Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Apr 2007
National study of US emergency department visits for acute allergic reactions, 1993 to 2004.
The clinical epidemiology of acute allergic reactions in the emergency department (ED) is uncertain. ⋯ Between 1993 and 2004, significant variability has occurred in ED management of acute allergic reactions.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Apr 2007
Case ReportsHereditary angioedema presenting in late middle age after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment.
Angioedema due to Cl esterase inhibitor (CI-INH) deficiency may be hereditary (HAE), commonly first occurring in childhood, or acquired (AAE), with onset usually in middle age. Type I HAE exhibits low levels of functionally normal C1-INH. Dysfunctional Cl-INH typifies type II HAE. Patients with type I AAE have low levels of Cl-INH, Clq complement, and C4 complement. In type II AAE, there is immune blockade of C1-INH. ⋯ Physicians must remain aware of the possibility of unmasking HAE in the adult and geriatric population with the common use of ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic diseases.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Apr 2007
Penicillin skin testing in patients with a history of beta-lactam allergy.
Vancomycin and fluoroquinolones are commonly used in patients with a history of penicillin allergy. ⋯ Patients with a history of penicillin allergy can safely use beta-lactam drugs if negative PST results.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Mar 2007
Case ReportsFatal anaphylaxis: postmortem findings and associated comorbid diseases.
Anaphylaxis is an infrequent cause of sudden death. Death often results from circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest, or both. ⋯ (1) Elderly patients with substantial comorbid conditions constituted a significant number of the anaphylactic fatalities; (2) the onset of severe anaphylaxis occurred in less than 30 minutes in nearly every case; (3) 18 of 23 cases were associated with specific anatomical findings of anaphylaxis; (4) self-administered epinephrine was used in just 1 of 5 cases; and (5) serum total tryptase concentrations were elevated markedly in 4 of 7 cases tested.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jan 2007
Induction of airway remodeling of nasal mucosa by repetitive allergen challenge in a murine model of allergic rhinitis.
Although many studies regarding airway remodeling in asthma have been reported, only a few studies have investigated airway remodeling in allergic rhinitis. ⋯ Airway remodeling associated with long-term allergen challenge can occur in the nasal mucosa and the lung. Steroid treatment prevents airway inflammation in response to acute allergen challenge, as well as airway remodeling by long-term allergen challenge.