Allergy
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Perioperative allergic reactions to chlorhexidine are often severe and easily overlooked. Although rare, the prevalence remains unknown. Correct diagnosis is crucial, but no validated provocation model exists, and other diagnostic tests have never been evaluated. The aims were to estimate (i) the prevalence of chlorhexidine allergy in perioperative allergy and (ii) the specificity and sensitivity for diagnostic tests for chlorhexidine allergy. ⋯ In patients investigated for suspected perioperative allergic reactions, 9.6% were diagnosed with allergy to chlorhexidine. Using our definition of chlorhexidine allergy, the highest combined estimated sensitivity and specificity was found for specific IgE and SPT.
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Allergy to atracurium is a rare condition with serious consequences of diagnostic error. However, correct diagnosis is not always straightforward. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of the basophil activation test (BAT) in atracurium sensitization and to investigate its role in identifying cross-reactivity between muscle relaxants. ⋯ The BAT proves to be a useful diagnostic for atracurium-induced anaphylaxis and may be complementary to STs. The technique enables quick and simultaneous testing of potentially crossreactive NMBA and the identification of safe alternatives for future surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Medical clowns ease anxiety and pain perceived by children undergoing allergy prick skin tests.
Intervention of medical clowns (MC) during various medical procedures performed in children has been used to relieve anxiety and pain. Their role in allergy skin testing has never been evaluated. ⋯ Medical clowns significantly decrease the level of anxiety perceived by both children undergoing allergy SPT and their parents, as well as the pain perceived by young children.
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Red meat allergy presents a novel form of food allergy with severe delayed allergic reactions where IgE antibodies are directed against the carbohydrate α-Gal epitope. Food preparation and processing can influence the allergenicity of proteins. The aim of this study was to characterize the proteomic profile of different beef preparations and to investigate their α-Gal reactivity and potential allergenicity. ⋯ We show that the α-Gal epitope is commonly present in IgE-reactive beef proteins recognized by meat-allergic patients. Seven novel α-Gal-containing IgE-binding proteins were identified, of which four were stable to heat treatment. Thus, the allergenicity of red meat proteins is preserved even upon different thermal cooking.