Chronic cough and eosinophilic esophagitis: an uncommon association.

An increasing number of children, usually with gastrointestinal symptoms, is diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), and a particular subset of these patients complains of airway manifestations. We present the case of a 2-year-old child with chronic dry cough in whom EE was found after a first diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to pathological 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Traditional allergologic tests were negative, while patch tests were diagnostic for cow's milk allergy.

Local angioedema following sun exposures: a report of five cases.

Angioedema is a hereditary or acquired disease characterized by localized non-pitting swelling of the subcutaneous tissue which can affect either skin or mucous membranes. Acquired angioedema can often be related to a heterogeneous group of etiological factors including physical stimuli, although up to 38% of cases remain idiopathic. We describe 5 patients who developed an angioedema following sun exposures.

High prevalence of atopy, but not of asthma, among children in an industrialized area in North Italy: the role of familial and environmental factors--a population-based study.

The prevalence of atopy and asthma, and their association with familial and environmental factors were investigated among 13- to 14-yr-old children living in Brescia, an industrialized town in North Italy. All the 1450 children attending primary school in the town were invited to participate, and 967 of them (66.7%, 493 males) provided a valid questionnaire filled in by their parents at home.

Renal involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Background: Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare disorder characterized by asthma, eosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis. Renal involvement is not regarded as a prominent feature, and its prevalence and severity vary widely in published reports that usually refer to small series of selected patients.

Methods: We examined the prevalence, clinicopathologic features, and prognosis of renal disease in 116 patients with CSS.

Prevalence and clinical significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Objective: Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is classified among the so-called antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated systemic vasculitides (AASVs) because of its clinicopathologic features that overlap with the other AASVs. However, while antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are consistently found in 75-95% of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis or microscopic polyangiitis, their prevalence in CSS varies widely and their clinical significance remains uncertain. We undertook this study to examine the prevalence and antigen specificity of ANCAs in a large cohort of patients with CSS.

Cinnarizine is a useful and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of acquired cold urticaria (ACU).

Old generation H1-type antihistamines are the standard therapeutic option for acquired cold urticaria (ACU), but adverse effects are common. New antihistamines are well tolerated but efficacy is often poor. The present study aims to evaluate efficacy and safety of cinnarizine in the treatment of ACU patients intolerant to old antihistamines and resistant to new drugs.