Allergy
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Allergy to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is the most important caue of perioperative anaphylaxis in France. The diagnosis relies on a careful clinical history, the search of serum IgE antibodies, and the realization of skin tests. ⋯ Negative skin tests allowed the selection of an alternative NMBA, which was well tolerated in all 6 cases. We found an excellent negative predictive value of skin tests in our series but larger studies are required to properly address this question.
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Immune-modulation such as tolerance induction appears to be an upcoming concept to prevent development of atopic diseases. Pregnancy might present a critical period for preventing allergic sensitization of the progeny. We investigated the effect of maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy on allergen-induced sensitization and airway inflammation in the offspring in a murine model. ⋯ In our model, maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy prevented later allergen-mediated sensitization and airway inflammation by allergen-specific tolerance induction in the offspring.