Role of Environmental Adjuvants in Asthma Development
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes recent progress in our understanding how environmental adjuvants promote the development of asthma.Recent FindingsAsthma is a heterogeneous set of lung pathologies with overlapping features. Human studies and animal models suggest that exposure to different environmental adjuvants activate distinct immune pathways, which in turn give rise to distinct forms, or endotypes, of allergic asthma. Depending on their concentrations, inhaled TLR ligands can activate either type 2 inflammation, or Th17 differentiation, along with regulatory responses that function to attenuate inflamma...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Role of the Microbiome in Allergic Disease Development
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEvidence suggests that the microbiome of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and airway contribute to health and disease. As we learn more about the role that the microbiota plays in allergic disease development, we can develop therapeutics to alter this pathway.Recent FindingsEpidemiologic studies reveal that an association exists between environmental exposures, which alter the microbiota, and developing atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and/or asthma. In fact, samples from the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract reveal distinct microbiotas compared with healthy controls, with microb...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The Indoor Environment and Childhood Asthma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSensitization and exposure to triggers in the indoor environment, including aeroallergens, indoor air pollution, and environmental tobacco smoke, have a significant role in asthma development and morbidity. This review discusses indoor environmental exposures and their effect on children with asthma as well as environmental interventions and their role in improving asthma morbidity.Recent FindingsRecent research has emphasized the role of aeroallergen sensitization and exposure in asthma morbidity and the importance of the school indoor environment.SummaryThere is an established association between...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Children: Recommendations for Patch Testing
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAllergic contact dermatitis (ACD) affects 20% of children. However, diagnosis of ACD may be underreported in children due to lack of recognition. Patch testing is the gold standard for evaluation of ACD in children but poses unique challenges in this population.Recent FindingsRecent studies highlight the significance of ACD and the utility of patch testing in children. Evaluation of ACD in children is difficult and requires knowledge of a child ’s exposure history, careful selection of allergens, and knowledge of specialized patch testing considerations to minimize irritation and maximize coopera...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Sublingual Versus Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis: What Are the Important Therapeutic and Real-World Considerations?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAllergen immunotherapy has been used for over 100 years in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. With two major options for administering this disease-modifying therapy, SCIT, and SLIT, what is our current understanding of the efficacy and safety of each one? How do we determine who is the appropriate candidate for each one in the real world?Recent FindingsSCIT and SLIT show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and need for medication in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In recent meta-analyses, there is no significant difference in the efficacy between the two treatments, but SLIT has mo...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The Honeybee Venom Major Allergen Api m 10 (Icarapin) and Its Role in Diagnostics and Treatment of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn Hymenoptera venom allergy, the research focus has moved from whole venoms to individual allergenic molecules. Api m 10 (icarapin) has been described as a major allergen of honeybee venom (HBV) with potentially high relevance for diagnostics and therapy of venom allergy. Here, we review recent studies on Api m 10 characteristics as well as its role in component-resolved diagnostics and potential implications for venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT).Recent FindingsApi m 10 is a major allergen of low abundance in HBV. It is an obviously unstable protein of unknown function that exhibits homologs in o...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Management of Severe Asthma Beyond the Guidelines
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAsthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases worldwide, yet only a small percentage of patients are categorized as having severe disease. Severe asthmatics, however, are responsible for the largest burden of healthcare costs and lost productivity. Several recent guidelines have addressed disease pathogenesis and treatment modalities for these complex patients. Herein, we review the severe asthma guidelines, compare the existing guidelines, address key areas that are yet to be addressed in the guidelines, and discuss future directions for severe asthma research.Recent FindingsThis i...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 15, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The Role of New IL-1 Family Members (IL-36 and IL-38) in Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic Asthma, and Allergic Rhinitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSince the discovery of its very first member in 1974, the IL-1 family has expanded into a group of 11 potent molecules which are essential in both innate and acquired immunity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-36 α, IL-36β, and IL-36γ and their receptor antagonists IL-36Ra and IL-38, which belong to the IL-36 subfamily, are some of the most recently identified members. Recent studies show that these members possess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities and may take part in the pathogenesis of allergy. In this review, the involvement and importance of these newly described IL-1 family me...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 11, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Proton Pump Inhibitors in Children: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe evidence supporting or contesting the prescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for children and updates on side effects are reviewed.Recent FindingsPPIs remain an important therapeutic option for esophagitis and gastritis. However, recent studies demonstrate no benefit when prescribing PPIs for chronic cough, infantile reflux, asthma, or functional gastrointestinal disorders. Recent studies suggest adverse effects on microbiome diversity and immune function, resulting in increased rates of gastrointestinal infections, bone fractures, and atopic disorders. PPIs influence a variety of cell t...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 9, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Allergy and Otitis Media in Clinical Practice
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOtitis media (OM) is a disease with very high prevalence in infancy, substantial burden on healthcare resources, and relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The link between OM and allergy is controversial and still debated. However, a fundamental premise has to be placed before introducing this topic: there is the need to use clear and unambiguous terms. Literature abounds with misleading terms that significantly affect the methodology and consequently the outcomes. Moreover, it is essential to differentiate patients according to the OM type (i.e., acute OM, OM with effusion, and chron...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Biologics for Allergic Dermatologic Diseases
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAtopic dermatitis (AD), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) represent three important allergic dermatoses with many unmet therapeutic needs. The development of biologic agents has opened the door to both new treatment options and improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, both shared and unique for these entities. With several FDA-approved medications available and many more in development, the biologic revolution has begun for allergic dermatoses.Recent FindingsThis is a narrative review on the current state of pathomechanisms and appropriately...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Existing and Upcoming Therapies in an Age of Emerging Molecular and Personalized Medicine
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRecent research efforts have spurred great progress in the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Nonetheless, challenges remain in addressing disease burden and impairment in the growing EoE population. We highlight work from the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers, and others that address these ongoing challenges.Recent FindingsNew tools for characterizing EoE disease activity include the EoE Histology Scoring System (EoEHSS), endoscopic alternatives, validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) questio...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Utility of Environmental Exposure Unit Challenge Protocols for the Study of Allergic Rhinitis Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper explores how the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU) experimental model can be used to further our understanding of pharmacotherapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).Recent FindingsEEUs are used increasingly for the study of combination therapies, immunotherapies, and novel AR treatments. A combined antihistamine/corticosteroid nasal spray formulation was seen to have a faster onset of action relative to the therapies individually in the Environmental Exposure Chamber. House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy tablets are both safe and efficacious as evaluate...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Wearable Technology and How This Can Be Implemented into Clinical Practice
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOur day-to-day life is saturated with health data that was previously out of reach. Over the last decade, new devices and fitness technology companies are attempting to tap into this data, uncovering a treasure trove of useful information that, when applied correctly, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare and chronic conditions like asthma, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.Recent FindingsBy harnessing exciting developments in personalization, digitization, wellness, and patient engagement, care providers can improve health outcomes for our patients in a wa...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Occupational Exposure to Metals and Solvents: Allergy and Airway Diseases
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOccupational allergic diseases (OAD) such as occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), occupational asthma (OA), and occupational rhinitis (OR) are the most prevalent occupational diseases in industrialized countries. The purpose of this review is to provide an update about the main occupational metal and solvent exposures related to allergy and airway diseases and to discuss newly defined causative agents and industries in this field.Recent FindingsCurrently for over 400 causative agents for OA and OCD, several hundreds of agents for OR have been identified. Although many studies have reported an ove...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
