"In vivo" and "in vitro": tests in the diagnosis of trichophyton allergy.

A group of 100 patients with Trichophyton allergy and a control of group of 100 without fungal allergy have been compared in order to evaluate the diagnostic value of skin prick and intradermal tests and assay of Trichophyton specific IgE. The evaluation of sensitivity, specificity efficacy, positive and negative predictive values suggests that skin tests in two steps, prick and intradermal and research of specific IgE must be used to a better diagnostic approach. In cases were allergy is not cleared by antifungal therapy specific immunotherapy is worthwhile to be tried with a great percentage of success.

Drug allergy and pollinosis. A short report.

2 series of patients with pollinosis and drug allergy studied 10 years apart and comprising 115 cases are presented. In both series grass pollens and parietaria are as usual the most common cause of pollinosis but Parietaria was more common in the first series. Beta-lactams were the major cause of drug allergy in the first group, supersed by NSAID in the second group.

Drug allergy and asthma.

The prevalence of drug induced asthma in a series of 347 patients with drug induced adverse effects has been evaluated corresponding to 10% of drug adverse effects always due to NSAIDS.

"In vivo" and "in vitro" tests in the diagnosis of Beta-lactams allergy.

The results of "in vivo" and "in vitro" diagnostic tests in 114 patients reporting an allergic reaction to Beta-lactams are presented. Skin test gave an overall positivity of 85% and determination of specific IgE of 42%. Skin tests have a greater sensitivity but "in vitro" tests are an useful associated diagnostic method.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency asthma and allergy.

The biochemistry, genetics and pathology of alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency are reviewed. The geographical distribution in Europe of more current phenotypes M, SZ is discussed. Two cases of alpha-1- anti-trypsin are presented one homozygotic ZZ non-smoker without any respiratory pathology and one heterozygotic SZ heavy smoker with a severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reversibility to Beta-2-mimetics suggesting asthma.