The diagnostic usefulness of the basophil activation test (BAT) with annexin V in an allergy to Alternaria alternata.

Background: The basophil activation test (BAT) is an effective diagnostic tool in mold allergy, which is still not sufficiently known.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the degree of annexin V binding to the surface of the basophil cell membrane after stimulation with anti-immunoglobulin E (anti-IgE) and Alternaria alternata allergenic extract.

Material And Methods: Alternaria alternata allergic patients (n = 32) and healthy volunteers (n = 33) were evaluated using skin prick tests (SPT), quantification of specific IgE (sIgE) and the BAT.

Studying allergic inflammation and spirometry over menstrual cycles in well-controlled asthmatic women: Changes in progesterone and estradiol affect neither FENO levels nor lung function.

It has been reported that female sex hormones influence on allergic inflammation and ventilation parameters in asthma but conclusions drawn by different researchers are divergent. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of progesterone (Pg) and estradiol (E) on the dynamics of allergic inflammation and spirometry test results in regularly menstruating women with stable allergic asthma. 13 women (28 days menstrual cycle), aged 18-45, taking no hormonal contraceptives, with mild and moderate asthma, without reported exacerbations at the near-ovulation and/or menstruation time, were monitored during two consecutive menstrual cycles.

Alternaria alternata and its allergens: a comprehensive review.

Alternaria alternata is mainly an outdoor fungus whose spores disseminate in warm, dry air, so in temperate climates, their count peaks in the summers. Alternaria may also be found in damp, insufficiently ventilated houses, where its allergenic properties cocreate the sick building syndrome. Mold-induced respiratory allergies and research on Alternaria both have a lengthy history: the first was described as early as 1698 and the second dates back to 1817.

[Allergens of mites].

Mite allergens belong to the group of inhalant allergens and represent antigenic substances which are particutlarly important in the pathogenesis of respiratory system diseases and skin diseases. The most common diseases associated with chronic exposure to these aeroallergens include: allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. Mite allergens are simple proteins or glycoproteins with different molecular structures and various biochemical functions.

Monitoring of NSAIDs adverse effects based on spontaneous reports from Wrocław regional adverse drug reactions monitoring center.

The mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in majority of cases is responsible for adverse reactions of these therapeutic agents. Obtaining post-registration information on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by means of the Yellow Card System is a significant element in the process of enhancing the safety of pharmacotherapy. The aim of the study was to analyze ADRs of NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs) reported to the Regional Centre for the Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions (RCMADR) in Wrocław in the years 2007-2009.

CD164 as a Basophil Activation Marker.

Introduction of flow cytometric technique to the research on basophil activation has led to significant achievements in allergy diagnosis in vitro. Most of the studies employing the flow cytometry used CD63 as a marker of basophil activation and only some of them used CD203c. Recently discovered basophil activation markers, including CD164, opened new possibilities for solving majority of current diagnostic needs.

[Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis--current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment].

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a rare syndrome, with symptoms caused by both ingestion of food allergen and physical exercise. The main purpose of this paper is to present current knowledge about FDEIA, focus on therapeutic possibilities, as well as to call attention to this uncommon and potentially life-threatening disease. The authors critically reviewed the data from available publications, including recent observations regarding pathomechanism, clinical history, severity-based classification of anaphylaxis symptoms, diagnostics and treatment options, including pharmacological prophylaxis.

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis-sequence of causative factors might be reversed.

We present a case of a 27-years-old female who experienced several episodes of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA). Besides two typical episodes of FDEIA triggered by a postprandial physical exercise, she also experienced atypical episodes in which the sequence of the causative stimuli was clearly reversed-clinical symptoms which appeared after a prolonged exercise, followed by ingestion of the sensitizing food. This unusual clinical picture entitled us to extend the routine recommendations- avoidance of the coincidence of food allergens intake and exercise accordingly to her history.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis: an update on diagnosis and treatment.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA) and food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) are rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndromes in which association with exercise is crucial. The range of triggering physical activities is broad, including as mild an effort as a stroll. EIA is not fully repeatable (ie, the same exercise may not always result in anaphylaxis in a given patient).

Validation of basophil CD164 upregulation for pollen allergy diagnosis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of allergen-induced basophil CD164 upregulation in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by allergy to grass pollens. This study was performed in 24 patients with allergy to grass pollens, and in 25 healthy controls. The protocol for allergen-induced basophil CD164 upregulation consisted of whole blood samples processing and staining with anti-CCR3/anti-CD164 antibodies added to a buffer at the beginning of stimulation.

Influence of hyperosmotic conditions on basophil CD203c upregulation in patients with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Increased in vitro basophil activation in buffers of slightly elevated osmolarity in 2 cases of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis is presented. These data may suggest the importance of basophil activation degree in pathogenesis of this life threatening syndrome.

Exercise-induced bronchospasm among athletes in Lower Silesia Province.

A few studies have reported data on the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm in high school and university athletes. Recently published data suggest that exercise-induced bronchospasm may affect up to 39% of American university athletes. To date, no data describing this pathology in athletes from Central Europe have been published.

[Efficacy and safety of specific immunotherapy of upper airways allergic diseases caused by allergy to mites].

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3 years oral specific immunotherapy in patients with perannial allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma caused by allergy to mites.

Material And Methods: Fifteen patients with allergic perannial rhinitis entered the study. Ten of them suffered also from bronchial asthma.

[Significance of CYP2D6 oxidation genotype as a risk factor in development of allergic diseases].

The relationship between genetically determined polymorphic metabolism and susceptibility to allergic diseases has aroused much interest. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients with allergic diseases, like atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis differ from healthy persons in their CYP2D6 genotype. Study completed 400 persons, 100 patients with allergic diseases--62 with atopic asthma and 38 with allergic rhinitis and 300 healthy volunteers as a control group.

[Modern views on the role of neutrophil in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma].

In this study the authors presented modern views concerning neutrophil participation in allergic inflammation and some literature data suggesting the possibility of neutrophil specific activation by extrinsic allergens.

[Studies of the specificity of immediate allergic reactions to ampicillin].

Ampicillin belongs to the drugs causing most frequently IgE-dependent allergic reactions, but the current specificity of these reactions is poorly known. Some experimental data suggest that the side chain of ampicillin may induce synthesis of drug-specific IgE antibodies. In our study we have decided to explain the specificity of ampicillin-induced allergic reactions type I appearing in patients after drug administration.

[Neutrophil myeloperoxidase release by selected extrinsic allergens].

In this study the authors investigated myeloperoxidase release from peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from patients with allergic respiratory tract diseases and from healthy subjects, induced by selected extrinsic allergens. We have observed the same degree of myeloperoxidase release from neutrophils isolated from both patients with allergic respiratory tract diseases and healthy subjects after stimulation by selected allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Grass mix). Moreover, control allergens (to which allergic persons were not sensitized) also caused myeloperoxidase release from neutrophils isolated from patients with allergic diseases of the airways.

[Studies on cross reactivity to penicillins in patients with immediate allergic reactions caused by amoxicillin].

In this study we have explored the presence of cross reactivity to penicillin and ampicillin in patients with immediate allergic reactions caused by amoxicillin. Skin test results with amoxicillin were positive in 66.66% and in the remaining 33.

[Value of the leukotriene generation test in diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin].

In this study we have decided to explore the diagnostic usefulness of CAST-ELISA test in patients with immediate allergic reactions caused by penicillin. Peripheral blood leukocytes were stimulated by commercially available penicillin allergens--Penicillin G, Benzyl-penicillin--Polylysine and specially performed Penicillin G conjugated to human serum albumin. Test was performed in 33 allergic persons and in 13 control healthy persons well tolerated penicillin antibiotics with negative skin tests results.