The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice
-
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2018
ReviewEosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Clinical Pathology Conference and Review.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a small vessel vasculitis associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Despite its rarity, continuous gains are being made in understanding the disease with knowledge advancements regarding its epidemiology, heterogeneous clinical manifestations, management, and outcomes. Large knowledge gaps remain, however, particularly surrounding pathophysiologic and diagnostic uncertainties. ⋯ In addition, recent evidence points to distinct, but partly overlapping, disease phenotypes, yet there is insufficient understanding to inform phenotype-tailored therapies. EGPA also remains a diagnostic challenge in part because asthma may be the primary or predominant manifestation for years, and the chronic corticosteroid requirement may mask other disease features. Efforts are ongoing to better elucidate pathophysiologic mechanisms, resolve classification issues, better characterize disease manifestations, and further clarify disease subcategorization, all of which will translate into better diagnosis and treatment with the possibility of specifically adapted therapies.
-
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialA Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Escitalopram in Patients with Asthma and Major Depressive Disorder.
Depression is common in asthma and is associated with poor outcomes. However, antidepressant therapy in depressed patients with asthma has been the topic of little research. ⋯ The findings suggest that patients with more severe asthma and depression symptomatology may have a positive response, in terms of both asthma and depressive symptom reduction, to antidepressant treatment.
-
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2018
Increased Dose and Duration of Statin Use Is Associated with Decreased Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations.
Statins have pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, yet the effect of statin use on asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations has remained unclear, especially in Asian populations. ⋯ Our study suggests that statin use is associated with the decreased risk of asthma-related ED visits and/or hospitalizations in patients with asthma. A dose-response effect of statin use is also observed in this study. Therefore, future randomized clinical trials would be warranted to further evaluate the association.
-
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2018
Diagnostic Value of Tryptase in Food Allergic Reactions: A Prospective Study of 160 Adult Peanut Challenges.
Serum tryptase is useful in diagnosing drug and venom anaphylaxis. Its utility in food anaphylaxis is unknown. ⋯ Serum tryptase measurement is valuable in food allergic reactions, and correlates with symptom severity. Comparing peak reaction levels at 2 hours with baseline is essential. A rise in tryptase of 30% is associated with food allergic reactions.
-
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2018
Comparative StudyComparison of Basophil Activation Test and Skin Testing Performances in NMBA Allergy.
Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are the main agents involved during perioperative immediate hypersensitivity. The etiological diagnosis (IgE-mediated allergy vs nonallergy) is linked to the clinical presentation together with tryptase and histamine levels and skin test results. The role of basophil activation test (BAT) needs to be better defined in this setting. ⋯ In our technical conditions, BAT does not replace skin testing in the assessment of NMBA allergy.