Reversible Elevation of Tryptase Over the Individual's Baseline: Why is It the Best Biomarker for Severe Systemic Mast Cell Activation and MCAS?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMast cell (MC) activation syndromes (MCAS) are conditions defined by recurrent episodes of severe systemic anaphylaxis or similar systemic events triggered by MC-derived mediators that can be measured in biological fluids. Since some symptoms of MC activation may occur due to other, non-MC etiologies and lead to confusion over diagnosis, it is of crucial importance to document the involvement of MC and their products in the patients ´ symptomatology.Recent FindingsThe most specific and generally accepted marker of severe systemic MC activation is an event-related, transient increase in the serum t...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - February 3, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Mastocytosis: A Synthesis of the Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSymptoms of depression and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported in mastocytosis. The aims of this review paper are to summarize the current literature on cognitive dysfunction and depressive symptoms, elucidate some of the mechanistic pathways underlying depressive symptoms in mastocytosis, identify gaps in the literature, and offer guidance for future research in this area.Recent FindingsThe study of cognition and depression in mastocytosis is in its infancy and the methodological flaws of the current literature limit interpretability. There is preliminary evidence that some individuals wit...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 31, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Precautionary Allergen Labeling: Avoidance for All?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPrecautionary allergen labeling (PAL) suggests the risk of unintended allergen presence (UAP) in food but is unregulated in most countries and inconsistently applied by food manufacturers. This review evaluates the current use of PAL, its relevance to allergic consumers, and weighs possible advantages and disadvantages of avoiding products with PAL.Recent FindingsIn most countries, manufacturers are free to decide whether, when, and how to apply PAL resulting in inconsistencies and consumer confusion. Patients with food allergy often interpret PAL incorrectly and without guidance from their health ...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 25, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Predictors of Clonality and Underlying Mastocytosis in Mast Cell Activation Syndromes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMast cell (MC) activation can present with a wide range of symptoms. The mechanisms that cause such activation are varied. One of them is the presence of clonal MCs which is defined, within other possible changes, by the presence of a somatic, activating mutation in theKIT gene. The clinical course and prognosis of patients with this underlying disease may be different from other causes of MC activation (MCA). For this reason, it is important to early diagnose, or at least suspect, which patients with MCA are due to clonal MCs.Recent FindingsThe diagnosis of clonality must be made in a comprehensiv...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 25, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergy on Children and Adults and Practical Interventions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIgE- and non-IgE-mediated food allergies are increasing in prevalence in children and adults worldwide. A food allergy diagnosis can be associated with a sense of overwhelm and stress and commonly has a negative impact on quality of life.Recent FindingsWhile there is an increased recognition of the psychosocial effects of food allergy, the current research reflects the experience of mostly White, well-educated wealthier populations. Some studies have now explored the psychosocial impact among other populations; however, further study is needed.SummaryIt is important that physicians and allied healt...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 23, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Using the Right Criteria for MCAS
In this report, a thorough examination was conducted on the contemporary literature relating to MCAS, with a focus on comparing the specificity, sensitivity, and robustness of MCAS-related parameters within proposals for diagnosing and classifying MCAS and its variants. Moreover, the significance of employing specific consensus criteria in the assessment and categorization of MCAS in individual patients was underscored, due to the escalating occurrence of patients receiving a misdiagnosis of MCAS based on nonspecific criteria. (Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports)
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 20, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Urine Mast Cell Mediators in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMast cell activation syndrome is defined by severe, episodic, and recurrent symptoms induced by mast cell mediators with objective measurement of increase in biomarkers of mast cell activation and treatment response with mast cell therapies. Increase in serum tryptase from baseline during a mast cell activation episode is currently the most accepted biomarker measurement of mast cell release. However, during symptomatic episodes, serum tryptase can be difficult to obtain as it is a venipuncture procedure. Other objective measures of mast cell activation are needed to complement serum tryptase.Recen...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 18, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Mast Cell –Targeting Therapies in Mast Cell Activation Syndromes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewProvide an overview of the expanding landscape of mast cell (MC) –targeting treatments in mast cell activation syndromes (MCAS).Recent FindingsTyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting wild-type and mutated KIT can efficiently induce MC depletion. Avapritinib and midostaurin can also temper IgE-mediated degranulation. Avapritinib has been recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM). Targeting activation pathways and inhibitory receptors is a promising therapeutic frontier. Recently, the anti Siglec-8 antibody lirentelimab showed promising results in IS...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 13, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Mast Cells in Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a syndrome of high type 2 inflammation and is known to critically involve mast cell activation. The mast cell is an important cell in the baseline inflammatory processes in the upper and lower airway by maintaining and amplifying type 2 inflammation. But it also is prominent in the hypersensitivity reaction to COX-1 inhibition which defines this condition.Recent FindingsRecent work highlights the mast cell as a focal point in AERD pathogenesis. Using AERD as a specific model of both high type 2 asthma and chronic sinusitis, the role of mast cell act...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 13, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Epidemiology and the Growing Epidemic of Food Allergy in Children and Adults Across the Globe
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFood allergies are immune-mediated, complex disorders, which are the source of increasing health concern worldwide. The goal of this review is to present an updated summary of the food allergy (FA) burden among children and adults across different populations, focusing on research from the past 5 years.Recent FindingsFAs impact a growing number of global residents —particularly those residing in higher-income, industrialized regions. Moreover, growing epidemiologic evidence suggests that the population health burden of non-IgE-mediated FAs, such as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, m...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - January 12, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
A Review of Pollen Counting Networks: From the Nineteenth Century into the Twenty-first Century
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPollen is enormously important to the human experience. As pollen became germane to human health in the late nineteenth century, methods for pollen collection and measurement were developed. Techniques were standardized and pollen counting networks were established in many parts of the world during the middle to late part of the twentieth century. With some notable exceptions, the technology of the 1950s and 1960s is presently employed to create the current pollen counting networks. Pollen counting networks in the past faced substantial challenges. Pollen counting networks using the same technology...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - December 28, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Remission in Type 2 Inflammatory Diseases: Current Evidence, Unmet Needs, and Suggestions for Defining Remission in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe development of biological therapies for type 2 inflammatory diseases raises the possibility of addressing remission in those dis-immune conditions. No consensus exists for a definition of remission in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This review aims to critically evaluate the published data to provide the basis for defining remission in CRSwNP.Recent FindingsThe published evidence has yet to provide an unequivocal definition on remission in type 2 inflammatory diseases, in part reflecting differences in approaches to diagnosis and follow-up. A multidimensional evaluation is n...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - December 12, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Biomarkers of Autoimmune Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
AbstractPurposeof ReviewChronic spontaneous urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria (CSU/CindU) are caused by mast cell and basophil activation leading to degranulation and the release of histamine and several other mediators. Three kinds of factors can trigger mast cells in CSU: (1) activation of stimulating receptor(s) on the mast cell membrane, (2) upregulation of certain receptor(s), and (3) intracellular dysregulation in signaling with overexpression of the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) or reduced activation of the inhibitory Src homology 2 (SH2)-containing inositol phosphatases (SHIP)-related pathways. In CSU, two m...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - December 8, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The Impact of Ambient and Wildfire Air Pollution on Rhinosinusitis and Olfactory Dysfunction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWith increasing industrialization, exposure to ambient and wildfire air pollution is projected to increase, necessitating further research to elucidate the complex relationship between exposure and sinonasal disease. This review aims to summarize the role of ambient and wildfire air pollution in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and olfactory dysfunction and provide a perspective on gaps in the literature.Recent FindingsBased on an emerging body of evidence, exposure to ambient air pollutants is correlated with the development of chronic rhinosinusitis in healthy individuals and increased symptom severi...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - December 4, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Effects of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Olfactory Function
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the effects of endoscopic sinus surgery and endonasal approaches to the skull base on olfaction.Recent FindingsAdvancements in endonasal endoscopic approaches to the sinuses and skull base allow for direct treatment of a variety of sinonasal and skull base diseases. However, these extended approaches will often require manipulation of normal anatomical structures and the olfactory neuroepithelium. Depending on the planned procedure and extent of disease, the prognosis of olfactory perception can vary significantly among patients.SummaryEndoscopic sinonasal surgical procedures may impact o...
Source: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports - December 1, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
