Paradoxical effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

M. Tomchaney, 

M. Contoli, 

J. Mayo, 

S. Baraldo, 

S. Li, 

C. R. Cabel, 

D. A. Bull, 

S. Lick, 

J. Malo, 

S. Knoper, 

S. S. Kim, 

J. Tram, 

J. Rojas-Quintero, 

M. Kraft, 

J. G. Ledford, 

Y. Tesfaigzi, 

F. D. Martinez, 

C. A. Thorne, 

F. Kheradmand, 

S. K. Campos, 

A. Papi & 

F. Polverino 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine volume 21, Article number: 275 (2021) 

• details

Abstract

Background

How cigarette smoke (CS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and severity is controversial. We investigated the effects of COPD and CS on the expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 in vivo in COPD patients and controls and in CS-exposed mice, and the effects of CS on SARS-CoV-2 infection in human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

Methods

Use of electronic medical records to describe the prevalence of allergic diseases in Canada

• Short Report
• Open Access
• 
  

• Alexander G. Singer, 
• Leanne Kosowan, 
• Nerissa Nankissoor, 
• Ryan Phung, 
• Jennifer L. P. Protudjer & 
• Elissa M. Abrams 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 85 (2021) 

Abstract: 

Background: Leveraging the data management resources of the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) is a viable approach for describing the prevalence of allergic disease documented in primary care settings.

Methods: The dataset used for this study was inclusive of data from EMR initiation up to Dec 31st 2018. The sample included 1235 primary care providers representing 1,556,472 patients across Canada.

Factors associated with IgG levels in adults with IgG subclass deficiency

• Research
• Open Access
• BMC Immunology

• James C. Barton, 
• Jackson Clayborn Barton, 
• Luigi F. Bertoli & 
• Ronald T. Acton 

BMC Immunology volume 22, Article number: 53 (2021) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Factors associated with IgG levels in adults with IgG subclass deficiency (IgGSD) are incompletely understood. We studied adults with IgGSD with subnormal IgG1 only, subnormal IgG1/IgG3, or subnormal IgG3 only without other subnormal IgG subclasses, IgA, or IgM. We compiled: age; sex; autoimmune condition(s) (AC); atopy; IgG, IgG subclasses, IgA, IgM; IgGsum (IgG1 + IgG2 + IgG3 + IgG4); and D (percentage difference between IgGsum and IgG).

Exertional intolerance and dyspnea with preserved lung function: an emerging long COVID phenotype?

• Letter to the Editor
• Open Access
• 
  

• Grace Y. Lam, 
• A. Dean Befus, 
• Ronald W. Damant, 
• Giovanni Ferrara, 
• Desi P. Fuhr, 
• Michael K. Stickland, 
• Rhea A. Varughese, 
• Eric Y. Wong & 
• Maeve P. Smith 

Respiratory Research volume 22, Article number: 222 (2021) 

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant acute morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is now a growing recognition of the longer-term sequelae of this infection, termed “long COVID”. However, little is known about this condition. Here, we describe a distinct phenotype seen in a subset of patients with long COVID who have reduced exercise tolerance as measured by the 6 min walk test. They are associated with significant exertional dyspnea, reduced health-related quality of life and poor functional status. However, surprisingly, they do not appear to have any major pulmonary function abnormalities or increased burden of neurologic, musculoskeletal or fatigue symptoms.

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Prevalence and clinical implications of bronchiectasis in patients with overlapping asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis: a single-center prospective study

Haiyan Sheng, 

Xiujuan Yao, 

Xiangdong Wang, 

Yuhong Wang, 

Xiaofang Liu & 

Luo Zhang 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine volume 21, Article number: 211 (2021) 

Abstract

Background

As a typical “united airway” disease, asthma-chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) overlap has recently drawn more attention. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease related to a variety of diseases. Whether bronchiectasis exists and correlates with asthma-CRS patients has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of the study was to explore the presence and characteristics of bronchiectasis in patients with overlapping asthma and CRS.

Methods

This report describes a prospective study with consecutive asthma-CRS patients.

Distinct differences in analytical performance of two commercially available assays for specific IgE to egg white and house dust mite allergens

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Komei Ito & 
• Kazunori Tagami 

Clinical and Molecular Allergy volume 19, Article number: 13 (2021) 

Abstract

Background

Measurements of allergen-specific IgE antibodies with different manufacturers’ assays show modest or poor agreement. This study compares analytical performance of specific IgE tests for whole allergen extracts and individual allergen components of two assay systems, IMMULITE and ImmunoCAP, using human sera as well as monoclonal antibodies.

Liver enzyme elevation and eosinophilia with atorvastatin: a case of probable DRESS without cutaneous symptoms

• Case Report
• Open Access

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology

• 
  
• Arman Zereshkian & 
• Susan Waserman 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 81 (2021) 

Abstract

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to medication. While a relatively rare phenomenon, early identification and discontinuation of the offending agent is pivotal to patient management. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of probable atorvastatin induced DRESS syndrome without rash.

Case presentation

An adult female presented with 4 days of persistent fevers, abdominal and flank pain, malaise, and generalized muscle weakness without any cutaneous reaction following 20 days of therapy with atorvastatin.

Mid-Year Basic Aeroallergen Course

The Basic Aeroallergen Course includes instructions for operating volumetric air samplers, as well as an emphasis on microscopic features of pollen and fungal spores. 

The focus of the course will primarily be on concepts for the identification of common pollen and fungal aeroallergen sources encountered in the United States and abroad. 

Course participants will also receive training on how to set-up and operate a volumetric air sampler, process collected samples, and identify tree, grass and weed pollen, and fungal spores using light microscopy. Course participants will also learn how to become certified with the NAB. 

 TARGET AUDIENCE 

The audience that participates in the Basic Aeroallergen Course includes prospective National Allergy Bureau (NAB) station heads and counters, clinicians, fellows in training, as well as those with a general interest in the field of Aerobiology. 

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: Describe the basics of setting up a sampling station and the use of air sampling in a clinical practice. Describe the fundamentals of plant and fungal reproductive biology as it relates to aeroallergens. Describe the basic features of pollen and fungal spore morphology and identify the most common pollen and fungal spores encountered in air samples.

SUMMARY

Available credit: 5.75 Attendance 5.75 CME
Course opens: 07/15/2021
Course expires: 07/14/2022
Cost: $10.00

Please login or register to take this course.

The complexities of insulin allergy: a case and approach

• Case Report
• Open Access
• 
  

• Babak Aberumand & 
• Samira Jeimy 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 79 (2021) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Insulin hypersensitivity is rare, but challenging for individuals with diabetes. The prevalence of insulin allergy has decreased since the introduction of human recombinant insulin preparations. Hypersensitivity reactions range from injection site erythema and swelling, to anaphylaxis. While some reactions are to excipients (zinc, protamine, metacresol), many are to recombinant insulin itself. We present a case of type 1 hypersensitivity to various preparations of insulin in a patient with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Case presentation

A 61-year-old woman with a 30-year history of insulin-dependent T2DM was referred for evaluation of reactions to insulin.

Follow-up study of airway microbiota in children with persistent wheezing

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Lei Wu, 
• Chencong Shen, 
• Yuanling Chen, 
• Xin Yang, 
• Xiaofei Luo, 
• Chengcheng Hang, 
• Lingling Yan & 
• Xuefeng Xu 

Respiratory Research volume 22, Article number: 213 (2021) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Increasing evidence revealed that airway microbial dysbiosis was associated with increased risk of asthma, or persistent wheezing (PW). However, the role of lung microbiota in PW or wheezing recurrence remains poorly understood.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we performed a longitudinal 16S rRNA-based microbiome survey on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples collected from 35 infants with PW and 28 age-matched infants (control group). A 2-year follow-up study on these PW patients was conducted. The compositions of lower airway microbiota were analyzed at the phylum and genus levels.

A spotlight on lime: a review about adverse reactions and clinical manifestations due to Citrus aurantiifolia

• Review
• Open Access
• 
  

• Clara Alessandrello, 
• Luca Gammeri, 
• Serena Sanfilippo, 
• Raffaele Cordiano, 
• Silvia Brunetto, 
• Marco Casciaro & 
• Sebastiano Gangemi 

Clinical and Molecular Allergy volume 19, Article number: 12 (2021) 

Abstract Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a plant belonging to the family of Rutaceae and to the genus Citrus. The fruit is widely used in the United States, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Latin America, but is increasingly widespread all over the world. It is used as a fresh fruit, in the preparation of foods, sweets and drinks and its oils are used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. The main adverse reactions to lime seem to be represented by contact dermatitis, allergic and phototoxic type. In the context of allergic forms, several allergens have been identified in the citrus family, the main one being limonene, but no noteworthy cross-reactivity has been identified.

Assessment of TSLP, IL 25 and IL 33 in patients with shrimp allergy

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Natalia Ukleja-Sokołowska, 
• Magdalena Żbikowska-Gotz, 
• Kinga Lis, 
• Rafał Adamczak & 
• Zbigniew Bartuzi 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 76 (2021) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Shrimp allergy is a growing problem among the European population. TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 are involved in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, including asthma and atopic dermatitis, as they activate the Th2-dependent immune response.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients (18 male and 19 female) with a positive history of symptoms associated with shrimp consumption were selected. All patients had blood samples taken to assess the concentration of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) to house dust mites (HDM) and shrimp (Singleplex, quantitative method with cut off value > 0,35 kAU/L) as well as the level of allergen components using the ImmunoCap ISAC method (Microarray test, semi-quantitative with cut off value > 0,3 ISU-E). The concentrations of TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 in the patients’ blood serum was assessed using the ELISA method (Cusabio). Twenty patients with negative allergy history of allergic disease tests were included in the control group.

Results

Among the 37 shrimp-allergic patients, ImmunoCap ISAC was identified the presence of sIgE to the available shrimp allergen components in only 14 cases (37.8%). TSLP and IL25 levels were significantly higher in the study group. No statistically significant correlation was found between the concentration of analyzed alarmins and the concentration of sIgE level to shrimp or HDM between the study and control groups. No statistically significant correlation was found between poly-sensitization occurring in patients and levels of TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 .

Conclusion

In shrimp-allergic patients, the concentrations of TSLP and IL-25 were significantly higher than in the control group (1.33 vs. 0.49 and 157 vs. 39.36, respectively). There was no correlation between the concentrations of TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 and the concentration of sIgE in the patients or the number of allergen components that the patients were sensitized to.

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