Multiple Drug Hypersensitivity in a Small Child with DRESS Syndrome - A Case Report.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) belongs to the group of severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Here we report a case of drug hypersensitivity against multiple antibiotics with DRESS in a young child with necrotizing pneumonia.

Plasma Levels of the Bioactive Sphingolipid Metabolite S1P in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Potential Target for Immunonutrition?

Recent research has linked sphingolipid (SL) metabolism with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity, affecting bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We hypothesize that loss of CFTR function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients influenced plasma S1P levels. Total and unbound plasma S1P levels were measured in 20 lung-transplanted adult CF patients and 20 healthy controls by mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Risk of infection in the first year of life in preterm children: An Austrian observational study.

Newborns, especially preterm infants, have an immature immune system, which, in combination with the required medical interventions necessary for keeping the neonate alive may lead to an increased risk of infection. Even after reaching stability and adapting to the environment, preterm infants have adverse prognoses regarding infections and long-term outcomes compared to their full-term counterparts. The objective of this study was to research differences in the number and severity of infections between preterm and full-term infants during their first year of life.

Quality of life in children and adolescents with migraine: an Austrian monocentric, cross-sectional questionnaire study.

Background: Migraine is a disabling primary headache disorder that occurs in about 10 % of children and might lead to a lower quality of life. There are several possible migraine triggers in a patient's environment, which should be avoided where possible. The objective of this Austrian monocentric study was to identify migraine triggers and the areas, in which children and adolescents with migraine have a lower quality of life than healthy, headache-free children.

Vaccination status of resident pediatricians and the potential risk for their patients - a cross-sectional questionnaire study in pediatric practices in Vienna.

Background: Pediatricians are advised by the Austrian ministry of health to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcus ACWY and meningococcus B, pneumococcus and seasonal influenza. As they take care of a vulnerable patient group including newborns and infants, who have not been vaccinated yet, it is important that they have a positive immunization status in order to protect their patients. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the vaccination status of pediatricians and their assistants in practices in Vienna.

Characterization of Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase as an immunomodulator for novel formulation of oral allergy immunotherapy.

To improve current mucosal allergen immunotherapy Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (NA) was evaluated as a novel epithelial targeting molecule for functionalization of allergen-loaded, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) and compared to the previously described epithelial targeting lectins wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL). All targeters revealed binding to Caco-2 cells, but only NA had high binding specificity to α-L fucose and monosialoganglioside-1. An increased transepithelial uptake was found for NA-MPs in a M-cell co-culture model.

A distinct microbiota composition is associated with protection from food allergy in an oral mouse immunization model.

In our mouse model, gastric acid-suppression is associated with antigen-specific IgE and anaphylaxis development. We repeatedly observed non-responder animals protected from food allergy. Here, we aimed to analyse reasons for this protection.

GM-CSF Down-Regulates TLR Expression via the Transcription Factor PU.1 in Human Monocytes.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are crucial sensors of microbial agents such as bacterial or viral compounds. These receptors constitute key players in the induction of inflammation, e.g.

Nitration of β-Lactoglobulin but Not of Ovomucoid Enhances Anaphylactic Responses in Food Allergic Mice.

Background: We revealed in previous studies that nitration of food proteins reduces the risk of de novo sensitization in a murine food allergy model. In contrast, in situations with preformed specific IgE antibodies, in vitro experiments suggested an increased capacity of effector cell activation by nitrated food proteins.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of protein nitration on the effector phase of food allergy.

Surgical Elimination of the Gastric Digestion by Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Impacts on Food Sensitisation-a Pilot Study.

Background: Impairment of gastric digestion due to pH elevation increases the risk for food allergy induction. As patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery have lower gastric acidity and less gastric gland secretion, we aimed to analyse in a prospective study the effect of limiting gastric digestion capacity by surgical intervention on the immune response towards allergens.

Methods: Nine patients undergoing RYGB surgery for morbid obesity and one control patient having undergone surgery for treatment of an incisional hernia were enrolled in the study.

Protamine nanoparticles with CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide prevent an allergen-induced Th2-response in BALB/c mice.

The currently applied immunotherapy of type I allergy with aluminum hydroxide (alum) as adjuvant elicits - among other side effects - an initial IgE-boost. In contrast, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) drive the immune response toward Th1. The biodegradable material protamine can spontaneously form nanoparticles together with such ODNs.

Interleukin-10: an anti-inflammatory marker to target atherosclerotic lesions via PEGylated liposomes.

Atherosclerosis (AS) causes cardiovascular disease, which leads to fatal clinical end points like myocardial infarction or stroke, the most prevalent causes of death in developed countries. An early, noninvasive method of detection and diagnosis of atherosclerotic lesions is necessary to prevent and treat these clinical end points. Working toward this goal, we examined recombinant interleukin-10 (IL-10), stealth liposomes with nanocargo potency for NMRI relevant contrast agents, and IL-10 coupled to stealth liposomes in an ApoE-deficient mouse model using confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM).

[Mechanisms and risk factors for type 1 food allergies: the role of gastric digestion].

True food allergens are considered as digestion stable proteins, which are absorbed through the gastrointestinal epithelium in an intact form leading to sensitization and causing systemic symptoms. According to classifications, allergens, which are digestion-labile, cause local symptoms by their cross-reactivity towards inhalative allergens. Our recent studies revealed that digestion labile allergens can also have sensitizing capacity if gastric digestion is hindered.

Use of lectin-functionalized particles for oral immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy, in recent times, has found its application in a variety of immunologically mediated diseases. Oral immunotherapy may not only increase patient compliance but may, in particular, also induce both systemic as well as mucosal immune responses, due to mucosal application of active agents. To improve the bioavailability and to trigger strong immunological responses, recent research projects focused on the encapsulation of drugs and antigens into polymer particles.

Perspectives on immunomodulation early in life.

The immune system early in life is characterized by immature activation and function of immune cells and a preponderance of Th2 cytokines. Together with other factors such as genetics and epigenetics, these immature immune responses might prone newborns susceptible to severe infections as well as allergic diseases. Immunomodulation therapy may have potential as therapeutic strategy against those disorders and might have implication in early-life interventions in the future.

Sphingosine-kinase 1 and 2 contribute to oral sensitization and effector phase in a mouse model of food allergy.

Background: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) influences activation, migration and death of immune cells. Further, S1P was proposed to play a major role in the induction and promotion of allergic diseases. However, to date only limited information is available on the role of S1P in food allergy.

Nitration of the egg-allergen ovalbumin enhances protein allergenicity but reduces the risk for oral sensitization in a murine model of food allergy.

Background: Nitration of proteins on tyrosine residues, which can occur due to polluted air under "summer smog" conditions, has been shown to increase the allergic potential of allergens. Since nitration of tyrosine residues is also observed during inflammatory responses, this modification could directly influence protein immunogenicity and might therefore contribute to food allergy induction. In the current study we have analyzed the impact of protein nitration on sensitization via the oral route.

Sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 are vital to recovery from anaphylactic shock in mice.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and SphK2 are ubiquitous enzymes that generate sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a ligand for a family of G protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-S1PR5) with important functions in the vascular and immune systems. Here we explore the role of these kinases and receptors in recovery from anaphylaxis in mice. We found that Sphk2-/- mice had a rapid recovery from anaphylaxis.

Food allergy: only a pediatric disease?

Epidemiologic studies report an increase in food allergies in industrialized countries, but mainly focus on children and young adults. This leads to the impression that food allergies do not occur in the older population. However, age-related changes dramatically affect both the innate as well as the adaptive immune system - a phenomenon known as immunosenescence.

Characterization of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for celery allergy in immunosenescence.

Recent studies indicated an underestimation of allergies in elderly. In our experimental food allergy model of protein feeding under acid-suppression we aimed to assess whether food allergy can be induced in immunosenescent mice. Furthermore, the impact of gastric digestion on celery allergenicity was evaluated in aged patients.