Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
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Asian children born in Australia have higher rates of eczema and nut allergy than non-Asian children. However, it is not known whether this country of birth differential exists for other allergies or anaphylaxis risk. ⋯ Patterns of allergy/anaphylaxis risk and their triggers differed according to both ethnicity and country of birth, suggesting a gene-environment factor is in play. The difference in patterns for asthma compared with other atopic diseases is surprising and warrants further exploration.
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Increased level of hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) in sputum is reported to be a new biomarker of neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic airway disorders. However, the relationship between H2 S and disease activity remains unclear. ⋯ The H2 S ratio may provide useful information on predicting future risks of asthma exacerbation, as well as on obstructive neutrophilic airway inflammation as one of the non-Th2 biomarkers, in asthma.
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A predisposition to exacerbations is being recognized as a distinct phenotype with "previous exacerbations" representing the strongest clinical factor associated with future exacerbation. Thus, to identify additional novel biomarkers associated with asthma exacerbations, "past exacerbation status" must be included as a confounding factor. ⋯ Measurement of FeNO has a significant potential to predict future asthma exacerbation, which is independent of the "past exacerbation history."
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Both subcutaneous and sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SCIT and SLIT) have been shown to effectively suppress allergic manifestations upon allergen exposure, providing long-term relief from symptoms in allergic disorders including allergic asthma. Clinical studies directly comparing SCIT and SLIT report a different kinetics and magnitude of immunological changes induced during treatment. Comparative studies into the mechanisms underlying immune suppression in SCIT and SLIT are lacking. ⋯ In conclusion, GP-SCIT suppresses Th2 inflammation and induced neutralizing antibodies, while GP-SLIT suppresses the clinically relevant lung function parameters in an asthma mouse model, indicating that the two application routes depend on partially divergent mechanisms of tolerance induction. Interestingly, these data mirror observations in clinical studies, underscoring the translational value of these mouse models.
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The Royal College of Anaesthetists 6th National Audit Project examined Grade 3-5 perioperative anaphylaxis for 1 year in the UK. ⋯ Current clinical assessment in the UK is effective but harmonization of approach to testing, access to services and MHRA reporting is needed. Expert anaesthetist involvement should increase to optimize diagnostic yield and advice for future anaesthesia. Dynamic tryptase evaluation improves detection of tryptase release where peak tryptase is <14 μg/L and should be adopted. Standardized clinic reports containing appropriate details of tests, conclusions, avoidance, cross-reactivity and suitable alternatives are required to ensure effective, safe future management options.