Current Treatment Options in Allergy最新文献

Purpose of review: In this review, we present the epidemiology of food allergy and allergic reactions to foods using studies that have been published over the past decade. We review these allergic reactions - how they differ by food trigger, geographic region, demographic distribution, setting, and severity.

Recent findings: The rising prevalence of food allergy and persistent accidental allergic reactions to foods in various settings remains a worldwide concern. Differences in global prevalence, food triggers for reactions, and severity of accidental reactions may be explained by diversity in diets and food labeling legislation. A number of studies are highlighted that describe the unique challenges and risk factors that contribute to accidental reactions in restaurants and schools, as well as the efforts that have been made to improve safety and outcomes in these settings.

Summary: Food allergy prevalence has demonstrated significant variations between regions and age groups. Despite best efforts by individuals, physicians, and legislative bodies to improve safety for food allergic individuals, accidental reactions to foods still occur and can result in fatalities.

Purpose of review: Vaccines are an essential tool for preventing infectious diseases and reducing associated morbidity and mortality. Vaccination has a significant impact at both individual and community levels, and COVID-19 vaccination programs are a new example of the great value of this public health strategy. However, adverse reactions, especially severe reactions such as anaphylaxis, prevent these programs from progressing properly, thus limiting vaccination uptake in the population.

Recent findings: The frequency of reactions and types of vaccine components, with special attention to COVID-19 vaccines studies, provides information on the magnitude and causes of adverse events. The understanding of mechanisms involved has made it possible to adequately guide diagnosis, especially to COVID-19 vaccine components, such as polyethylene glycol, trometamol, and polysorbate-80.

Summary: This review focuses on adverse reactions to vaccines, with emphasis on allergic reactions. A diagnostic pathway is suggested that, on the one hand, enables to take the necessary precautions in persons with a history of allergy to vaccine components or allergic reactions to vaccines and, on the other, supports administration of subsequent doses. The overall objective is to ensure that people with allergy can be vaccinated in the same way as the rest of the population, and that they are offered alternatives where necessary.

Purpose of the review: Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, several skin conditions have emerged due to the preventive measures adopted by both health care workers and the general population against SARS-CoV-2. Above all, wearing of personal protective equipment, frequent hand-washing and disinfecting of surfaces have resulted in an increased risk of irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. The aim of this review is to investigate contact dermatitis associated with COVID-19 pandemic period.

Recent findings: There is a real evidence of the rising prevalence of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most commonly recorded symptoms are dryness, itch and redness of the skin. Nasal bridge, cheeks, forehead and hands represent the mainly affected skin sites.

Summary: Contact dermatitis lesions may appear as a result of various recommendations to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Procedures to alleviate pressure and friction, gentle skin care and adequate moisturizing, have been identified as important preventive strategies for contact dermatitis related to personal protective equipment and personal hygiene measures.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to provide a better understanding of anaphylaxis pathophysiology and describe the underlying mechanisms, effector cells, and the potential biomarkers involved depending on the anaphylaxis endotypes.

Recent findings: New insight into the potential relevance of pathways others than IgE-dependent anaphylaxis has been unraveled, as well as other biomarkers than tryptase, such as the role of platelet activation factor, basogranulin, dipeptidyl peptidase I, CCL-2, and other cytokines.

Summary: Gaining knowledge of all the mediators and cellular activation/communication pathways involved in each endotype of anaphylaxis will allow the application of precision medicine in patients with anaphylactic reactions, providing insights to the most appropriate approach in each case and helping to stratify severity and risk prediction.

Purpose of review: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequent complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review presents the current literature regarding the management of post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction (PCOD).

Recent findings: A systematic review of the literature using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for the following keywords, "Covid-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "anosmia," "olfactory," "treatment," and "management" was performed. While most cases of post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction resolve spontaneously within 2 weeks of symptom onset, patients with symptoms that persist past 2 weeks require medical management. The intervention with the greatest degree of supporting evidence is olfactory training, wherein patients are repeatedly exposed to potent olfactory stimuli. To date, no large-scale randomized clinical trials exist that examine the efficacy of pharmacologic therapies for PCOD. Limited clinical trials and prospective controlled trials suggest intranasal corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids may alleviate symptoms.

Summary: Olfactory training should be initiated as soon as possible for patients with PCOD. Patients may benefit from a limited intranasal or oral corticosteroid course. Further research on effective pharmacologic therapies for PCOD is required to manage the growing number of patients with this condition.

Purpose of review: The comprehensive management of asthma has historically relied on in-person visits to obtain a detailed history, thorough physical exam, and diagnostic and monitoring tools such as pulmonary function testing. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges to adequately utilizing these strategies. Despite these limitations, telemedicine has provided an important means to deliver asthma care. In this review, we discuss how these challenges have created paradigm shifts in not only the clinical aspects of asthma management, but also in patient attitudes and physician-patient relationships.

Recent findings: Different strategies have been suggested to address asthma during COVID-19. Telemedicine has taken on an important role during the pandemic. The emphasis on asthma questionnaire use, education regarding lapsed asthma control, and as-needed oral corticosteroid courses have proven to be important instruments in the remote management of asthma. Overall, asthma exacerbations have decreased during this time. This is thought to be due to a variety of factors such as decreased exposure to common triggers.

Summary: Although the COVID-19 pandemic significantly limited an allergist's ability to provide conventional comprehensive asthma management, we also found that patient outcomes have actually improved. In addition to the decreased exposure to asthma triggers, this may also be an effect of increased patient ownership of their asthma, and subsequent improved therapeutic alliance.