Comparative efficacy of non-sedating antihistamine updosing in patients with chronic urticaria
(Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - November 26, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Use of new technology to improve utilization and adherence to immunotherapy
Abstract
Technology and social media have dramatically altered the landscape in which we practice medicine. Clinicians have increasingly turned to technology and the internet to enhance patient care. Allergists have used these modalities to improve utilization and adherence to immunotherapy. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are being widely adopted by allergy practices and some offer allergy/immunology specific modules that aid in daily workflow. The development of specialized devices that reduce pain associated with immunotherapy administration may improve compliance with immunotherapy. Social media a...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - November 21, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Current status and future perspectives of immunotherapy in Latin America and Cuba
Abstract
Most Latin-American countries use subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) extracts from the United States and Europe and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) from Europe, with the exception of Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico. The number of researches on immunotherapy (IT) in Latin America has increased extensively in the last years. Only few Latin American countries have their own guidelines on IT, and, in general, the economic resources for medical research on IT are still low in the area. A global approach for the future of IT in Latin America includes to improve standardization, quality control and ...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - November 12, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Advances in synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes
Abstract
Synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes (SPIRE) represent a new class of therapeutics for allergen immunotherapy that offer the potential to suppress the IgE-mediated allergic disease process through induction of T-cell tolerance. These synthetic T-cell-tolerizing peptides have been designed to induce immunologic tolerance via binding to MHC class II molecules on antigen presenting cells, with subsequent upregulation of regulatory T-cells. (Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - November 10, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Chronic urticaria: new management options
Abstract
Chronic urticaria is defined as episodic or daily hives lasting for at least 6 weeks and impairs quality of life. Two main subtypes include chronic idiopathic (spontaneous) urticaria and inducible (physical) urticaria, but some patients have urticarial vasculitis. “Autoimmune chronic urticaria” implies the presence of histamine releasing or mast cell activating autoantibodies to IgE or FcϵRI, the high affinity receptor on mast cells and basophils. In patients not readily controlled with labeled dosages of second generation H1 receptor antagonists (antihistamines), there is evidence for re...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - November 5, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
ICON: chronic rhinosinusitis
Abstract
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a public health problem that has a significant socio-economic impact. Moreover, the complexity of this disease due to its heterogeneous nature based on the underlying pathophysiology - leading to different disease variants - further complicates our understanding and directions for the most appropriate targeted treatment strategies. Several International/national guidelines/position papers and/or consensus documents are available that present the current knowledge and treatment strategies for CRS. Yet there are many challenges to the management of CRS especially i...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - October 27, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Allergy-associated T cell epitope repertoires are surprisingly diverse and include non-IgE reactive antigens
Abstract
We recently identified T cell epitopes associated with human allergic responses. In a majority of cases, responses focused on a few immunodominant epitopes which can be predicted on the basis of MHC binding characteristics. Several observations from our studies challenged the assumption that T cell epitopes are derived from the same allergen proteins that bind IgE. Transcriptomic and proteomics analysis identified pollen proteins, not bound by IgE. These novel Timothy Grass proteins elicited vigorous Th2 responses, suggesting that unlinked T cell help is operational in pollen-specific responses...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - October 22, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Current status of sublingual immunotherapy in the United States
Abstract
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) use in the United States to date has been limited, despite common use and demonstrated efficacy elsewhere in the world. This is largely in part due to lack of FDA-approved SLIT products, lack of established dosing and administration guidelines, and cost concerns. Several recent studies have demonstrated efficacy and safety of two sublingual grass tablets and one ragweed tablet approved by the FDA, and one sublingual ragweed liquid currently pending FDA approval. With FDA approved SLIT products, there will be numerous challenges to the allergist and patient in dec...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - October 8, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Recommendations for appropriate sublingual immunotherapy clinical trials
Abstract
Sublingual immunotherapy is currently considered a viable alternative to the subcutaneous route. The body of evidence of its efficacy is based on the results of 77 clinical trials and 7 meta-analyses, that have been published so far. Nonetheless, the experimental evidence is partially weak due to the large heterogeneity of studies, namely: doses, regimens, patient selection, duration of treatment, outcomes and reporting. In addition, it is virtually impossible to compare the potency of extracts produced by different manufacturers. Also, there is large variability in reporting and in the classif...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - October 6, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
New treatments for allergen immunotherapy
Abstract
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) represents the only curative and specific way for the treatment of allergic diseases, which have reached a pandemic dimension in industrial countries affecting up to 20-30% of the population. Although applied for 100 years to cure allergy, SIT still faces several problems related to side effects and limited efficacy. Currently, allergen-SIT is performed with vaccines based on allergen extracts that can cause severe, often life threatening, anaphylactic reactions as well as new IgE sensitization to other allergens present in the extract. Low patient adherenc...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - September 24, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Montelukast for the high impact of asthma exacerbations in Venezuela: a practical and valid approach for Latin America?
Conclusions
This real-life pilot study shows that a simplified strategy with oral Montelukast was practical and effective in controlling exacerbations in an asthmatic population of a vulnerable community from Caracas. Such an approach reinforces the role of primary care in asthma treatment. (Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - September 4, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Sensitisation to Blattella germanica among adults with asthma in Yaounde, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study
Conclusions
Sensitisation to Blattella germanica is present in about a quarter of adult patients with asthma in Yaounde. Sensitisation to Alternaria and Blomia tropicalis appears to be a powerful predicting factor of sensitisation to Blattella germanica in this setting. (Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - August 19, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates
Conclusions
At least 7% of the studied population had allergic rhinitis. Most (71%) of these patients had environmental triggers and remained untreated. Allergic rhinitis awareness and measures to control allergens and dust are needed. The impact of preventing allergic rhinitis on other common atopies in the region deserves future studies. (Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - August 1, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
New strategies with anti-IgE in allergic diseases
Abstract
IgE has long been known as a therapeutic target for allergic disease, but the difficulty has been in selecting agents that don't trigger cross linkage of IgE when bound to its high affinity receptor (FceR1) on mast cells and basophils. By “designing” a monoclonal antibody (mAb) which targets that part of IgE that binds to that binds to the a-chain of FceR1, the allergic cascade can be effectively interrupted and diseases such as asthma greatly improved, providing a substantial part of their phenotype engages IgE. Clinical trials and real life studies confirm this. Beyond asthma, a whole ran...
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - July 29, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Audit of nasal lysine aspirin therapy in recalcitrant aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance This form of therapy might reduce the need for expensive monoclonal antibodies in AERD patients. (Source: World Allergy Organization Journal)
Source: World Allergy Organization Journal - July 29, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
