Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Serologic and Cellular Study.

Background: Antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is somewhat defective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Moreover, the correlation between serologic response and status of cellular immunity has been poorly studied.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess humoral immune and cellular responses to the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination in CLL.

Risk factors for severe pediatric food anaphylaxis in Italy.

Background: Little is known about the cause of food-induced anaphylaxis in children or about the factors that might affect its clinical severity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of food-induced anaphylaxis in children in Italy and to identify factors that could influence the appearance of symptoms and the severity of anaphylaxis.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-three children with anaphylaxis consecutively attending 29 outpatient allergy clinics throughout Italy were enrolled in this prospective study.

[Clinical, virological and epidemiological aspects of acute B hepatitis in the Catania area (Italy)].

Starting from January 1997 we prospectively evaluated all cases of acute hepatitis B admitted to two of the main Infectious Diseases Units in Catania (eastern Sicily). The survey was extended throughout a 10-year period up to December 2007. Between 1997 and 1999 we observed 21 cases of acute hepatitis B; between 2000 and 2002 18 cases; between 2003 and 2005 22 cases and, finally, 37 cases were reported in the period 2006-2007.

Correlation between skin prick test using commercial extract of cow's milk protein and fresh milk and food challenges.

The skin prick test (SPT) is regarded as an important diagnostic measure in the diagnostic work-up of cow's milk protein allergy. It is not known whether commercial extracts have any advantage over fresh milk. The aims of the study were to (i) compare the diagnostic capacity of SPTs for the three main cow's milk proteins (alpha-lactalbumin, casein and beta-lactoglobulin) with fresh milk and (ii) determine a cut-off that discriminates between allergic and tolerant children in a controlled food challenge.

Osteopathia striata-cranial sclerosis: otorhinolaryngologic clinical presentation and radiologic findings.

Background: Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OS-CS) is a rare bone dysplasia that presents with variable symptoms mainly due to the associated CS.

Methods: The otorhinolaryngologic clinical presentation and temporal bone computed tomography (CT) findings of a new case of OS-CS are presented. Differential diagnosis is also discussed.

Consumption of fish, butter and margarine during pregnancy and development of allergic sensitizations in the offspring: role of maternal atopy.

It has been suggested that changes in dietary habits, particularly increased consumption of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and decreased consumption of omega-3 PUFAs may explain the increase in atopic disease seen in recent years. Furthermore, it seems possible that it is mainly prenatal or very early life environmental factors that influence the development of allergic diseases. It has also been suggested that intrauterine risk factors may act differently if mother themselves suffer from allergic disease.