Response to SARS-CoV-2 initial series and additional dose vaccine in pediatric patients with predominantly antibody deficiency.

Data regarding response to SARS-CoV-2 immunization in pediatric patients with predominantly antibody deficiency (PAD) is limited. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 immunization response by anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibody level in 15 pediatric PAD patients. These data were compared to a published cohort of adult PAD patients (n=62) previously analyzed following SARS-CoV-2 immunization at our single center institution.

Ten Years of Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in Massachusetts.

Background: Massachusetts began newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) using measurement of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) from dried blood spots.

Objective: We describe developments and outcomes from the first 10 years of this program (February 1, 2009, to January 31, 2019).

Methods: TREC values, diagnostic, and outcome data from all patients screened for SCID were evaluated.

Analysis of Oral Food Challenge Outcomes in IgE-Mediated Food Allergies to Almond in a Large Cohort.

Background: Although almond specific IgE-mediated food allergies have traditionally been equated with other tree nut allergies, outcomes of oral food challenges to almond and the utility of clinical testing to predict IgE-mediated almond hypersensitivity are not well known.

Objective: To describe almond oral challenge outcomes and assess the predictive value of clinical testing.

Methods: A total of 603 almond challenges performed for 590 patients, aged 1 to 66 years, were analyzed from Massachusetts General Hospital allergy practices.

Clinical Translation of Tethered Confocal Microscopy Capsule for Unsedated Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a widely used procedure, posing significant financial burden on both healthcare systems and patients. Moreover, EGD is time consuming, sometimes difficult to tolerate, and suffers from an imperfect diagnostic yield as the limited number of collected biopsies does not represent the whole organ. In this paper, we report on technological and clinical feasibility of a swallowable tethered endomicroscopy capsule, which is administered without sedation, to image large regions of esophageal and gastric mucosa at the cellular level.

Longitudinal Perspective on Managing Refractory Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background: One half to one third of the patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) do not achieve histological remission on initial treatment. We wondered whether these treatment failure patients are a distinct clinical subset.

Objective: To analyze EoE treatment outcomes in a predominantly pediatric population.

Use and interpretation of diagnostic vaccination in primary immunodeficiency: a working group report of the Basic and Clinical Immunology Interest Section of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

A major diagnostic intervention in the consideration of many patients suspected to have primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) is the application and interpretation of vaccination. Specifically, the antibody response to antigenic challenge with vaccines can provide substantive insight into the status of human immune function. There are numerous vaccines that are commonly used in healthy individuals, as well as others that are available for specialized applications.

A protocol for risk stratification of patients with carboplatin-induced hypersensitivity reactions.

Background: Management of patients with carboplatin-induced hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) has been complicated by high false-negative rates of carboplatin skin test (ST) results. These patients might be at risk for future carboplatin-induced HSRs. In this article we identify a strategy to improve risk stratification of patients with a history of carboplatin-induced HSRs by using a protocol that includes repeat skin testing and drug desensitization.

Risk stratification for desensitization of patients with carboplatin hypersensitivity: clinical presentation and management.

Background: Women with ovarian cancer treated with chemotherapeutic platinum agents frequently develop hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). How best to risk-stratify patients for desensitization is uncertain.

Objectives: To evaluate skin test (ST) reactivity to carboplatin in patients with recent and remote histories of carboplatin HSR and to review the relationship between skin test reactivity and tolerance of subsequent carboplatin desensitization.

Ten-year study of causes of moderate to severe angioedema seen by an inpatient allergy/immunology consult service.

The causes of angioedema are not well described, especially in the inpatient setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the causes of moderate to severe angioedema in patients requiring inpatient treatment. We performed a retrospective review in patients requiring inpatient consultation by the Division of Allergy and Immunology at our institution between 1995 and 2004.

Rapid resolution of chronic colitis in the cotton-top tamarin with an antibody to a gut-homing integrin alpha 4 beta 7.

Background & Aims: Integrins play diverse roles in cellular actions and signalling in the immune system. In the context of mucosal immune responses, the integrin alpha 4 beta 7 has received particular attention because of its intimate involvement in lymphocyte recruitment to normal gastrointestinal mucosa and associated lymphoid tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the functional relevance of alpha 4 beta 7 in the pathogenesis of colonic inflammatory disease using the colitic cotton-top tamarin, an animal model of human ulcerative colitis.

Observational studies of dopamine D1 and D2 agonists in squirrel monkeys.

The behavioral effects of selective D1 and D2, nonselective, and indirectly acting dopamine agonists were compared in squirrel monkeys using continuous observation procedures. D1 agonists including SKF 81297, SKF 82958, and R(+)-6-Br-APB produced dose-dependent increases in the frequencies of stationary postures and head movements and had little or no effect on either huddling or scratching. In contrast, SKF 75670 and R-SKF 38393, which are considered to be D1 partial agonists, had effects comparable to those of the D1 antagonist SCH 39166.

Monocyte adhesion to endothelium in simian immunodeficiency virus-induced AIDS encephalitis is mediated by vascular cell adhesion molecule-1/alpha 4 beta 1 integrin interactions.

Because the mechanisms associated with recruitment of monocytes to brain in AIDS encephalitis are unknown, we used tissues from rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to examine the relative contributions of various adhesion pathways in mediating monocyte adhesion to endothelium from encephalitic brain. Using a modified Stamper and Woodruff tissue adhesion assay, we found that the human monocytic cell lines, THP-1 and U937, and the B cell line, Ramos, preferentially bound to brain vessels from monkeys with AIDS encephalitis. Using a combined tissue adhesion/immunohistochemistry approach, these cells only bound to vessels expressing vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).