Flow cytometry-based basophil and mast cell activation tests in allergology: State of the art.

The major challenge in allergy diagnosis is development of accessible and reliable diagnostics that can predict the clinical outcome following exposure to culprit allergen(s) or cross-reactive molecules and identification of safer alternatives than the current state-of-the-art methods. There is accumulating evidence that flow-based analyses for the quantification of activated basophils and mast cells subsequent to in vitro challenge (the basophil and mast cell activation test [BAT/MAT] or basophil activation test [BAT] and mast cell activation test [MAT]) could meet the diagnostic requirements for IgE-dependent allergies, drug hypersensitivities, and subsets of autoimmune urticaria. Furthermore, the BAT and MAT have found application in research and other nondiagnostic fields.

Xenodiagnosis in the wild: A methodology to investigate infectiousness for tick-borne bacteria in a songbird reservoir.

A crucial factor to predict the persistence and spread of infections in natural systems is the capacity of reservoir hosts to maintain the infection and transmit it to others. This is known to greatly vary within and between species and through time, although the latter part of the variation is often less well understood in the wild. is one of the causal agents of Lyme disease in humans and is transmitted among avian hosts by the hard tick .

Mast cell versus basophil activation test in allergy: Current status.

In the past two decades, we witnessed the evolution of the basophil activation test (BAT) from mainly research applications to a potential complementary diagnostic tool to document IgE-dependent allergies. However, BAT presents some technical weaknesses. Around 10%-15% of tested patients are non-responders, BAT can be negative immediately post-reaction and the use of fresh basophils, ideally analysed within 4 h of collection, restricts the number of tests that can be performed per sample.

Paediatric perioperative hypersensitivity: the performance of the current consensus formula and the effect of uneventful anaesthesia on serum tryptase.

Background: Paired sampling of acute (aST) and basal (bST) serum tryptase has been recommended when investigating patients with a suspected perioperative hypersensitivity (POH) reaction. In the current consensus formula, an aST value exceeding (1.2×bST+2) confirms mast cell activation.

A quarter of a century fundamental and translational research in perioperative hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis at the Antwerp university hospital, a Belgian Centre of Excellence of the World Allergy Organization.

Perioperative hypersensitivity constitutes an important health issue, with potential dramatic consequences of diagnostic mistakes. However, safe and correct diagnosis is not always straightforward, mainly because of the application of incorrect nomenclature, absence of easy accessible / tests and uncertainties associated with the non-irritating skin test concentrations. In this editorial we summarize the time line, seminal findings, and major realizations of 25 years of research on the mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of perioperative hypersensitivity.

Machine learning analysis of breast ultrasound to classify triple negative and HER2+ breast cancer subtypes.

Objectives: Early diagnosis of triple-negative (TN) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer is important due to its increased risk of micrometastatic spread necessitating early treatment and for guiding targeted therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of machine learning (ML) classification of newly diagnosed breast masses into TN versus non-TN (NTN) and HER2+ versus HER2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer, using radiomic features extracted from grayscale ultrasound (US) b-mode images.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 88 female patients who underwent diagnostic breast US imaging, had confirmation of invasive malignancy on pathology and receptor status determined on immunohistochemistry available.

Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor MRGPRX2 in human basophils: Expression and functional studies.

Background: Occupancy of MRGPRX2 heralds a new era in our understandings of immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions (IDHRs), but a constitutive expression of this receptor by basophils is debated.

Objective: To explore the expression and functionality of MRGPRX2 in and on basophils.

Methods: Basophils from patients with birch pollen allergy, IDHRs to moxifloxacin, and healthy controls were studied in different conditions, that is, in rest, after stimulation with anti-IgE, recombinant major birch pollen allergen (rBet v 1), moxifloxacin, fMLP, substance P (SP), or other potential basophil secretagogues.

Allergenic and Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2-Activating Properties of Drugs: Resolving the Two.

Since the seminal description implicating occupation of the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) in mast cell (MC) degranulation by drugs, many investigations have been undertaken into this potential new endotype of immediate drug hypersensitivity reaction. However, current evidence for this mechanism predominantly comes from (mutant) animal models or in vitro studies, and irrefutable clinical evidence in humans is still missing. Moreover, translation of these preclinical findings into clinical relevance in humans is difficult and should be critically interpreted.

Subjective Mouthfeel and Temperature Alterations in COVID-19 Patients Six to Ten Months After Diagnosis.

Introduction: The characteristics and impact of mouthfeel, temperature, smell, and taste alterations in patients with COVID-19 at a long term are yet not well known. In this study, these characteristics and their impact on daily life and quality of life (QoL) were assessed, six to ten months after infection, in patients with COVID-19 searching for peer support on Facebook.

Methods: Between December 2020 and January 2021, members of two COVID-19 Facebook groups were invited to complete a questionnaire.

Basophil Activation Test Shows Poor Sensitivity in Immediate Amoxicillin Allergy.

Background: In light of the pandemic of spurious penicillin allergy, correct diagnosis of amoxicillin (AX) allergy is of great importance. The diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity reactions relies on skin tests and specific IgE, and although reliable, these are not absolutely predictive. Therefore, drug challenges are needed in some cases, which contain the risk of severe reactions.

Right anterior theta connectivity predicts autistic social traits in typically developing children.

Growing evidence supports functional network alterations in autism spectrum disorder, however much less is known about the neural mechanisms underlying autistic traits in typically developing children. Using resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, we examined whether functional connectivity could predict autistic trait expression in 127 children aged between 4 and 12 years. Regression models showed that right anterior theta connectivity was a significant predictor of autistic traits (p = 0.

The COVID HOME study research protocol: Prospective cohort study of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Background: Guidelines on COVID-19 management are developed as we learn from this pandemic. However, most research has been done on hospitalised patients and the impact of the disease on non-hospitalised and their role in transmission are not yet well understood. The COVID HOME study conducts research among COVID-19 patients and their family members who were not hospitalised during acute disease, to guide patient care and inform public health guidelines for infection prevention and control in the community and household.