Journal of Asthma and Allergy最新文献

Background: Asthma-associated eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a relatively uncommon clinical condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of eosinophils in the lung parenchyma or alveolar spaces. Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsy, a minimally invasive diagnostic technique, demonstrates a high diagnostic yield for pulmonary diseases. This method offers several advantages, including minimal tissue trauma, procedural simplicity, high positive rate, and an acceptable risk profile for complications, establishing it as a reliable tool for diagnosing both infectious and neoplastic pulmonary conditions. However, the diagnosis of EP remains challenging due to its non-specific clinical presentation and atypical imaging features, often leading to clinical misdiagnosis as pulmonary infection, tuberculosis, or lung cancer. Elevated eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) provide crucial diagnostic clues. A BALF eosinophil proportion ≥25% is considered highly suggestive of the diagnosis. Nevertheless, when the BALF eosinophil count falls below the diagnostic threshold for EP, lung biopsy serves as a valuable alternative for achieving a definitive diagnosis and facilitating differential diagnosis.

Case: We report a 18-year-old female patient with a history of asthma who was initially diagnosed with pulmonary infection at another hospital. Despite empirical treatment with multiple antimicrobial agents, her condition progressed. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed an eosinophil percentage of 20% in BALF, which was slightly below the standard diagnostic threshold of 25%. Given the strong clinical suspicion and the subthreshold BALF result, a CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy was performed at our institution, which confirmed the diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP).

Results: Following the diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, glucocorticoid therapy was initiated. A follow-up chest CT scan at 7 months revealed complete resolution of the pulmonary infiltrates, which was accompanied by the normalization of peripheral blood eosinophil counts. The patient remained disease-free without recurrence until the last follow-up in May 2025.

Conclusion: In asthmatic patients presenting with elevated peripheral blood eosinophils and pulmonary opacities with a predominant peripheral distribution on imaging, secondary eosinophilic pneumonia should be considered. When the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid eosinophil count falls slightly below the diagnostic threshold (eg, 20% as in our case), Lung biopsy should be considered to establish a definitive diagnosis, which is critical for guiding subsequent patient management and improving outcomes.

Background: The influence of intestinal microorganisms on the development and course of allergic diseases has recently been the subject of intensive research, but studies describing changes in the intestinal microbiome of asthma patients in response to altering factors are still scarce.

Objective: (1) the analysis of eating habits composition of intestinal microbiota and BMI in asthma patients compared to the control group, (2) the comparison of the results of the analyzed parameters in asthma patients and in the control group, (3) the analysis of asthma treatment results depending on the composition of intestinal microbiota.

Methods: Clinical stool isolates were cultured and genetic material was sequenced. The study included 49 subjects with asthma and a control group of 18 healthy volunteers. Clinical data was collected through questionnaires on the most frequently reported symptoms and the FFQ questionnaire. The composition of intestinal microbiota was determined using the traditional breeding method (the serial dilution method was used) followed by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results: Patients with asthma reported the greatest severity of clinical symptoms in all the body systems examined.The most common cause of the aberrant stool test results was E. coli, with titers <10⁶. The was no difference in the dietary habits between the asthma patients and the control group. Alpha and beta diversity, was significantly lower in asthma patients compared to the control group. Asthma patients had lower abundance of Faecalibacterium vs healthy volunteers. Statistically significant depletion of Oscilospirales, Anaerovoracaceea, was demonstrated in patients with uncontrolled asthma compared to controlled and partially controlled asthma. In patients taking glucocorticoids (oral and inhaled) enriched intestinal microbiota in Anaerovoracaceae and Christensenellaceae and depleted Faecalibacterium were observed.

Conclusion: Patients with asthma showed less richness and diversity in the composition of their intestinal microbiota compared to the control group.

Rational: The incidence of pediatric respiratory allergic diseases is rising annually. However, no study has systematically investigated the spectrum of inhalant allergens in children from Fuzhou, China, using ImmunoCAP assay technology and cohort analysis. This study aimed to characterize the distribution of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) in children aged 0-14 years with respiratory allergies in Fuzhou, providing theoretical support for etiological diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Methods: A total of 196 children underwent allergen screening: 116 diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 80 with asthma (AS). Serum sIgE antibodies against inhalant allergens were detected using the ImmunoCAP system.

Results: In the AR group, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (d1) showed the highest sensitization rate (112/116), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (d2) (110/116). In the AS group, d1 and d2 had equally high positivity rates (both 78/80), while Blattella germanica (i6) sensitization was significantly higher in AS than in AR. Sensitization to the animal epithelium panel (ex1) differed significantly between diseases in the 4-6-year age group. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between tree pollen mix (tx5) and weed pollen mix (wx5) in both groups, and a significant correlation between d2 and d1.

Conclusion: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (d1) and D. farinae (d2) are the predominant allergens in pediatric respiratory allergies in Fuzhou. This study offers valuable insights for preventing and treating these conditions.

Allergic cross-reactivity among different fungal species appears to be widely existing. Fungus-related foods, such as edible mushrooms, mycoprotein, and fermented foods by fungi, can often induce to fungus food allergy syndrome (FFAS) by allergic cross-reactivity with airborne fungi. This article presents a case study of an individual with mold allergy who experienced anaphylaxis after consuming seafood mushrooms. This study indicated that Alt a 1 mediating cross-allergy between Alternaria alternata and Hypsizygus marmoreus, which has not been documented in the literature concerning the FFAS. Mushrooms tend to induce anaphylaxis in patients with mold-allergy and warrants clinicians' attention.

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide has been widely used as a biomarker of airway inflammation. By measuring nitric oxide concentrations at different exhalation flow rates, it is possible to assess inflammation in various segments of the respiratory tract. This study hypothesized that FeNO could serve as a valuable tool for evaluating airway inflammation in children with different types of allergic asthma.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 487 children with asthma, categorized as inhalant-sensitized (n=238), food-sensitized (n=36), mixed-sensitized (n=181), and non-sensitized controls (n=32). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide was measured following ERS/ATS protocols, including FeNO₅₀ (flow rate 50 mL/s), FeNO₂₀₀ (200 mL/s), and CaNO (alveolar or peripheral airway NO concentration). Multivariable median regression was used to assess group differences after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, rhinitis, and recent respiratory infection.

Results: FeNO₅₀ and FeNO₂₀₀ levels were significantly higher in both the inhalation allergen and mixed allergen groups compared to the control and food allergen groups (all adjusted P < 0.01). For instance, FeNO₅₀ showed an adjusted median difference of -5.00 ppb (95% CI: -8.50, -2.00; P =0.003) between the control group and inhalations. CaNO levels did not differ significantly across groups (P = 0.133).

Conclusion: FeNO₅₀ and FeNO₂₀₀ levels were significantly higher in inhalant- and mixed-sensitized children compared with food-sensitized or non-sensitized controls, indicating stronger type-2 inflammatory features. CaNO showed no significant difference across groups after adjustment. These findings highlight FeNO as a potential biomarker associated with airway inflammation in sensitized asthma; however, further prospective studies are warranted for confirmation.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often accompanied by comorbidities such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4Rα, has demonstrated significant efficacy and safety in the treatment of AD. However, its effectiveness in patients with comorbidities remains underexplored. We aimed to evaluate the impact of Dupilumab on the severity of dermatitis, comorbidity control, medication safety, and treatment adherence in Chinese AD patients in real-world settings.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective-prospective real-world cohort study that included 376 patients with AD who received Dupilumab treatment from February 2021 to February 2024. Among them, 270 patients had AD, and 106 had AD with comorbidities, including 106 cases of AR and 20 cases of asthma. Baseline clinical data and laboratory parameters were collected. The severity of AD, quality of life, and comorbidity control were assessed at week 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16. Efficacy indicators and related predictive factors were evaluated, and drug continuation rates at week 52 were assessed.

Results: After 16 weeks of Dupilumab treatment, the median improvement in EASI score was 95.3% (from 8.5 to 0.40), with an EASI75 response rate of 78.9%. AD efficacy-related scores and comorbidity-related scores showed significant improvement compared to baseline (all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in efficacy between the AD group and AD with comorbidities group. Drug survival analysis showed similar drug continuation rates at 52 weeks for both groups (P>0.05). Adverse events were mainly eye-related events (8.51%, 32/376), followed by localized symptom worsening (2.13%), hair loss (1.60%), and facial erythema (1.33%). Patients with higher baseline EASI scores were more likely to achieve 90-100% improvement (P = 0.024).

Conclusion: Dupilumab effectively improves AD symptoms and comorbidities, with consistent efficacy across comorbid status and good safety profile. Higher baseline disease severity associates with better treatment response.

Purpose: Asthma control is reported to be low, often based on cross-sectional studies. There have been only a few longitudinal studies following asthma patients. We have assessed asthma control and asthma treatment over 17 years in a cohort of asthma patients.

Methods: Patients, 18-75 years, with doctor-diagnosed asthma were randomly selected from healthcare units in Sweden. They answered questionnaires about symptoms and pharmacological treatment in 2005, 2012, and 2022. This study includes participants completing the last follow-up (n=437). Optimal asthma control was defined as no nocturnal asthma symptoms, use of short-acting β2-agonist twice or less in the past week, and no exacerbations in the last six months.

Results: There was no difference in frequency of optimal asthma control (41.8% vs 40.5%, p=0.68). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with long-acting β2-agonists increased from 2005 to 2022 as regular maintenance treatment (40.3% vs 46.7%, p=0.009) and as reliever medicine (11.6% vs 18.9%, p<0.001). The overall use of reliever medicine more than twice in the past week did not change (48.3% vs 51.6%, p=0.24). The overall use of ICS decreased (78.0% vs 70.4%, p<0.001), as did the occurrence of having a written action plan (21.9% vs 10.4%, p<0.001). Optimal asthma control and lack of written action plans were related to discontinuation of ICS treatment.

Conclusion: Non-optimal asthma control is common long after diagnosis. Discontinuation of ICS may sometimes be due to optimal asthma control and no need for treatment, but lack of written action plans increases the risk of inappropriate discontinuation.

Introduction: Asthma biologics and bronchial thermoplasty (BT) are both effective therapies for severe asthma but there are no direct comparisons between the two treatments. The aims of this study are to described the outcomes of patients with severe asthma managed at a tertiary centre severe asthma clinic with either biologics, BT, or both, and to compare the effectiveness of BT with currently available biologics.

Methods: Data was retrospectively collected at pre-specified timepoints-baseline, prior to BT (for patients undergoing BT), and at a follow-up clinic visit in July 2025. Data collected included demographics, serum biomarkers, lung function, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), frequency of oral corticosteroid (OCS) requiring exacerbations, maintenance OCS dose, initial treatment prescribed and treatment changes over time.

Results: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients' data were reviewed. Significant improvements in ACQ (3.4 (3-4.2) vs 1.8 (0.8-2.6), P<0.001) and number of OCS-requiring exacerbations (2 (1-4) vs 1 (0-1), P<0.001) were noted at follow-up compared to baseline. Sixty percent of patients who were on OCS at baseline were able to be successfully weaned off and 50% of the remaining patients were able to reduce their dose. Patients who underwent BT were either ineligible for (27%), or failed to respond to biologic therapy (73%). Despite this, significant reductions in ACQ (2.9 (2.2-3.5) vs 1.8 (1.2-2.5), P<0.001), OCS-requiring exacerbations (3.5 (2-6) vs 0 (0-1.3), P<0.001), and maintenance OCS dose were observed post BT. No significant difference was noted in the magnitude of change in key clinical outcomes between patients treated with biologics and those who underwent BT.

Conclusion: In this retrospective real-world study, patients treated with BT had comparable clinical outcomes to those treated with asthma biologics. This included a subset of patients who were ineligible for, or failed to respond to biologic therapy. These results support the ongoing role of BT in the era of biologic therapy.

Purpose: Allergic diseases are frequently underdiagnosed in older adults due to overlapping symptoms with other chronic conditions and age-related changes in the immune system. As the elderly population continues to grow, understanding the prevalence and clinical impact of allergic diseases in this group is essential. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of common allergic conditions in individuals aged 65 and older and to examine their associated comorbidities.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of approximately 17,000 patients aged 65 and older who were diagnosed with allergic diseases between January 2020 and December 2023. Data on age, sex, race/ethnicity, specific allergic diagnoses, and comorbid medical conditions were extracted from electronic health records and analyzed descriptively.

Results: Allergic rhinitis and asthma were the most prevalent allergic conditions, affecting 51.2% and 50.3% of the study population, respectively. Food allergies were identified in 8.4% of patients, contact dermatitis in 4.5%, and atopic dermatitis in 2.9%. Comorbidities were most frequent among patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity overall, affecting 77.7% of patients with allergic rhinitis and 77.2% with asthma, followed by coronary artery disease. Rates of allergic disease were higher among patients aged 65-75 compared to those over 75, and prevalence was generally higher in women than in men.

Conclusion: Allergic conditions, particularly allergic rhinitis and asthma, are common in older adults and often coexist with cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. These findings underscore the need for increased clinical awareness and tailored diagnostic approaches in elderly populations to avoid missed or delayed diagnoses and to improve management outcomes.