen Bla g 1 was both low and uncommon (13 %). Exposure to multiple allergens associated with sensitisation and asthma was not frequent in urban homes in Croatia. However, further studies should include monitoring of both arthropod and pet allergens in high-risk populations in inland and coastal Croatia. They should also investigate a complex dose-response relationship between exposure and sensitisation/asthma development, especially in early childhood.
Farm and sawmill workers are exposed to high levels of allergenic fungi, such as Alternaria alternata, which are associated with respiratory diseases and asthma. The aim of this study was to measure ...the concentration of Alt a 1, a major allergen of A. alternata, in indoor dust samples collected in poultry farms and a sawmill using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay. A total of 45 dust samples were collected in poultry farms (30) and the sawmill (15) in Zagreb County (Croatia). The Alt a 1 allergen was detected in all dust samples (100%) collected in three poultry farms. The levels of Alt a 1 were in the range of 0.1-14 μg/g, and the median value was 0.37 μg/g. About 86% of dust samples contained Alt a 1 in the range of 0.1-1.0 μg/g. In the sawmill, no detectable level of Alt a 1 was found (limit of detection =0.12 μg/g). This study has shown that occupational exposure to Alt a 1 allergen in poultry farms deserves monitoring.
Prašinske grinje, žohari i kućni ljubimci (mačka, pas) česti su u stanovima širom svijeta, a mnoge vrste su izvor jakih alergena koji uzrokuju alergijske bolesti. Uzroci alergijskih bolesti su ...genetska predispozicija i utjecaj okoliša. Alergeni prašinskih grinja (Der p 1 i Der f 1) i žohara (Bla g 1 i Bla g 2) pokazatelji su izloženosti artropodima u kućanstvu. U ovom je radu prikazana izloženost alergenima Der p 1, Der f 1 i Bla g 1 u neselektivnim, urbanim kućanstvima u Zagrebu (Hrvatska) tijekom 2006.-2010. godine, a rezultati su uspoređeni s razinom alergena artropoda u drugim zemljama. Razina alergena grinja Der p 1 i Der f 1 u kućnoj prašini u općoj populaciji u Hrvatskoj je niska, ali su ti alergeni određeni u 73 do 83 % kućanstva. Nasuprot tome, izloženost alergenu žohara je rijetka (13 %), a razina izloženosti je također niska. Opća populacija u Hrvatskoj nije izložena višestrukim i rizičnim razinama alergena vezanim za razvoj senzibilizacije i astme. Buduća bi ispitivanja trebala uključiti mjerenje alergena artropoda i kućnih ljubimaca u kućanstvima visokorizičnih osoba na nastanak alergijskih bolesti u kontinentalnom i obalnom području Hrvatske. Nova istraživanja povezanosti razine alergena unutarnjih prostora i pojave senzibilizacije i astme naročito u ranom djetinjstvu (učinak ovisan o dozi), trebala bi rezultirati boljim tumačenjem te složene interakcije.
Determination of Aspergillus Fumigatus Allergen 1 in Poultry Farms Using the Enzyme Immunoassay Prester, Ljerka (Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia); Macan, Jelena (Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia); Matković, Kristina (Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia) ...
Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju,
06/2010, Letnik:
61, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Poultry farms contain high levels of allergenic fungi, and Aspergillus spp. is the most common genus of moulds. Aspergillus fumigatus antigens are responsible for the development of several ...respiratory diseases including asthma. The aim of this study was to measure the mass fraction of Asp f 1, a major allergen of Asperillus fumigatus in 37 indoor dust samples collected from four poultry farms in a rural area of the Zagreb County (Croatia) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. More than 62 % of dust samples had detectable Asp f 1 levels (limit of detection 3.6 ng g -1 ). The overall mean Asp f 1 level was 17.9 ng g -1 range (3.8 to 72.4) ng g -1 . Satisfactory results were obtained for analytical within-run imprecision (6.7 %), between-run imprecision (10.5 %), and accuracy (91 % to 115 %). Microclimate parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, and velocity) were within the recommended ranges in all poultry farms. This study has shown that Asp f 1 settles on dust at poultry farms and that occupational exposure to this allergen deserves monitoring in livestock buildings.
Peradarnici sadržavaju veliku koncentraciju alergenih plijesni, a rod Aspergillus naj _ešće je zastupljen. Antigeni soja Aspergillus fumigatus odgovorni su za nastanak nekoliko respiratornih bolesti uklju _ujući astmu. Cilj ovoga rada bio je odrediti masenu frakciju Asp f 1, glavnog alergena soja Asperillus fumigatus u 37 uzoraka prašine uzorkovanih u _etiri peradarnika sa šireg podru _ja Zagreba _ke županije rabeći enzimimunokemijsku metodu. Više od 62 % uzoraka prašine u tri peradarnika imalo je mjerljivu koncentraciju Asp f 1 (granica detekcije = 3.6 ng g -1 ). Ukupni srednji maseni udio Asp f 1 iznosio je 17.9 ng g -1 (raspon od 3.8 ng g -1 do 72.4 ng g -1 ). Dobiveni su zadovoljavajući rezultati za analiti _ku nepreciznost u seriji (6.7 %), nepreciznost iz dana u dan (10.5 %) i to _nost (91 % do 115 %). Mikroklimatski parametri (temperatura zraka, relativna vlaga i protok zraka) u svim peradarnicima bili su u okviru preporu _enih vrijednosti. Rezultati ovoga rada pokazuju da Asp f 1 sedimentira na prašinu u peradarnicima te da profesionalnu izloženost tom alergenu treba pratiti u jedinicama za uzgoj stoke.
Purpose
The aim of the study was to evaluate exposure to moulds and house dust mite
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
in poultry farms, and related health effects in poultry workers (PW).
Methods
The ...study involved 41 PW and 45 control office workers. Working environment was evaluated for
D. pteronyssinus
allergen (Der p 1), moulds and endotoxin. In workers, eye, skin and respiratory symptoms, ventilatory lung function, atopy markers (skin prick test to inhalatory allergens, total IgE) and specific IgG to moulds were assessed.
Results
Der p 1 levels ranged <0.1–3.3 μg/g, exposure to fungi was 4.9 × 10
3
–6.8 × 10
4
cfu/m
3
, with prevailing
Aspergillus
,
Penicillium
and
Mucor
species, and endotoxin levels ranged 230–284 EU/m
3
. In comparison to control subjects, significantly higher prevalence of work-related nose, asthma, eye and skin symptoms, and slight decline in ventilatory lung function was found in PW. PW had significantly higher prevalence of IgG antibodies to moulds comparing to controls (63 vs. 36%, respectively,
P
= 0.01), especially to
Alternaria
and
Aspergillus
species. The prevalence of atopy markers in PW was lower than in population-based studies.
Conclusions
Hazardous levels of Der p 1, endotoxin and moulds were determined in poultry houses. High prevalence of work-related symptoms and IgG antibodies to moulds was found in PW. Healthy worker effect is proposed as an explanation of low atopy markers prevalence among PW.
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