Current allergy and asthma reports
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Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Although the pathophysiology behind this disease is poorly understood, there are effective treatments for JIA based on the subtype of disease. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular glucocorticoid injections, and traditional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs such as methotrexate. In the past decade, the use of biologic therapy in JIA, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin-1 inhibitors, and interleukin-6 inhibitors, has dramatically increased with promising outcomes.
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Curr Allergy Asthma Rep · Apr 2013
ReviewRole of leukotriene antagonists and antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis is the most common atopic disorder seen in ENT clinics. It is diagnosed by history, physical exam and objective testing. Patient education, environmental control measures, pharmacotherapy, and allergen-specific immunotherapy are the cornerstones of allergic rhinitis treatment and can significantly reduce the burden of disease. ⋯ In contrast, leukotrienes result in increase in nasal airway resistance and vascular permeability. Antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists are commonly used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The published literature about combined antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists in mono- or combination therapy is reviewed and presented.
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Curr Allergy Asthma Rep · Feb 2013
ReviewDelayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be rapidly progressing and fatal. In instances where the triggering allergen is not known, establishing the etiology of anaphylaxis is pivotal to long-term risk management. ⋯ Patients with IgE Ab to alpha-gal continue to emerge and, increasingly, these cases involve children. This IgE Ab response cross-reacts with cat and dog but does not appear to pose a risk for asthma; however, it may impair diagnostic testing in some situations.
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Curr Allergy Asthma Rep · Feb 2013
ReviewAllergen component testing for food allergy: ready for prime time?
Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions and greatly influence quality of life. Accurate diagnosis of food allergies is important to avoid serious allergic reactions and prevent unnecessary dietary restrictions, but can be difficult. ⋯ Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated that CRD may improve the specificity of allergy testing to a variety of foods including peanut, milk, and egg. While it may be a helpful adjunct to current diagnostic testing, CRD is not ready to replace existing methods of allergy testing, as it not as sensitive, is not widely available, and evaluations of component testing for a number of major food allergens are lacking.
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Curr Allergy Asthma Rep · Feb 2013
ReviewSkin testing for Beta-lactam antibiotics: impact of the availability of a major determinant.
Beta-lactam antibiotics are very effective agents for a variety of infections. In patients with beta-lactam allergy, these drugs are withheld due to fear of subsequent allergic reactions. ⋯ Skin testing to beta-lactam agents is the gold standard in evaluating patients with type I, immediate hypersensitivity reactions. The robust negative predictive value of this test has yet to be surpassed by any other testing modality currently available.