Allergy
-
Allergy to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is the most important caue of perioperative anaphylaxis in France. The diagnosis relies on a careful clinical history, the search of serum IgE antibodies, and the realization of skin tests. ⋯ Negative skin tests allowed the selection of an alternative NMBA, which was well tolerated in all 6 cases. We found an excellent negative predictive value of skin tests in our series but larger studies are required to properly address this question.
-
Immune-modulation such as tolerance induction appears to be an upcoming concept to prevent development of atopic diseases. Pregnancy might present a critical period for preventing allergic sensitization of the progeny. We investigated the effect of maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy on allergen-induced sensitization and airway inflammation in the offspring in a murine model. ⋯ In our model, maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy prevented later allergen-mediated sensitization and airway inflammation by allergen-specific tolerance induction in the offspring.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Increase in allergen-specific IgE and ex vivo Th2 responses after a single bronchial challenge with house dust mite in allergic asthmatics.
Airway responsiveness to allergen in patients with allergic asthma is studied by bronchial allergen challenge. Although the typical features of the early and late responses on lung function and bronchial inflammation after allergen challenge are well known, little has been reported as yet on any changes in systemic allergic and immunologic parameters after 4-6 weeks. ⋯ A single bronchial allergen challenge with HDM is accompanied by increased levels of allergen-specific IgE for HDM in serum and an enhanced Th2 response to HDM still detectable 5 weeks after challenge.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate in 1085 Hereditary Angioedema attacks--final results of the I.M.P.A.C.T.2 study.
The placebo-controlled study International Multicentre Prospective Angioedema C1-INH Trial 1 (I.M.P.A.C.T.1) demonstrated that 20 U/kg C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate (Berinert®; CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany) is effective in treating acute abdominal and facial Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) attacks. ⋯ A single dose of 20 U/kg C1-INH concentrate is safe and provides reliable efficacy in the long-term treatment of successive HAE attacks at any body location.
-
Chronic urticaria (CU) is a debilitating skin disorder that affects patients' health related quality of life and the only questionnaire prepared specifically to CU is the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q(2)oL). ⋯ The CU-Q(2)oL Brazilian portuguese version was easily filled out, well accepted by the patients, demonstrated an acceptable validity and reliability and might be used to evaluate treatment outcomes and in clinical research.