Examination of genetic variants involved in generation and biodisposition of kinins in patients with angioedema

Research
Published: 12 December 2014
Abstract (provisional)

Jonathan Levy^1*, Georges-Etienne Rivard², Eric Wagner³, Don Beezhold⁴, Noam Berlin⁵, Li Fan², Zhao Zhang² and Gordon L Sussman⁵

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2014, 10:60  doi:10.1186/s13223-014-0060-y

Background

Angioedema (AE) is idiopathic in the majority of cases. We studied patients with AE for genetic variants of proteins involved with bradykinin generation and biodisposition.

Anaphylaxis caused by tipepidine hibenzate, a central antitussive drug

Early View (Online Version of Record published before inclusion in an issue

Abstract

Tipepidine hibenzate, a central antitussive drug, is widely used in the management of cough and is generally safe and well tolerated. We present here a case of anaphylaxis caused by this drug.

Defining adult asthma endotypes by clinical features and patterns of volatile organic compounds in exhaled air

Research

Norbert Meyer^12*, Jan W Dallinga^3*, Sarah Janine Nuss¹, Edwin JC Moonen³, Joep JBN van Berkel³, Cezmi Akdis⁴, Frederik Jan van Schooten³ and Günter Menz¹

Respiratory Research 2014, 15:136  doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0136-8

Several classifications of adult asthma patients using cluster analyses based on clinical and demographic information has resulted in clinical phenotypic clusters that do not address molecular mechanisms. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in exhaled air are released during inflammation in response to oxidative stress as a result of activated leukocytes. VOC profiles in exhaled air could distinguish between asthma patients and healthy subjects. In this study, we aimed to classify new asthma endotypes by combining inflammatory mechanisms investigated by VOC profiles in exhaled air and clinical information of asthma patients.

Multiple Drug Intolerance Syndrome: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study

• Springer Open Choice
• PMC4243008

Drug Safety

Drug Saf. 2014; 37(12): 1037–1045.
Hisham M. R. B. Omer, James Hodson, Sarah K. Thomas, and Jamie J. ColemanAuthor information ► Copyright and License information ►

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Abstract

Background

The term multiple drug intolerance syndrome (MDIS) has been used to describe patients who express adverse drug reactions to three or more drugs without a known immunological mechanism.

Objective

To identify patient factors that could increase the risk of MDIS.

Method

Inpatient records over a 5-year period were captured from an electronic prescribing system to identify patients with at least one documented drug allergy. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to compare the rates of MDIS across age, sex, weight, ethnicity, history of atopy or psychological disorders, and previous admissions.

Results

A total of 25,695 patients had a documented drug intolerance, 4.9 % of whom had MDIS. MDIS was significantly more likely in women (p < 0.001), patients with multiple comorbidities (p < 0.001), and patients with previous hospital admissions (p < 0.001). With the exception of penicillin (p = 0.749), MDIS was more frequent in those with allergies to other drugs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

MDIS was associated with female gender, multiple comorbidities, and previous hospital admissions. A documented allergy to penicillin did not increase the likelihood of MDIS.

The term multiple drug intolerance syndrome (MDIS) has been used to describe patients who express adverse drug reactions to three or more drugs without a known immunological mechanism.

Atopic dermatitis increases the effect of exposure to peanut antigen in dust on peanut sensitization and likely peanut allergy

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.10.007Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof

Food allergy enhances allergic asthma in mice

Research

Tiphaine Bihouée¹¹⁰²³⁵, Gregory Bouchaud¹²³⁵⁶, Julie Chesné¹²³⁵, David Lair¹²³⁵,Camille Rolland-Debord¹²³⁵, Faouzi Braza¹²³⁵, Marie-Aude Cheminant¹²³⁵, Philippe Aubert³⁵⁷, Guillaume Mahay¹²³⁵, Christine Sagan¹²⁹, Michel Neunlist³⁵⁷, Sophie Brouard⁸, Marie Bodinier⁶ and Antoine Magnan^12345*

Respiratory Research 2014, 15:142  doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0142-x

Applicability of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index for Quantification of Residential Mold Contamination in an Air Pollution Health Effects Study

• J Environ Public Health
• v.2014; 2014
• PMC4241249
• 
  

J Environ Public Health. 2014; 2014: 261357.Published online Nov 9, 2014. doi:  10.1155/2014/261357PMCID: PMC4241249
Ali Kamal, 1 Janet Burke, 1 , * Stephen Vesper, 2 Stuart Batterman, 3 Alan Vette, 1 Christopher Godwin, 3 Marina Chavez-Camarena, 4 and Gary Norris 1

Initiation of immunoglobulin therapy by subcutaneous administration in immunodeficiency patients naive to replacement therapy

Review
Published: 6 December 2014
Abstract (provisional)

Alan P Koterba^* and Mark R Stein

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2014,:63 doi:10.1186/s13223-014-0063-8

BackgroundPatients with immunodeficiency diseases require lifelong treatment with immunoglobulin (Ig), yet few studies have vetted dosing strategies and effectiveness of Ig in older patient populations. Patients requiring subcutaneous (SC) Ig (SCIG) typically start with intravenous dosing before transitioning to SCIG weekly maintenance. In this retrospective review, we investigated an alternate strategy with higher initial SC doses among an older patient population with antibody deficiency syndromes.FindingsRecords of 13 patients (mean age, 70 years) with antibody deficiencies who were naive to treatment with Ig were assessed. SCIG (Vivaglobin? [Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 16% Liquid] or Hizentra? [Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 20% Liquid]) was given twice weekly (100 mg/kg) for 2?weeks, followed by weekly (100?mg/kg) administration The mean pretreatment IgG level was 460 mg/dL; at 1, 3, and 6?months after SCIG initiation, mean IgG serum levels were 852, 907, and 943 mg/dL, respectively. Maintenance doses were unchanged during 6 months of follow-up. All patients remain on SCIG (median, 44 months). One patient developed sepsis/cholangitis unrelated to treatment 3 months after starting SCIG; no other serious bacterial infections were reported.ConclusionsInitiation of SCIG by doubling the maintenance dose over 2 weeks may be a well-tolerated and effective option for patients with antibody deficiencies requiring Ig replacement, especially among older patients.

The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.

Biological and Genetic Markers in Occupational Asthma

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports November 2014, 15:488

• Gyu-Young Hur, 
• Hae-Sim Park

Abstract: Occupational asthma (OA) is a complex disease that is often hard to diagnose due to difficulties in detecting relevant exposure, along with inherent differences in disease susceptibility. Numerous studies have attempted to identify relevant biological and genetic markers for OA and to devise tools capable of detecting exposure to the causative agent. Immunological markers, including skin prick test reactivity and specific IgE and IgG antibodies can be used to detect high-molecular-weight allergens in cases of baker’s asthma. For OA induced by low-molecular-weight agents, such as isocyanate, potential biomarkers include serum-specific IgE and IgG antibodies to isocyanate-HSA conjugate and IgG to cytokeratin 19 and transglutaminase-2. For protein-based markers, ferritin/transferrin and vitamin D-binding protein levels have been suggested for isocyanate-OA. Genetic markers of susceptibility to isocyanate-OA include human leukocyte antigen and CTNNA3. Further investigations will be needed to identify better biomarkers for OA, which may be used to inform clinical decision.

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Topic

 Topical Collection on Occupational Allergies

Update on rupatadine in the management of allergic disorders

Review Article

You have free access to this content

1. J. Mullol^1,*, 
2. J. Bousquet², 
3. C. Bachert³, 
4. G. W. Canonica⁴, 
5. A. Giménez-Arnau⁵, 
6. M. L. Kowalski⁶, 
7. F. E. R. Simons⁷, 
8. M. Maurer⁸,
9. D. Ryan⁹ and
10. G. Scadding¹⁰

Article first published online: 10 DEC 2014

DOI: 10.1111/all.12531

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Issue

Allergy Special Issue: Update on Rupatadine in the Management of Allergic Disorders

Volume 70, Issue Supplement s100, pages 1–24, January 2015

Abstract

In a review of rupatadine published in 2008, the primary focus was on its role as an antihistamine, with a thorough evaluation of its pharmacology and interaction with histamine H₁-receptors. At the time, however, evidence was already emerging of a broader mechanism of action for rupatadine involving other mediators implicated in the inflammatory cascade. Over the past few years, the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) as a potent mediator involved in the hypersensitivity-type allergic reaction has gained greater recognition. Rupatadine has dual affinity for histamine H₁-receptors and PAF receptors. In view of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma group's call for oral antihistamines to exhibit additive anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory properties, further exploration of rupatadine's anti-PAF effects was a logical step forward. New studies have demonstrated that rupatadine inhibits PAF effects in nasal airways and produces a greater reduction in nasal symptoms than levocetirizine. A meta-analysis involving more than 2500 patients has consolidated the clinical evidence for rupatadine in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in adults and children (level of evidence Ia, recommendation A). Other recent advances include observational studies of rupatadine in everyday clinical practice situations and approval of a new formulation (1 mg/ml oral solution) for use in children. In this reappraisal, we revisit some key properties and pivotal clinical studies of rupatadine and examine new clinical data in more detail including studies that measured health-related quality of life and studies that investigated the efficacy and safety of rupatadine in other indications such as acquired cold urticaria, mosquito bite allergy and mastocytosis.

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Schnitzler's syndrome: lessons from 281 cases

Review

Heleen D de Koning

Clinical and Translational Allergy 2014, 4:41  doi:10.1186/2045-7022-4-41