January 7, 2020

Use of antibiotics and asthma medication for acute lower respiratory tract infections in people with and without asthma: retrospective cohort study

  • Research
  • Open Access
Abstract
Background
Antibiotics are overused in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), but less is known about their use in patients with asthma, or the use of asthma medication for ALRTI in patients without asthma. Our aim was to describe the frequency, variation and drivers in antibiotic and asthma medication prescribing for ALRTI in adults with and without asthma in primary care.

January 4, 2020

Future research trends in understanding the mechanisms underlying allergic diseases for improved patient care

Heimo Breiteneder  Zuzana Diamant  Thomas Eiwegger  Wytske J. Fokkens  Claudia Traidl‐Hoffmann  Kari Nadeau  Robyn E. O’Hehir  Liam O’Mahony  Oliver Pfaar  Maria J. Torres  De Yun Wang  Luo Zhang  Cezmi A. Akdis 

REVIEW Open Access

Abstract


The specialties of allergy and clinical immunology have entered the era of precision medicine with the stratification of diseases into distinct disease subsets, specific diagnoses, and targeted treatment options, including biologicals and small molecules. 
This article reviews recent developments in research and patient care and future trends in the discipline. The section on basic mechanisms of allergic diseases summarizes the current status and defines research needs in structural biology, type 2 inflammation, immune tolerance, neuroimmune mechanisms, role of the microbiome and diet, environmental factors, and respiratory viral infections. In the section on diagnostic challenges, clinical trials, precision medicine and immune monitoring of allergic diseases, asthma, allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, and new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of drug hypersensitivity reactions are discussed in further detail.

Perspectives in allergen immunotherapy: 2019 and beyond


REVIEW ARTICLE - Open Access

Oliver Pfaar  Ioana Agache  Frédéric de Blay  Sergio Bonini  Adam M. Chaker  Stephen R. Durham  Radoslaw Gawlik  Peter W. Hellings  Marek Jutel  Jörg Kleine‐Tebbe  Ludger Klimek  Matthias V. Kopp  Andreas Nandy  Ronald L. Rabin  Ronald van Ree  Harald Renz  Graham Roberts  Anne‐Marie Salapatek  Carsten B. Schmidt‐Weber  Mohamed H. Shamji  Gunter J. Sturm  J. Christian Virchow  Ulrich Wahn  Christoph Willers  Petra Zieglmayer  Cezmi A. Akdis

Abstract

The seventh “Future of the Allergists and Specific Immunotherapy (FASIT)” workshop held in 2019 provided a platform for global experts from academia, allergy clinics, regulatory authorities and industry to review current developments in the field of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Key domains of the meeting included the following:

Benefits and harm of systemic steroids for short- and long-term use in rhinitis and rhinosinusitis: an EAACI position paper

Because of the inflammatory mechanisms of most chronic upper airway diseases such as rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, systemic steroids have been used for their treatment for decades. However, it has been very well documented that—potentially severe—side-effects can occur with the accumulation of systemic steroid courses over the years. A consensus document summarizing the benefits of systemic steroids for each upper airway disease type, as well as highlighting the potential harms of this treatment is currently lacking.

December 28, 2019

Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Dupilumab Dose Regimens After Initial Successful Treatment in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis A Randomized Clinical Trial

Key Points
Question  Do dupilumab regimens less frequent than once weekly or every 2 weeks maintain long-term efficacy and safety?
Findings  In this randomized clinical trial of 422 patients, high-responding patients previously treated for 16 weeks with 300 mg of dupilumab weekly or every 2 weeks who continued those regimens had the most consistent efficacy; patients taking lower-dose regimens (every 4 or 8 weeks) or placebo had a dose-dependent reduction in response and no safety advantage.

Expression of COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX and CysLT2CysLT2 in nasal polyps and bronchial tissue of patients with aspirin exacerbated airway disease

  • Research
  • Open Access
Abstract
Background
Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a disease of the upper and lower airways. It is characterized by severe asthma, chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and intolerance towards nonsteroidal analgesics (NSAR). Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of AERD. It is still unknown, whether metabolism of AA is comparable between the upper and lower airways as well as between patients with and without NSAR intolerance.

December 24, 2019

Early-life exposure to humidifier disinfectant determines the prognosis of lung function in children

  • Research article
  • Open Access
  • Open Peer Review
Abstract
Background
Use of humidifier disinfectants (HD) at home leads to chemical airborne exposure, causing HD associated lung injury (HDLI) with high mortality. However, the lung function in children diagnosed with HDLI is not well studied. We investigated the effect of HD exposure on lung function, prognosis, and exposure characteristics associated with the lung function phenotype in children.

House dust mite sensitisation and association with atopic dermatitis in Brunei

Abstract
IgE sensitisation in tropical areas is under-reported. A 2 year retrospective cohort study of allergy data specific to aero and food allergens in Brunei demonstrated that specific IgE levels to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D.farinae, Blomia tropicalis) were highest in this population and correlated with atopic dermatitis (p < 0.001). Shrimp and peanut were the most common food allergens. A dominance of house/storage mite sensitization is seen in Brunei which is consistent with other tropical countries.