Predictors of side effects during the buildup phase of venom immunotherapy for Hymenoptera venom allergy: the importance of baseline serum tryptase.

Background: Severe side effects during venom immunotherapy (VIT) are associated with a variety of risk factors.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentration (BTC) and of other parameters, which are routinely recorded during patient evaluation, with the frequency of severe reactions requiring an emergency intervention during the buildup phase of VIT.

Methods: In this observational prospective multicenter study, we enrolled 680 patients with established honeybee or vespid venom allergy who underwent VIT.

Predictors of severe systemic anaphylactic reactions in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy: importance of baseline serum tryptase-a study of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology Interest Group on Insect Venom Hypersensitivity.

Background: Severe anaphylaxis to honeybee or vespid stings is associated with a variety of risk factors, which are poorly defined.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the association of baseline serum tryptase concentrations and other variables routinely recorded during patient evaluation with the frequency of past severe anaphylaxis after a field sting.

Methods: In this observational multicenter study, we enrolled 962 patients with established bee or vespid venom allergy who had a systemic reaction after a field sting.

Experimental asthma in rats.

Animal models of asthma have been used for over 100 years. The accuracy of extrapolations from animal models to human asthmatics is highly dependent on the species of animal selected. The rat, in comparison with other animals, demonstrates many features of airway allergy and allergic asthma that are similar to the human conditions.

[GERD and respiratory tract diseases].

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) depends on acid reflux into the distal oesophagus. The typical symptoms of GERD are heartburn, dysphagia, chest discomfort and acid regurgitation. Besides typical symptoms GERD could by manifested by extraesophageal signs.

Plasmin system regulation in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of asthma.

Background: So far studies showing the role of the plasmin system in airway remodelling have been conducted using in vitro models. The aim of the present study was to determine plasmin system regulation in an in vivo rat model of asthma.

Methods: Asthma in Wistar rats was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization followed by an OVA challenge (OVA/OVA, n = 6).