Adult onset egg allergy: a case report.

Background: Egg allergy is one of the most frequent food allergies in childhood while adult onset of egg allergy is a rare condition.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 30 years old man sent to our center in order to investigate gastrointestinal symptoms occurring since 2 years after egg and derivatives intake. He did not suffer from egg or other food allergies in childhood.

Ragweed allergy: Pollen count and sensitization and allergy prevalence in two Italian allergy centers.

Background: Ragweed allergy represents a challenge for allergists due to its increase in some geographic areas, mainly northern Italy.

Objectives: To compare two allergy centers in northern Italy by analyzing both the pollen count and the patient characteristics (sensitization and allergy prevalence) over a 10-year period.

Methods: Pollen counts for 10 years (2004-2013) were evaluated and compared in the two centers.

Acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency: a case report.

Angioedema due to C1--inhibitor deficiency may be hereditary (HAE) or acquired (AAE). AAE is a very rare condition, whose prevalence is possibly underestimated, as it is often unrecognized. AAE usually occurs after the fourth decade of life, and it is commonly associated to an underlying disease, mainly lymphoproliferative disorders.

Asthma and hairdressers.

Purpose Of Review: Hairdressers have an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases and are at high risk of occupational asthma. In this paper we aim to review the most recent findings in respiratory diseases related to the occupation of hairdressing to provide a background for management and prevention.

Recent Findings: Recent studies have described several cases of occupational asthma and occupational rhinitis in hairdressers.

Irritant vocal cord dysfunction at first misdiagnosed as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.

Objectives: This report describes a case of vocal cord dysfunction at first misdiagnosed as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS).

Methods: A woman developed recurrent episodes of cough, dyspnea, and wheezing unresponsive to asthma therapy after irritant exposure to glutaraldehyde. Direct laryngoscopy was performed immediately after the induction of symptoms.

House dust mites (Der p 1, Der f 1), cat (Fel d 1) and cockroach (Bla g 2) allergens in indoor work-places (offices and archives).

Background: Exposure to indoor allergens has already been shown to occur in many public places, including workplaces, in several countries. Aim of this study was to measure the levels of house dust mites, cat and cockroach allergens in indoor workplaces (offices and archives) in Italy and to evaluate the possible relationships between allergen levels and building characteristics, type of ventilation, indoor relative humidity and temperature.

Methods: Der f 1 and Der p 1, Fel d 1, Bla g 2 were measured by ELISA in dust samples collected from floors or upholstered seats of 160 workplaces.

Exacerbation of asthma related to Eucalyptus pollens and to herb infusion containing Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is known as a potential cause of cutaneous diseases due to contact with oil or pollens, and of respiratory allergic diseases due to exposure to pollens. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in which symptoms appeared to be exacerbated by Eucalyptus pollens and by ingestion of an infusion containing Eucalyptus. Specific IgE were positive for Eucalyptus pollens and negative for common aeroallergens.

Prevention of occupational asthma.

Occupational asthma (OA) is a type of bronchial asthma due to causes and conditions attributable to a particular occupational environment. It is the most prevalent occupational lung disease in industrialized countries, accounting for approximately 5% of asthma in adults. Since OA has important medical, social and economic consequences, its prevention is mandatory, and the most important measure is primary prevention at the workplace.

Increased CD69 expression on peripheral blood eosinophils after specific inhalation challenge.

Background: CD69 is a molecule expressed on human eosinophils after cytokine-activation. Different studies have described the eosinophil activation, evaluated by CD69 expression, at the site of an allergic inflammation. In this study we evaluated the expression of CD69 on peripheral blood eosinophils after a specific inhalation challenge (SIC), in order to better define the state of activation of peripheral blood eosinophils after exposure to sensitizers.

[Sampling of allergens in dust deposited in the workplace].

Some workplaces share with domestic dwellings many characteristics favouring house dust mite growth. Moreover it has recently been shown that pets owners can bring allergens to public places with their clothes. So it is possible that significant exposure to indoor allergens can occur outside homes, at the workplace.

Study of the explosive strength of the rectus femoris muscle using electromyography.

The rectus femoris muscle was electromyographically studied in eleven individuals of the masculine sex. The objective was to study the action potential and the explosive strength of this particular muscle in the movement utilized to kick the field soccer ball and in other exercises of the orthostatic position. The following movements were analyzed: flexibility of the hip with the knee bent, flexibility and extension of the knee (completely crouched), flexibility of the hip with the knee extended, movement of the kick without contact with the ball and movement of the kick in contact with the ball.

Levels of house-dust-mite allergen in homes of nonallergic people in Pavia, Italy.

Background: HDM distribution varies between geographic areas and may be affected by housing characteristics. We quantified Der p 1 and Der f 1 and assessed the relationships between their levels and housing characteristics in homes of nonallergic subjects.

Methods: Der f 1 and Der p 1 were measured by ELISA in dust samples from living-room floors and mattresses of 44 homes of nonallergic subjects in Pavia.

Serum eosinophil cationic protein (sECP) in subjects with a history of asthma symptoms with or without rhinitis.

Background: Serum eosinophil cationic protein (sECP) has been proposed as a marker of disease activity in bronchial asthma. The study aimed to evaluate the role of sECP in screening asthmatics in a group of subjects with asthma and rhinitis symptoms, and the relationship between sECP and clinical and functional parameters of asthma.

Methods: A total of 185 subjects with asthma symptoms, 149 of them with rhinitis as well, underwent skin tests, spirometry, methacholine (MCH) test, blood sampling for eosinophil percentage (bEOS%) and sECP determination, and nasal secretions smear for eosinophil percentage (nEOS%) determination; PEF values, symptoms, and medication over a period of 4 weeks after sampling for sECP quantitation were recorded on a diary.

Occupational asthma: a longitudinal study on the clinical and socioeconomic outcome after diagnosis.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome and socioeconomic consequences of occupational asthma (OA).

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-five patients with OA both to high- and low-molecular-weight agents (3 and 22, respectively) confirmed by specific inhalation challenge were followed up for 12 months after the diagnosis. Upon diagnosis, each patient received a diary on which to report peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), symptoms, drug consumption, expenses directly or indirectly related to the disease, as well as information regarding personal socioeconomic status.

[Role and significance of information tools in occupational asthma].

Role of education in occupational asthma. Subjects' education, i.e.

Clinical evaluation of occupational asthma.

In this paper, the procedures in the assessment of occupational asthma (OA) are discussed. Only the most common subtype of OA is considered here, i.e.

Electromyography analysis of the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles of children 8 to 10 years old.

The objective of this work was to study through in the electromyography the upper and lower umbilical rectus abdominis and the anterior and posterior parts of the external oblique muscles of children 8 to 10 years old. The children studied practice artistic and rhythmical gymnastic sports at the training and learning level and the study was made during abdominal exercise in the dorsal decubitus position on the ground and on a board. The children were divided into 2 groups: Group I - ten already trained children; Group II - nineteen learners.

Occupational asthma, rhinitis and urticaria due to piperacillin sodium in a pharmaceutical worker.

A 28 year old man with no history of atopy was referred to our hospital for possible work-related asthma. He had been employed in the production section of a pharmaceutical company for 2 yrs, and in the last 2 months he had complained of dyspnoea, wheezing, chest tightness, symptoms of rhinitis and a cutaneous rash when exposed to powdered antibiotics. Symptoms disappeared after being transferred to the packaging section.

[A new environmental pathology: styrene-induced rhinitis].

We describe the case of a 36 ys aged woman complaining of symptoms of oculorhinitis with itching, occasional dyspnea and laryngeal constriction. The patient related her symptoms with the emission of dusts and steam from a factory in the neighbourhood producing manufactures using polyester resins dissolved in styrene. No bronchospastic response was obtained after challenge with methacoline and ultrasonic nebulization of distilled water, which instead provoked a significant increase of nasal resistance.