Publications by authors named "Castagnoli R"

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is rare in childhood, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Genetic causes of HCM are mostly related to sarcomeric genes abnormalities; however, syndromic, metabolic, and mitochondrial disorders play an important role in its etiopathogenesis in pediatric patients. We here describe a new case of apparently isolated HCM due to mitochondrial assembly factor gene NDUFAF1 biallelic variants (c.

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Human recombination-activating gene (RAG) deficiency can manifest with distinct clinical and immunological phenotypes. By applying a multiomics approach to a large group of -mutated patients, we aimed at characterizing the immunopathology associated with each phenotype. Although defective T and B cell development is common to all phenotypes, patients with hypomorphic variants can generate T and B cells with signatures of immune dysregulation and produce autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens, including type I interferons.

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From a taxonomic point of view, Hymenoptera are subclassified into families: Apidae, including honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus), and Vespidae, which, in turn, are divided into the subfamilies of Vespinae (wasps, including hornets, vespules, dolichovespules) and Polistinae (paper wasp). Hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera venom can be linked to immunological (IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated) and non-immunological mechanisms. Reactions are classified into local reactions, large local reactions, systemic reactions, toxic reactions, and unusual reactions.

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As the world still vividly recalls the previous monkeypox (mpox) outbreak that impacted over 120 countries worldwide with more than 99,000 cases in 2022, we are now facing a second wave of infections from the monkeypox virus (MPXV), characterized by an exponential increase in cases. The current 2024 outbreak has already recorded more than 20,000 cases in Africa, marking a dramatic escalation compared to previous outbreaks. The predominance of the newly identified clade Ib variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and now identified across multiple African nations and beyond, underscores its enhanced transmissibility and potential for international spread, evidenced by cases in Sweden and Thailand.

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Food protein-induced enteropathy (FPE) belongs to non-IgE gastrointestinal mediated food allergies. FPE is a syndrome characterized by diarrhea, weight loss and failure to thrive in young infants. Cow milk is the culprit food that most frequently causes FPE.

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  • Inborn errors or autoantibodies (auto-Abs) against type I interferons (IFNs) can lead to severe viral infections.
  • Researchers developed a straightforward blood test that can identify these conditions by stimulating blood with glycosylated IFN-α2, -β, or -ω and measuring IP-10 levels.
  • The study found that IP-10 levels in patients with inherited deficiencies only increase with type II IFN (IFN-γ), while those with auto-Abs can still respond to non-neutralized type I IFNs.
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Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated responses to clinical parameters, but a significant proportion of allergy patients in real-life settings would have been excluded from such studies. Therefore, real-world research is needed, and there is a growing body of information on allergen immunotherapy's long-term effectiveness and safety. Real-world evidence can be a valuable instrument to better understand the patient's journey and the effectiveness and safety of therapies.

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An unclassified primary antibody deficiency (unPAD) is a widely heterogeneous clinical entity, recently identified within the spectrum of Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEIs). Since unPAD has been traditionally considered as a mild condition, it has incorrectly received little attention, resulting in the paucity of extensive and comparable studies describing its natural history. To address the gaps in characterizing, understanding, and managing pediatric unPAD patients, the Italian Primary Immunodeficiency Network (IPINet) Ped-unPAD study has recently been launched.

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  • Idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) poses significant challenges for both patients and healthcare providers, particularly among pediatric populations.
  • This paper suggests diagnostic algorithms tailored to specific age groups—infants, children, and adolescents—due to the variability in identifying causes of anaphylactic episodes.
  • A thorough clinical history and quick recognition of symptoms are crucial for selecting appropriate diagnostic tests and ensuring accurate differential diagnosis in young patients.
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Breastfeeding is the most important nutrition source for infants. However, managing breastfed infants with signs and symptoms related to food allergy can be difficult. Many studies have shown the presence of different food allergens in breast milk, but the clinical role of these antigens in human milk is still much debated.

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  • * A study conducted at a pediatric clinic analyzed data from children hospitalized for iGAS infections in 2023, revealing clinical patterns and groundbreaking insights into the infections.
  • * Between 2016 and 2023, the number of GAS infections remained relatively stable, but 2023 saw a significant increase in pediatric cases, with common symptoms including high fever, tachycardia, and vomiting; specific lab results were also noted.
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a condition with a multifactorial aetiology that affects the skin. It most often begins at preschool age and involves the skin. The disease's main symptom is intense itching, which occurs especially at night and affects the child's sleep, negatively impacting the quality of life of affected children and, consequently, their families.

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  • The CDC and ACIP endorse COVID-19 vaccination for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), but there's limited knowledge on its safety and impact on infection severity in these patients.
  • A study involving a registry of 1,245 IEI patients across 24 countries was conducted to gather data on vaccination frequency, safety, and effectiveness, revealing that 64.7% were vaccinated, primarily with mRNA vaccines.
  • Results showed that vaccinated patients had significantly lower hospitalization and ICU admission rates when infected with COVID-19, indicating that vaccination is both safe and effective in reducing the severity of the disease in IEI patients.
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  • Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is when airways narrow during or after exercise, causing symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath, and it's important to differentiate it from exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
  • EIB is commonly seen in young athletes, especially those with allergies, suggesting a connection between allergic reactions and respiratory issues during exercise due to various influencing factors.
  • Effective management of EIB in children requires accurate diagnosis and a mix of medication and lifestyle changes, with recent research shedding light on the condition's relationship with allergies and sports participation.
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  • Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially deadly allergic reaction that needs immediate medical attention, with fatal food-related cases occurring at a low but notable rate, particularly in young adults.
  • In regions like the UK and Canada, peanuts and tree nuts are common allergens, while in Italy, milk is the primary allergen for kids under 18.
  • Risk factors include delayed epinephrine use, asthma, recreational drug use, and being upright during the reaction; prevention strategies should engage patients and their families along with public awareness.
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  • Imported allergens can contribute to various allergic reactions, including asthma and food allergies, often due to commercial practices and the introduction of non-native species into new areas.
  • An example is Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., a North American plant that has migrated to parts of Italy, indicating changes in pollen concentration in affected regions.
  • Additionally, there's growing concern over imported food allergens linked to diverse ethnic cuisines and the recent market introduction of insect flours, highlighting the challenges faced by allergists in diagnosing and treating these reactions.
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Systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) are disorders of innate immunity, which are characterized by unprovoked recurrent flares of systemic inflammation often characterized by fever associated with clinical manifestations mainly involving the musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Several conditions also present with varied, sometimes prominent, involvement of the vascular system, with features of vasculitis characterized by variable target vessel involvement and organ damage. Here, we report a systematic review of vasculitis and vasculopathy associated with inborn errors of immunity.

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Notifications of invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections have significantly increased in many European Countries compared to the previous season. In Italy, there has been an increase in streptococcal pharyngitis and scarlet fever cases since January 2023, which sparked concerns about a GAS epidemic in the pediatric population. This rise may be ascribed to the GAS infection season that began earlier than usual (off-season outbreak) and the increase in the spread of respiratory viruses and viral coinfections that raised the risk of iGAS disease.

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  • Despite efforts to reduce the impact of natural rubber latex allergy, it remains a significant health issue, particularly in developing countries.
  • Individuals with frequent latex exposure, like healthcare workers and children undergoing multiple surgeries, are at higher risk for developing allergies.
  • The text outlines current knowledge and practical recommendations regarding the diagnosis, management, and prevention of latex allergy to help in its recognition and control.
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