Modification of allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy safety precautions and systemic allergic reaction rate reduction.

Despite their life-threatening potential, medical team mistakes during subcutaneous immunotherapy are rarely discussed. Real data are missing, and a survey study estimated that dosing errors are responsible for 25% of systemic reactions during immunotherapy. To minimize errors, we modified our safety precautions and compared the rates of systemic allergic reactions before and after the change.

Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions to corticosteroids - prevalence, diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents used for the treatment of various diseases including allergic disorders, can induce immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Although these reactions are not common, due to the wide usage of corticosteroid medications, corticosteroid hypersensitivity reactions are clinically important.

Objective: In this review, we summarise the prevalence, pathogenetic mechanism, clinical manifestations, risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic approach for corticosteroid-induced hypersensitivity reactions.

Early childhood allergy linked with development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Previous studies reported controversial results regarding the association between allergic disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this article was to investigate whether allergic disorders are associated with ADHD/ASD in a large cohort of pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective study using the pediatric (0-18 year) database (ICD-9-CM codes) of Clalit Health Services during the years (2000-2018).

Characteristics of patients with spontaneous resolution of sesame allergy.

Background: The prevalence of sesame allergy is increasing; strict avoidance is the mainstay of therapy. Lately, sesame oral immunotherapy was presented as an alternative treatment, with a high rate of success. Therefore, data on the natural history and the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent sesame allergy are important for the management of patients with sesame allergy.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients hospitalized in medical wards: A real life experience.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in acutely ill patients hospitalized in medical departments. Thromboprophylaxis with anticoagulants was shown to be safe and effective in medical patients with high risk to develop VTE. Despite guidelines recommendations, the rate of thromboprophylaxis in those patients is low.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in murine and human systemic lupus erythematosus: Down-regulation by the tolerogeneic peptide hCDR1.

וֹndoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a role in immune regulation. Increased IDO activity was reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the effects of the tolerogenic peptide hCDR1, shown to ameliorate lupus manifestations, on IDO gene expression.

The tolerogenic peptide hCDR1 immunomodulates cytokine and regulatory molecule gene expression in blood mononuclear cells of primary Sjogren's syndrome patients.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. We investigated whether the tolerogenic peptide, hCDR1, that ameliorates lupus manifestations would have beneficial effects on pSS as well. The in vitro effects of hCDR1 on gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulatory molecules were tested in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 16 pSS patients.

Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is defined as thrombosis of the deep venous system (subclavian, axillary, brachial, ulnar, and radial veins), which drains the upper extremities. It can be caused by thoracic outlet anatomic obstruction, such as Paget-Schroetter syndrome, (primary) or by central intravenous catheters (secondary). UEDVT may be asymptomatic or present with acute severe pain and arm swelling.

Where is the greatest impact of uncontrolled HIV infection on AIDS and non-AIDS events in HIV?

Objective: The extent to which controlled and uncontrolled HIV interact with ageing, European region of care and calendar year of follow-up is largely unknown.

Method: EuroSIDA participants were followed after 1 January 2001 and grouped according to current HIV progression risk; high risk (CD4 cell count ≤350/μl, viral load ≥10 000 copies/ml), low risk (CD4 cell count ≥500 cells/μl, viral load <50 copies/ml) and intermediate (other combinations). Poisson regression investigated interactions between HIV progression risk, age, European region of care and year of follow-up and incidence of AIDS or non-AIDS events.

Low levels of the immunoregulator Semaphorin 4D (CD100) in sera of HIV patients.

Introduction: Semaphorin-4D (CD100), generated by CD4/CD8 T-cells and its receptor on B cells - CD72, play a role in immune regulation. Both have soluble forms - sCD100/sCD72.

Methods: sCD100 and sCD72 levels were determined by ELISA (MyBioSource, USA).

Hospitalizations of HIV patients in a major Israeli HIV/AIDS center during the years 2000 to 2012.

To evaluate hospitalization rates and causes among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in the late highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Data during the years 2000 to 2012 were obtained from hospital/clinical charts. Hospitalizations were defined as a ≥24 hours hospital admission.

Anti-BLyS Treatment of 36 Israeli Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

Background: Anti-BLyS treatment with the human belimumab monoclonal antibody was shown to be a safe and effective therapeutic modality in lupus patients with active disease (i.e., without significant neurological/renal involvement) despite standard treatment.

Two case reports of severe myocarditis associated with the initiation of dolutegravir treatment in HIV patients.

Rationale: The integrase inhibitor dolutegravir is now recommended as first-line treatment for HIV. A single case of myocarditis after treatment with dolutegravir was reported in the FLAMINGO trial. We present here 2 cases of severe myocarditis that occurred shortly after the initiation of dolutegravir treatment.

Increased soluble CD72 in systemic lupus erythematosus is in association with disease activity and lupus nephritis.

Introduction: B cell receptor (BCR) -mediated signals are enhanced when CD72 expression is deficient on B cells in autoimmune diseases. The significance of soluble CD72 (sCD72) has not been elucidated.

Methods: Soluble CD72 was analyzed in the serum of 159 SLE patients, 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 100 healthy individuals.

Characteristics and Outcome of Patients Diagnosed With HIV at Older Age.

To characterize the clinical, virological, and immunological status at presentation as well as the outcome of patients diagnosed with HIV above the age of 50. A retrospective study of 418 patients newly diagnosed with HIV in 1 Israeli center, between the years 2004 and 2013. Patients with new HIV diagnosis ≥ 50 years of age defined as "older' and < 50 defined as "younger.

Auditing HIV Testing Rates across Europe: Results from the HIDES 2 Study.

European guidelines recommend the routine offer of an HIV test in patients with a number of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS conditions believed to share an association with HIV; so called indicator conditions (IC). Adherence with this guidance across Europe is not known. We audited HIV testing behaviour in patients accessing care for a number of ICs.

Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis.

Background: Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a rare disorder that can clinically mimic breast carcinoma. The recommendation for diagnosis and treatment of GLM has not yet been established.

Objectives: To assess a series of GLM patients, including their clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

A Population-Structured HIV Epidemic in Israel: Roles of Risk and Ethnicity.

Background: HIV in Israel started with a subtype-B epidemic among men who have sex with men, followed in the 1980s and 1990s by introductions of subtype C from Ethiopia (predominantly acquired by heterosexual transmission) and subtype A from the former Soviet Union (FSU, most often acquired by intravenous drug use). The epidemic matured over the last 15 years without additional large influx of exogenous infections. Between 2005 and 2013 the number of infected men who have sex with men (MSM) increased 2.

BLyS levels in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical and serological correlation.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by disturbance of the innate and adaptive immune systems with the production of autoantibodies by stimulated B lymphocytes. The BLyS protein (B lymphocyte stimulator) is secreted mainly by monocytes and activated T cells and is responsible for the proliferation, maturation and survival of B cells.

Objectives: To study sera BLyS level and its clinical significance in Israeli lupus patients overtime.