Asthma management in a specialist setting: Results of an Italian Respiratory Society survey.

Background: Asthma considerably impairs patients' quality of life and increases healthcare costs. Severity, morbidity, and degree of disease control are the major drivers of its clinical and economic impact. National scientific societies are required to monitor the application of international guidelines and to adopt strategies to improve disease control and better allocate resources.

Validation of PDGFRbeta and c-Src tyrosine kinases as tumor/vessel targets in patients with multiple myeloma: preclinical efficacy of the novel, orally available inhibitor dasatinib.

Inhibition of multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells in their permissive bone marrow microenvironment represents an attractive strategy for blocking the tumor/vessel growth associated with the disease progression. However, target specificity is an essential aim of this approach. Here, we identified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) and pp60c-Src as shared constitutively activated tyrosine-kinases (TKs) in plasma cells and endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from MM patients (MMECs).

Parecoxib as an alternative in COX-2 hypersensitivity.

The group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is commonly involved in hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical practice the physician is often faced with the need to choose an alternative anti-inflammatory agent for a patient who has suffered a hypersensitivity reaction to a NSAID. The most common approach to choosing the safest NSAID is to perform a challenge test.

Safety of parecoxib in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced urticaria or angioedema.

Background: Parecoxib is the first injectable cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative pain.

Objective: To describe the results of a challenge with parecoxib in patients with a history of urticaria or angioedema to 1 or more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Methods: The study was performed from October 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007, with 79 patients who historically had experienced urticaria or angioedema after use of NSAIDs.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with latex-induced urticaria: a 12-month study.

Background: Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a worldwide problem. Although prevention is sufficient to reduce sensitization, prolonged avoidance is needed to prevent resensitization or adverse reactions on re-exposure.

Objectives: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with latex.

Desloratadine in combination with montelukast suppresses the dermographometer challenge test papule, and is effective in the treatment of delayed pressure urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) comes under the heading of physical urticaria. Characteristically itchy, tender or painful weals occur at sites of local pressure including the waistband, soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Lesion onset is typically 3-12 h after the application of pressure, and lesions may persist for more than 24 h.

Allergic reactions to inhalant glucocorticosteroids: a hot topic for pneumologists and allergologists.

Allergic contact dermatitis to topical glucocorticosteroids (GCS) is a delayed type cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction; it is frequently observed in dermatological and allergological practice, although its incidence is likely underestimated. By contrast, allergic contact sensitization to inhalant GCS is virtually unknown to most pneumologists. Here, we review some cases of adverse reactions to inhalant GCS in terms of pathogenetic mechanisms, risk factors, epidemiology, and allergic cross-sensitivity.

Levocetirizine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Chronic urticaria is a common skin condition. It is frequently a disabling disease because of the persistence of clinical symptoms, the unpredictable course and its negative influence on the quality of life.

Objectives: To determine whether levocetirizine is efficacious in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and review of the literature.

The C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) is an important member of the serpin family which inhibits the first component of the human complement system and controls contact activation of the coagulation and kinin system. An acquired form of C1-INH deficiency was recognized and classified as type I, which is characterized by accelerated catabolism of C1-INH, whereas type II is defined by the presence of an autoantibody directed against the C1 inhibitor molecule. This study reports the case of a 32-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experienced recurrent angioedema because of an acquired C1-INH deficiency.

Short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background: Etoricoxib is a novel cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its tolerability in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Objective: To determine the short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with a history of cutaneous adverse reactions to NSAIDs.

Short-term and long-term tolerability of rofecoxib in patients with prior reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background: Rofecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor and is well tolerated as an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with a previous adverse reaction to other classes of NSAIDs. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its long-term tolerability.

Objective: To provide follow-up data on patients with a history of adverse cutaneous reactions to NSAIDs who underwent and tolerated a challenge test with rofecoxib.

Immune tolerance to drugs. (II).: Long-term tolerability of nimesulide in patients with NSAID hypersensitivity.

Nimesulide is well-tolerated as an alternative to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with a previous adverse reaction to other classes of NSAIDs. However, there is little information in the literature about its long-term tolerability. The study was carried out on 625 patients who had experienced adverse reactions to one or more NSAIDs.

Sodium benzoate-induced repeated episodes of acute urticaria/angio-oedema: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sodium benzoate (E 211) is widely used to delay yeast spoilage of acidic foods and beverages. Numerous cases of adverse reactions to benzoate have been recorded, but most of the studies that have been conducted lacked proper placebo controls or blinding.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of intolerance to sodium benzoate among subjects who experienced repeated episodes of acute urticaria/angio-oedema following the ingestion of a meal or a product containing this substance.

Desloratadine in combination with montelukast in the treatment of chronic urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin condition. It is frequently a disabling disease due to the persistency of clinical symptoms, the unpredictable course and negative influence on the quality of life.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether montelukast, a LTD4 receptor antagonist, plus desloratadine, is more efficacious than desloratadine alone in the treatment of chronic urticaria.

Type I latex allergy in health care workers with latex-induced contact urticaria syndrome: a follow-up study.

Background: Latex allergy is an important occupational health issue among health care workers (HCWs). Secondary prevention in sensitized/allergic individuals involves avoiding exposure to NRL products.

Aims Of The Study: The aim of this follow-up study is to determine the long-term health consequences in HCWs with type I latex allergy with latex-related contact urticaria syndrome, of providing appropriate information and practical avoidance education.

Suspected tartrazine-induced acute urticaria/angioedema is only rarely reproducible by oral rechallenge.

Background: Tartrazine has been frequently linked to several diseases. However, a cause-and-effect role for tartrazine in these illnesses, especially in urticaria, has not always been established.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of intolerance to tartrazine among subjects who experienced an acute episode of urticaria/angioedema following the ingestion of a meal or a product containing this substance.

Results of standard series patch testing in patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis.

Background: In the workplace, the skin is at high risk of exposure to chemicals and other contaminants, and occupational dermatitis is an important field of study.

Methods: We evaluated 230 patients referred to our clinic because they were affected by dermatitis suspected to be of occupational and allergic origin. They were tested with the allergens of the GIRDCA standard series, and with supplementary series when indicated.

Immune tolerance to drugs. I. Long-term tolerability of rokitamycin in patients with antibiotics hypersensitivity.

Macrolides are considered one of the safest anti-infective groups in clinical use and are well-tolerated as alternative antibiotics in patients with a previous adverse reaction to other classes of antibiotics. However there is scarce information in the literature about their long-term tolerability. The present study was performed to determine whether the results of a challenge test with rokitamycin could predict the response to ingestion of rokitamycin during illness.

Atopy and risk factors for latex sensitization in a selected population.

The value of recommending latex allergy screening in allergy departments of the Army's Hospital was studied. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether atopy was a risk factor for latex sensitization in a specific population such as the young male soldiers of the Italian Army. The study was also aimed to assess the role of other risk factors.

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis.

Aseptic meningitis is a rare but well-recognized complication of drug therapy. The clinical presentation of drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) is distinct. Symptoms typically include fever, neck stiffness, headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting.

Update on sensitivity to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide. These drugs are effective for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases: musculoskeletal disorders, headhache, fever, pain, and others. Their widespread use explains the very high incidence of intolerance; reactions range from asthma, rhinitis, to urticaria/angioedema, various skin eruptions and anaphylactic shock.