Allergy and "toxic mold syndrome".

Background: "Toxic mold syndrome" is a controversial diagnosis associated with exposure to mold-contaminated environments. Molds are known to induce asthma and allergic rhinitis through IgE-mediated mechanisms, to cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis through other immune mechanisms, and to cause life-threatening primary and secondary infections in immunocompromised patients. Mold metabolites may be irritants and may be involved in "sick building syndrome.

Asthma is a risk factor for acute chest syndrome and cerebral vascular accidents in children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and sickle cell disease are common conditions that both may result in pulmonary complications. We hypothesized that children with sickle cell disease with concomitant asthma have an increased incidence of vaso-occlusive crises that are complicated by episodes of acute chest syndrome. METHODS: A 5-year retrospective chart analysis was performed investigating 48 children ages 3-18 years with asthma and sickle cell disease and 48 children with sickle cell disease alone.

Toxic and other non-IgE-mediated effects of fungal exposures.

There are more than 100000 recognized species of fungi, comprising 25% of the biomass of the earth. Allergic, IgE-induced, manifestations of airborne fungi are common, whereas non-IgE manifestations are rare. Recently, much focus has been placed on the non-IgE-mediated effects of various molds, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, infectious disease, and mycotoxicoses.

High dose cetirizine: a case report.

We report the case of a 46-year-old man who tolerated 50 mg per day of cetirizine for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria. The patient denied any sedation or somnolence and had no difficulty performing routine daily functions including driving. He had tried other antihistamines, including fexofenadine, loratadine, and hydroxyzine without improvement.

Occupational lung disease related to cytophaga endotoxin exposure in a nylon plant.

Workers at a nylon plant developed pulmonary disease with systemic symptoms. Differentiating between humidifier fever and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is challenging. Cytophaga, an endotoxin-producing bacteria, was isolated from the plant air-conditioning system.