Regulatory Requirements for the Quality of Allergen Products for Allergen Immunotherapy of Food Allergy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMedicinal products for allergen immunotherapy (AIT) of food allergies have gained enormous momentum in recent years. With this new class of products entering marketing authorization procedures, compliance to regulatory requirements becomes a critical element. Here, an overview is provided on specific requirements and aspects concerning the quality control and manufacturing of these products.Recent FindingsRecent developments in the field of AIT for food allergies are divers, including products for oral, epicutaneous, and subcutaneous application, most notably targeting egg, milk, and peanut allergy...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - May 10, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Hereditary Alpha-Tryptasemia: a Commonly Inherited Modifier of Anaphylaxis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHereditary alpha-tryptasemia (H αT) is an autosomal dominant genetic trait and a common cause of elevated basal serum tryptase in Western populations. It is a risk factor for severe anaphylaxis among individuals with venom allergy and an established modifier of anaphylaxis and mast cell mediator–associated symptoms among patien ts with systemic mastocytosis. Understanding the physiology of tryptases and how this may relate to the clinical features associated with HαT is the first step in identifying optimal medical management and targets for novel therapeutics.Recent FindingsH αT prevalence is...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - May 10, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Glutathione S-Transferase Gene Associations and Gene-Environment Interactions for Asthma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAsthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Airway oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative processes in the airways. There is evidence that chronic damage caused by oxidative stress may be involved in asthmatic inflammation and reduced lung function. Given their biological antioxidant function, the antioxidant genes in theglutathione S-transferase (GST) family are believed to be associated with development and progression of asthma. This review aims to summarize evidence on the relationship betweenGST gene polymorphisms and asthma a...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - May 10, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
How to Incorporate Oral Immunotherapy into Your Clinical Practice
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to discuss how to best incorporate oral immunotherapy into your clinical practice based on recent evidence and guidelines, and address controversies.Recent FindingsOral immunotherapy is the food immunotherapy treatment with the most literature supporting its use. Recent data from both randomized clinical trials and real-world studies show OIT is especially safe and effective in preschoolers, while avoidance may be less safe than previously thought. OIT guidelines support its use outside of research.SummaryOral immunotherapy can be safely and effectively incorporated in...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - April 30, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The COVID-19 Pandemic —an Epidemiological Perspective
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a matter of great concern worldwide. After the first wave, several countries, notably in the European Union, are suffering a very rapid increase in the number of cases in the pandemic second wave. Health systems are under stress; hospital beds and ICU beds are increasingly occupied by COVID-19 patients, and hospitals are struggling to keep their normal operations. We review some basic epidemiological data of this new disease, regarding its appearance, reproductive rate, ways of transmission, number of cases, death rate, usefulness of diagnostic tests, basic treatmen...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - April 28, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Fatal Anaphylaxis: Epidemiology and Risk Factors
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide clinicians with an understanding of risk factors associated with fatal anaphylaxis, and to promote individualized management plans with patients based upon key aspects of their clinical history.Recent FindingsWhile anaphylaxis can affect a significant percentage of the general population, death from anaphylaxis remains a rare outcome. The presence of asthma and peanut or tree nut allergy is associated with higher risk for severe or fatal anaphylaxis from foods. Specific triggers (medications, venom), underlying comorbid conditions, age, and use of some medications can also impact risk an...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - April 7, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Multidisciplinary Care for Severe or Uncontrolled Chronic Upper Airway Diseases
AbstractPurpose of ReviewA multidisciplinary approach is regarded as the best practice for many chronic diseases, such as cancer and asthma, with well-documented value. There is also evidence that it may be beneficial to patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and/or allergic airway disease presenting to tertiary referral centres. We discuss here whether and how organizing this kind of healthcare transition into a more integrated care pathway would benefit severe chronic upper airways disease (SCUAD) management.Recent FindingsBased on a recent related EUFOREA panel discussion, literature search, and review of the best o...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - April 1, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
What Is New in Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Year of the COVID Pandemic?
This article aims to summarize some recent trends in occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), including dermatitis related to pandemic-level personal protective equipment in healthcare workers, hazards patients may experience when working from home, and occupational perspectives on the recent American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) allergens of the year and ACDS Core Allergen Series updates.Recent FindingsRecent ACDS Allergens of the Year may be particularly relevant to healthcare workers, including isobornyl acrylate, which is present in glucose sensors and propylene glycol present in hand cleansers and disinfec...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - March 29, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Herbal Medicines for Allergic Rhinitis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo assess the effects of herbal medicine (HM) therapy in various durations and analyze the effects of HM separately by mechanism of action in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).Recent FindingsThirty-two studies were included (2,697 patients, mean age 34.6 years). For the ≤ 4 weeks of treatment duration, HM brought greater benefits over placebo in reduction of total nasal symptoms score (standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.98, −0.38;p<0.01) and improvement in Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire score (SMD −0.53; 95% CI −0.81, âˆ...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - March 25, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Paget ’s Disease of Bone: Osteoimmunology and Osteoclast Pathology
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to recognize clinical features of Paget ’s disease of bone and to describe how the osteoclast, a myeloid-derived cell responsible for bone resorption, contributes to the disease.Recent FindingsRecent studies have identified several variants inSQSTM1,OPTN, and other genes that may predispose individuals to Paget ’s disease of bone; studies of these genes and their protein products have elucidated new roles for these proteins in bone physiology.SummaryUnderstanding the pathologic mechanisms in the Pagetic osteoclast may lead to the identification of future treatment ...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - March 25, 2021 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
