Monitoring of omalizumab therapy in children and adolescents.

Background: Omalizumab is a successfully implemented supplementary therapy for improving asthma control in children aged 6 years and older with severe persistent allergic asthma. The dosage of omalizumab depends on body weight and IgE level, yet no parameter has been established to guide dosage changes during therapy. Clinical studies in patients with allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis revealed a clinically relevant improvement by using omalizumab leading to concentrations of free serum IgE reported to be lower than 50 ng/ml.

Preliminary evaluation of a hydrogel liquid bandage in 30 dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy surgery.

Aims: To compare the prevalence of minor incisional complications in canine patients undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery that had a hydrogel liquid bandage (HLB) applied to their incision, with patients that had a light adhesive bandage applied.

Methods: Thirty dogs undergoing TPLO surgery were randomly assigned to either application of a light adhesive bandage to the incision, with removal 18-24 hours later, or application of a clear-drying polyethylene glycol HLB to the incision. Erythema, swelling, discharge, and dehiscence were assessed 1 day (Day 1) and 10-14 days (Days 10-14) postoperatively.

Monitoring free serum IgE in severe asthma patients treated with omalizumab.

Background: Benefit of treatment with the monoclonal anti-IgE-antibody omalizumab in severe IgE-dependent asthma requires a significant reduction of serum free IgE concentrations. It is unclear if monitoring free serum IgE is clinically meaningful once omalizumab treatment is initiated.

Methods: Free IgE and omalizumab serum concentrations were quantified in 22 patients with severe asthma (68% female, 47 ± 11 yrs, mean (±SD) pre-bronchodilator FEV(1) 62 ± 13%, baseline mean (±SEM) free serum IgE 652 ± 136 ng/ml) treated with omalizumab for 4 months using a Recovery-ELISA.

The recoveryELISA--a newly developed immunoassay for measurement of therapeutic antibodies and the target antigen during antibody therapy.

Therapeutic antibodies are an important part of Biopharmaceuticals. They are highly innovative and specific drugs. Additionally, they play a challenging role in new demands in diagnostics because they disturb conventional antibody-based tests, such as immunoassays.

Risk factors associated with short-term outcome and development of perioperative complications in dogs undergoing surgery because of gastric dilatation-volvulus: 166 cases (1992-2003).

Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with death and development of perioperative complications in dogs undergoing surgery for treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 166 dogs.