Usefulness and limitations of sequential serum tryptase for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis in 102 patients.

Background: The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is based on clinical history since no reliable biological marker is currently available to confirm the diagnosis.

Objective: It was the aim of this study to determine sequential serum tryptase concentrations during anaphylaxis and to evaluate its potential as a diagnostic marker.

Methods: We performed a prospective study including patients with acute anaphylaxis (according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network criteria) attending the emergency department.

Spirometric maneuvers and inhaled salbutamol do not affect exhaled nitric oxide measurements among patients with allergic asthma.

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) is used as a marker of airway inflammation. Factors such as spirometric maneuvers (SPM), β(2)-agonists, or tobacco smoking have been postulated to affect ENO measurements. Guidelines on measurement techniques have been published based on expert opinions.

Frozen fruit skin prick test for the diagnosis of fruit allergy.

Background: Diagnosis of fruit sensitisation by skin prick test (SPT) is fast and easy to perform. Nevertheless, some fruit is not available throughout the year. Freezing aliquots of these fresh fruits to be defrosted would be a good solution to perform SPT at any time.

Allergic diseases in the elderly.

Demographic distribution of the population is progressively changing with the proportion of elderly persons increasing in most societies. This entails that there is a need to evaluate the impact of common diseases, such as asthma and other allergic conditions, in this age segment. Frailty, comorbidities and polymedication are some of the factors that condition management in geriatric patients.