Selection of allergen extract for immunotherapy in polysensitized allergic rhinitis patients.

To evaluate the criteria used by allergists in selecting an immunotherapy extract (allergen immunotherapy [AIT]-extract) in rhinitis patients with polysensitization. First, a cross-sectional study was carried out by evaluating different factors that influence the medical choice of AIT-extract. Second, a literature review was performed by evaluating the diagnostic performance of atopy tests.

The frequency of allergic reactions to the triple viral vaccine in 94 patients with egg allergy.

Introduction: Vaccination is the most effective public health intervention of all times, reducing the death and morbidity rates derived from multiple infectious diseases. In many cases, the administration and reception of vaccines is delayed due to the fear of allergic reactions; this is frequent among patients with allergy to egg who need the triple viral vaccine. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of reactions after the administration of triple viral vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella, MMR) in an egg-allergic population.

[Variants in the TNFA, IL6 and IFNG genes are associated with the dengue severity in a sample from Colombian population].

Introduction: The genetic makeup of the host contributes to the clinical profile of dengue. This could be due to the effect of variants in the genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the variants of three polymorphisms in TNFA, IL6 and IFNG candidate genes with dengue severity in a sample of Colombian population.

[Allergen immunotherapy: Mechanisms of action, and therapeutic and socioeconomic impact Consensus of the Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Imunología].

Allergies comprise a set of highly prevalent diseases. When allergic processes are not controlled, they can endanger patients' health and lives, and have an important economic and social impact. The aim of this paper is to present a practical consensus of the scientific evidence on the use of immunotherapy in allergic diseases.

Evaluation of Commercially Available Assays for Diagnosis of Acute Dengue in Schoolchildren During an Epidemic Period in Medellin, Colombia.

During an active surveillance study in school children in Medellin, we assessed the performance of two diagnostic strategies for dengue virus. A total of 41 patients with suspected dengue acute infection were evaluated. Diagnostic strategies consisted of one combining Panbio(®) Dengue virus IgM and IgG Capture ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and another using a commercial rapid SD Bioline Dengue Duo (IgG/IgM + NS1 Ag) test.

[Dengue infection: A common cause of febrile syndrome in patients from Quibdó, Chocó, Colombia].

Introduction: Quibdó, a municipality in Chocó, has poor public services and weather and social conditions that favor dengue transmission. However, there are few studies about this problem in this district.

Objective: To determine the frequency of dengue infection in patients with acute febrile syndrome and to compare clinical features among dengue infected patients with other febrile diseases.

African genetic ancestry is associated with a protective effect on Dengue severity in colombian populations.

The wide variation in severity displayed during Dengue Virus (DENV) infection may be influenced by host susceptibility. In several epidemiological approaches, differences in disease outcomes have been found between some ethnic groups, suggesting that human genetic background has an important role in disease severity. In the Caribbean, It has been reported that populations of African descent present considerable less frequency of severe forms compared with Mestizo and White self-reported groups.

Frequency and clinical manifestations of dengue in urban medellin, Colombia.

A dengue fever surveillance study was conducted at three medical facilities located in the low-income district of San Javier in Medellin, Colombia. During March 2008 to 2009, 781 patients with fever regardless of chief complaint were recruited for acute dengue virus infection testing. Of the 781 tested, 73 (9.

[Serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in dengue patients of African or mestizo descendency].

Introduction: Severe dengue infection is characterized by enhanced vascular permeability produced by cytokines and biochemical mediators. One of these mediators is the platelet-activating factor. Degradation of platelet-activating factor is accomplished by its specific acetylhydrolase.

[Cold urticaria: case series and literature review].

Cold urticaria is one of the five most common causes of chronic urticaria and is grouped as a physical urticaria. It can occur after exposure to cold, either through solid objects, air or liquids. Patients may have symptoms of urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress and even anaphylaxis when the skin is exposed to a cold environment, such as handling refrigerated objects, swimming in cold water or entering an air-conditioned room.

[Allergy and intolerance to nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs: successful desensitization in three cases].

Adverse reactions to nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs are the second cause of reactions to drugs after beta-lactams. Prevalence of these reactions among general population is between 0.1-0.

Serum levels of cytokines in two ethnic groups with dengue virus infection.

This study compared the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in 78 Colombian patients, from two ethnic groups, with dengue virus infection. TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in Afro-Colombians than in Mestizos and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in Mestizos than in Afro-Colombians, during the acute phase. IFN-gamma levels were similar in both ethnic groups.

Serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in infants with and without dengue.

This study compared the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in children under 1 year of age with and without dengue. Sera were collected from a total of 41 children living in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia (27 patients with dengue and 14 controls). The results showed higher cytokine levels in children with dengue than without dengue, with statistically significant differences for IL-6 and IFN-gamma.

[Nutritional status of indigenous children aged up to six years in the Embera-Katio Indian reserve in Tierralta, Cordoba, Colombia].

Introduction: Knowledge of the nutritional state of the children is an valuable indicator of the general state of development in an entire population.

Objective: The prevalence of malnutrition was determined in Embera-Katio's indigenous children, aged 0-6 years, and associated factors associated with malnutrition were identified.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Resguardo Embera-Katío, in Tierralta in the Province of Cordoba, located in northern Colombia.

[Prenatal and postnatal effects of dengue infection during pregnancy].

The risk of dengue virus infection during pregnancy has increased due to the current rash of frequent and severe dengue epidemics. The effects of dengue virus in the fetus and newborn children have been studied only superficially and with contradictory results. Therefore, a retrospective cohort study was conducted in Medellin, Colombia, to describe the fetal and postnatal effects of dengue virus infection acquired during pregnancy.