The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
-
The ongoing epidemic of Ebola virus in West Africa and attendant cases described in other parts of the world has focused attention on this heretofore rare disease. In this brief opinion article, we provide a short primer on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, US-based hospital preparedness, vaccine and therapy development, and control of Ebola virus disease for noninfectious disease physicians.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
Overweight children report qualitatively distinct asthma symptoms: analysis of validated symptom measures.
Past studies of asthma in overweight/obese children have been inconsistent. The reason overweight/obese children commonly report worse asthma control remains unclear. ⋯ Overweight/obese children with early-onset asthma display poorer asthma control and a distinct pattern of symptoms. Greater shortness of breath and β-agonist use appears to be partially mediated via esophageal reflux symptoms. Overweight children with asthma may falsely attribute exertional dyspnea and esophageal reflux to asthma, leading to excess rescue medication use.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
ReviewEbola: a holistic approach is required to achieve effective management and control.
The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa has already caused substantial mortality and dire human and economic consequences. It continues to represent an alarming public health threat in the region and beyond and jeopardizes the provision of health care and other services in the affected countries. ⋯ However, there is a long way to go. In this review we summarize the current knowledge, examine the sociocultural context in West Africa, and outline priority areas for future research.
-
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes. Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy is a mainstay of treatment for asthma, but the clinical response to ICSs is variable. ⋯ A noninvasive panel of biomarkers in steroid-naive asthmatic patients predicts clinical responsiveness to ICS therapy.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
Historical ArticleIncrease in anaphylaxis-related hospitalizations but no increase in fatalities: an analysis of United Kingdom national anaphylaxis data, 1992-2012.
The incidence of anaphylaxis might be increasing. Data for fatal anaphylaxis are limited because of the rarity of this outcome. ⋯ Hospitalizations for anaphylaxis increased between 1992 and 2012, but the incidence of fatal anaphylaxis did not. This might be due to increasing awareness of the diagnosis, shifting patterns of behavior in patients and health care providers, or both. The age distribution of fatal anaphylaxis varies significantly according to the nature of the eliciting agent, which suggests a specific vulnerability to severe outcomes from food-induced allergic reactions in the second and third decades.