International archives of allergy and immunology
-
Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2011
Controlled Clinical TrialRANTES in exhaled breath condensate of patients with severe persistent allergic asthma during omalizumab therapy.
Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody developed for the treatment of IgE-mediated diseases, including asthma. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of omalizumab treatment on changes in RANTES in exhaled breath condensate and other inflammatory markers in patients with persistent severe asthma. ⋯ Our results confirmed that during anti-immunoglobulin E therapy with omalizumab in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma, RANTES expression is decreased. This process in turn could lead to a limitation of airway inflammation and could be essential for the beneficial effect of anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab.
-
Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2011
Increased S-nitrosothiol levels in nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis compared with cough variant asthma.
Nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB) and cough variant asthma (CVA) are common causes of chronic cough. Both are characterized by eosinophilic inflammation in the airways. However, airway hyperresponsiveness, which is a characteristic feature of CVA, is not observed in NAEB. We hypothesized that endogenous bronchodilator S-nitrosothiol (SNO) levels are different between patients with NAEB and CVA. ⋯ SNOs may be an important factor in determining the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in the presence of eosinophilic inflammation.
-
Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2011
Risk assessment of immediate systemic reactions from skin tests with β-lactam antibiotics.
Some clinical studies have demonstrated that skin tests for β-lactam antibiotics may cause more adverse reactions than skin tests for common allergens. ⋯ The RRI of systemic reactions by skin testing is proportional to the pre-test probability of a true immediate hypersensitivity reaction to β-lactam antibiotics. In the present case series, only patients with high pre-test probability were at risk, and this group should therefore be skin tested and monitored in a hospitalization regimen, where resuscitation staff and access to an emergency room are immediately available.
-
Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2011
Tolerability of aztreonam in patients with cell-mediated allergy to β-lactams.
Cross-reactivity between aztreonam and β-lactams is poor, but tolerability of aztreonam has been assessed in a few groups of patients suffering from IgE-mediated allergy to β-lactams. The aim of this study was to assess the cross-reactivity of aztreonam with other β-lactams and its tolerability in patients with cell-mediated allergy to these drugs. ⋯ Our data confirm the lack of cross-reactivity between β-lactams and aztreonam in patients with cell-mediated allergy to these drugs. Delayed-reading intradermal tests and patch tests with aztreonam represent a simple and rapid diagnostic tool to establish tolerability in β-lactam-allergic patients.
-
Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2010
Safety of cefuroxime as an alternative in patients with a proven hypersensitivity to penicillins: a DAHD cohort survey.
In patients sensitized to beta-lactams, a safe beta-lactam alternative is often needed. The objective was to assess the safety of cefuroxime in patients with a proven beta-lactam allergy. ⋯ Cefuroxime appeared to be a safe alternative in beta-lactam-allergic patients after testing. The risk of giving cefuroxime being not null, a thorough drug allergy work-up, including provocation test, is still needed.