The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice
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J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2019
Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity: Skin Testing Differentiates Allergy From Nonallergic Reactions and Identifies a Safe Alternative as Proven by Intravenous Provocation.
Hypersensitivity reactions occurring within minutes after intravascular injection of iodinated radiocontrast media (RCM) are not rare and have been previously considered to be nonallergic. However, in the last decades, evidence is increasing that genuine RCM allergy may present as either full-blown anaphylaxis or delayed exanthematous skin reaction. ⋯ The diagnostic sensitivity of intradermal RCM testing to identify allergic patients is high in both immediate-type and delayed-type RCM allergy. Intravenous provocation with a skin test-negative RCM is safe and enables identification of a tolerated alternative RCM. Additional skin testing of iodine solution is required to identify patients with iodine allergy.
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J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Sep 2019
Observational StudyInvestigation into the α-Gal Syndrome: Characteristics of 261 Children and Adults Reporting Red Meat Allergy.
Red meat allergy has historically been understood as a rare disease of atopic children, but the discovery of the "α-Gal syndrome," which relates to IgE to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), has challenged that notion. ⋯ The α-Gal syndrome is a regionally common form of food allergy that has a characteristic but not universal delay in symptom onset, includes gastrointestinal symptoms, can develop at any time in life, and is equally common in otherwise nonatopic individuals.
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J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Jul 2019
Role and Impact of Chronic Cough in Individuals with Asthma From the General Population.
Cough is a well-recognized symptom in asthma, but the role and impact of chronic cough in individuals with asthma has not been described in the general population. ⋯ Chronic cough in individuals with asthma is associated with a more severe disease phenotype in terms of worse respiratory symptoms, greater health care utilizations, lower lung function, and higher levels of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in blood.
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J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · May 2019
Vaccine Allergy? Skin Testing and Challenge at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
The rate of true vaccine allergy is unknown. Children with potential IgE-mediated adverse events following immunization (AEFI) should undergo allergy investigation that may include skin testing or challenge. Previous protocols tend to be highly conservative and often suggest invasive testing for all, a practice not evidence based, technically difficult, and unpleasant in children. It has more recently been suggested that skin testing may be restricted to those with allergic-like events within the first hour and those with a history of anaphylaxis. ⋯ The vast majority of children (92%) presenting with a potential IgE-mediated AEFI are able to tolerate challenge to a suspect vaccine without reaction. We present our investigation protocol recommending skin testing in all children with anaphylaxis and challenge with a suspect vaccine if negative testing or previous nonanaphylactic potential IgE-mediated AEFI.
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Mechanistic studies have improved our understanding of molecular and cellular components involved in asthma and our ability to treat severe patients. An mAb directed against IgE (omalizumab) has become an established add-on therapy for patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma and mAbs specific for IL-5 (reslizumab, mepolizumab), IL-5R (benralizumab), and IL-4R (dupilumab) have been approved as add-on treatments for uncontrolled eosinophilic (type 2) asthma. While these medications have proven highly effective, some patients with severe allergic and/or eosinophilic asthma, as well as most patients with severe non-type-2 disease, have poorly controlled disease. ⋯ Antibodies to IL-33 and its receptor, ST2, are being evaluated in ongoing clinical studies. In addition, a number of antagonists directed against other potential targets are under consideration for future trials, including IL-25, IL-6, TNF-like ligand 1A, CD6, and activated cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM). Clinical data from ongoing and future trials will be important in determining whether these new medications will offer benefits in place of or in addition to existing therapies for asthma.