Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · May 2004
Case ReportsFresh frozen plasma in the treatment of resistant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor angioedema.
Angioedema, particularly of the head and neck, is a well-recognized adverse effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Most cases respond to conventional therapy, including antihistamines and corticosteroids. Severe episodes may require epinephrine and intubation. ⋯ In our patient, FFP was highly successful in the treatment of resistant, life-threatening angioedema due to an ACE inhibitor. The benefit of FFP in this setting might be due to the effect of kininase II in breaking down accumulated bradykinin.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialImmune and histopathologic examination of flea bite-induced papular urticaria.
Papular urticaria caused by flea bite presents clinical symptoms of hypersensitive reaction accompanied by skin lesions. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease often go unrewarded, partly because of our incomplete understanding of the underlying immunopathogenesis. ⋯ Our results suggest that the clinical manifestations of papular urticaria are mediated by a complex immune response involving more than one mechanism, with evidence forboth an IgE response and a cell-mediated type IV response.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Dec 2003
Comparative StudyThe relationship of sex to asthma prevalence, health care utilization, and medications in a large managed care organization.
Age-related sex differences in asthma hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits have been reported, but relationships of these differences to disease prevalence and outpatient management have not been defined. ⋯ Asthma utilization and severity appear greater in males aged 2 to 13 years, somewhat greater in females aged 14 to 22 years, and definitely greater in females aged 23 to 64 years. The mechanisms for these striking sex differences merit further investigation.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Oct 2003
Evaluation of adverse reactions to local anesthetics: experience with 236 patients.
Adverse reactions to local anesthetics (LAs) are frequently reported. Although most of these reactions are not immune mediated, many patients are referred to allergy clinics and undergo extensive evaluation. ⋯ Allergic reactions were not reproduced during testing and challenge with LA preparations that contained preservatives or preservatives with adrenaline in our large group of patients with suspected LA allergy. Since both prick and intradermal skin test results were negative in all the patients and did not provide us with useful information, we propose to modify the standard protocol by omitting intradermal tests and shortening the challenge. We also suggest that the whole procedure be performed with LAs that contain preservatives, which are usually the preferred preparations widely used in daily practice.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Oct 2003
Relationship among pulmonary function, bronchial reactivity, and exhaled nitric oxide in a large group of asthmatic patients.
Bronchial reactivity and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) are not often used to monitor control and severity of asthma in clinical practice. ⋯ eNO values are not related to the degree of airway obstruction but are related to airway reactivity and atopic status independent of inhaled corticosteroid use. Higher values of eNO are seen with increased airway reactivity.