European Academy Of Allergology And Clinical Immunology Research Articles

Učestalost dojenja u ordinacijama primarne pedijatrijske zaštite u Republici Hrvatskoj tijekom trogodišnjeg razdoblja (2020.-2022.)

The goal of the research is to present data on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the Republic of Croatia for a three-year peroid. In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Department of Business Analysis of the MCS Group, data on the nutrition of children in the Republic of Croatia for years 2020, 2021 and 2022, have been extracted from the MCS Group database. In total, 63,969 records on the type of nutrition of infants and 15,871 records on the type of nutrition of children older than one year were processed, and collected from 55,042 children in total. The percentage of children exclusively breastfed for 1 month is 56.49%, for 3 months 46.09%, and for 6 months 9.66%. When it comes to complementary feeding, 47.87% of children were breastfed for 9 months, 37.26% for 12 months, and 7.64% for 24 months. The first month of a child’s life is characterized by a sudden drop in the number of breastfed children, compared to the percentage of breastfeeding represented in maternity hospitals. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months is significantly below the rate recommended by WHO and UNICEF. The differences in the recommendations of WHO and UNICEF, the European Association for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EACCI) can be confusing for some health workers and parents. The results of total breastfeeding in months 12 and 24 are slightly below the values reported as the current rates of breastfeeding in the world by UNICEF. According to the current state of breastfeeding in the Republic of Croatia, the breastfeeding goals for 2030, set by WHO and UNICEF, will be difficult to achieve without reorganization and strengthening of the role of pediatricians in primary health care.

Comprehensive measurement of obstruction in nasal allergen challenges—a critical update

Numerous methods for functional diagnostics of nasal obstruction provide various information on nasal airway resistance and may aim to replace physically based methods by so-called simplifications or solely on subjective score systems. This may lead to nonsatisfying results in nasal surgery and prolonged postoperative care. An interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary methods for measurement was the task of the German-Austrian research program “Rhinodiagnost”. This review is intended to discuss basic and wide-spread errors playing a significant role during daily practice and proposes a step program for functional rhinological diagnostics with some modifications to be applied in case of allergic nasal disease. With regard to the content of “position paper on the standardization of nasal allergen challenges (2018)” of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the results of the consensus conference of Riga in 2016, the differences between of “classic” and 4-phase-rhinomanometry (4PR) and their differences are clarified. The parameters of logarithmic effective resistance (LReff) allow a classification of the obstruction obtained during 36,500 measurements which are correlated to the subjective sensing of obstruction. The classification can be adapted for age and size and is valid for the Caucasian and Chinese populations.

Interleukin-33, endothelin-1, and inflammatory parameters in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) can modulate the activation of mast cells and basophils in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, interplaying with other mediators of “low-grade inflammation.” Objective: To compare ET-1, IL-33, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), eosinophil-lymphocyte ratio (ELR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), eosinophil-basophil ratio (EBR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and system inflammation response index (SIRI) in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and are antihistamine sensitive (AHS), antihistamine resistant (AHR), omalizumab sensitive (OmS), and omalizumab resistant (OmR). Methods: A prospective observational study enrolled 68 consecutive patients with CSU diagnosed and managed according to the dermatology section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the European Union funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization guidelines. Patients with a urticaria control test score of >12 are considered treatment sensitive, and ≤ 12 are considered resistant. The control group consisted of 20 sex-matched subjects without urticarial diseases. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), thyroid stimulating hormone, antithyroid peroxidase, mean platelet volume (MPV), NLR, ELR, PLR, EBR, SII, SIRI, ET-1, and IL-33 were measured at the study entry and compared between the study groups. Results: Thirty AHS group, 38 AHR group, and 20 control group patients were included. The AHS, AHR, and control groups did not differ in demographic parameters, but the CSU groups were characterized by higher indicators of inflammation. In comparison with the AHS group, the AHR group was characterized by higher levels of IL-33 (p = 0.007), ET-1 (p = 0.032), C-reactive protein (p = 0.016), MPV (p = 0.002), and higher rates of positive ANA (p = 0.019). Of the 38 patients from the AHR group, 30 (79%) were included in the OmS group and 8 (21%) were included in the OmR group. The OmR group was characterized by higher levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.022), EBR (p < 0.001), higher rates of ANA (p = 0.004), and lower levels of ET-1 (p = 0.025) than the OmS group. Conclusion: Our study did not confirm NRL, PRL, SII, and SIRI, PLR as the biomarkers of treatment response to antihistamines and/or omalizumab in CSU. Higher blood levels of IL-33 and ET-1 characterize AHR CSU.

Theoretical and practical aspects of food allergy in the XXI century. EAACI 2021

High prevalence of food allergy (FA), increasing frequency of severe cases despite the progress achieved in the study of this pathology makes it necessary to develop new methods for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of food allergies. At the Congress of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) 2021 current problems of allergology and immunology were considered, such as the influence of environmental factors on the development of FA, including the effects of microplastic contamination in food on development of allergic diseases, global warming, large-scale urbanization, that lead to an imbalance in the microbiota of the macroorganism, reduction in its diversity, followed by alterations in gut microbial colonization and the development of FA; determination of FA markers with detecting previously unidentified allergens that cause severe allergic reactions. Assessment of risk factors and biomarkers of the severity of FA was discussed, as well as the importance of component diagnostics, which allows predicting acute allergic reactions, determining indications for prescribing AIT, and maximizing individualization of treatment. Innovative treatment approaches were presented using biological therapy, the role of pre- and probiotics, fecal microbiota therapy in restoring the microbiome; features of the diet that regulates the gut microbiota. In considering the prevention of FA changes were made to the previous EAACI recommendations for monitoring children in the first year of life, monitoring the state of adolescents with FA.

The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria.

This update and revision of the international guideline for urticaria was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN) and its Urticaria and Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs and ACAREs), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF; EuroGuiDerm), and the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology with the participation of 64 delegates of 50 national and international societies and from 31 countries. The consensus conference was held on 3 December 2020. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell-driven disease that presents with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous or inducible urticaria is disabling, impairs quality of life, and affects performance at work and school. This updated version of the international guideline for urticaria covers the definition and classification of urticaria and outlines expert-guided and evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

The Role of Infection and Autoimmunity in Urticaria and Angioedema as a Common Entity

Chronic spontaneous urticaria with angioedema is prevalent, affecting approximately 1% of the general population, and has a significant impact on quality of life, according to epidemiological data. This article aims to broaden the view on the mechanisms of urticaria and the role of infection in the current environment. It is not easy to identify the cause of urticaria but appropriate steps to treat an underlying infection can, in some cases, improve the symptoms of urticaria and angioedema, reduce severity and duration, or lead to remission. Although chronic spontaneous urticaria with angioedema is a multifactorial condition involving inflammation, autoimmunity, and coagulation, IgE-mediated autoimmunity, or autoallergy, is thought to play a major role. Every year, more is learnt about the role of cells releasing mediators, underlying autoimmune processes that lead to the development of mast cell activation and urticaria. It has become increasingly clear that mast cell roles in immune system responses are not limited to an allergic role; they are key players in protective immune responses, both innate and adaptive, to various pathogens and in defence of some infections. Several guidelines, consensus papers, and practice parameters have been developed for the management of chronic urticaria. The Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) produce a guideline, which is revised every 4 years by a global panel of experts in the field. Infections may be a cause, aggravating factor, or unassociated bystander in chronic urticaria. The author looked at evidence, using a keyword search, for the role of viral and bacterial infections in acute, acute recurrent, and chronic urticaria and angioedema, including COVID-19, herpes, viral hepatitis, and Helicobacter pylori.

The EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria

This evidence- and consensus-based guideline was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. The conference was held on 1 December 2016. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-founded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of 48 delegates of 42 national and international societies. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell-driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria are disabling, impair quality of life and affect performance at work and school. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

Comparison of International Systemic Adverse Reactions Due to Allergen Immunotherapy

Several classifications of systemic adverse reactions (SARs) during allergen immunotherapy have been proposed, but the comparison of their usefulness in daily clinical practice is lacking. The present post hoc analysis was aimed at investigating the practicality of the most relevant international classifications proposed by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American Academy of Asthma, Allergology and Clinical Immunology/American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAACI/ACAAI), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) using data provided by the longitudinal European Survey on Adverse Systemic Reactions in Allergen Immunotherapy (EASSI) based on daily clinical practice in 3 countries in Europe. One hundred nine SARs over 4363 allergen immunotherapy courses were classified as mild (n= 78 [71.5%]), moderate (n= 27 [24.8%]), and severe (n= 4 [3.7%]) by EASSI-doctors, which served as a criterion standard. Every SAR was further classified according to the following grading systems: EAACI 2006 Grading System (EAACI2006), WAO 2010 Grading System (WAO2010), WAO 2017 Grading System (WAO2017), and AAAAI/ACAAI Grading System. All SAR rankings were also cross-compared among each other (Kendall correlation coefficient Tau-b). In general, a low epinephrine use was identified, severe reactions occurred within 15 minutes, and milder reactions were skin only. The analysis indicated disparities in mild and moderate SARs in the different grading systems. The correlation between EASSI-severity and EAACI2006, WAO2010, WAO2017, and AAAAI/ACAAI Grading System was 0.639, 0.502, 0.315, and 0.663, respectively (P < .001 in all cases). However, correlation of severe reactions was good. The best correlation with the onset of the reaction and the number of System Organ Class involved were detected in WAO grading systems. Despite having a lower correlation than EAACI and AAAAI/ACAAI, the WAO grading appears to provide a moderate correlation among these classifications. The analysis might help to inform clinicians and investigators on selecting the most appropriate classification.

The EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria.

This evidence- and consensus-based guideline was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. The conference was held on 1 December 2016. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Sectionof the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-founded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of 48 delegates of 42 national and international societies. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell-driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria are disabling, impair quality of life and affect performance at work and school. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

Oral H1 antihistamines as monotherapy for eczema

Eczema is a common skin disease in many countries, and although the majority of cases of eczema occur before the age of five years and often resolve during childhood or adolescence, it can also persist into adulthood. Itch is the most important aspect of eczema, often impacting significantly on the quality of life of an affected individual. To assess the effects of oral antihistamines (H1 antagonists) as monotherapy in children and adults with eczema. We searched the following databases up to March 2012: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library (2012, Issue 3), MEDLINE (from 1946), EMBASE (from 1974), and LILACS (from 1982). We examined the reference lists of excluded studies in order to identify further references to relevant trials. We searched trials registers for ongoing and unpublished trials. We also handsearched the abstracts of the International Research Workshops on eczema, as well as the conference proceedings of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), from 2000 to 2011. We sought to include randomised controlled trials that assessed the effects and safety of oral H1 antihistamines as monotherapy in children and adults with eczema. We excluded studies that compared an antihistamine versus another antihistamine and had no placebo control arm. We also excluded topical antihistamines and oral H1 antihistamines as 'add-on' therapy and studies using any concomitant therapy other than emollients or moisturisers, principally because some of these forms of concomitant therapy may be considered treatment modifiers in assessments of the effects of antihistamines on eczema. Our search retrieved 409 references to studies. Based on assessments of their titles, abstracts, or both, we excluded all except 36 of these studies. After evaluation of the full text of each report, we excluded a further 35 studies, and 1 study is awaiting classification pending a response from the trial investigators. No randomised controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. There is currently no high-level evidence to support or refute the efficacy or safety of oral H1 antihistamines used as monotherapy for eczema. Because most of the studies allowed the use of concomitant medications and involved multi-therapeutic approaches, meaningful assessments of the individual effects of oral H1 antihistamines on eczema were not feasible. Although well-designed randomised controlled trials excluding concomitant medications appear to be needed, consideration should be given to the potential ethical issues raised with the use of antihistamines as monotherapy for the management of eczema by withholding the use of rescue or additional therapies. A further systematic review of studies in which concomitant therapies were permitted might be of value in determining the potential benefits of oral H1 antihistamines as add-on therapy.

The history of pediatric allergy in Europe – From a working group to ESPACI and SP‐EAACI

A Working Group on Pediatric Allergology was formed in 1984, which rapidly developed to become the European Society on Pediatric Allergology and Clinical Immunology (ESPACI) in 1988 with its own journal, Pediatric Allergology and Immunology. ESPACI worked together with the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) to form a Section of Pediatrics within EAACI (SP-EAACI) in 1996. The ESPACI and the SP-EAACI formally merged in 2001. Within the EAACI organization, the Pediatric Section has continued to grow. The Pediatric Section is working to develop pediatric allergology across Europe, focusing on postgraduate education, facilitating the research agenda and advocating for children and adolescents with allergies.

Three cases of suspected sugammadex-induced hypersensitivity reactions

Neuromuscular blocking agents have been implicated in 60-70% of anaphylactic events associated with anaesthesia. We report two cases of probable hypersensitivity reaction to sugammadex and an additional suspected but less supported case of possible immune-mediated reaction or other adverse reaction. The patients were given a bolus of sugammadex 100 mg immediately before extubation. In all three patients, a possible allergic reaction was suspected within 4 min of sugammadex administration, but with different degrees of severity. Skin testing was positive in two of these patients. Hypersensitivity to sugammadex unaccompanied by cardiovascular or respiratory symptoms might be missed during the course of anaesthesia. Careful monitoring for possible allergic responses is required in patients who have received sugammadex.

Urtikaria – die häufigste dermatologische Erkrankung

Urticaria is a very frequent disease. The life time risk to experience at least one episode of urticaria is around 15 - 25 %. This article summarizes the most important definitions, classifications and diagnostic procedures in urticaria, as well as the evidence based management of urticaria. The recommendations given in this article are in accordance with two recent position papers by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO).

The definition and diagnostic testing of physical and cholinergic urticarias – EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/UNEV consensus panel recommendations

The recommendations for the definition and diagnosis presented in this position paper are the result of a panel consensus meeting held in December 2008 in Berlin. This consensus meeting was a joint initiative of EAACI (European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology) Dermatology Section, the EU-funded network of excellence, GA(2)LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) and UNEV (urticaria network e.V.). The aim of these recommendations is to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with physical urticaria or cholinergic urticaria and to promote research and a better understanding of these diseases. Our recommendations used the paper produced by a 1996 expert meeting (1) and they acknowledge the latest changes in our understanding of physical urticarias and cholinergic urticaria as well as the recent development of novel diagnostic tools. In addition, this consensus paper highlights areas of need for further research.

EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline: definition, classification and diagnosis of urticaria

This guideline, together with its sister guideline on the management of urticaria [Zuberbier T, Asero R, Bindslev-Jensen C, Canonica GW, Church MK, Giménez-Arnau AM et al. EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline: Management of urticaria. Allergy, 2009; 64:1427-1443] is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria, Urticaria 2008, a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO). Urticaria is a frequent disease. The life-time prevalence for any subtype of urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria do not only cause a decrease in quality of life, but also affect performance at work and school and, as such, are members of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based diagnostic approaches for different subtypes of urticaria. The correct management of urticaria, which is of paramount importance for patients, is very complex and is consequently covered in a separate guideline developed during the same consensus meeting. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline: management of urticaria

This guideline, together with its sister guideline on the classification of urticaria (Zuberbier T, Asero R, Bindslev-Jensen C, Canonica GW, Church MK, Giménez-Arnau AM et al. EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline: definition, classification and diagnosis of urticaria. Allergy 2009;64: 1417-1426), is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the Third International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria, Urticaria 2008, a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO). As members of the panel, the authors had prepared their suggestions regarding management of urticaria before the meeting. The draft of the guideline took into account all available evidence in the literature (including Medline and Embase searches and hand searches of abstracts at international allergy congresses in 2004-2008) and was based on the existing consensus reports of the first and the second symposia in 2000 and 2004. These suggestions were then discussed in detail among the panel members and with the over 200 international specialists of the meeting to achieve a consensus using a simple voting system where appropriate. Urticaria has a profound impact on the quality of life and effective treatment is, therefore, required. The recommended first line treatment is new generation, nonsedating H(1)-antihistamines. If standard dosing is not effective, increasing the dosage up to four-fold is recommended. For patients who do not respond to a four-fold increase in dosage of nonsedating H(1)-antihistamines, it is recommended that second-line therapies should be added to the antihistamine treatment. In the choice of second-line treatment, both their costs and risk/benefit profiles are most important to consider. Corticosteroids are not recommended for long-term treatment due to their unavoidable severe adverse effects. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

Memories: Failures and Dreams by Alain de Weck a Book Review

Professor Alain de Weck, born 1928, has written his memoirs, reason enough to recommend the book for members of the World Allergy Organization: Alain de Weck was a member of the Board of Directors for almost 30 years, organized an unforgettable World Congress 1988 in Montreux, and was President of the organization from 1991 to 1994. These memoirs are different from typical autobiographical notes where famous people tend to promote themselves and stress their importance. Alain de Weck does quite differently. On the basis of his personal experience, he reflects on many things in life--much more than the history of allergy! The basic steps toward the molecular of allergic responses were taken not only in protein biochemistry but also in the discovery of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. At the same time, the model of penicillin allergy contributed greatly to the understanding of anaphylaxis. It was Alain de Weck's work, when he started in the laboratory of Herman Eisen in St. Louis, that finally led to the concept of hapten inhibition as a preventive modality in allergy. In those days it became clear that monovalent binding does not induce allergic reactions, but bridging of antibodies on the surface of the mast cell has to occur. Later on, Alain de Weck built up his Institute for Allergology and Clinical Immunology at the University of Bern, where he was engaged in various projects such as developing better diagnostic techniques with in vitro cellular assays and sulfidoleukotriene release from basophils after priming with Interleukin 3, T cell regulation, and IgE and anti-IgE antibodies. He describes how tuberculosis was treated in the 1930s before streptomycin and how doctors were living in Switzerland in the mountains. He also writes about the development of allergy and immunology in the second half of the 20th century, of all the pitfalls and great steps of progress. He vividly reflects on the culture in science, university life, and academic research. The reader receives in-depth information on the life of academic societies, not only the World Allergy Organization (WAO), formerly the International Association of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, but also the International Union of Immunologic Societies (IAACI), both of which Alain de Weck served as president--a rather rare coincidence in personal union! Other societies like the Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA), the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Swiss Society, and the German Society are mentioned. Furthermore, the reader learns much about Switzerland and life in Switzerland in the 20th century. Alain de Weck is a critical personality and this book has surely not been censured. He dares to mention names and illustrate facts even when they do not seem so favorable. He gives his very subjective, but well-observed, impressions of many countries in the world where he has traveled or worked; he quite openly comments on both the good and the less attractive characteristics of the different nationalities. He gives a classification of different typologies of researchers including the recognition seeker, the hair splitter, and the traveling salesman. Of course, readers accompany this great man through 80 years and learn a great deal, not just from his travel adventures in China, Mongolia, and Africa. At the end, he dares to give inner court reflections on important matters like men and women, thoughts which are often missing in official autobiographies. Taken together, this autobiographical book will bestow great pleasure to its readers--and not just to allergists and immunologists; but for them it should be a must read. Johannes Ring, MD, PhD Munich, Germany

Provocation Tests in Diagnosing Drug Hypersensitivity

A position paper by the European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA), the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) interest group on drug hypersensitivity, defines drug provocation tests (DPTs) as "the controlled administration of a drug in order to diagnose drug hypersensitivity reactions". The DPT is widely considered to be the "gold standard" to establish or exclude the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to a certain substance, as it not only reproduces hypersensitivity symptoms, but also any other adverse clinical manifestation, irrespective of the mechanism. The DPT can be harmful and thus should only be considered after balancing the risk-benefit ratio in the individual patient. The ENDA position paper specifies two main indications for DPTs with the suspected compounds: 1. to exclude hypersensitivity in non-suggestive histories of drug hypersensitivity and in patients with non-specific symptoms, such as vagal symptoms under local anesthesia; 2. to establish a firm diagnosis in suggestive histories of drug hypersensitivity with negative, non-conclusive, or non-available allergologic tests. A positive DPT result optimizes allergen avoidance, while a negative one allows a false label of drug hypersensitivity to be removed. For these reasons, DPTs are often carried out to exclude a diagnosis of hypersensitivity to beta-lactams when other allergologic tests are negative. DPTs are also performed when the sensitivity of allergologic tests for evaluating allergic reactions to certain drugs, such as non-beta-lactam antibiotics, heparins, and glucocorticoids, is limited. On the other hand, DPTs are also performed to diagnose hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in subjects with the cross-reactive pattern, because both skin tests and in vitro diagnostic methods are ineffective in such patients.

Contrast-media-induced hypersensitivity or allergic/allergic-like reactions? Suggestion for a more appropriate use of the nomenclature

With great interest we read the paper by Lapi et al. [1]. This article focuses on safety aspects of iodinated contrast media (CM) related to their physicochemical properties in an excellently presented form. Therefore, we congratulate the authors for their work. In addition, we have some remarks on the nomenclature concerning the mentioned adverse CM-related reactions. As with many other researchers, including ourselves [2], Lapi et al. [1] uses “allergy-like” established terms. On the other hand, there are now some papers available that designate such reactions as hypersensitivity [3]. Therefore, when reading different papers on CM-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs), it becomes apparent how inconsistently physicians and scientists use the terms for its designation: allergy-like reaction, allergic-like reaction, nonallergic reaction, pseudoallergic reaction, or anaphylactoid reaction are currently in use [1–5]. This was also clearly pointed out by Lapi et al. [1] that currently there is a “...quite rich terminology used to classify CM-related ADRs.” Most terms used were created more than 40 years ago. Moreover, the confusion is further enhanced by terms that solely describe the time of onset of the adverse reaction, such late CM-related reaction, but also cover allergic and nonallergic manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions. The intention of these descriptions is to refer to the nonallergic nature of CM-related adverse events that have clinical features of allergic ones and/or its onset. As in rare cases true allergic reactions to contrast material may occur [3, 6], the use of terms such as allergic-like anticipate the nonallergic nature (in most instances when such terms occur, the allergic nature of the reaction has not been excluded), and could possibly inhibit scientific progress. Therefore, it may be meaningful to replace such terms by hypersensitivity reaction, which has been suggested by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) nomenclature task force for drug-, venom-, and food-induced reactions [7], for example, and it seems reasonable to apply it for pertinent CM-induced reactions as well [3]. This term should be used as an “umbrella” to cover the whole spectrum of possible adverse events, including anaphylaxis with its manifestations (urticaria, angioedema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, blood pressure drop, cardiac arrest), eczema/dermatitis, and fixed or exanthematous drug eruptions [7].

EPOS Primary Care Guidelines: European Position Paper on the Primary Care Diagnosis and Management of Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2007 — a summary

This paper is a summary of the 2007 European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP3OS)1 which was published in Rhinology in 2007. In order to widen dissemination of the EP3OS paper, the editors of Rhinology and the Primary Care Respiratory Journal (PCRJ) have agreed to publish this summary - which is focussed on the needs of general practitioners and community-based non-specialist clinicians - in the PCRJ. In the EP3OS process, an evidence-based methodology was used to identify evidence and to grade recommendations for clinical practice for the management of rhinosinusitis. The EP3OS Taskforce was commissioned by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) with the aims of: * Presenting specialist and generalist clinicians with an updated summary of knowledge of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis * Providing clinicans with an evidence-based summary of diagnostic methods appropriate for specialist and generalist settings * Providing evidence-based recommendations for management in specialist and generalist settings * Proposing guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in clinical practice and in research in different settings. The current document aims to distil the information presented in the full EP3OS document1 into a shorter and more concise format suitable for use in primary care generalist settings. The summary recommendations for generalists are that clinicians should be aware that rhinitis and sinusitis usually co-exist, and that management strategies should encompass this. Acute rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory condition that may be diagnosed on the basis of acute symptoms of nasal blockage, obstruction, congestion with or without facial pain or reduced smell; many episodes are self-limiting, but where symptoms persist or increase after five days, topical nasal steroids may be considered, with addition of antibiotics in patients with more severe or increasing symptoms. Non-resolution in 14 days, or the presence of atypical symptoms, should prompt consideration of referral to specialist care. Chronic rhinosinusitis occurs when symptoms have been present for >12 weeks, and anterior rhinoscopy or more detailed endoscopy should be performed to identify polyps. Topical nasal corticosteroids, nasal douching, and use of antihistamines in allergic patients, may be used in patients without, or with less symptomatic, polyps; referral to specialist care is needed for patients whose symptoms do not respond or who have large polyps.