Heterogeneity of sensitization profiles and clinical phenotypes among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in Southern European countries-The @IT.2020 multicenter study.

Background: Pollen allergy poses a significant health and economic burden in Europe. Disease patterns are relatively homogeneous within Central and Northern European countries. However, no study broadly assessed the features of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) across different Southern European countries with a standardized approach.

Inhaler Steroid Use Changes Oral and Airway Bacterial and Fungal Microbiome Profile in Asthma Patients.

Introduction: The full spectrum of bacterial and fungal species in adult asthma and the effect of inhaled corticosteroid use is not well described. The aim was to collect mouthwash and induced sputum samples from newly diagnosed asthma patients in the pretreatment period and in chronic asthma patients while undergoing regular maintenance inhaled corticosteroid therapy, in order to demonstrate the bacterial and fungal microbiome profile.

Methods: The study included 28 asthmatic patients on inhaler steroid therapy, 25 steroid-naive asthmatics, and 24 healthy controls.

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study.

Background: Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe.

Objectives: To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS.

"Whole" vs. "fragmented" approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities.

Background: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe.

Objective: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa.

Drug allergy in tertiary care in Turkey: results of a national survey. The ADAPT study: adult drug allergy perception in Turkey.

Background: No data are available on the incidence of drug hypersensitivity (DH) reactions in outpatient settings of tertiary allergy/immunology clinics. Our aims were to document the frequency of outpatient hospital admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/immunology clinics in adults and the management of these reactions in real life. We also investigated whether drug allergy affected social and medical behaviours of the patients.

Efficacy and safety of H1-antihistamines: an update.

H1-antihistamines are inverse agonists that combine with and stabilize inactive conformation of H1-receptors. Thus they interfere with actions of histamine at H1-receptors. They are widely used for treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, coughs, colds and insomnia.

The role of CD14 gene promoter polymorphism in tuberculosis susceptibility.

Background: CD14 is expressed principally by cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage and plays a pivotal role in the innate immunity to intracellular infections. Recent research findings have revealed an association between the CD14 gene promoter polymorphism and several major infectious diseases.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the CD14-159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis in a Turkish population.

Efficacy and safety of once daily triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray in adults with non-allergic and allergic rhinitis.

Background: The efficacy of corticosteroid has not been thoroughly studied in the treatment of non-allergic rhinitis. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of nasal corticosteroid in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR).

Methods: The efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray (TANS) on total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), and nasal peak inspiratory flow rate (nPIFR) was studied in a six-week parallel-group trial of NAR (n: 25), and AR (n: 16) patients.

Contribution of neurogenic and allergic ways to the pathophysiology of nonallergic rhinitis.

Background: A neuroallergic interaction was reported in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR), but the pathophysiology of nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is poorly understood. We aimed to explore the contribution of neuroallergic mechanisms to the pathogenesis of NAR.

Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups - NAR patients (n = 25), AR patients (n = 16) and the control group (n = 10) - and were assessed using the nasal provocation test (NPT) with house dust mite.

Association between tuberculosis and atopy: role of the CD14-159C/T polymorphism.

Background: The development of allergic hypersensitivity depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Different amounts of microbial products could affect patients with atopy and different genotypes.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role of varying degrees of exposure to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis) in atopic patients and analyze the association with genetic factors.

Disseminated tuberculosis with lymphatic, splenic and scrotal abscesses: a case report.

Introduction: Disseminated tuberculosis can involve several organs and clinically present with a potpourri of signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of proper treatment are of great importance in preventing the later complications of the disease.

Case Presentation: We report a case with disseminated tuberculosis who exhibited a wide spectrum of extrapulmonary involvement.

Helicobacter pylori in allergic inflammation--fact or fiction?

Background: Although it has been hypothesized that infections may play a preventive role in allergic diseases, the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is not clear. In this study we aimed to determine the association between H.

Irritable bowel syndrome in young and elderly patients with stable asthma.

Background: It has been speculated that asthma and irritable bowel syndrome may share common pathophysiological processes.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in young and elderly patients with stable asthma.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-five young (age < 60 years) and 66 elderly (age > or = 60 years) stable asthmatics, and 119 age-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled.

Perception of bronchoconstriction in obstructive pulmonary diseases (disease-specific dyspnoea).

The perception of dyspnoea differs between subjects with obstructive pulmonary diseases, partly because the underlying mechanisms for bronchoconstriction are different. We investigated the perception of bronchoconstriction in subjects with bronchiectasis, asthma and chronic bronchitis and possible contributing factors. Forty-seven non-smoking subjects with bronchiectasis, 50 subjects with asthma and 31 with chronic bronchitis were challenged with histamine.