Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha in Symptomatic Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma

Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is a major therapeutic target in a range of chronic inflammatory disorders involving neutrophils and its excess production is characterized by a Th1-type immune response. Asthma is regarded as a Th2-type disorder when associated with atopy, (more…)

Oral Food Challenges & Relationship to Allergen-Specific IgE Levels

Diagnosis of food hypersensitivity is a clinical challenge and the only current definitive test is the Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Food Challenges. Although the Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Food Challenges is the current gold standard, it is difficult to perform and is very time-consuming. Hence, researchers are continually evaluating new tests and assessing the value of the available serum tests. (more…)

Atopy Patch Test Accuracy in Diagnosing Hypersensitivity to Cow’s Milk & Hen’s Egg

Over the last 5 years some studies have suggested that the atopy patch test (APT) may be a useful test in atopic dermatitis children who have suspected food hypersensitivity and may even obviate the need for oral challenges. An alternative test to oral allergy challenges with high sensitivity and specificity would be helpful in the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity. (more…)

Allergic Reactions To Penicillin and Skin Test Evaluation via Intradermal Injection

Intradermal Injection
This study compared the diagnostic value of intradermal tests and patch tests in 20 patients with non-immediate reactions to penicillin (none had IgE antibodies to benzylpenicillin or amoxicillin detectable using a commercial RAST [radioallergosorbent test] method), using 30 patients tolerant to penicillin as controls. Intradermal tests assessed reactivity to injection of major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin and ampicillin. Allergy patch testing involved the same hapten solutions used for intradermal testing, either embedded in a patch disk or mixed with petrolatum. (more…)

Allergen Vaccine and Allergenic Source of Material

Allergen Vaccine
Being an immunological disease, the characteristics of allergy are those of specificity and memory. Regardless of whether the clinical manifestation is rhinoconjunctivitis, rhinitis, or asthma, the underlying immunological response disorder is based on the adverse reactions of cells in the immune system upon contact with allergens. These cells are specific for epitopes that are structural parts of allergens present in the allergenic source material. Two types of cells (i.e., T cells and B-cells) produce receptor molecules (i.e., T-cell receptors and immunoglobulin [IgE] antibodies) that, through high-affinity interactions with the allergen, efficiently catalyze the presence of even minute amounts of allergens into clinical symptoms, the extreme consequence of which may be life-threatening to the patient. (more…)

Allergen-Specific IgE and Serum IgE: Early Immune Development Underlying Allergies

Serum IgE
A paradigm of immune development underlies allergy development and progression in early childhood. Briefly, the immune system of the fetus is maintained in a tolerogenic state, preventing adverse immune responses and rejection between the mother and fetus. Placental interleukin-10 (IL-10) suppresses the production of immune-potentiating inter-feron gamma (IFN-y) by fetal immune cells. IFN-y downregulates the production of pro-allergic cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13. (more…)

Characteristics Of Children Diagnosed With Food Allergies

children food allergies
A cross-sectional, descriptive, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in schools in Toulouse, France, to determine the prevalence of food allergies among children in school. The first goal of the survey was to estimate the prevalence of food allergies. The second goal was to determine the main characteristics of the allergies. The questionnaires (3500) were distributed in 150 classes in eight schools. The return rate was 77.6% (2716). (more…)

Allergies Treatment with Air Purification

About ninety percent of Americans spend most of their time indoors, not knowing that the air inside your home can contain potentially harmful airborne contaminants as well as the air outside the home. These contaminants, more accurately called allergens, can aggravate asthma or allergy symptoms and cause damage to health. (more…)

Food Allergy Testing by Performing Allergy Skin Test and In Vitro Test

allergy skin testing
The diagnostic approach to allergic food reactions comprises three steps. The first step includes the medical allergy history, physical examination, and family allergy background. On the basis of symptoms and timing of the reaction, the physician attempts to identify the suspected food and to determine whether the reaction is likely to involve an immunologic mechanism. This first step is absolutely necessary to decide on the subsequent diagnostic tests to be performed. The second step includes allergy skin tests and in vitro assays, which can confirm a sensitization to the food. (more…)

Drug Allergy and Adverse Drug Reactions from Immunologic Basic Perspective

drug allergy drug sensitivity
Drug allergy and adverse drug reactions are common among many people. Those side affect of consuming drugs affecting an about 30% of hospitalized patients. Unintended and undesired reactions of consuming drugs may be immunologic or non immunologic nature. The latter let in drug toxicity, side effects, food intolerance symptoms, and idiosyncratic reactions, popular known as drug allergy. (more…)

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