Integrating microbial and host transcriptomics to characterize asthma-associated microbial communities

Research article

Eduardo Castro-Nallar^15*, Ying Shen², Robert J. Freishtat³, Marcos Pérez-Losada¹³⁴, Solaiappan Manimaran², Gang Liu², W. Evan Johnson² and Keith A. Crandall^1*

BMC Medical Genomics 2015, 8:50  doi:10.1186/s12920-015-0121-1

Abstract

Background

The relationships between infections in early life and asthma are not completely understood. Likewise, the clinical relevance of microbial communities present in the respiratory tract is only partially known. A number of microbiome studies analyzing respiratory tract samples have found increased proportions of gamma-Proteobacteria including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Firmicutes such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to present a new approach that combines RNA microbial identification with host gene expression to characterize and validate metagenomic taxonomic profiling in individuals with asthma.

Emerging therapeutic options for the treatment of patients with symptomatic asthma

R. Andrew McIvor, MD

McMaster University, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof

Open Access

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2015.07.011

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Abstract

Objective

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways with increasing worldwide prevalence. Despite treatment according to guidelines, a considerable proportion of patients with asthma remain symptomatic. Different potential therapeutic options for the treatment of these patients are currently in development and undergoing clinical trials, and it is important to regularly review their status.

Pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis: Consensus on safety and the need to allow use in infants

1. Thomas Luger^1,*, 
2. Mark Boguniewicz²,
3. Warner Carr³, 
4. Michael Cork⁴, 
5. Mette Deleuran⁵, 
6. Lawrence Eichenfield⁶, 
7. Philippe Eigenmann⁷, 
8. Regina Fölster-Holst⁸, 
9. Carlo Gelmetti⁹, 
10. Harald Gollnick¹⁰, 
11. Eckard Hamelmann¹¹, 
12. Adelaide A. Hebert¹²,
13. Antonella Muraro¹³, 
14. Arnold P. Oranje^14,15,16, 
15. Amy S. Paller¹⁷, 
16. Carle Paul¹⁸, 
17. Luis Puig¹⁹, 
18. Johannes Ring²⁰, 
19. Elaine Siegfried²¹,
20. Jonathan M. Spergel²², 
21. Georg Stingl²³,
22. Alain Taieb²⁴, 
23. Antonio Torrelo²⁵, 
24. Thomas Werfel²⁶ and
25. Ulrich Wahn²⁷

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Volume 26, Issue 4, pages 306–315, June 2015

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a distressing dermatological disease, which is highly prevalent during infancy, can persist into later life and requires long-term management with anti-inflammatory compounds. The introduction of the topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, more than 10 yr ago was a major breakthrough for the topical anti-inflammatory treatment of AD. Pimecrolimus 1% is approved for second-line use in children (+ or = 2 yr old) and adults with mild-to-moderate AD.

Can Twitter Be a Source of Information on Allergy? Correlation of Pollen Counts with Tweets Reporting Symptoms of Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis and Names of Antihistamine Drugs

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Abstract

PLoS One. 2015; 10(7): e0133706.

Published online 2015 Jul 21. doi:  10.1371/journal.pone.0133706

Francesco Gesualdo,^1,* Giovanni Stilo,² Angelo D’Ambrosio,¹ Emanuela Carloni,¹ Elisabetta Pandolfi,¹ Paola Velardi,²Alessandro Fiocchi,¹ and Alberto E. Tozzi¹

Tobias Preis, Editor

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Abstract

Pollen forecasts are in use everywhere to inform therapeutic decisions for patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). We exploited data derived from Twitter in order to identify tweets reporting a combination of symptoms consistent with a case definition of ARC and those reporting the name of an antihistamine drug.

Allergens in Veterinary Medicine

Allergy Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online and citable. The final edited and typeset version of record will appear in future.)

Abstract

Allergic diseases in animals are increasingly gaining importance in veterinary practice and as research models. For intradermal testing and allergen immunotherapy, a good knowledge of relevant allergens for the individual species is of great importance.

Atopic dermatitis: current treatment guidelines. Statement of the experts of the Dermatological Section, Polish Society of Allergology, and the Allergology Section, Polish Society of Dermatology

Special paper

Roman Nowicki, Magdalena Trzeciak, Aleksandra Wilkowska, Małgorzata Sokołowska-Wojdyło, Hanna Ługowska-Umer, Wioletta Barańska-Rybak, Maciej Kaczmarski, Cezary Kowalewski, Jerzy Kruszewski, Joanna Maj, Wojciech Silny, Radosław Śpiewak, Andriy Petranyuk

Postep Derm Alergol 2015; XXXII (4): 239–249

DOI (digital object identifier): 10.5114/pdia.2015.53319

Abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a condition frequently encountered in medical practices across the country. More than 60% of children with AD are at risk to develop allergic rhinitis or asthma (the atopic march). Patients with AD have a unique predisposition to colonization or infection by Staphylococcus aureus.

IgE-mediated 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) generation by peripheral blood leukocytes: its association with basophil activation

Anna Michalak, Anna Lewandowska-Polak, Sylwia Moskwa, Marek L. Kowalski, Janina Ł. Grzegorczyk

Postep Derm Alergol 2015; XXXII (4): 262–267

DOI (digital object identifier): 10.5114/pdia.2015.52741

Introduction: Allergen-induced basophil activation has been associated with the release of several mediators and with an increased expression of CD203c molecules on basophils.

Aim: To assess the influence of specific allergens on the generation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (15-HETE) from peripheral blood leukocytes in relation to basophil activation, on the basis of CD203c molecule expression and histamine release.

Material and methods: The study included 15 patients with clinical symptoms of birch pollen allergy confirmed by a positive skin prick test with the birch allergen, and 6 healthy controls. Leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with 3 concentrations of the birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1), anti-IgE or with ionophore A23187.

The Clinical Utility of Basophil Activation Testing in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Allergic Disease

Allergy. 2015 Jul 21. doi: 10.1111/all.12698. [Epub ahead of print]

Hoffmann HJ1, Santos AF2,3,4, Mayorga C5, Nopp A6, Eberlein B7, Ferrer M8, Rouzaire P9, Ebo D10, Sabato V10, Sanz ML8, Pecaric-Petkovic T11, Patil SU12,Hausmann OV13,14, Shreffler WG12, Korosec P15, Knol EF16.

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Abstract

The basophil activation test (BAT) has become a pervasive test for allergic response through development of flow cytometry, discovery of activation markers such as CD63 and unique markers identifying basophil granulocytes. BAT measures basophil response to allergen crosslinking IgE on between 150 and 2000 basophil granulocytes in less than 0.1 ml fresh blood. Dichotomous activation is assessed as the fraction of reacting basophils.

ASSURE-CSU: a real-world study of burden of disease in patients with symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria

Study protocol

Karsten Weller^1*, Marcus Maurer¹, Clive Grattan², Alla Nakonechna³, Mohamed Abuzakouk³, Frédéric Bérard⁴, Gordon Sussman⁵, Ana M. Giménez-Arnau⁶, Javier Ortiz de Frutos⁷, André Knulst⁸, G. Walter Canonica⁹, Kelly Hollis¹⁰, Doreen McBride¹¹ and Maria-Magdalena Balp¹²

Clinical and Translational Allergy 2015, 5:29  doi:10.1186/s13601-015-0072-9

Abstract

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) formerly known as chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a severe and distressing skin condition that remains uncontrolled in approximately one half of patients, despite the use of licensed, recommended doses of modern, second-generation H ₁ -antihistamines. So far, the humanistic, societal and economic burden of CSU/CIU has not been well quantified. Therefore it is important to broaden our understanding of how CSU/CIU impacts patients, society, and healthcare systems, by determining the disease burden of CSU/CIU and the associated unmet need; as well as to further guide the use of new treatments in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Toll-like receptor 7 governs interferon and inflammatory responses torhinovirus and is suppressed by IL-5-induced lung eosinophilia

Original article

 Authors

Abstract

Background Asthma exacerbations represent a significant disease burden and are commonly caused by rhinovirus (RV), which is sensed by Toll-like receptors (TLR) such as TLR7. Some asthmatics have impaired interferon (IFN) responses to RV, but the underlying mechanisms of this clinically relevant observation are poorly understood.

Objectives To investigate the importance of intact TLR7 signalling in vivo during RV exacerbation using mouse models of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic airways disease exacerbated by a superimposed RV infection.

Clinical characteristics of the asthma–COPD overlap syndrome – A systematic review

REVIEW

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Authors Nielsen M, Bårnes CB, Ulrik CS

Published Date July 2015 Volume 2015:10(1) Pages 1443—1454

DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S85363

Received 24 March 2015, Accepted 12 May 2015, Published 27 July 2015

Approved for publication by Dr Richard Russell

Mia Nielsen,¹ Camilla Boslev Bårnes,¹ Charlotte Suppli Ulrik<sup>1,2

1</sup>Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, ²University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Background and objective: In recent years, the so-called asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) has received much attention, not least because elderly individuals may present characteristics suggesting a diagnosis of both asthma and COPD. At present, ACOS is described clinically as persistent airflow limitation combined with features of both asthma and COPD. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to review the currently available literature focusing on symptoms and clinical characteristics of patients regarded as having ACOS.

Use of Online Self-Management Diaries in Asthma and COPD: A Qualitative Study of Subjects' and Professionals' Perceptions and Behaviors

Respir Care. 2015 Aug;60(8):1146-56. doi: 10.4187/respcare.03795. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

van Kruijssen V1, van Staa A2, Dwarswaard J3, In 't Veen JC4, Mennema B5, Adams SA6.

1. Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Online self-management diaries are used to support patients' self-management skills and facilitate associated behavioral changes. Although web-based diaries are well-known as a potential self-management tool, reasons that patients use (or do not use) self-management diaries, as well as perceptions and behaviors related to diary use, remain largely unknown.