Comparative analysis of the phototoxicity induced by BRAF inhibitors and alleviation through antioxidants.

Background: Small molecules tackling mutated BRAF (BRAFi) are an important mainstay of targeted therapy in a variety of cancers including melanoma. Albeit commonly reported as side effect, the phototoxic potential of many BRAFi is poorly characterized. In this study, we evaluated the phototoxicity of 17 distinct agents and investigated whether BRAFi-induced phototoxicity can be alleviated by antioxidants.

S2k guideline on diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis - short version.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a pruritic, non-contagious, chronic or chronically relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. The course of the disease may be complicated by bacterial or viral superinfections. The first manifestation of the disease and further flare-ups are due to genetic predisposition and also to a variety of further trigger factors.

Guideline for the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions: S2K-Guideline of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI) and the German Dermatological Society (DDG) in collaboration with the Association of German Allergologists (AeDA), the German Society for Pediatric Allergology and Environmental Medicine (GPA), the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group (DKG), the Swiss Society for Allergy and Immunology (SGAI), the Austrian Society for Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI), the German Academy of Allergology and Environmental Medicine (DAAU), the German Center for Documentation of Severe Skin Reactions and the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Products (BfArM).

Drug hypersensitivity reactions are unpredictable adverse drug reactions. They manifest either within 1-6 h following drug intake (immediate reactions) with mild to life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis, or several hours to days later (delayed reactions), primarily as exanthematous eruptions. It is not always possible to detect involvement of the immune system (allergy).

Clinical effectiveness of hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: a prospective observational multicenter study of the European academy of allergology and clinical immunology interest group on insect venom hypersensitivity.

Background: Treatment failure during venom immunotherapy (VIT) may be associated with a variety of risk factors.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentration (BTC) and of other parameters with the frequency of VIT failure during the maintenance phase.

Methods: In this observational prospective multicenter study, we followed 357 patients with established honey bee or vespid venom allergy after the maintenance dose of VIT had been reached.

Photosensitizing properties of compounds related to benzophenone.

Benzophenone is a phototoxic compound with absorption maxima in the ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) range. Many benzophenone derivatives are known to be photosensitizing. On the other hand, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone is used as a photoprotective agent.

Sensitization to common ragweed in southern Bavaria: clinical and geographical risk factors in atopic patients.

Background: Sensitization to common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is associated with a variety of risk factors, which are incompletely defined. Our aim was to evaluate the association of a variety of clinical, geographical and demographical variables with ragweed sensitization and also to determine its frequency in southern Bavaria.

Methods: In this cross-sectional multicentre study, we enrolled 977 patients with a documented or suspected atopic disease or food allergy.

Insect stings: clinical features and management.

Background: In human beings, local and systemic reactions can be caused both by blood-sucking insects and by venomous insect stings. In Central Europe, the insects that most commonly cause such reactions are honeybees, certain social wasps, mosquitoes, and flies.

Methods: This article is based on a selective literature review, including guidelines from Germany and abroad.

Management of occupational Hymenoptera allergy.

Purpose Of Review: Certain outdoor activities show a particularly high risk for being stung by Hymenoptera species. Avoidance of such stings is preferable for preventing unwanted local or systemic sting reactions. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current knowledge on risk factors and management of Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Release of mast cell tryptase into saliva: a tool to diagnose food allergy by a mucosal challenge test?

Background: Our aim was to examine whether measurement of the saliva mast cell tryptase (MCT) concentrations before and after a mucosal challenge test with the offending food would be helpful in diagnosing food allergy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 44 food challenge tests performed in 38 patients between 2006 and 2009. Patients with a suspected history of food allergy chewed the food until they developed symptoms or until the amount of time known from the patients' history to usually be required for the provocation of symptoms had passed.

Immediate-type hypersensitivity to succinylated corticosteroids.

Background: Despite their frequent use, systemic corticosteroids have rarely elicited immediate-type reactions.

Objective: We report two male patients, aged 26 and 70 years, respectively, with severe immediate-type hypersensitivity secondary to the administration of corticosteroids esterified with succinate.

Methods: Skin tests, basophil activation tests and challenge tests were performed for diagnostic evaluation.

Predictors of side effects during the buildup phase of venom immunotherapy for Hymenoptera venom allergy: the importance of baseline serum tryptase.

Background: Severe side effects during venom immunotherapy (VIT) are associated with a variety of risk factors.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentration (BTC) and of other parameters, which are routinely recorded during patient evaluation, with the frequency of severe reactions requiring an emergency intervention during the buildup phase of VIT.

Methods: In this observational prospective multicenter study, we enrolled 680 patients with established honeybee or vespid venom allergy who underwent VIT.

Predictors of severe systemic anaphylactic reactions in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy: importance of baseline serum tryptase-a study of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology Interest Group on Insect Venom Hypersensitivity.

Background: Severe anaphylaxis to honeybee or vespid stings is associated with a variety of risk factors, which are poorly defined.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentrations and other variables routinely recorded during patient evaluation with the frequency of past severe anaphylaxis after a field sting.

Methods: In this observational multicenter study, we enrolled 962 patients with established bee or vespid venom allergy who had a systemic reaction after a field sting.

Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera stings usually present as large local reactions or systemic reactions with symptoms of immediate type allergy (anaphylaxis). In Central Europe they are predominantly elicited by stings of the honeybee or Vespula spp. Acute reactions are managed by symptomatic treatment.

Stinging Hymenoptera and mastocytosis.

Purpose Of Review: Patients suffering from mastocytosis are at risk for a particularly severe Hymenoptera sting anaphylaxis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current knowledge on pathophysiologic events, which might explain the specific risk of patients with mastocytosis.

Recent Findings: Mast cell products can neutralize major toxins of snake or bee venoms.

[Work-related diseases of the skin].

Work-related diseases of the skin are aetiologically completely different diseases. The common denominator is that they are all triggered by occupational activity. Allergic and cumulative irritant contact eczema occur the most frequently.