Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Potential Value of the Lymphocyte Toxicity Assay to Assess Risk.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease characterized by multi-system dysfunction resulting in recurrent lung infections and progressive pulmonary disease. CF patients are at a higher risk for drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) compared to the general population, which has been attributed to the recurrent need for antibiotics and the inflammation associated with CF disease. In vitro toxicity tests such as the lymphocyte toxicity assay (LTA) offer the potential for risk assessment for DHRs.

Comparison of the Liverpool Causality Assessment Tool vs. the Naranjo Scale for predicting the likelihood of an adverse drug reaction: A retrospective cohort study.

Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the Liverpool Causality Assessment Tool vs. Naranjo Scale for screening suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) cases.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient charts with a history of suspected ADR, scored using both tools, and determined how each correlates with laboratory and other investigations.

The role of testing in pharmacovigilance for ß-lactam-induced serum sickness-like reaction: A pilot study.

Current pharmacovigilance (PV) methods for detection of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) fail to capture rare immune-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) due to their scarcity and the lack of clear diagnostic criteria. Drug-induced serum sickness-like reactions (SSLRs) are rare type of DHRs that occur in susceptible patients 1-3 weeks after exposure to the culprit drug with ß-lactam antibiotics being the most associated drugs. The diagnosis of drug induced SSLR is difficult due to the lack of safe and reliable diagnostic tests for identifying the culprit drug.

Paediatric serum sickness-like reaction: A 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: Serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR) is an acute inflammatory condition affecting predominantly children. The pathophysiology remains unclear, but drugs are considered the main trigger.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and laboratory features, triggers, and treatment modalities in children diagnosed with SSLR.

Role of Oxidative Stress in Hypersensitivity Reactions to Sulfonamides.

Antimicrobial sulfonamides are important medications. However, their use is associated with major immune-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions with a rate that ranges from 3% to 4% in the general population. The pathophysiology of sulfa-induced drug hypersensitivity reactions is not well understood, but accumulation of reactive metabolites (sulfamethoxazole [SMX] hydroxylamine [SMX-HA] and SMX N-nitrosamine [SMX-NO]) is thought to be a major factor.

Hair cortisol analysis: An update on methodological considerations and clinical applications.

Background: Hair cortisol analysis is increasingly being appreciated and applied in both research and medicine, aiding endocrinologists with diagnosis.

Content: We provide an overview of hair cortisol research in general and an update on methodological considerations including the incorporation of cortisol into hair, hair growth rates, and sampling procedures, mincing vs. grinding of samples during preparation for extraction, various extraction protocols, and quantification techniques.

Regulation of postnatal pancreatic Pdx1 and downstream target genes after gestational exposure to protein restriction in rats.

The study carried out in our laboratory demonstrated that protein restriction (low protein, LP) during fetal and neonatal life alters pancreatic development and impairs glucose tolerance later in life. In this study, we examined the role of the transcription factor Pdx1, a master regulator of β-cell differentiation and function along with its downstream target genes insulin, Glut2 and glucokinase (GK). The role(s) of these genes and protein products on the pancreata of male offspring from mothers exposed to LP diets were assessed during gestation, weaning, and adult life.