Effects of nasal corticosteroids on boosts of systemic allergen-specific IgE production induced by nasal allergen exposure.

Background: Allergen exposure via the respiratory tract and in particular via the nasal mucosa boosts systemic allergen-specific IgE production. Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) represent a first line treatment of allergic rhinitis but their effects on this boost of allergen-specific IgE production are unclear.

Aim: Here we aimed to determine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study whether therapeutic doses of an INCS preparation, i.

[Clinical practise guideline of the special interest group in allergy of the ÖGDV - Drug provocation testing in the diagnosis of cutaneous drug reactions].

Nowadays, clinical and evidence based guidelines are considered one of the major efforts to improve patient care in medical practices as well as hospital settings. In the literature, clinical guidelines have been defined as "systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances", which promote both clinically effective standards and cost-effective care. Despite controversial discussion about the clinical impact of guidelines, they may provide workable recommendations that may thus be important for improving the individual patient's care.

Birch pollen-related food allergy: clinical aspects and the role of allergen-specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies.

Background: Patients with birch pollen allergy often develop allergic reactions to plant foods.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, main symptoms, and triggers of birch pollen-related food allergy and the role of food-specific IgG(4) antibodies in food tolerance.

Methods: Food-induced symptoms were evaluated in 225 individuals with birch pollen allergy by using a standardized questionnaire.

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.

Analysis of epitope-specific immune responses induced by vaccination with structurally folded and unfolded recombinant Bet v 1 allergen derivatives in man.

Previously, we have constructed recombinant derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, with a more than 100-fold reduced ability to induce IgE-mediated allergic reactions. These derivatives differed from each other because the two recombinant Bet v 1 fragments represented unfolded molecules whereas the recombinant trimer resembled most of the structural fold of the Bet v 1 allergen. In this study, we analyzed the Ab (IgE, IgG subclass, IgA, IgM) response to Bet v 1, recombinant and synthetic Bet v 1-derived peptides in birch pollen allergic patients who had been vaccinated with the derivatives or adjuvant alone.