Original Article
28 May 2014 / 17 April 2024 by almaware
Background: Epinephrine is the treatment of choice for acute food-allergic reactions but existing guidelines state that it should be prescribed uniquely to patients who already experienced at least one food-induced anaphylactic episode. Objective: We investigated whether in Italy epinephrine auto-injector is prescribed uniquely following the existing guidelines only, or is allergen-informed as well (i.e., based […]
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Background: The allergenic profile of patients hypersensitive to pollen pan-allergens, profilin and polcalcin, has received little attention so far. Objective: To detect whether hypersensitivity to profilin and polcalcin follows sensitization to specific allergen sources or represents a primary phenomenon, and to examine the sensitization profiles of patients hypersensitive to pollen pan-allergens. Methods: IgE reactivity to […]
Background: Foods containing flaxseed proteins rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids are new on the market. Objectives: In a population of patients attending the allergology department, we evaluated the frequency of sensitization to flaxseed, characterized allergens and looked for modifications related to industrial processing. Methods: Natural, heated and extruded flaxseeds were tested using prick-in-prick tests (PIP […]
Background: Olive pollen sensitization is surprisingly frequent in Milan, an area that is virtually both olive- and ash-free.Objective:To establish the prevalence of olive pollen sensitization north of Milan, and to investigate the allergens involved.Methods: 300 pollenallergic patients living in this area were randomly selected. Based on SPT-results, olive pollen reactors were classified as multi-sensitized, oligo-sensitized, […]
The standardization of allergen extracts is of primary relevance to the clinical efficacy. Biological standardization procedures are widely used in the commercial production of vaccines. We tested, in grass-allergic patients, the potency of three different grass extracts for sublingual immunotherapy by means of skin prick tests. Specific IgE against Phl p 1, 2, 4, 5, […]
Background: Studies suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and development of asthma and allergic diseases. Aim: To determine a) the association between vitamin D and asthma among children , b) difference in level of vitamin D in asthmatic children and control, and c) effect of vitamin D on atopy markers. Setting: Case-control study done, […]
Background: The clinical efficacy of Monophosphoryl lipid A-adjuvanted immunotherapy (MPLA-SCIT) is ascertained, but there are no data on its possible longlasting effect. We assessed in a real-life setting the persistence of the clinical effect five years after discontinuation. Methods: Patients with parietaria-induced respiratory allergy and fulfilling the criteria for immunotherapy prescription were evaluated at baseline, […]
Knuckle pads is a syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple nodules located on the extensor side of the interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints. Several conditions can be confused with Knuckle pads. We describe a case of a 47-years-old man who developed multiple bilateral roundish nodules located in the skin over the dorsal and lateral interphalangeal […]
Background: Several comorbid conditions may contribute to worsening asthma symptoms, including nasal polyps (NPs). Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) play a crucial role in asthma pathophysiology, and specific receptors for CysLTs are reported as upregulated in nasal polyp tissues. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of nasal polyps in severe vs mild […]
Objective: We evaluated, by means of a multicentre, prospective observational trial, the severity in term of symptoms and symptomatic drugs use and the presence of asthma in subjects with tree or cypress or olive, or ragweed or parietaria allergy and we evaluated also the efficacy of a consecutive 2-year specific sublingual immunotherapy treatment. Patients and […]