Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Research Articles

Refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with two varied extracutaneous manifestations: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundClopidogrel and ticagrelor are rarely reported to cause vasculitis via drug hypersensitivity reaction, largely mediated by T cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Despite therapeutic advances, the etiology of refractory vasculitides remains incompletely understood. Recently, (non)immunological mechanisms bypassing T cells and IgE have been proposed to explain resistance to standard immunosuppressants. Herein, we report a case of refractory drug-induced systemic small-vessel vasculitis with varied extracutaneous manifestations and incorporate multiple sources of data to provide detailed accounts of complex (non)immunological phenomena involved in this case. Study objectives are to provide an insight about rare presentations of commonly used drugs, upgrade the pathophysiological concepts of drug-induced vasculitis, raise need for further investigation to define causes and risk factors for refractory vasculitis, and discuss most of the current knowledge suggesting novel therapeutic approaches to treat this vasculitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the two flares of systemic small-vessel vasculitis in a single patient in response to clopidogrel and ticagrelor exposure, respectively. However, this report is limited by attribution/observer bias.Case presentationWe herein report a 24-year-old Caucasian male student with a medical history of mild seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, tension-type headaches, posttraumatic arterial stenosis, and previous exposure to ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine who suffered largely from acute urticaria and dyspnea after 20 days of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel introduction. A skin punch biopsy confirmed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Serologic antibody testing, complement analysis, microbiologic testing, and cancer biomarkers revealed no abnormalities. Regarding the patient’s medical history, both acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel were exchanged for ticagrelor. Furthermore, the addition of naproxen, cyclosporine, bilastine, prednisolone, and montelukast resulted in complete recovery. After 7 days, diarrhea and hematuria occurred. Urinalysis and computed tomography showed reversible proteinuria with gross hematuria and hypodense changes in kidney medulla, respectively, associated with discontinuation of ticagrelor and naproxen. In addition, the patient recovered completely without any immunosuppression up-titration.ConclusionsThis case highlights the role of clopidogrel and ticagrelor as possible triggering agents for systemic small-vessel vasculitis and offers an insight into novel therapeutic strategies for refractory vasculitides. Further research is needed to build on the findings of a current report.

Efficacy and safety of Artemisia annua sublingual immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over two pollen seasons.

This study investigates the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with A. annua allergens in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over two pollen seasons. Seventy patients with moderate-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were divided evenly into the SLIT and control groups. The SLIT last from 3months before the summer-autumn pollen season in 2021 till the end of the summer-autumn pollen season in 2022. The daily individual symptom score, total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score (dTRSS), total medication score (dTMS), combined score of medication and rhinoconjunctivitis symptom (dCSMRS), visual analog scale (VAS) score, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. The average pollen concentration in 2022 was twice that previous two-year during the pollen season. Fifty-six patients completed treatments (SLIT group: 29, control group: 27). Compared with baseline, the individual symptoms, dTRSS, dTMS, dCSMRS, and VAS scores of SLIT group declined in 2021. After 16months of SLIT, all efficacy indexes in 2022 were still lower than baseline and equivalent to those in 2021. In control group, the efficacy indexes in 2022 were higher than that in 2020 and 2021. The efficacy indexes of SLIT group were lower than those of control group in 2021 and 2022. SLIT is effective for both mono- and poly-sensitized patients. AEs incidence in SLIT group was 82.7% without severe AEs. The A. annua-SLIT can obtain efficacy and safety over two pollen seasons for patients with moderate-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Clinical efficacy and safety of coseasonal initiation of Artemisia annua sublingual immunotherapy on patients with Artemisia-induced rhinoconjunctivitis

PurposePatients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SARC) might seek evaluation and treatment when symptoms appear during the pollen season. It is unclear whether coseasonal-initiated sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) would be effective and safe for SARC. This study aims to identify the feasibility of initiating Artemisia annua SLIT during the pollen season. Materials and methodsSixty patients with Artemisia-induced SARC were equally recruited into the SLIT and control groups during the pollen season in 2021. The SLIT group was treated with standardized Artemisia annua SLIT drops using a modified dosing schedule combined with pharmacotherapy, while the control group only received pharmacotherapy. Diary cards for clinical symptoms, rescue medication use, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded during the pollen seasons. Objective measures, including average daily combined scores of medication and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (CSMRS), total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score (TRSS), total medication score (TMS), and the score of visual analog scale (VAS) were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of SLIT. Safety was assessed through the occurrence and severity of AEs. ResultsIn total, 80.0 % (24/30) patients in the SLIT group and 86.67 % (26/30) patients in the control group completed the study. The severity of SARC, which was assessed by objective measures including CSMRS, TRSS, TMS, and VAS of the SLIT group and the control group, was generally at the same level during the 2021 pollen season, except for the medical consumption, which the score of TMS was slightly higher in the SLIT group. After one year of treatment, the scores of CSMRS, TRSS, and VAS in the SLIT group were significantly improved compared with the control group (all P < 0.001), and the difference in the TMS between the two groups disappeared (P > 0.05). Moreover, clinical improvement of the four objective measures was also observed in the SLIT group compared with the baseline value (P < 0.001). Overall, 9/24 patients in the SLIT group experienced mild local AEs, and two patients experienced mild systemic AEs during the SLIT period. ConclusionsThis controlled preliminary study identified that coseasonal-initiated Artemisia annua SLIT treatment for one year was generally safe and effective in improving the symptoms of SARC patients induced by Artemisia annua pollen.

Prevention of omalizumab for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundAllergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is an allergic disease that is characterized by conjunctival and nasal symptoms such as edema and congestion of conjunctiva, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and blocked nose. Seasonal ARC (SARC) is usually induced by seasonal allergens and often occurs at specific times during the year. Traditional treatments of SARC include nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, and mast cell membrane stabilizers. Biological agents such as omalizumab have also been proved effective in the treatment of SARC.ObjectivesWe aim to certify the preventative efficacy of omalizumab for SARC and explore its influence factors.MethodsMedical records of 64 SARC patients were retrospectively analyzed, and generalized linear models were used to analyze influence factors of efficacy of omalizumab.ResultsCompared with forepassed pollen season without omalizumab treatment, the combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) of ARC with pre-seasonal omalizumab was significantly lower (with omalizumab: 0.67[0.00,1.83], without omalizumab: 4.00[2.83,4.96], p<0.001, max score=6). Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the influence factor of preventative efficacy of omalizumab. The CSMS with omalizumab treatment were not significantly different among different age, gender, dosage, number of injections, and injection date subgroups (p>0.05).ConclusionPre-seasonal omalizumab treatment could significantly relieve SARC related symptoms and reduce medication use. This preventative efficacy would not be influenced by the dosage and number of injections of omalizumab. A single dose of 150mg omalizumab could achieve a satisfactory outcome.

A Tyrosine Adsorbed Modified Grass Allergen + MPL SCIT Demonstrates Clinically Improvement in Combined Symptom and Medication Score in Subjects with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis and/or Rhinoconjunctivitis

An exploratory field study with a modified grass allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) product using MicroCrystalline Tyrosine (MCT) and Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPL) as an adjuvant system was conducted to optimize a planned pivotal Phase III study.

Efficacy of a food supplement Lertal\xae as an adjuvant therapy of patients with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

BackgroundLertal® is an oral food supplement containing 80 mg of dry extract of Perilla frutescens, 150 mg of bioflavonoid quercetin, and 5 μg of vitamin D3. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Lertal® as a complementary therapy to topical therapy of patients with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR).ResultsSeventy (n=70) adult patients with moderate-to-severe SAR were included in this prospective study and treated by four different procedures: (1) 21 patients received azelastine intranasal spray for 30 days and, after that, azelastine spray and Lertal® tablets for the next 30 days; (2) 19 patients received combined azelastine with fluticasone intranasal spray for 30 days and azelastine with fluticasone spray and Lertal® tablets for the next 30 days; (3) 15 patients received azelastine spray only for 60 days; (4) 15 patients received combined azelastine with fluticasone spray only for 60 days. Levels of SAR symptoms (sneezing, tearing, ocular itching, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, hyposmia, and cough), as well as Total Symptom Scores (TSS), were evaluated at the start of this investigation (visit 0), after 30 days of treatment (visit 1), and after 60 days of treatment (visit 2) using a visual analog scale. After 30 days of treatment, better effects were achieved in groups in which patients were treated with combined (antihistamine with corticosteroid) spray. After 60 days of therapy, we found the best effects in procedure 2 and slightly worse effects in procedure 1. The high differences in the reduction of TSS between the 60th and 30th day were found for procedure 2 (p<0.001) and procedure 1 (p<0.001). The worse improvement of symptoms we found was in procedure 4 (p<0.01), and, for the procedure 3, we found no significant difference (p=0.140). None of the patients reported adverse effects during the therapy.ConclusionOur results suggest that addition of food supplement Lertal® to the standard topical therapy of patients with moderate-to-severe SAR increases the effects of intranasal therapy in reducing nasal and ocular symptoms.

@IT2020: An innovative algorithm for allergen immunotherapy prescription in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). Its efficacy depends on the precise identification of the triggering allergen. However, diagnostics based on retrospective clinical history and sensitization to whole extracts (SWE) often leads to equivocal results. To assess the usability and impact of a recently established algorithm for a clinical decision support system (@IT2020-CDSS) for SAR and its diagnostic steps [anamnesis, SWE (skin prick test or serum IgE), component resolved diagnosis, CRD, and real-time digital symptom recording, eDiary] on doctor's AIT prescription decisions. After educational training on the @IT2020-CDSS algorithm, 46 doctors (18 allergy specialists, AS, and 28 general practitioners, GP) expressed their hypothetical AIT prescription for 10 clinical index cases. Decisions were recorded repeatedly based on different steps of the algorithm. The usability and perceived impact of the algorithm were evaluated. The combined use of CRD and an eDiary increased the hypothetical AIT prescriptions, both among AS and GP (p<.01). AIT prescription for pollen and Alternaria allergy based on anamnesis and SWE was heterogeneous but converged towards a consensus by integrating CRD and eDiary information. Doctors considered the algorithm useful and recognized its potential in enhancing traditional diagnostics. The implementation of CRD and eDiary in the @IT2020-CDSS algorithm improved consensus on AIT prescription for SAR among AS and GP. The potential usefulness of a CDSS for aetiological diagnosis of SAR and AIT prescription in real-world clinical practice deserves further investigation.

Effects of ectoine containing nasal spray and eye drops on symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

BackgroundPatients are often dissatisfied with the symptom control obtained from available pharmacological treatments for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Therefore, patients seek for alternative, nonpharmacological options to treat their symptoms. Here, we assessed the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray and ectoine eye drops in comparison to placebo to prevent nasal and ocular symptoms following exposure to pollen in patients with ARC.MethodsIn this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study, 46 patients with ARC applied ectoine eye drops and nasal spray in immediate succession or placebo eye drops and nasal spray for 13 days before ARC symptoms were induced in an environmental exposure chamber. Primary endpoint was the baseline‐adjusted area under the curve (AUC) posttreatment total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and the total ocular symptom score (TOSS) using analysis of covariance. Secondary endpoints were, amongst others, total nonnasal symptoms score (TNNSS) and nasal patency (measured using acoustic rhinometry).ResultsTreatment with both ectoine and placebo reduced TNSS, TOSS, and TNNSS upon allergen exposure. The analysis of parameters at baseline and after allergen exposure demonstrated that ectoine induced a clinically relevant improvement in ARC symptoms compared to placebo: the least square mean difference for baseline‐adjusted AUC was ‒1.87 for TNSS, ‒1.45 for TOSS and ‒2.20 for TNNSS. The mean change from baseline AUC of TNNSS for ectoine was also significantly greater than for placebo (‒5.49 vs. ‒3.46; p = 0.011). Ectoine significantly improved the singular symptoms “sneezing,” “watery eyes” and “itchy eyes” (p ≤ 0.021) as well as “itchy ear/palate” (p = 0.036) in comparison to placebo. Mean cross sectional areas of the nasal cavity were reduced to a lesser extent after treatment with ectoine (‒0.020 ± 0.022) than with placebo (‒0.047 ± 0.029). The current study also demonstrated a very good safety profile of ectoine treatment. Few AEs with comparable numbers in both treatment groups were reported during the study, which were mild in severity and resolved without medical treatment.ConclusionThe study suggests that ectoine is effective in reducing nasal and ocular symptoms associated with ARC. Being a natural, bacteria derived stress protection molecule functioning by a physical mode of action, it therefore represents an alternative nonpharmacological treatment option.

Genotype Associations with the Different Phenotypes of Atopic Dermatitis in Children.

This study deals with detecting the associations of atopic dermatitis' (AD) phenotypes in children: alone or combined with seasonal allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (SARC) and/or perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and/or with bronchial asthma (BA) with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of filaggrin (FLG), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and orsomucoid-like-1 protein 3 (ORMDL3) genes. Male and female pediatric patients aged from 3 to 18 years old were recruited into the main (AD in different combinations with SARC, PAR, BA) and control groups (disorders of digestives system, neither clinical nor laboratory signs of atopy). Patients were genotyped for SNP of rs_7927894 FLG, rs_11466749 TSLP, rs_7216389 ORMDL3 variants. Statistically significant associations of the increased risk were detected of AD combined with SARC and/or PAR and AD combined with BA (possibly, SARC and/or PAR) with C/T rs_7927894 FLG and T/T rs_7216389 ORMDL3 genotypes. Genotype C/C rs_7927894 FLG significantly decreases the risk of AD combined with SARC and/or PAR by 2.56 fold. Several genotypes' associations had a trend to significance: C/C rs_7216389 ORMDL3 decreases and C/T rs_7216389 ORMDL3 increases the risk for developing AD alone phenotype; A/G rs_11466749 TSLP decreases the risk of AD combined with BA (possibly, SARC and/or PAR) phenotype development.

Adherence to Prescribed E-Diary Recording by Patients With Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: Observational Study.

BackgroundComplete diagnosis and therapy of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis require evidence that exposure to the sensitizing pollen triggers allergic symptoms. Electronic clinical diaries, by recording disease severity scores and pollen exposure, can demonstrate this association. However, patients who spontaneously download an e-diary app show very low adherence to their recording.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to assess adherence of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis to symptom recording via e-diary explicitly prescribed by an allergist within a blended care approach.MethodsThe @IT-2020 project is investigating the diagnostic synergy of mobile health and molecular allergology in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the pilot phase of the study, we recruited Italian children (Rome, Italy) and adults (Pordenone, Italy) with seasonal allergic rhinitis and instructed them to record their symptoms, medication intake, and general conditions daily through a mobile app (Allergy.Monitor) during the relevant pollen season.ResultsOverall, we recruited 101 Italian children (Rome) and 93 adults (Pordenone) with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Adherence to device use slowly declined during monitoring in 3 phases: phase A: first week, ≥1267/1358, 90%; phase B: second to sixth week, 4992/5884, 80% to 90%; and phase C: seventh week onward, 2063/2606, 70% to 80%. At the individual level, the adherence assessed in the second and third weeks of recording predicted with enough confidence (Rome: Spearman ρ=0.75; P<.001; Pordenone: ρ=0.81; P<.001) the overall patient adherence to recording and was inversely related to postponed reporting (ρ=–0.55; P<.001; in both centers). Recording adherence was significantly higher during the peak grass pollen season in Rome, but not in Pordenone.ConclusionsAdherence to daily recording in an e-diary, prescribed and motivated by an allergist in a blended care setting, was very high. This observation supports the use of e-diaries in addition to face-to-face visits for diagnosis and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and deserves further investigation in real-life contexts.

The immune system and the nature of immune disorders in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (sark) with moderate and severe

Introduction. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is allergic diseases (AD) of mucous membranes (primarily the conjunctiva of the eye and nasal mucosa), due to hypersensitivity to aerosol allergens of plant pollen and fungi spores, the concentration of which in the air periodically becomes causal. The leading clinical manifestation of SAR is considered as allergic conjunctivitis. According to statistics, about 70–90 % of patients with SAR develops Pulawy conjunctivitis, characterized by itching of eyes, eyelids, their redness, photophobia, lacrimation. Clinically important is the combination of SAR and conjunctivitis. Although the SAR attention usually emphasize on nasal symptoms, more than 80 % of patients, as practice shows, suffer from symptoms from the eyes. According to the European and North American researchers, more than 70 % of patients with SAR suffer from eye and nasal symptoms, and their severity the majority of patients assessed as moderate or severe. Materials and methods. Were examined in 120 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in combination with conjunctivitis: 58 patients with moderate and 62 patients with severe disease. Research results. The patients of the 1st group the level of total IgE was increased 5.6 times, patients of group 2 – 7.1 times in comparison with the control group. The level of specific IgE in group 1 was 37.7 KU/L in group 2 – 46.9 KU/L, when reference levels – 0 – &lt; 0,35 KU/L in the study, the CІC was established an increase of their concentration in patients of groups 1 and 2 groups. However, patients 1st group mainly increased levels of high molecular weight, the CІC, and in patients 2 groups – mainly the level of low molecular weight CІC. Discussion of research. The study of the population structure of the lymphatic peripheral blood of patients SARK revealed changes in T-cell link of immunity, characterized by a decrease in the content of CD3+-cells from patients 1 group by 10,7 %, in patients of group 2 – by 19,0 % in comparison with similar indicators of control group. Conclusions. Certain disorders in patients with severe disease are more profound than in patients with the moderate course of the disease. In patients with severe, in contrast to patients with moderate to severe flow disturbances and in the phagocytic link of immunity. In patients with severe as reduced the absorption activity of phagocytes and their ability in induction of reactive oxygen species. In patients with severe marked increase in the level of low molecular weight CІC, in patients with moderate to severe over – mainly high molecular weight of the CІC, which have less toxic than low molecular weight.

Associations of genotype variants of single nucleotide polymorphism of gene orosomucoid-1-like-protein 3 and atopic diseases at children.

The paper presents data of the firstly conducted in Ukraine own study of associations of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7216389 of orsomucoid-1-like protein 3 gene (ORMDL3) variants’ with atopic diseases in children. Aim: to detect clinical significance of the SNP rs7216389 ORMDL3 in genesis of atopic diseases in children. We examined 153 children aged 3 to 18 years. The main group consisted of 119 children with clinical manifestations of atopic diseases with elevated total serum immunoglobulin E, confirmed by immunofluorescence assay method. The comparison group consisted of 34 children with a non-aggravated individual or family allergic anamnesis in whom there was detected the absence of any clinical syndromes and symptoms of atopic diseases and, mostly, physiological parameters of the serum total immunoglobulin E by immunofluorescence assay method. All the children were genotyped by ORMDL3 gene using polymerase chain reaction in real time with a restricted fragment length polymorphism. The genotype T/T within SNP rs7216389 of ORMDL3 gene significantly prevails among the children with atopic diseases and is associated with an increased incidence risk of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SARC) by 4.11 times (95% CI 1.55; 16.61), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) by 5.07 times (95% CI 1.22; 13.90) times and bronchial asthma (BA) by 10.31 times (95% CI 2.50; 42.62). Children with genotype T/T in locus rs7216389 of the ORMDL3 gene are the increased risk group for developing the atopic diseases. Children with genotype C/C in locus rs7216389 of the ORMDL3 gene are the decreased risk group for the development of atopic dermatitis.

Transcriptome analysis and safety profile of the early-phase clinical response to an adjuvanted grass allergoid immunotherapy

BackgroundSpecific immunotherapy is the only type of disease-modifying treatment, which induces rapid desensitization and long-term sustained unresponsiveness in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The safety and tolerability of a new cumulative dose regimen of 35600 SU Grass MATA MPL for subcutaneous immunotherapy were assessed in pre-seasonal, single-blind, placebo controlled Phase I clinical study. Underlying immunological mechanisms were explored using transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MethodsStudy subjects with a history of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis (SAR) due to grass (Pooideae) pollen exposure were randomized on a 1:1 ratio to receive either six 1.0 mL injections of cumulative dose regimen 35600 SU of Grass MATA MPL or placebo. The study consisted of three periods: screening, randomization and treatment and End of Study period. Blood samples were taken for clinical safety laboratory assessments and for the assessment of gene expression analysis during screening visit and End of Study visit. The safety statistics was calculated using Fisher's exact test. Delta Delta Ct method analysis of RT2 Profiler PCR Array gene expression results was used to calculate changes in gene expression level. Genes with the absolute value of log2 fold change greater than ±1.1 and p-value less than 0.05 were identified as differentially expressed and underwent IPA data analysis. ResultsThe results of the study indicated that the higher cumulative dose regimen of the immunotherapy was well-tolerated. Changes in gene expression profile were associated with early immune responses implicating innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. Pathways and mechanistic network analysis via IPA mapped differentially expressed genes onto canonical pathways related to T cell differentiation, cytokine signalling and Th1/Th2 activation pathways. The transcriptome findings of the study could be further verified in large-scale field studies in order to explore their potential as predictive markers of successful immunotherapy. ConclusionsThe higher dose cumulative regime 35600 SU of Grass MATA MPL vaccine was well tolerated and safe. Molecular markers IL-27, IL-10, IL-4, TNF, IFNγ, TGFβ and TLR4 were the main predicted molecular drivers of the observed gene expression changes following early stages of SIT with Grass MATA MPL immunotherapy.

Comparison of Six Different Allergen Extracts for Subcutaneous Specific Immunotherapy in Children: An Open-Labelled, Prospective, Controlled Observational Trial

Background: Numerous products are available for subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy, but there are no information about the direct comparability regarding efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the different extracts. Aims: The aim of this open-labelled, prospective, controlled observational trial was to test the feasibility of a comparison of different products for SCIT in children. Methods: Pediatrician practices recruited patients with a confirmed diagnosis of a seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) with or without asthma and an allergic sensitization against grass pollen allergen. Every patient was offered SCIT with one out of six allergen extracts: ALK SQ Depot, ALK Avanz, Allergovit, Depigoid, Purethal, Pollinex Quattro. Scores for symptoms and medications were calculated and the difference between treatment years and baseline were recorded. Results: In total, 284 were recruited and 255 children (89.8%; mean age 10.4, SD 3.54 years; 65% males) participated in this trial. Overall, 49,649 patient days were recorded in the electronic database (mean 183.2 days/patient). There was no significant difference in the AR and asthma symptom score or the medication score between the six different SCIT preparations. Similarly, no differences were observed in terms of safety and tolerability. Conclusion: The comparison of different SCIT products using an online tool is feasible. Based on our preliminary data, all extracts indicated efficacy; however, larger groups would be necessary to demonstrate superiority or non-inferiority of one specific SCIT product.

Strong dose response after immunotherapy with PQ grass using conjunctival provocation testing

BackgroundPollinex Quattro Grass (PQ Grass) is an effective, well-tolerated, short pre-seasonal subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) due to grass pollen. In this Phase II study, 4 cumulative doses of PQ Grass and placebo were evaluated to determine its optimal cumulative dose. MethodsPatients with grass pollen-induced SAR were randomised to either a cumulative dose of PQ Grass (5100, 14400, 27600 and 35600 SU) or placebo, administered as 6 weekly subcutaneous injections over 31–41 days (EudraCT number 2017-000333-31). Standardized conjunctival provocation tests (CPT) using grass pollen allergen extract were performed at screening, baseline and post-treatment to determine the total symptom score (TSS) assessed approximately 4 weeks after dosing. Three models were pre-defined (Emax, logistic, and linear in log-dose model) to evaluate a dose response relationship. ResultsIn total, 95.5% of the 447 randomized patients received all 6 injections. A highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001), monotonic dose response was observed for all three pre-specified models. All treatment groups showed a statistically significant decrease from baseline in TSS compared to placebo, with the largest decrease observed after 27600 SU (p < 0.0001). The full course of 6 injections was completed by 95.5% of patients. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar across PQ Grass groups, and mostly mild and transient in nature. ConclusionsPQ Grass demonstrated a strong curvilinear dose response in TSS following CPT without compromising its safety profile.

Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: A not so Rare Disease in Childhood.

Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in childhood and adolescence. Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a common adverse reaction occurring few minutes after the consumption of vegetable foods in patients with pollen-induced SAR. PFAS has rarely been investigated in the pediatric population, as it has been mainly examined as an adult disease. Recent studies suggested that PFAS might be more frequent in childhood than previously recognized. The present review aims to give an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis of PFAS in children with SAR-induced by pollens.

Allergy to lemon: case of oral allergic syndrome associated with allergic otitis media and labyrinthitis in a patient with polysensibilization and multiple manifestations of allergy

Oral allergic syndrome is an IgEmediated allergic reaction to foods of plant origin in persons with sensitization to various pollen allergens. A clinical case of oral allergy syndrome caused by consumption of lemon in a 25-year-old woman with sensitization to many groups of allergens and presence of allergic otitis media and allergy-induced labyrinthitis is presented. The patient had a history of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, contact allergic dermatitis, urticaria as a manifestation of drug allergy. In vivo (skin prick tests, prick-prick tests) and in vitro allergen specific diagnostics allowed to work out the individual diet and a hypoallergenic regime in this case.

Early molecular biomarkers predicting the evolution of allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities: A longitudinal multicenter study of a patient cohort.

Pollen-related seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) is a very frequent pediatric disease in Westernized countries. Risk factors and disease phenotypes have been thoroughly examined in several cross-sectional studies. By contrast, only a few studies have examined disease evolution in patient cohorts. We investigated predictive biomarkers of disease evolution in a large cohort of children with SAR. During 2015-2017 (follow-up), we re-examined 401 patients from those enrolled in 2009-2011 (baseline) by the "Panallergens in Pediatrics" study, a large multicenter survey of Italian children with SAR. Information on clinical history (standard questionnaire, AllergyCARD®; TPS, Italy) and skin prick tests for inhalant and foods extracts (ALK-Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) was acquired as at baseline visit. Evolution in clinical and sensitization data of patients was analyzed over time, as well as their association with the main baseline characteristics and atopy risk factors. The average age of participants was 10.4±3.4years at baseline and 16.2±3.6years at follow-up. SAR persisted in 93.3% of patients at follow-up and became more frequently associated with asthma (from 36.7% at baseline to 48.6% at follow-up) and oral allergy syndrome (OAS, from 23.4% to 37.7%). Compared to baseline, the prevalence of skin sensitization to some pollens (Phleum pratense, Corylus avellana, Platanus acerifolia, Artemisia vulgaris) and vegetables (hazelnut, wheat, and apple) significantly decreased at follow-up. Earlier onset of SAR and polysensitization at baseline were associated with incident asthma at follow-up. The presence at baseline of serum IgE to the following allergen molecules was identified as biomarkers of clinical evolution: (a) Phl p 1, for persistence of SAR; (b) Phl p 5, for persistence of both rhinitis and asthma; (c) Pru p 3, for new onset of asthma; (d) Bet v 1, for persistence of OAS. Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is clinically heterogeneous in its evolution from childhood to adolescence. The detection of serum IgE to specific molecules (Phl p 1, Phl p 5, Bet v 1, Pru p 3) may be useful as biomarkers to predict SAR persistence and future onset of comorbidities, such as asthma and/or OAS.

Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Dytiatkovskyi V, Abaturov O. Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children. Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology. 2019;6(1):24-29. doi:10.5114/pja.2019.83504. APA Dytiatkovskyi, V., & Abaturov, O. (2019). Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children. Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology, 6(1), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.5114/pja.2019.83504 Chicago Dytiatkovskyi, Volodymyr O., and Olexandr E. Abaturov. 2019. "Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children". Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology 6 (1): 24-29. doi:10.5114/pja.2019.83504. Harvard Dytiatkovskyi, V., and Abaturov, O. (2019). Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children. Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology, 6(1), pp.24-29. https://doi.org/10.5114/pja.2019.83504 MLA Dytiatkovskyi, Volodymyr O. et al. "Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children." Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology, vol. 6, no. 1, 2019, pp. 24-29. doi:10.5114/pja.2019.83504. Vancouver Dytiatkovskyi V, Abaturov O. Filaggrin genotype associations with atopic march at children. Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology. 2019;6(1):24-29. doi:10.5114/pja.2019.83504.

The efficiency of hypoallergenic space created with LG Puricare™ air purifier in the complex therapy of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma

Background. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a hypoallergenic space created with the LG Puricare air purifier, in a closed hospital ward and at home in the complex treatment of patients with exacerbation of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with or without asthma. Materials and methods. 70 patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with or without asthma were involved in the open comparative, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted in 2 stages. At the 1st stage, an assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of hypoallergenic space created with LG Puricare™ air purifier in the hospital was performed. At the 2nd stage, the same study was performed at home space. The primary endpoint of the study was the evaluation of the total symptoms score. Secondary endpoints were changes in the parameters of peripheral blood, eye, and nasal secretion eosinophilia, external respiration function, peak flowmetry parameters. An assessment of indoor allergens, pollen and mold spores concentration, determination of the number of particle matter and evaluation of microbial and fungal air contamination in the environment were also carried out. Results. A significant reduction of the concentration of airborne particles and mold spores was demonstrated. Disease severity score showed significant clinical improvement but no changes in the parameters of the external respiration function, eosinophilia of blood, eyes and nasal secretions. Conclusion. The use of LG Puricare™ air purifier is recommended as a part of complex therapy of patients with various allergic diseases.