Food allergy knowledge and attitude of restaurant personnel in Turkey.

Background: The incidence of food-induced allergic reactions is gradually increasing. Most of these allergic reactions occur in restaurants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the awareness of restaurant personnel about food allergy.

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.

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.

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.

Successful desensitization with un-fractionated heparin in a patient with heparin allergy and tolerance to fondaparinux.

Immediate hypersensitivity to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is rare, and we present here a case with an anaphylaxis-like symptoms to enoxaparin. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity to enoxaparin was confirmed by the clinical picture and positive skin tests. In this case, palmo-plantal itching after application of heparin was an early sign of immediate type hypersensitivity.

Comparison of azelastine versus triamcinolone nasal spray in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.

Background: Intranasal antihistamine has not been thoroughly studied in the treatment of rhinitis of different etiologies. This study was designed to show the comparative efficacy of nasal antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR).

Methods: A comparison of the efficacy of azelastine nasal spray (AZENS) versus triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray (TANS) on total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), nasal peak inspiratory flow rate (nPIFR), and nasal cytology was studied in a 2-week randomized parallel-group trial.

Impact of asthma education meeting on asthma control level assessed by asthma control test.

Background: : The asthma control test (ACT) is a reliable tool to measure the level of asthma control. In our research, we aimed to investigate the effect of participation in an asthma awareness session on the patient's perception of current asthma control as evaluated by ACT in relation to quality of life (QoL) in an adult population.

Methods: : An observational study in subjects who were diagnosed as suffering with persistent asthma was performed.

Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis: the threat for obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Although allergic rhinitis (AR) is accepted as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), the role of nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is unknown.

Objective: To compare OSAS in patients with AR vs NAR.

Methods: We performed an observational study in 48 adults with AR and NAR that included a review of rhinitis and sleep symptoms, skin prick test results, self-administered questionnaire (Epworth Sleepiness Scale and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) findings, and all-night polysomnography records.

Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis: can we find the differences/similarities between the two pictures?

The diagnostic challenge of rhinitis is to determine the etiology, specifically whether it is allergic or nonallergic. We therefore evaluated the general features of patients with allergic (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study group consisted of 323 patients (201 F/122 M) with a mean age of 31.