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Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the existence of sensitization to the fungus Hemileia vastatrix (coffee leaf rust) in a sample of the Brazilian population. This fungus attacks coffee plantations, and in some regions of Brazil the concentration of its spores in the air can be very high., Methods: A total of 378 individuals underwent skin tests (prick and intradermal tests) with H. vastatrix extract. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the occurrence of atopy and the region where they lived (coffee-growing or non-coffee-growing regions), and another group (V) consisted of 50 rural workers employed on coffee plantations. The presence of specific IgE against the fungus H. vastatrix in sensitized individuals was demonstrated in vitro by immunoblotting., Results: There was no statistical difference in comparing the results with intradermal or prick tests. The incidence of positive tests was significantly higher among atopic individuals residing in coffee-growing regions (14.7%). Among rural workers, 10% showed positive tests. Immunoblotting revealed specific IgE against 20 protein bands of H. vastatrix., Conclusion: The fungus H. vastatrix may be an important allergen in coffee-producing countries. The sensitization is more frequent among atopic individuals residing in coffee-growing regions.

Fifty-nine beekeepers who had been practicing apiculture for more than 2 years were selected in order to determine the distribution of bee venom specific IgG subclasses using ELISA. The assays were standardized into arbitrary units. For comparison, IgG subclasses were determined in eight individuals allergic to bee stings who did not receive specific treatment. No correlation was detected between beekeeping time and specific IgG1, IgG2 or IgG4 levels. There was a correlation between IgG2 levels and mean number of stings per month received by the beekeepers. Twenty-five percent of the beekeepers presented bee venom specific IgE class II or more in an ELISA assay. The IgG1 levels detected in beekeepers were similar to those detected in allergic individuals. IgG2 and IgG4 levels were significantly higher in beekeepers than in allergic individuals. IgG3 was not detected in any group studied. In conclusion, the maintenance of high levels of bee venom specific IgG2 and IgG4 represents a characteristic of beekeepers. These subclasses may be related to a modulatory effect of IgG on allergic reactions.

In this study, we investigated the fungi most frequently found in the air and the books of 28 libraries at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In a second phase, 314 librarians were questioned about the presence of asthmatic or rhinitic symptoms, and the relationship with the site of work. Forty-nine percent of them reported this type of symptoms and 80% related them to the place of work. In the third stage, librarians underwent intracutaneous tests against the 20 fungi most frequently isolated in libraries. Eighteen librarians presented positive tests, 12 of whom reported rhinitis and 6 of whom were asymptomatic. In 19.5% of symptomatic patients wheals > 15 mm were observed after 6 h, while 9% of the asymptomatic patients presented similar wheals. Fourteen librarians with positive tests underwent tests with each of the 20 fungi constituting the pool. The airborne fungi isolated in libraries are likely to be found anywhere in the city of São Paulo, but they are likely to be present in higher concentrations in libraries, subsequently producing respiratory allergies.