Current E-Cigarette Research in the Context of Asthma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to integrate recent research on the respiratory immune effects of e-cigarettes with the pathogenesis of asthma to better understand how e-cigarettes may affect asthmatics and to note critical knowledge gaps regarding the effects of e-cigarettes on asthmatics.Recent FindingsHuman, rodent, and cell culture studies show that key cellular functions of epithelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophils are altered by e-cigarette exposure.SummaryBecause respiratory immunity is already dysregulated in asthma, further alteration of cellular function by e-cigarettes could impact as...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - August 7, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The Loss of Smell and Taste in the COVID-19 Outbreak: a Tale of Many Countries
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOlfactory dysfunction in upper airway viral infections (common cold, acute rhinosinusitis) is common (> 60%). During the COVID-19 outbreak, frequency of sensory disorders (smell and/or taste) in affected patients has shown a high variability from 5 to 98%, depending on the methodology, country, and study.Recent FindingsA sudden, severe, isolated loss of smell and/or taste, in the absence of other upper airway inflammatory diseases (allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis), should alert individuals and physicians on being potentially affected by COVID-19. The evaluation of s...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - August 2, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Telemedicine Pays: Billing and Coding Update
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTelemedicine is a rapidly growing healthcare sector that can improve access to care for underserved populations and offer flexibility and convenience to patients and clinicians alike. However, uncertainty about insurance coverage and reimbursement policies for telemedicine has historically been a major barrier to adoption, especially among physicians in private practice (the majority of practicing allergists).Recent FindingsThe COVID-19 public health emergency has highlighted the importance of telehealth as a safe and effective healthcare delivery model, with governments and payers rapidly expandin...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 26, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Otitis Media and Inborn Errors of Immunity
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is as follows: (1) to present the role of otitis as a warning sign for inborn errors of immunity (IEI), (2) to establish which patients presenting otitis should be investigated for IEI, (3) to review data about main IEI associated with otitis-prone patients.Recent FindingsOtitis media is a very common infection in general population. The concept of otitis-prone children established a certain frequency of the infections in order to look for conditions leading to them. The confirmation of middle ear impairment by specialists has demonstrated better confiability. The hallmarks f...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 10, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Antigen 5 Allergens of Hymenoptera Venoms and Their Role in Diagnosis and Therapy of Venom Allergy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewStings of Hymenoptera of the superfamily Vespoidea such as yellow jackets, paper wasps or stinging ants are common triggers for severe and even fatal allergic reactions. Antigen 5 allergens are potent allergens in the majority of these venoms with major importance for diagnosis and therapy. Reviewed here are the characteristics of antigen 5 allergens, their role in component-resolved diagnostics as well as current limitations of the available diagnostics for proper therapeutic decisions.Recent FindingsAntigens 5 are proteins of unknown function in Hymenoptera venoms with high allergenic potency. Th...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Role of Allergy in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) presents with symptoms of aural fullness and pressure, muffled hearing, tinnitus, and otalgia. When severe, it can lead to many common ear disorders such as otitis media with effusion, tympanic membrane retraction/perforation, and cholesteatoma. These diseases are prevalent in both the pediatric and adult population and significantly impact quality of life. The pathophysiology of ETD in the absence of an obstructive lesion has long been debated but is thought to be related to functional obstruction (i.e., inefficient tensor veli palatini muscle) and/or nasal cavity...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Olfactory Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury: the Role of Neurogenesis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOlfactory functioning disturbances are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) having a significant impact on quality of life. A spontaneous recovery of the olfactory function over time may occur in TBI patients. Although there is no standard treatment for patients with posttraumatic olfactory loss, olfactory training (OT) has shown some promise beneficial effects. However, the mechanisms underlying spontaneous recovery and olfactory improvement induced by OT are not completely known.Recent FindingsThe spontaneous recovery of the olfactory function and the improvement of olfactory function af...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Localized Granulomatous with Polyangiitis (GPA): Varied Clinical Presentations and Update on Treatment
The objective of this review is to summarize the various clinical manifestations of localized disease in GPA and their treatment.Recent FindingsSinonasal disease is seen in up to 90% of patients. Otologic and ocular involvement is also commonly seen. Laryngeal and tracheal disease although less common is associated with significant morbidity and can be therapeutically challenging. Clinicians need to be aware of these localized GPA manifestations as they may be presenting disease features in the absence of other systemic findings. Treatment of localized GPA involves both immunosuppressive and surgical interventions for spec...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Update on DNA-Double Strand Break Repair Defects in Combined Primary Immunodeficiency
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe most serious DNA damage, DNA double strand breaks (DNA-dsb), leads to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis or apoptosis if left unrepaired. Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the principle repair pathway employed by mammalian cells to repair DNA-dsb. Several proteins are involved in this pathway, defects in which can lead to human disease. This review updates on the most recent information available for the specific diseases associated with the pathway.Recent FindingsA new member of the NHEJ pathway, PAXX, has been identified, although no human disease has been associated with it. The clinical phenoty...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Scribes, EHRs, and Workflow Efficiencies in Allergy Practices
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn the ever-changing healthcare system, along with new advancements in the field of allergy, the workflow for the allergist continues to evolve requiring more time spent doing non-clinical duties such as documentation and reviewing reimbursement challenges in the midst of busy clinics. The use of electronic medical records and medical scribes has emerged as tactics to aid the clinic ’s workflow and efficiency in the modern allergy and immunology clinic.Recent FindingsThe practicing allergist can implement various additional strategies in their office workflow to maximize and synthesize good medic...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - July 8, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
B Cell Disorders in Children —Part I
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe advent of enhanced genetic testing has allowed for the discovery of gene defects underlying two broad categories of antibody deficiency in children: agammaglobulinemia and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). This review describes the underlying gene defects and the clinical manifestations.Recent FindingsBecause novel monogenetic defects have been discovered in both categories, a strict dichotomous classification of B cell disorders as either X-linked agammaglobulinemia or common variable immunodeficiency is no longer appropriate.SummaryAdvances in genetic testing technology and the decreas...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 22, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: a Rare Disease?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCommonly categorized as a rare disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is neither rare, when compared to many other genetic disorders, nor an actual disease, but rather a predisposition toward a wide variety of diseases. It is one of the most common genetic disorders which can lead to a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from no symptoms to progressively debilitating systemic disease, most commonly affecting the lung and liver. It is therefore imperative for clinicians to recognize and be familiar with the spectrum of presentations, methods of diagnosis, and clinical management of ...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 21, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Itch in Organs Beyond the Skin
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to explore mechanisms, causes, and therapies of itchy conditions involving organs beyond the skin including the eyes, ears, nose, and genital region.Recent FindingsConditions which cause itch in these locations vary from skin diseases that extend to these areas (i.e., atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis) to allergic conditions (i.e., allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis) and to neuropathic conditions that relate to afferent nerve fiber damage (i.e., lumbosacral radiculopathies in genital disease) as well as some psychological components. Similar to...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 18, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Update on House Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance Measures for Asthma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo critically review the evidence in favor or against the use of house dust mite (HDM) allergen avoidance measures in patients with asthma.Recent FindingsSystematic reviews and meta-analyses suggested no positive effect of mite allergen avoidance strategies on asthma outcomes, resulting in a lack of consensus regarding the utility of these measures. However, such analyses have a number limitations and might not be the most adequate tool to evaluate current evidence and to derive clinical recommendations regarding mite allergen avoidance in asthmatic patients. We should not disproportionately rely o...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 18, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Cogan ’s Syndrome: Clinical Presentations and Update on Treatment
This article will review the varying clinical presentations of CS and emerging information of systemic disease associated with CS. We will also review recently published promising treatment outcomes using immune modulating medications.SummaryAs our framework for recognizing the markers of CS and the associated systemic disorders expands, more effective guidelines and treatment options may emerge. (Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports)
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
