Daclizumab improves asthma control in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma: a randomized, controlled trial.

Rationale: Airway inflammation in asthma is associated with increased activated CD25(+) T cells, IL-2, and soluble IL-2 receptors (IL-2Rs).

Objectives: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of daclizumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody against the IL-2R alpha chain (CD25) of activated lymphocytes, in adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma.

Methods: Patients with obstructive pulmonary functions, despite inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), were switched to equivalent dose inhaled triamcinolone acetate acetonide (TAA).

Effective dose range of mometasone furoate nasal spray in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis.

Background: Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) 400 microg, twice daily, as adjunctive treatment with oral antibiotic significantly improved symptoms of recurrent rhinosinusitis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MFNS 200 microg, twice daily, and 400 microg, twice daily, compared with placebo as adjunctive treatment with oral antibiotic for acute rhinosinusitis.

Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 967 outpatients with computed tomographic scan-confirmed moderate to severe rhinosinusitis received amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC) 875 mg, twice daily, for 21 days with adjunctive twice daily MFNS 200 microg, MFNS 400 microg, or placebo nasal spray.

Natural rubber latex allergy in the occupational setting.

Over the last decade, the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has reached epidemic proportions among workers who use or who are exposed to powdered latex products. NRL-associated occupational asthma is confined largely to those exposed to powdered latex glove use or other latex aerosols. The most frequent presenting symptom of NRL allergy is contact urticaria; inhalation may cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Natural rubber latex allergy after 12 years: recommendations and perspectives.

Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a "new" illness whose prevalence reached epidemic proportions in highly exposed populations during the last decade. In children with spina bifida and in patients exposed to NRL during radiologic procedures, institution of prophylactic safety measures has had demonstrable effects in preventing allergic reactions. The risk of NRL allergy appears to be largely linked to occupational exposure, and NRL-associated occupational asthma is due almost solely to powdered latex glove use.

Passive dispersion of latex aeroallergen in a healthcare facility.

Background: Prompted by worsening asthma in a dental assistant with latex allergy and occupational asthma while under personal latex precautions, we confirmed continuing latex aeroallergen exposure.

Objectives: To determine the source of latex aeroallergen and ascertain the effects of site-wide substitution of nonpowdered low allergen latex glove in a health care site.

Methods: Using a volumetric sampler, baseline latex aeroallergen levels were measured in rooms where she worked and nearby rooms, as well as shared X-ray, laboratory, and waiting rooms.

Added relief in the treatment of acute recurrent sinusitis with adjunctive mometasone furoate nasal spray. The Nasonex Sinusitis Group.

Background: Intranasal glucocorticoids are effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Their effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory adjunct in the treatment of acute recurrent sinusitis has not been adequately established in a controlled clinical study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that intranasal corticosteroid treatment produces additional relief in the treatment of acute sinusitis with oral antibiotics.

Hydroxychloroquine improves airflow and lowers circulating IgE levels in subjects with moderate symptomatic asthma.

Background: Although antiinflammatory therapy is accepted as the cornerstone of asthma treatment, available systemic immunosuppressive agents are not widely used because of justified concerns over potential toxicity. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a well-tolerated, safe immunomodulating drug, with proven efficacy in rheumatic diseases and known actions that suggest potential utility in the treatment of asthma.

Objective: We sought to assess the effectiveness of HCQ in subjects with moderate symptomatic asthma.

Occupational latex exposure: characteristics of contact and systemic reactions in 47 workers.

Background: Recent reports have noted an apparent increase in the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy among workers with occupational latex exposure (OLE). The risk factors for and the natural history of NRL allergy in this population are not well delineated, and the utility and comparability of immunoassays as confirmatory testing are unclear.

Methods: Serum samples and medical histories were obtained from 47 symptomatic workers with OLE, from nine other individuals with a history consistent with NRL allergy, and from 10 atopic asymptomatic NRL-exposed control subjects.

Serologic methods in the laboratory diagnosis of latex rubber allergy: study of nonammoniated, ammoniated latex, and glove (end-product) extracts as allergen reagent sources.

In the absence of approved natural rubber latex skin testing reagents, serologic methods for the detection of latex-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody are useful in the definitive diagnosis of latex allergy. In this study we examined extracts from two nonammoniated latex (NAL), two ammoniated latex (AL), and three diverse latex rubber gloves as sources of allergen for their utility in solid phase radioimmunoassays (SPRIAs) for latex-specific IgE. Serum samples were collected from 46 healthcare workers (HCWs), one beautician, two clerks, and seven children with spina bifida who exhibited clinical evidence of latex-associated contact dermatitis (CD, n = 8), contact urticaria (CU) with or without CD (n = 15), or systemic reactions involving respiratory symptoms with or without anaphylaxis (n = 33) and from 10 latex-exposed HCW control subjects with no latex allergy symptoms.

Open study of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of severe symptomatic or corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

To examine the possible usefulness of the immunomodulating antiinflammatory drug, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in the treatment of asthma, we studied the response of 11 asthmatics, four severe symptomatic nonsteroid dependent and seven steroid-dependent, in an open label 28 week trial at doses of 300 to 400 mg/d. Evaluation measures included daily symptom diary scores of six symptoms, subjective global evaluation, spirometric flow studies, and cumulative monthly steroid dosages. Baseline plasma theophylline and IgE levels were also obtained and compared with values during treatment.

The effect of cyclosporine on immunization with tetanus and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in humans.

Eleven patients with chronic uveitis treated with Cyclosporine were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and tetanus toxoid. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity responses, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, and antibody production were compared with those of similarly immunized control individuals. A significant decrease in delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (P less than 0.