Allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis (AEG) is a disorder characterized by elevated IgE, specific IgE to food antigens, and eosinophilia of tissue and peripheral blood. L-5 synthesis by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from patients with AEG occurs in the absence of mitogen. IL-4 and IL-5 production from AEG lymphocytes was markedly elevated with mitogenic stimulation. GM-CSF and gamma-IFN synthesis was normal. Gamma-IFN mRNA was not detected by RT-PCR in mucosal biopsies obtained from patients with AEG, but was seen in normal biopsies. These observations document a cytokine imbalance which appears responsible for the induction of IgE and eosinophilia observed in this disorder. Anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab-2) are the mirror images of idiotypic antibodies (Ab-1). Murine Ab-2 raised by immunizing mice with Ab-1 specific for Parthenium hysterophorus functioned as surrogate allergens in in vitro diagnostic tests. Such surrogate allergens may be of value in allergen standardization and for in vitro diagnosis particularly when it is difficult to obtain and purify specific allergens in large quantities. Tryptic digestion of the major shrimp allergen (Pen i I) yielded large peptides, one which retained activity. Amino acid sequencing on these peptides has been completed, and revealed 80% homology to tropomyosin from the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Monosodium glutamate to date has not had an effect on bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatics.
