Predictive value of the number of adverse reaction episodes for the IgE-mediated food allergy diagnosis.

Introduction And Objectives: The reproducibility of the adverse reaction increases the suggestiveness of a history of food allergy. However, the positive predictive value (PPV) of multiple adverse reaction episodes for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy is not known. This evaluation was the objective of our study.

Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study.

Background: The query "are there animals at home?" is usually administered for collecting information on anamnesis. This modality to consider exposure to pet allergens constitutes a potential bias in epidemiological studies and in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate/quantify different modalities of exposure to cat/dog in inducing allergic sensitization.

Hymenoptera Venom Allergy. A closer collaboration is needed between allergists and emergency physicians.

Hymenoptera stings are sometimes fatal in venom-allergic patients. Fatalities mostly occur in previously stung subjects, especially those with a history of systemic reactions, and could be avoided if patients were properly informed of the existence of a prevention strategy for insect stings, referred to an allergy follow-up and prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine and/or venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT). We sought to assess knowledge and awareness of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy (HVA) in a small sample of Emergency Physicians in our geographic area.

Adverse reaction to sublingual Parietaria vaccine following an ultra-rush induction.

In the treatment of respiratory allergies Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) represents a valid alternative to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) for its better safety profile. We describe a case of acute severe asthma following the first maintenance dose of SLIT in a boy allergic to Parietaria pollen. At the initiation of therapy, the patient was in healthy condition and his asthma appeared to be under control.

An evidence based overview of sublingual immunotherapy in children.

In light of the current evidence, subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) can be suggested for use in pediatric allergic rhinitis and asthma as treatment and preventive management. Sublingual specific immunotherapy (SLIT) can be suggested for use in children with allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, and seasonal asthma, especially if they are mono-sensitive, for a duration of no less than three years. The earlier treatment begins, the better is the outcome.

Variation in levels of glycaemia and insulin after infusion of glucose solutions with or without added L-carnitine.

The effect of L-carnitine on glucose and insulin plasma levels was evaluated in 47 healthy volunteers who were administered a 10% glucose solution infusion over 3 h. The experiment was carried out following a cross-over procedure: each patient received two 750 cc 10% glucose solution infusions, a week apart; to one of these infusions 6 g L-carnitine had been added. The glucose infusion significantly increased the plasma glucose concentration of both groups, however, analysis of variance demonstrated that the increase in Group B was inferior (p < 0.