The day-13 culture of EN in SBY was the most potent and may be selected for preparing EN extracts for diagnosis of allergy and future studies.

Background:Epicoccum purpurascens (formerly nigrum) (EP), is a ubiquitous saprophytic mould found both indoors and outdoors. Several studies have reported sensitization to EP in 5–7 % of different populations worldwide. The diagnosis of mould allergy requires a standardized fungal extract that contains all its important allergenic proteins. The crude allergen extract from EP was standardized earlier, however none of its allergens have been purified. Methods: A major allergen from spore-mycelia extract of EP was purified using concanavalin A (Con A) Sepharose chromatography, gel filtration and electro-elution. The allergen isolated was characterized for its IgE-binding ability and cross-reactivity with five well-known allergenic fungi by ELISA and immunoblot. Results: A 33.5-kD glycoprotein allergen of EP, Epi p 1, was purified to homogeneity. All the EP allergic patients’ sera tested recognized this protein. Periodate modification of Epi p 1 showed partial loss in IgE binding while proteinase K treatment caused complete loss in binding to IgE. Dose-dependent inhibition in binding of rabbit anti Epi p 1 antibodies was obtained with Epi p 1, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium herbarum and Fusarium solani in ELISA. Rabbit antibodies to all the above five fungi recognized Epi p 1 in immunoblot, confirming that Epi p 1 shares common epitopes with the fungi tested. Conclusion: A major glycoprotein allergen of 33.5 kD was purified from EP which cross-reacts with other fungi. Hence this glycoprotein can be exploited to reduce the panel of allergen extracts used for therapy of mould allergy.

AIM: To compare the coagulation parameters in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia with normotensive pregnant patients in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2012 to June 2013, coagulation indices including platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT) were measured in 100 patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia and compared with 100 normotensive pregnant women. The patients with coagulopathies were excluded. RESULT: In preeclampsia and eclampsia, decrease in platelet count (157.18±56.66 lacs/cumm) was highly significant (p<0.001). PT, aPTT and CT were normal but BT (322.46±171.39 sec) was significantly prolonged (p<0.001) in pre eclampsia and eclampsia patients. CONCLUSION: The abnormalities pertaining to coagulation parameters in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy indicate the intravascular coagulation.

Epicoccum purpurascens (EP) is a ubiquitous saprophytic mould, the inhalant spores and mycelia of which are responsible for respiratory allergic disorders in 5-7% of population worldwide. The diagnosis/therapy of these disorders caused by fungi involves the use of standardized and purified fungal extracts. A 33.5 kDa glycoprotein, Epi p 1 released histamine from whole blood cells of EP allergic patients at a concentration of 50-ng protein. The high specific IgE values detected in EP hypersensitive sera indicated that Epi p 1 is capable of mediating type I hypersensitive reaction in predisposed individuals. It also showed protease activity by virtue of its dose dependent cleavage of serine protease specific synthetic substrate, N-benzoyl arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride (BAEE). The serine protease nature of Epi p 1 was confirmed by its N-terminal sequence (ADG/FIVAVELD/STY) homology to a subtilisin like serine protease. The protease activity of Epi p 1 may be responsible for making its way into the system of pre-disposed individuals through epithelial cell detachment and the histamine releasing ability by cross-linking of IgE antibodies on cell surface is the cause of its allergenic nature.