Allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, and seeds aboard commercial airliners.

Background: Minimal data exist on the prevalence and characteristics of in-flight reactions to foods.

Objectives: To characterize reactions to foods experienced by passengers aboard commercial airplanes and to examine information about flying with a food allergy available from airlines.

Methods: Telephone questionnaires were administered to individuals in a peanut, tree nut, and seed allergy database who self-reported reactions aboard aircraft.

A review of non-cystic fibrosis pediatric bronchiectasis.

With the implementation of vaccination programs and the use of antibiotics, developed countries have seen a decline in infection-related pediatric bronchiectasis. However, significant morbidity from bronchiectasis is still seen and both infectious and noninfectious causes of bronchiectasis in the pediatric population remain. A review of the literature will be presented including causes of pediatric bronchiectasis, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory evaluation and imaging, as well as treatment options.

The emergence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in rheumatic diseases.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and devastating neurological disease with areas of demyelination in the central nervous system classically associated with profound imunosuppression. PML is caused by reactivation of latent JC virus, leading to the death of myelin-producing oligodendrocytes typically with a rapidly fatal outcome. Once seen primarily in severely immunosuppressed states including lymphoma, solid organ malignancies, and organ transplant recipients, PML became an AIDS-defining illness in the 1980s.

A critical review of local anesthetic sensitivity.

With their ability to block pain signals to the brain, local anesthetics (LAs) have made possible many surgical procedures and interventions once thought impossible. LAs are generally safe and well tolerated when used correctly by trained professionals. However, adverse reactions do occur, and may generate a referral to an Allergist for evaluation of LA allergy.

Inflamm-aging: autoimmunity, and the immune-risk phenotype.

Aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, is a complex subject best defined as a decline in cell-mediated immunity, particularly with respect to T cell function. Paradoxically with the decline in immune function is an increase in autoantibody frequency. It has been postulated that the accumulation of anamnestic cells over time and/or environmental/infectious mimics leads to the production of autoantibodies, sometimes accompanied by autoimmune disease.