No abstract

The aim of this study was to explore relationships among perennial allergic rhinitis and personality traits in a nonpsychiatric female population of proven allergic status. Female subjects were assigned to the allergic (N = 22) or nonallergic group (N = 18) on the basis of skin prick test and self-reported allergic status. Analysis of MMPI profiles showed that allergic subjects scored significantly higher on the Hypochondriasis (Hs) and Social Introversion (Si) scales and significantly lower on the Correction (K) and Ego Strength (Es) scales. The results suggested that women with perennial allergic rhinitis show poorer psychological functioning than nonallergic women. In addition, the number of allergies was positively correlated with T scores on the Hs, Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), Si, and Conscious Anxiety (A) scales, and negatively correlated with T scores on the K and Es scales. Skin reactivity to house dust mite and grass pollen allergens were positively correlated with scores on Si, whereas skin reactivity to grass pollen and mold allergens was positively correlated with D and Pt (grass) and Pd and Sc (grass and mold). Two possible mechanisms explaining the link between psychological factors and allergic rhinitis include (1) the effect of cortisol on IgE production or (2) the production of mediators during an allergic reaction which travel from the nose to the brain.

Allergic reactions to Ixodes holocyclus are well recognized but poorly defined. Tick-bite reactions in 42 individuals in this study fell into six classes. Skin-prick tests and radioimmunoassay (RIA) indicated that all systemic hypersensitivity (class 3) and atypical reactions (class 4) were IgE-mediated. Some 73% of the large local reactions (class 2) and only 12.5% of the small local reactions (class 1) were associated with IgE specific for tick allergens. Subjects who reported heavy exposure to tick-bite were more likely to have positive RIA values (P less than 0.05). There was an association between the individual's atopic status and tick allergy (P greater than 0.05).

The Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus occurs along the eastern coast of Australia. Its interaction with a wide variety of hosts causes a serious toxicosis (tick paralysis) in domestic pets and livestock (occasionally in wildlife and humans) as well as hypersensitivity reactions in humans. Tick paralysis in animals is usually fatal in the absence of speedy antitoxin treatment and human hypersensitivity may result in life-threatening anaphylaxis. The protection of such hosts against toxic or allergic effects by vaccination or desensitisation respectively has been the objective of most of our recent research. The role, biosynthesis and nature of the paralysing toxin (holocyclotoxin) and of the allergens is gradually being elucidated. In this review, some emphasis has been placed on recent research on the interactions of humans with this tick and on the partial characterisation of the allergens.

Three techniques were developed to detect IgE specific to Ixodes holocyclus. The radioimmunoas-say (RIA) was found to be superior to both radioallergosorbent test and enzyme immunoassay techniques. Validation of the RIA technique was provided by dilution experiments and by a blind study involving 13 volunteers; the RIA graph was linear over a wide range of concentrations. The RIA ratio clearly discriminated between those volunteers with and without systemic allergic reactions and helped to identify borderline cases showing local or cutaneous allergic reactions. It appears to be suitable for diagnostic and research applications.