Allergic Sensitization In Patients Research Articles

Allergic rhinitis: a comprehensive view of the problem

Currently, allergic sensitization is considered as one of the key causes of the development of chronic inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The choice of optimal drugs for the treatment of allergic rhinitis still remains a relevant, socially significant and interdisciplinary problem. The article analyzes the modern strategy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and assesses the incidence of comorbid pathology associated with allergic sensitization in patients with this pathology. In accordance with the latest clinical guidelines, a discussion of a stepwise approach to the treatment of allergic rhinitis was carried out. Based on data from a number of studies, the advantages of prescribing intranasal corticosteroids (InGCS) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (ALR) in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, including when combined with bronchial asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, have been identified. Among the officially registered drugs for the basic treatment of allergic rhinitis, the characteristics of the original intranasal spray mometasone furoate and the leukotriene receptor blocker montelukast are described in detail. The discussion describes the possibilities of potentiating the effects of topical corticosteroids through combination with leukotriene receptor antagonists. A clinical example demonstrates the feasibility of using a combination of the intranasal corticosteroid Nasonex with the leukotriene receptor blocker Singulair to control the course of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and, as a consequence, prevent the development of remodeling of the respiratory tract mucosa in such patients. During a follow-up examination after 3 months of therapy, the patient noted a subjective improvement in general well-being, nasal breathing, sense of smell, normalization of sleep, and a significant decrease in nasal discharge. There is no need for decongestants, sneezing is not a concern, and there is no respiratory discomfort. The combined use of ALR and InGCS enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of therapy.

Proteomic study of walnut oleosome and first evidence on oleosin sensitization in allergic patients

Walnut is considered the healthiest of all nuts, mainly because of its polyunsaturated fatty acid content. As far as its protein component is concerned, a rather interesting class of oil-body (OB) associated proteins, which, together with lipids, generates the "oleosome”, still needs to be explored in detail. This study aimed to characterize the walnut oleosome proteins by a double off-gel and in-gel approach, with a focus on the effect of processing on protein profile and oleosin immune recognition. The off-gel approach (label free quantification, LFQ) allowed the identification of all the three oleosome specific associated class of proteins: oleosins, caleosins, and steroleosins. The in-gel separation coupled with immunoblotting experiments proved that walnut oleosins were immune recognized by walnut allergic patients’ IgEs, providing first evidence of their potential role in walnut allergenicity. Oleosin immune recognition seemed to be increased by boiling procedure compared to raw and roasted walnut, probably due to the increased solubility of oleosome associated proteins in this condition.

Thermo-SPT: A new skin prick test evaluation framework based on low-cost, portable smartphone thermography.

Although the skin prick test (SPT) is a reliable procedure to confirm IgE-dependent allergic sensitization in patients, the interpretation of the test is still performed manually, resulting in an error-prone procedure for the diagnosis of allergic diseases. To design and implement an innovative SPT evaluation framework using a low-cost, portable smartphone thermography, named Thermo-SPT, to significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of SPT outcomes. Thermographical images were captured every 60 s for a duration of 0 to 15 min using the FLIR One app, and then analysed with the FLIR Tool® . The definition of 'Skin Sensitization Region' area was introduced to analyse the time-lapse thermal changes in skin reactions over several time periods during the SPT. The Allergic Sensitization Index (ASI) and Min-Max Scaler Index (MMS) formulae were also developed to optimize the identification of the peak allergic response time point through the thermal assessment (TA) of allergic rhinitis patients. In these experimental trials, a statistically significant increase in temperature was detected from the fifth minute of TA for all tested aeroallergens (all values ). An increase was observed in the number of false-positive cases, where patients with clinical symptoms not consistent with SPT were evaluated as positive on TA assessment, specifically for patients diagnosed with Phleum pratense and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Our proposed technique, the MMS, has demonstrated improved accuracy in identifying P. pratense and D. pteronyssinus compared with other SPT evaluation metrics, specifically starting from the fifth minute. For patients diagnosed with Cat epithelium, although not statistically significant initially, an increasing trend was determined in the results at the 15 min (ΔT (T15  - T0 ), ; ASIT15 , ). This proposed SPT evaluation framework utilizing a low-cost, smartphone-based thermographical imaging technique can enhance the interpretability of allergic responses during the SPT, potentially reducing the need for extensive manual interpretation experience as standard SPTs.

Allergen Sensitization in Patients with Skin Diseases in Shanghai, China.

Allergen distribution has obvious geographical characteristics. Understanding local epidemiological data may provide evidence-based strategies for the prevention and management of disease. We investigated the distribution of allergen sensitization in patients with skin diseases in Shanghai, China. Data from tests for serum-specific immunoglobulin E were collected from 714 patients with three skin diseases who visited the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from January 2020 to February 2022. The prevalence of 16 allergen species, as well as age, sex, and disease-group differences in allergen sensitization, were investigated. Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were the most common aeroallergen species to cause allergic sensitization in patients with skin diseases, whereas shrimp and crab were the most common food-allergen species. Children were more susceptible to various allergen species. With regard to sex differences, males were sensitized to more allergen species than females. Patients suffering from atopic dermatitis were sensitized to more allergenic species than patients with non-atopic eczema or urticaria. Allergen sensitization in patients with skin diseases in Shanghai differed by age, sex, and disease type. Knowing the prevalence of allergen sensitization across age, sex, and disease type may help facilitate diagnostic and intervention efforts, and guide the treatment and management of skin diseases in Shanghai.

Clinical predictors of metal allergic sensitization in orthodontic patients.

This study aimed to assess the predictors of allergic sensitisation to titanium and nickel in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. A total of 250 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were invited to participate, and 235 were analysed (67% females). A patch test was performed using nickel sulphate, titanium, titanium dioxide, titanium oxalate, titanium nitride, and petrolatum as control. In addition, clinical signs of the oral mucosa, gingiva, tongue, lips, and allergological history were assessed. The predictors of metal allergic sensitisation in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were adult age (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.5; p = 0.016), female sex (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1-7.9; p = 0.025), exfoliative cheilitis (OR = 4.8; 95% CI: 1.9-12.4; p = 0.001), history of contact hypersensitivity (OR = 7.0; 95% CI: 1.3-35.4; p = 0.025), history of contact hypersensitivity to metals (OR = 8.3; 95% CI: 1.4-50.2; p = 0.021), and piercings (OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.1-13.9; p = 0.001). When predictors were analysed separately for these two metals, titanium sensitisation predictors were contact hypersensitivity to metals and piercing, whereas nickel sensitisation predictors were age and piercing. A positive patch test alone cannot draw definite conclusions regarding allergy. However, metal allergies in patients with orthodontic appliances could be considered in cases of previous contact hypersensitivity, previous reactions to metals, exfoliative cheilitis, and piercing.

Prevalence of allergic sensitization with vernal keratoconjunctivitis: A systematic review with meta-analyses.

To determine the prevalence of allergic sensitization in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to provide an overview of published studies on this topic. We systematically searched 11 literature databases on 24 May 2021, for studies with cross-sectional data on the prevalence of positive allergy tests in patients with VKC. Our main outcome of interest was the prevalence of allergic sensitization and the allergens involved. Prevalence meta-analyses were made to provide summary estimates. We identified 33 eligible studies for qualitative review with 2122 patients with VKC. Studies were predominantly based on patients seen in ophthalmology clinics. Overall, studies reported that the most prevalent positive allergen tests were the inhaled allergens house dust mites and pollen. Twenty-nine studies were eligible for the quantitative analysis. Here, we calculated the prevalence of allergen-positive patients to 57.7% (95% confidence interval: 52.5%-62.8%). Subgroup analyses of pooled estimates on sensitization based on specific testing methods found prevalence estimates of 51.4% for conjunctival provocation test, 68.7% for total tear IgE, 58.9% for specific tear IgE, and 58.2% for skin prick test. The prevalence of allergic sensitization in patients with VKC is 57.7%, and mostly towards inhaled allergens. The most frequent positive allergens are house dust mites and pollen. Identifying possible clinically relevant allergens provide information that may aid in managing VKC, such as environmental allergy-avoidance or allergy-specific treatment.

Determination of co-sensitization is an important step in improving the effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients with pollen disease

In order to increase the effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients with pollen disease, the profile of allergen sensitization was determined at the molecular level, performed in 47 patients with clinical manifestations of seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis and perennial allergic rhinitis during a long time period. Allergic examination of patients included history taking, molecular blood tests using ALEX technology to determine the level of specific antibodies class lgE of major and minor components of pollen and household allergens and diagnostic skin tests (pre-test). Assessment of the main clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis was performed according to the recommendations of the European Association of Allergists and Immunologists. The severity of nasal symptoms was determined by the TNSS scale, and ocular symptoms - by the TOSS scale. Integral assessment of the intensity of clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis was calculated as the sum of scores by the main symptoms. According to the results of molecular allergy diagnostics, the profile of allergic sensitization in patients with pollen disease was determined, which established the presence of specific lgE - antibodies to major  allergy components of ragweed pollen (nAmb a1) – in 91.5±4.1% of patients, wormwood (nArt v3, nArt v1) – in 40.4±7.2%, meadow thyme (rPh1 p1, rPh1 p5b) – in 17.0±5.5%, house dust mites (Der p1, Der p2) – in 29.8±6,7%. Developed on the basis of molecular allergy diagnostics, the profile of allergological sensitization to allergocomponents allows to obtain complete and detailed information on patient sensitization (diagnose a real allergy), cross-reactivity to other allergens, justify the feasibility and predict the effectiveness of allergen-specific  immunotherapy.

Symptoms of titanium and nickel allergic sensitization in orthodontic treatment

AimThe study aimed to evaluate to which extent self-reported symptomatology, age, and sex are predictors of titanium and nickel allergic sensitization in patients in treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances.MethodsThe study analyzed 228 subjects aged 11–45 years (median 18, interquartile range 16–22); 68% of them were females, and 52% were adolescents. The allergic sensitization testing included epicutaneous patch test to titanium, titanium dioxide, titanium oxalate, titanium nitride, and nickel sulfate. The questionnaire on symptoms potentially linked to titanium and nickel sensitization was used.ResultsPrevalence of the allergic sensitization to titanium in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment was 4% (2% only to titanium without nickel) while to nickel 14% (12% nickel without titanium). Hypersensitivity to both metals at the same time was present in 2% of subjects. Sensitization to nickel was more common in females than in males (17 vs. 8%) and much more common in adults than in adolescents with small effect size (20 vs. 8%; p = 0.013). Sensitization to titanium was more common in females than in males (6 vs. 1%) with no difference in age. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that adult age increases the odds for being sensitized to nickel for 2.4 × (95% CI 1.1–5.6; p = 0.044) while watery eyes for 3.7 × (95% CI 1.2–11.1; p = 0.022). None of the symptoms were significant predictors of titanium sensitization.ConclusionAllergic sensitization to titanium and nickel are not very frequent in orthodontic patients, and self-reported symptomatology is a weak predictor of those sensitizations.

Allergic sensitization in patients with pruritus sine materia in the absence of a somatic cause

Aim: Pruritus sine materia in the absence of a somatic cause is generally attributed to psychogenic factors, but it is also well known that psychological stress may affect skin through its impacts on immune response. In this three-year retrospective study we aimed to reveal the allergic sensitization of patients with chronic pruritus without a somatic cause. Material and Methods: Three hundred and sixty five male and female patients with widespread chronic pruritus between 6 and 75 years old were retrospectively recruited. In addition to routine hematologic examination, skin prick test and serum total IgE measurement were performed on each patient.Results: In cutaneous examination, the patients had no visible manifestation except self excoriations in some, and all had normal values in hematologic laboratory examination. Altogether 10% of patients had positive results for both skin prick test and serum total IgE, and 42% of patients had positive results for either skin prick test and/or serum total IgE, which may be regarded as a presentation of immediate type hypersensitivity.Conclusion: Considering the quite high positive ratios obtained for both skin prick test and serum total IgE, it may be encouraging to perform these tests routinely on the patients with pruritus sine materia, both for revealing a probable allergic tendency and for better handling the treatment modalities.

Allergic sensitization in patients with rhinitis and bronchial asthma in Ningxia region of China.

Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma are common allergic diseases. The pattern of dominant allergens depends on the degree of urbanization and the geographic region. The present study characterized the allergens of patients with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in Ningxia region of China. A total of 309 patients were enrolled in this study. Western blotting assays were performed of the serum samples to evaluate allergen-specific IgE antibody for inhaled and ingested allergens. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the positive rate among different subgroups. Among the 309 patients, 221 of them had positive test results. There were 157 positive cases for ingested allergens and 174 positive cases for inhaled allergens. No significant differences in positive rates were found between the ingested and inhaled allergens. Among the inhaled allergens, Artemisia was the most frequent allergen, followed by fungi and dog hair. Cashew was the most common ingested allergen, followed by crab, mango, and beef. Further analysis showed no significant differences in positive rate between males and females. However, significant differences in positive rate of inhaled and ingested allergens were found between children (1-13 years old) and adults (above 18 years old) (P < .05), while no significant differences were found between the children and teenagers (14-18 years old). For the comparison between teenagers and adults, significant difference in positive rate was found only in the ingested allergen. This study provided the characteristics of allergens in Ningxia population, providing clinical and epidemiological data for prevention and treatment of the diseases in the region.

Diagnosis of allergic sensitization in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma in a tropical environment.

Few studies in tropical developing countries have utilized molecular diagnosis to characterize allergen-specific responses to aeroallergens. To investigate the in vivo and in vitro responses of IgE antibodies to inhalant allergens in allergic patients with rhinitis and/or asthma. A prospective study in which patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were included. Skin prick tests with 16 inhalant extracts of allergens were carried out and total and specific IgE levels for allergens and their molecular components in the serum were determined. In a total of 189 patients, 73.5% showed high levels of total IgE in the serum. The prick tests were positive for the following allergens: Dust mite extracts; more than 60 %, cat; 29.6 %, dog; 23.4 %, and Periplaneta Americana; 21.6 %. Specific IgE for Dermatophagoides farinae and Pteronyssinus was present in 66.6 % of the patients; for Blomia tropicalis; in 45.0 %, for Ascaris lumbricoides; in 24.7 %, for cat; in 17.3 %, for parrot feathers; in 14.8 %, and for Penicillium notatum; in 12.3 %. IgE antibodies to mite allergens of group 1 and 2 were present in 59.0 % and 70.1 % of the sera; 39.1 % contained IgE to rBlo t5, 30.4 %contained rBla g4, 19.9 % contained rFel d1, 11.8 % contained rArt v3, 11.2 % contained Der p10, 9.9 % contained rBla g2, 9.3 % contained rPer a7, 9.3 % contained nFel d2, and 8.7 % contained rCan f1. This study confirms that mites are the main sensitizing agents in patients with respiratory allergic diseases in a tropical environment. There was a good correlation between the results of the skin tests and the results of the in vitro tests.

Akdeniz Bölgesinde Yaşayan Atopik Çocukların Deri Prick Testlerindeki Aeroallerjen Dağılımları

Objective: It is important to detect allergens that cause sensitization to decrease the morbidity of allergic diseases and to prevent or to delay the development of the disease in already sensitized patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate which aeroallergens cause sensitization in allergic patients in the Akdeniz Region, Turkey, as well as their frequency of occurrence.Materials and Methods: The demographic properties, diagnoses, total IgE levels, sensitization against aeroallergens detected via EPT (Epidermal prick test), the dates of EPT application and peripheral eosinophil counts at the time of EPT application were analyzed in 510 patients aged 2-18 years who presented to the Akdeniz University Pediatric Allergy – Immunology and Pulmonology Departments and Antalya Education and Research Hospital Pediatric Allergy - Immunology Department with an allergic history or diagnosis between January 2014 and July 2015. All patients underwent EPT during their follow-up and sensitivity against at least one aeroallergen was detected. The seasonal distribution of these aeroallergens was also analyzed.Results: A total of 1180 children to which an allergic skin test had been applied between January 2014 and July 2015 were included in this study. It was seen that 510 patients (43.2%) had a positive response to at least one aeroallergen and 402 patients among them (78.8%) had a positive response to more than one aeroallergen. Males made up 58.4% and females 41.6% of the patients who showed a positive EPT. Sensitivity was most frequently (69%) against house dust mites, followed by tree pollen mix (54.9%) and grass/weed mix (52.5%). Other allergens were animal dander (45.3%), fungi mix (43.4%), herb/pollen mix (34.9%), cockroach (16.9%) and olea (6%). Further, by analyzing the seasonal distributions of allergens, it was seen that sensitivity was most frequently against house dust in all seasons.Conclusion: Avoiding specific allergens is important in eliminating and managing the symptoms in allergic patients. Determining the regional differences regarding allergen sensitivity is therefore critical.

Spontaneous food allergy in Was-/- mice occurs independent of FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation.

Food allergies are a growing health problem, and the development of therapies that prevent disease onset is limited by the lack of adjuvant-free experimental animal models. We compared allergic sensitization in patients with food allergy or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and defined whether spontaneous disease in Was-/- mice recapitulates the pathology of a conventional disease model and/or human food allergy. Comparative ImmunoCAP ISAC microarray was performed in patients with food allergy or WAS. Spontaneous food allergy in Was-/- mice was compared to an adjuvant-based model in wild-type mice (WT-OVA/alum). Intestinal and systemic anaphylaxis was assessed, and the role of the high-affinity IgE Fc receptor (FcεRI) in allergic sensitization was evaluated using Was-/- Fcer1a-/- mice. Polysensitization to food was detected in both WAS and food-allergic patients which was recapitulated in the Was-/- model. Oral administration of ovalbumin (OVA) in Was-/- mice induced low titers of OVA-specific IgE compared to the WT-OVA/alum model. Irrespectively, 79% of Was-/- mice developed allergic diarrhea following oral OVA challenge. Systemic anaphylaxis occurred in Was-/- mice (95%) with a mortality rate >50%. Spontaneous sensitization and intestinal allergy occurred independent of FcεRI expression on mast cells (MCs) and basophils. Was-/- mice provide a model of food allergy with the advantage of mimicking polysensitization and low food-antigen IgE titers as observed in humans with clinical food allergy. This model will facilitate studies on aberrant immune responses during spontaneous disease development. Our results imply that therapeutic targeting of the IgE/FcεRI activation cascade will not affect sensitization to food.

Investigation of Skin Barrier Functions and Allergic Sensitization in Patients with Hyper-IgE Syndrome.

Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) is a severe primary immunodeficiency, characterized by increased serum IgE levels as well as recurrent infections and atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions. AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with immunologic alterations (Th2-Th22 polarization) and characteristic skin barrier dysfunctions. Our aim was to investigate physicochemical skin barrier alterations and allergic sensitization in STAT3-HIES patients in order to explore whether skin barrier dysfunction can play a role in the eczematoid skin lesions in these patients. In our experiments STAT3 and FLG mutation analyses were performed in STAT3-HIES (n = 7) and AD (n = 49) patients. Laboratory parameters (LDH and Eos counts), immunologic alterations (Th17 cell counts), allergic sensitization (total and specific IgE levels, skin prick tests, and medical history records), skin barrier changes [transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH], serum and stratum corneum thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were also examined. Impaired Th17 cell numbers, but normal physicochemical barrier functions, as well as serum and stratum corneum TSLP levels, were found in STAT3-HIES, while these parameters were significantly altered in AD patients. Allergic sensitization was detected in nearly all AD patients, while no signs of sensitization occurred in STAT3-HIES. Our study demonstrated that the skin barrier functions of STAT3-HIES patients are not damaged and they differ significantly from the altered skin barrier functions of AD patients. A well-functioning physicochemical skin barrier may be one of the explanations on the contradiction between the extremely high total IgE levels and the lack of allergic sensitization in these patients. Our study underlines the importance of skin barrier in the development of allergic sensitization.

Skin Reactivity to Inhalant Allergens in Allergic Children and Adolescents from a Specialized Outpatient Clinic – Value of the Skin Index

Skin prick test (SPT) is an important tool in the evaluation of allergic sensitization and can be influenced by several factors. Skin index (ratio of allergen-induced wheal diameter and corresponding histamine diameter; SI) have been used to improve the diagnostic power of SPT, especially in young children. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the SI in identifying allergic sensitization in patients followed at a specialized pediatric clinic.

Comparison Between Intradermal Skin Testing and Serum Specific Immunoglobulin E in Detecting Allergic Sensitization in Patients with Negative Skin Prick Tests

Comparison Between Intradermal Skin Testing and Serum Specific Immunoglobulin E in Detecting Allergic Sensitization in Patients with Negative Skin Prick Tests

Molecular profile clustering of IgE responses and potential implications for specific immunotherapy

To summarize recent data on molecular profiles of IgE sensitization in allergic patients and discuss how they can influence our understanding of allergen specific immunotherapy. In childhood, Immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to grass pollen starts preclinically as a weak, mono or oligomolecular response and evolves rapidly to become strong, polymolecular and associated with clinical manifestations. This immunological phenomenon has been defined 'molecular spreading' and it makes the IgE sensitization profiles to complex allergenic sources highly heterogeneous in the population. The recent findings raise new questions: do different molecular sensitization profiles (e.g. to grass pollen) underlie different clinical responses to allergen-specific immunotherapy? Should the allergen-specific immunological intervention be anticipated at earlier stages of the IgE sensitization process? Should the regulatory rules for molecularly designed allergen-specific immunotherapy preparations consider the extreme heterogeneity of sensitization profiles in populations?

Influence of degree of specific allergic sensitivity on severity of rhinitis and asthma in Chinese allergic patients.

BackgroundThe association between sensitizations and severity of allergic diseases is controversial.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the association between severity of asthma and rhinitis and degree of specific allergic sensitization in allergic patients in China.MethodA cross-sectional survey was performed in 6304 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis from 4 regions of China. Patients completed a standardized questionnaire documenting their respiratory and allergic symptoms, their impact on sleep, daily activities, school and work. They also underwent skin prick tests with 13 common aeroallergens. Among the recruited subjects, 2268 provided blood samples for serum measurement of specific IgE (sIgE) against 16 common aeroallergens.ResultsSignificantly higher percentage of patients with moderate-severe intermittent rhinitis were sensitized to outdoor allergens while percentage of patients sensitized to indoor allergens was increased with increasing severity of asthma. Moderate-severe intermittent rhinitis was associated with the skin wheal size and the level of sIgE to Artemisia vulgaris and Ambrosia artemisifolia (p < 0.001). Moderate-severe asthma was associated with increasing wheal size and sIgE response to Dermatophagoides (D.) pteronyssinus and D. farinae (p < 0.001). Moderate-severe rhinitis and asthma were also associated with increase in number of positive skin prick test and sIgE.ConclusionsArtemisia vulgaris and Ambrosia artemisifolia sensitizations are associated with the severity of intermittent rhinitis and D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae sensitizations are associated with increasing severity of asthma in China. Increase in number of allergens the patients are sensitized to may also increase the severity of rhinitis and asthma.

Serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Measurement and Detection of Food Allergy in Pediatric Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

EA Erwin, HR James, HM Gutekunst. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;104(6):496–502 To determine the degree of allergic sensitization in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis by using serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing and comparing the results to those obtained by epicutaneous skin-prick tests (SPTs) and patch testing. This was a cross-sectional study of pediatric patients ( N = 53) referred for evaluation for biopsy-proven eosinophilic esophagitis at an allergy referral clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, OH) over a 2½-year period (January 2007 to June 2009). Questionnaires about symptoms and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis …

Association between Serum IL-16 Levels and the Degree of Sensitization in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Interleukin (IL)-16 has been characterized as an immunomodulatory cytokine. Besides its chemotactic properties, IL-16 amplifies inflammatory processes and possesses immunoregulatory functions. Our aim was to investigate the association between serum IL-16 levels and the degree of allergic sensitization in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: The serum level of IL-16 was measured by immunoenzymatic assays. Eosinophil cell count, serum total and specific IgE levels were assessed; prick tests were also carried out. Based on specific IgE levels and prick tests, AD patients were divided into sensitized and nonsensitized subgroups, and correlations among serum IL-16, total IgE levels and eosinophil cell counts were measured in the total patient group and in subgroups. Results: In the total patient group, significantly higher levels of IL-16 were found in the sera of patients with AD, compared to healthy individuals and patients with psoriasis. A significant correlation was detected between serum levels of IL-16 and total IgE, total IgE and eosinophil counts, but not between IL-16 and eosinophils. When sensitized and nonsensitized subgroups were compared, IL-16 levels showed a significant difference in subgroups that were divided based on specific IgE measurements, but not in those subgroups which were divided based on prick tests. On the other hand, serum total IgE levels showed a significant difference between sensitized and nonsensitized subgroups, assessed by the specific IgE method and also by prick test. Conclusion: Serum IL-16 levels of AD patients correlate to some extent with sensitization. This correlation is not as strong as the correlation between total IgE levels and allergic sensitization.