Interleukin 10 (IL10) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) gene polymorphisms in persistent IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether interleukin 10 (IL10) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) gene polymorphisms were associated with persistent IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy in 50 Brazilian children. The diagnostic criteria were anaphylaxis triggered by cow's milk or a positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Tolerance was defined as the absence of a clinical response to a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge or cow's milk exposure.

Obesity and asthma: association or epiphenomenon?

Objective: To relate obesity and asthma by comparing gender, age, initial classification of asthma, clinical control, basal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% (FEF25-75%) with rates of body mass index (BMI) in asthmatic adolescents.

Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 120 asthmatics patients (1.9 male: 1 female) with a mean age of 14.

Neutropenia in antibody-deficient patients under IVIG replacement therapy.

Patients with antibody deficiencies are more prone to develop acute neutropenic episodes even during immunoglobulin replacement. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of acute neutropenia in 42 patients with primary antibody immunodeficiencies, currently receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and to describe the clinical and laboratory findings during neutropenic episodes. Of all patients, 10 (23.

[Evaluation of factors associated with recurrent and/or severe infections in patients with Down's syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial aspects of patients with Down syndrome, who present recurrent and/or severe infections, as well as to evaluate the presence of immunodeficiency in this population.

Methods: Patients with Down syndrome diagnosed by chromosome analysis with recurrent and/or severe infections, followed at the Allergy and Immunology Unit of Children's Institute from 1990 to 1999, were submitted to an epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial protocol, including immunological aspects.

Results: Sex distribution was 1.