Wheeze is an unreliable endpoint for bronchial methacholine challenges in preschool children.

Background: Onset of wheeze is the endpoint often used in the determination of a positive bronchial challenge test (BCT) in young children who cannot perform spirometry. We sought to assess several clinical endpoints at the time of a positive BCT in young children with recurrent wheeze compared to findings in school-aged children with asthma.

Methods: Positive BCT was defined in: (1) preschool children (n = 22) as either persistent cough, wheeze, fall in oxygen saturation (SpO ) of ≥5%, or ≥50% increase in respiratory rate (RR) from baseline; and (2) school-aged children (n = 22) as the concentration of methacholine (MCh) required to elicit a 20% decline in FEV (PC ).

Mast cell inhibitor R112 is well tolerated and affects prostaglandin D2 but not other mediators, symptoms, or nasal volumes in a nasal challenge model of allergic rhinitis.

Understanding of the role played by mast cells in allergic rhinitis (AR) has led to the development of novel therapies. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and tolerability of R112, an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Syk, in an allergen challenge model of AR. We also examined the effects of R112 on symptoms, mediator release, and nasal airway volumes.

Effect of montelukast on peripheral airflow obstruction in children with asthma.

Background: Montelukast is a widely used controller agent in childhood asthma. It is modestly effective in reducing symptoms, decreasing the need for rescue albuterol, and improving forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Objective: To determine whether montelukast therapy improves peripheral airway obstruction as measured by lung volumes, air trapping, airway resistance (Raw), and specific conductance (Sgaw).

Update on the clinical features of food-induced anaphylaxis.

Food-induced anaphylaxis has become the leading cause of anaphylactic reactions that occur outside hospital. We introduce the present review with a definition of food-induced anaphylaxis, including its prevalence and proposed etiology. Second, we discuss an entity that is increasingly being recognized: exercise-induced food anaphylaxis, which may be triggered by specific foods or at times where no specific food has been identified.