Allergologia et immunopathologia
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Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) · Jan 2007
Role of viruses and atypical bacteria in asthma exacerbations among children in Oporto (Portugal).
Upper respiratory tract infections are known to be a significant precipitant of acute asthma exacerbations. The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal trends and the role of these pathogens in asthma exacerbations in school-aged children from Oporto (Portugal). ⋯ These results confirm the previously reported high frequency of rhinovirus detection in asthma exacerbations in children and provide evidence that asthma exacerbations and rhinovirus infections follow a seasonal pattern, occurring mostly in spring and autumn. The findings also underscore the frequency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae detection, and emphasize the importance of this agent as a possible trigger of asthma exacerbations.
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Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) · Jan 2007
Sensitization in early age to food allergens in children with atopic dermatitis.
Clinical and laboratory evidence increasingly supports the notion that food allergy plays a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the prevalence of clinically significant food hypersensitivity among children with AD remains an unanswered question. ⋯ A high prevalence of food sensitization was found in infants with AD. The most frequent sensitization observed was to egg, although with little clinical relevance since this food had not been introduced into the diet. In the sample studied, the clinical relevance of the observed food hypersensitivities was confirmed in relation to AD. Further studies are required to confirm these results.