Blood or skin: what is best in predicting cow's milk allergy diagnosis?

Cut-off values for both skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) levels for predicting cow´s milk allergy (CMA) diagnosis are not universally defined. This study is a retrospective analysis of consecutive children (0-18 years-old) with suspected CMA tested with SPT and sIgE for cow's milk (CM) and its fractions between 2016-2017. CMA diagnosis was defined by a positive oral food challenge or a highly suggestive clinical history of CMA and SPT and/or sIgE positive to CM and/or its fractions.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug hypersensitivity in children.

Introduction: There are rather few publications about hypersensitivity reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the paediatric age. In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency of confirmed NSAID hypersensitivity in children with a previous reported reaction to NSAID in order to investigate the role of the drug provocation test (DPT) in the diagnostic workup and to explore the factors associated with confirmed NSAID hypersensitivity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical files from every patient under 18 years old who attended two Portuguese paediatric allergy outpatient clinics, from January 2009 to August 2014, due to a suspected NSAID hypersensitivity.

Drug-induced anaphylaxis survey in Portuguese Allergy Departments.

Background And Objective: Drug-induced anaphylaxis is an unpredictable and potentially fatal adverse drug reaction. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of drug-induced anaphylaxis in Portugal.

Methods: During a 4-year period a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis was implemented, with voluntary reporting by allergists.

Evaluation and comparison of commercially available latex extracts for skin prick tests.

Background: Crude latex extracts are commonly used in skin prick tests (SPT) for the diagnosis of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy. Nevertheless, variations in protein and allergen composition between latex extracts from different manufacturers can hamper a correct diagnosis.

Objectives: To analyze the heterogeneity of proteins and allergens in latex extracts from 7 different manufacturers and to assess its relevance in the diagnosis of latex allergy.

Cyclosporine-induced haemolytic anaemia in a child with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Cyclosporine-induced haemolysis is a very rare adverse reaction. The few published cases in the literature are described in the context of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in transplanted patients. We report a case of cyclosporine-induced haemolytic anaemia in a 9-year-old girl being treated for severe dermatomyositis.

Different in vivo reactivity profile in health care workers and patients with spina bifida to internal and external latex glove surface-derived allergen extracts.

Background: Allergy to natural rubber latex is a well-recognized health problem, especially among health care workers and patients with spina bifida. Despite latex sensitization being acquired in health institutions in both health care workers and patients with spina bifida, differences in allergen sensitization profiles have been described between these two risk groups.

Objective: To investigate the in vivo reactivity of health care workers and patients with spina bifida to extracts of internal and external surfaces of latex gloves and also to specific extracts enriched in major allergens for these risk groups.

Drug provocation tests to betalactam antibiotics: experience in a paediatric setting.

Background: Few studies have been performed in children with suspected betalactam allergy. We aimed to assess the role of the drug provocation test (DPT) with betalactams in a paediatric setting and to study the association between allergy to betalactam antibiotics and other allergic diseases.

Methods: We included all the patients under 15 years old who were consecutively referred to the Immunoallergy Department, Dona Estefânia Hospital, Portugal (January 2002 to April 2008) for a compatible history of allergic reaction to betalactam.

Skin prick tests and allergy diagnosis.

Skin testing remains an essential diagnostic tool in modern allergy practice. A significant variability has been reported regarding technical procedures, interpretation of results and documentation. This review has the aim of consolidating methodological recommendations through a critical analysis on past and recent data.

Lung function and clinical risk factors for asthma in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze.

Background: Although several risk factors for asthma have been identified in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze, the relevance of assessing lung function in this group remains unclear. Whether lung function is reduced during the first 2 years in recurrently wheezy children, with and without clinical risk factors for developing subsequent asthma (ie, parental asthma, personal history of allergic rhinitis, wheezing without colds and/or eosinophil level >4%) compared with healthy controls was assessed in this study.

Methods: Forced expiratory flows and volumes in steroid naïve young children with >or=3 episodes of physician confirmed wheeze and healthy controls, aged 8-20 months, were measured using the tidal and raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression manoeuvres.