Impact of nickel oral hyposensitization on quality of life in systemic nickel allergy syndrome.

Nickel (Ni) oral hyposensitization treatment (NiOHT) is an effective management approach for Ni allergy. No health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data exist for the pre- and post-treatment with NiOHT in systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS). The aims of this study were (a) to explore HRQoL in SNAS patients, (b) to assess changes of HRQoL after 1 year of NiOHT; (c) to evaluate psychological status of patients.

Omalizumab in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: friend or foe? A systematic literature review.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate, through a Medline search, the role of omalizumab in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Methods: A systematic review was performed with the following inclusion criteria: original articles and case reports written in English and reporting an association between omalizumab and EGPA.

Results: We found 18 papers on EGPA (14 case reports, 3 retrospective cohort studies, 1 prospective cohort study).

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (in nickel-allergic patient) regressed after nickel oral desensitization: A case report.

The eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune/antigen disorder of the oesophagus clinically characterized by dysphagia and pathologically by mucosa eosinophilic infiltration. Th2-type allergic reactions are considered having important roles in the aetiopathogenesis of EoE. Avoidance of food allergens, administration of steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and dilation of the oesophagus are the most important treatments.

Specific oral immunotherapy in food allergic patients: transient or persistent tolerance?

Introduction: The first therapeutic choice for food allergy is avoidance of the responsible food, but when this approach is not possible, specific oral desensitization could be considered as a good alternative. It is not clear yet whether the acquired tolerance is transient or persistent.

Aim: We report on a subset of 13 patients of a larger study, treated successfully with specific oral tolerance induction who experienced secondary loss of tolerance after a period of allergen avoidance.

Hymenoptera Venom Allergy: Management of Children and Adults in Clinical Practice.

Hymenoptera venom allergy is an epidemiologically underestimated condition and a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Preventing future allergic reactions in patients who experience a systemic reaction is based on the correct management of the emergency followed by an accurate diagnosis, prescription of adrenaline autoinjectors, and, where indicated, specific venom immunotherapy. Some epidemiological studies highlight our poor knowledge of this disease and the frequent inadequacy of its management.

The Importance of Complying with Vaccination Protocols in Developed Countries: "Anti-Vax" Hysteria and the Spread of Severe Preventable Diseases.

Background: Vaccines are very effective medical tools for disease prevention and life span increase. Controversies have raised concern about their safety, from autism to polio vaccine contamination with simian virus 40 (SV-40). Hysteria surrounding vaccine-associated risks has resulted in a declining number of vaccinations in developed countries.

Latex immunotherapy: evidence of effectiveness.

Introduction: The only etiological and decisive therapy, able to influence the natural history of latex allergy is the specific desensitization.

Aim: To verify the clinical efficacy and immunological changes determined by latex sublingual immunotherapy in allergic patients who underwent this treatment for at least 3 years.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 76 patients (16 males and 60 females, mean age 34 years old) with evidence of a natural rubber latex allergy.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Nickel Allergy: What Is the Role of the Low Nickel Diet?

Background/aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by chronic abdominal pain or discomfort accompanied by abnormal bowel movements. In sensitized subjects, ingested nickel (Ni) may induce gastrointestinal symptoms similar to IBS, in addition to typical systemic cutaneous lesions (systemic nickel allergy syndrome [SNAS]). A low nickel diet could improve the systemic manifestations.

Role of TNF-alpha polymorphism in patients with nickel allergy: a marker of susceptibility to contact polysensitization.

Objective: Nickel allergy is the most frequent contact allergy in the industrialized country. In allergic contact dermatitis after the presentation of haptenated peptides by resident or newly recruited skin cells, activated CD8+ T cells release IFN-γ and TNF-α, these cytokines are potent activator of keratinocytes. The role of specific cytokines in nickel allergy is not yet fully elucidated.

Cross-reactivity and Tolerability of Ertapenem in Patients With IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity to β-Lactams.

Background And Objective: Administration of carbapenems to β-lactam-allergic patients has always been considered potentially harmful because of a 47.4% rate of cross-reactivity to imipenem reported in a single study. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that the rate of cross-reactivity of imipenem and meropenem with penicillins is lower than 1%.

Doctor, can I desensitize my food-allergic child using directly the allergenic molecules?

Purpose Of Review: Food allergy has risen in prevalence worldwide and is one of the main causes of anaphylaxis, especially in children. The only possible therapeutic approach is specific immunotherapy. This review describes the recent approaches using allergenic molecules for specific immunotherapy.

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of diagnostic methods in adult food allergy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12948-015-0033-9.].

Profilin desensitization: A case series.

The role of profilin as an allergen has long been questioned. The capacity of profilin to induce respiratory symptoms has recently been demonstrated; moreover, over 50% of patients sensitized to profilin experienced symptoms after the ingestion of plant-derived foods, suggesting that profilin should be considered as a clinically relevant food allergen.We describe the cases of seven allergic patients with oral allergy syndrome and other adverse reactions after eating plant-derived food, that have been undergone to profilin desensitization treatment.

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of diagnostic methods in adult food allergy.

Food allergy has an increasing prevalence in the general population and in Italy concerns 8 % of people with allergies. The spectrum of its clinical manifestations ranges from mild symptoms up to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. A number of patients can be diagnosed easily by the use of first- and second-level procedures (history, skin tests and allergen specific IgE).

Hypersensitivity to major panallergens in a population of 120 patients.

Introduction: Lipid transfer proteins (LTP), profilin and PR-10 are the most important panallergens in central and southern Italy. Lipid transfer proteins are stable molecules, predominantly present in the fruit peel, which can induce systemic symptoms after ingestion of vegetables. Profilin and PR-10 are randomly distributed in the pulp and peel.

Allergic Inflammation Is Associated With Coronary Instability and a Worse Clinical Outcome After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The role of allergic inflammation in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has not been clearly defined to date. Aim of this study was to assess eosinophil and basophil activation in ACS and the prognostic role of eosinophil cationic protein in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: In a cross-sectional study, we prospectively enrolled 51 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (60.