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FOOD ADDITIVES

Our inventory includes a reagent for use in identifying allergen specific IgE and IgG4 reactivity to the orange/red coloring called annatto. Bixin is the oil soluble material obtained from the annatto seed and norbixin is the water soluble extract obtained by saponification from bixin. Norbixin is added to foodstuffs for color. Our reagent is annatto (norbixin).

Annatto (Annatto, Annato), bixin, norbixin Red color; derived from a tree (Bixa orellana); used as a body paint, fabric dye, digestive aid and expectorant; used to dye cheese, butter, margarine, cereals, snack foods, soaps, textiles and varnishes; known to cause urticaria (nettle rash).

Additives available include:

Annatto (see above)

Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines Red color: made from insects, used in coloring cosmetics and foods: candy, ice cream, juice drinks, yogurts, artificial crab/lobster products, fruit fillings, syrups.

Quinoline Yellow FD&C Yellow No.10: used in lipsticks, hair products,colognes: also in a wide range of medications.

FD&C Yellow No. 5 Tartrazine: used in beverages, baked goods, pet foods, desserts, candy, confections, cereal, ice cream.

FD&C Yellow No.6 Sunset yellow, orange yellow: used in cereals, bakery, sweets, snack foods, ice cream, drinks and canned fish; synthetic; also in many medications including Polaramine, Ventolin syrup.

Glutamic Acid An amino acid: the salt is monosodium glutamate (MSG) which functions as a flavor enhancer in meats. It also is a nutrient, dietary supplement, and salt substitute.

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SUMMER NEWSLETTER

Grasses and weeds, a troublesome pair Pollen floating in the summer air Plantains, pigweeds, thistles and such In the heat of the day, it's a little too much! Cross-reactions with composites, too No more cucumbers, pumpkin or squash For you!

GRASSES

The number of grass species is approximately 9,000...over 1,200 of which are native to North America; the most familiar being Bahia, Bermuda, Johnson, Kentucky Bluegrass (June), Rye and Timothy. The pollination season extends from May until a "killing frost" occurs. Grass sensitive people living in Southern states are exposed to these significant allergic plants year-round.

Patients should be informed as to the cross-reactivity of cereal grains and grasses.

WEEDS

Several weeds bloom during the grass season causing "double trouble" for some patients; specifically English Plantain, Pigweed and Goosefoot families. Among the most potent of goosefoots are Kochia, Lamb's quarters and Russian thistle. Ragweed (Composite Family) is probably the most recognized and important of allergic plants of North America. The strongest antigen, antigen E, is found in the Ambrosia genus. This includes Short, Giant, Southern and Western Ragweeds.

In most areas, ragweeds bloom from mid-July/August until September/October. Pollen stops forming as night hours lengthen and temperatures drop below 60 degrees.

Composite family flowers include sunflowers, dandelions, marigolds, African daisy, asters and chrysanthemums.

Lettuce, chickory, endive, escarole, artichoke, sunflower seeds, chamomile and tarragon are on the Composite food group roster.

Foods suspected of cross-reactivity include the Melons (Cucurbitaceae): cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, squash and watermelon.

Other "family members or relatives" of the Composite families are ofthe Artemisia genus: Wormwoods, Sagebrushes, and Mugwort. The Iva genus lists the Marsh-elders.

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SPRING... and TREE POLLENS

The American Elm blooms in early February in the South and in March and April in the North.

Box Elder Maple, the most potent of the maples, also blooms in February in southern areas and in April and May in northern and mid-western regions.

The pollen of Sycamores is considered to be moderately allergenic and is shed in April and May.

April and May are also the "pollen release" months, in northern areas, for the powerful Birch and mighty Oak trees. This period is one to two months earlier in the South.

Ash trees are widespread and bloom in February and March in the South. May is the month for the North.

Pecan pollen is a problem from Texas to the Southeast, blooming from March to May. The pollen from Walnut, Hickory and Pecan trees is reported to be large and does not travel a great distance, but does cause local allergy problems in some areas.

Acacia and Mesquite are primarily insect-pollinated, but do cause problems in the Southwest. Mesquite may be a problem from May through July; whereas the Acacia blooms from January to November.

In Texas, the Mountain Cedar produces copious amounts of pollen and can be a problem from October through January.

In any case, we welcome the season of Spring when Mother Nature refreshes everything and everyone. It is worth some sneezes and itchy eyes!

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COMMON MOLD ALLERGENS
"There is a fungus among us... "

Alternaria Tenuis, considered to be one of the most important allergenic molds, is an outdoor mold and appears in warm weather. It occurs on plants and soil.

Aspergillus Fumigatus grows in a wide temperature range and has been found in soil, decaying leaves, plants, vegetables, bird droppings and tobacco.

Candida Albicans is seldom air borne. It, too, is found in soil and organic debris.

Cladosporium Herbarum (Hormodendrum) is found in uncleaned refrigerators, houses with poor ventilation and in soil. It usually appears in spring and spore counts peak in late summer.

In mold surveys, Epicoccum is reported to be one of the most important sources of spores isolated outdoors. Spores are present in calm, dry weather. It can be observed on decaying plants and paper and in soil.

Fusarium sporulates in warm, wet weather and is found world-wide on grasses, plants and soil.

Helminthosporium spores are released on dry, hot days. Species of this fungus are known as parasites of cereals and grasses.

Mucor Racemosus, primarily a soil fungus is also considered an indoor mold and has been found in floor dust in houses.

Penicellium Notatum is the blue-green mold found on stale bread, fruits and nuts. It is found in soil and reaches its peak in winter and spring.

Phoma, another soil fungus, is also found in-doors on damp surfaces.

Pullularia is found "everywhere"...inside, outside, kitchen, bathroom. This is the mold that deposits spores on leaves in summer and begins decomposition in autumn. It also appears on surface soil and grains.

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The spores of Rhizopus are released in hot, dry weather. It has been isolated from both cultivated and non-cultivated soils.

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Stemphylium spores are dispersed in large numbers on sunny, dry days. It is found in soil and has been seen on tomatoes, wheat, barley and the leaves of citrus.

EPIDERMALS

The appearance of an animal can trigger many emotions in people, ranging from joy to fear. To an allergic patient, a "cute" cat, dog, bird, rabbit, guinea pig or hamster can provoke reactions ranging from eye and nose inflammation to asthma.

Cats head the list as the most allergenic of the animal species. At present, a non-allergic breed does not exist. Cat allergen is quite cosmopolitan and has been found where felines have never visited. The allergen is carried on clothing and has been identified in schools, offices, etc.

Dog "people" can understand an allergy to cats, but to dogs... never. No one could be allergic to "man's best friend." WRONG! The American Kennel Club may have guidance on which canines may be less allergic than others.

The guinea pig has moved from being only a laboratory animal to the classification of pet.

Hamster allergens seem to be strong sensitizers. These animals have also increased in popularity as pets as have rabbits and ferrets.

Respiratory problems have been reported in people keeping birds. Feathers, serum proteins and droppings are sources of exposure.

Horse is a source (of course, of course) of a very potent allergen. Indirect contact with a horse may provoke symptoms in an atopic individual.

Goose, duck and chicken feathers are used in bedding and outer "winter wear." They may be comfortable and warm but a potential problem for the allergic person.

 

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MITES

The "mighty" mite is the major allergenic component in house dust. The microscopic arachnid has a life cycle of about 3 months. Female mites, laying up to 50 eggs produce a new generation about every three weeks.

Whether living or dead, the mite and its waste products are potent allergens. The mite population thrives in low damp areas with high humidity. Mites do not suffer from a lack of food since their diet consists of skin scales from humans and animals.

Dust mites (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) live in mattresses, bedding, carpeting, upholstered furniture, curtains, wall hangings and stuffed animals. It is easy to see why they are found in abundant numbers in bedrooms.

Frequent launderings of sheets, pillow cases, blankets, comforters and mattress pads help to control mite exposure. Bedrooms should not be carpeted but if this is not possible, acaracides or a 1-3% solution of tannic

acid should be applied. MRT Labs has found companies such as Allergy Control Products Inc. (800)255-3749 to be a good source of these products and additional information on allergy control barriers and filtration appliances.


Alternatives To Skin Testing and Advantages of In Vitro Allergy Testing.

Alternatives to Skin Testing

Skin testing methodologies, In Vivo allergy testing, include the following types:

In Vivo allergy testing measures the processes and reactions of allergic responses "within the body."

Some time ago, it was dicovered that In Vitro allergy testing, or testing for allergy by removing a blood sample from the patient and measuring the allergic reaction in an artificial environment (the test tube), provided alternative diagnostic procedures for the patient and quantifiable results for the laboratory professionals.

The most common In Vitro methodologies are:

Advantages of In Vitro Allergy Testing


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