Allergy & Rhinology最新文献

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can be extremely debilitating to the patient and challenging for the treating clinician. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom (UK) recommendation of omalizumab for patients who fail to respond to high-dose anti-histamines has improved treatment options and quality of life. However, there is still lack of clear guidelines for treatment of patients resistant to standard and anti-IgE therapies.

Methods: We discuss the therapeutic strategies employed among nine extremely resistant CSU cases and the heterogeneity between guidelines from different societies.

Results: Patients with anti-histamine-resistant urticaria either remained on omalizumab or started on immunosuppressive drugs (dapsone or ciclosporin) when they stopped responding to omalizumab. We used clinical assessment, skin biopsies (when available) and previous published reports to consider dapsone (for predominantly neutrophilic infiltration), or ciclosporin at doses between 2 and 4 mg/kg/day. One patient with ciclosporin-resistant urticaria responded to mycophenolate mofetil. Two patients remain on long-term omalizumab due to its relative safety and efficacy including 1 patient with underlying antibody deficiency where omalizumab was preferred over risks of using immunosuppressive medications.

Conclusions: These case studies bring to light the real-world difficulties in managing patients with resistant CSU and the need for generating the evidence base on alternative therapeutic options such as synergistic use of biologics and immunosuppressive drugs.

Objectives: To assess the frequency of loss of smell and taste in children during Covid-19 infection and their prevalence along with other symptoms, as well as the recovery of chemosensory function once healed.

Methods: To evaluate symptoms during infection, we adapted the Scandinavian adaptation of the Multi-Clinic Smell and Taste Questionnaire and the modified Monel-Jefferson questionnaire. For smell analysis we used Odor Identification (OI) and two variants of the Odor Discrimination (OD) test, and we compared the results with those of a control group.

Results: We enrolled nine patients in our experimental group and nine in our control group. Fever was the most frequent symptom (55% of cases), followed by anosmia and ageusia (44% of cases), muscle pain and asthenia (22% of cases) and diarrhea, abdominal pain, cough, and headache (11% of cases). In 11% of cases, olfactory symptoms were the only manifestation of the disease. There was no statistically significant difference in OI test and OD tests between the two groups (Children healed from Covid-19 and Control Group).

Conclusion: Loss of smell and taste are the second most common symptoms of pediatric Covid-19, and they should always be tested because they can be the only manifestations of infection. Olfactory function in Covid-19 children decreases with increasing age and improves with the passage of time after illness.

Background: Choanal Atresia is an obliteration by an atretic plate of the posterior choanae due to a failure of the bucconasal membrane to rupture. The insertion of stents post choanal atresia repair is familiar. Still, there are limited studies in the literature that specify the time to remove it, the best materials, and the effectiveness of each kind.

Objective: Our study aims to compare different types of choanal atresia stents and flaps and the outcome of different kinds of stents and flaps that use post-operatively. Also, to assess the risk of restenosis post-operatively with varying types of Stent and flaps.

Methods: A systematic review via databases for different types of stents and flaps used in choanal atresia, including 31 studies with precise technique, variety of stents, restenosis rates, and risk factors (unilaterality, the component of the atretic plate). And about 10 different approaches to flaps reconstruction were mentioned.

Results: According to the data, we observed a successful rate of choanal atresia repair by using the ordinary ETT post-operatively ranged from 28 to 94.2%, which could be explained due to many factors. Post-operative Instructions on care and suctioning provided a good impact. Other types of stents found in case series like steroid eluting stents, Nelaton catheters, Silastic stents, or modified ETT have a promising future during 26 to 39 weeks follow-up. Still, they need further studies with randomization and more data. Flaps with different approaches and techniques showed promising results and fewer complication rates with or without stents, also now have been used in practice providing suitable alternatives for stents.

Conclusion: The original types of choanal atresia stents were shown to have a wide variety of results, while innovative materials of stents showed promising results, however, in relatively small case studies. Flaps were now used in practice giving other choices for stents with fewer complications, better healing, and new choana formation.

Background: Novel messenger RNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have been vital in resolving the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Detection of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) confirms immunogenicity with high sensitivity and specificity. Few recent studies with primary and secondary immunodeficient cohorts present adequate or reduced antibody response. We describe the first reported successful response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody post-vaccination in magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1) gene deficiency, more commonly recognized as x-linked immunodeficiency with magnesium defect, Epstein-Barr Virus infection, and neoplasia (XMEN).

Case presentation: We present a 30-year-old male with selective anti-polysaccharide antibody deficiency, peripheral blood CD5  +  /CD19  +  B-cell predominance (97%), MAGT1 mutation, and reduced CD16  +  CD56  +  natural killer- and/or CD8  +  T-cell receptor, Group 2, Member D expression. His initial immunological evaluation revealed all seronegative post-vaccination antibody titers but clinically adequate response to protein antigens tetanus and diphtheria anti-toxoids.COVID-19 vaccination and associated serology antibody testing was recommended at this office visit. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG antibodies before and after the first BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as nucleocapsid antibody, were negative. S protein total antibody was reactive after the second dose.

Discussion: Robust immunological sequelae post-COVID-19 vaccination in the general population are well-documented in the recent literature. Few studies have evaluated COVID-19 vaccination antibody response in immunodeficient patients. The majority positive anti-S antibody detection in most primary immunodeficient (PID) patients among the few studies in the literature, such as the present case, support the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in immunodeficient patients, although larger scale studies are needed.

Conclusion: We demonstrate successful vaccination in the PID MAGT1 deficiency in this first reported case of reactive anti-S antibody post-COVID-19 vaccination.

Objective: To assess olfactory outcomes as measured by an olfactory-specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire in patients undergoing EESBS for sellar lesions.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center.

Participants: In total, 36 patients undergoing EESBS for lesions limited to the sella were evaluated.

Main outcome measures: The following were performed before and three months after surgery: 22-Item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22), University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), and the Assessment of Self-reported Olfactory Functioning (ASOF), which has three domains: subjective olfactory capability scale (SOC), smell-related problems (SRP), and olfactory-related quality of life (ORQ).

Results: Median age at surgery was 52.5 years, with a median tumor size of 1.8 cm (range: 0.2 to 3.9 cm). Pre- and postoperative median scores were 35 [34, 36.2] and 34.5 [32, 36] for UPSIT, 21 [7.5, 33.5] and 21.5 [6.8, 35.7] for SNOT-22, 10 [9, 10] and 9 [8, 10] for ASOF-SOC, 5 [4.8, 5] and 4.5 [4, 5] for ASOF-SRP, and 5 [5, 5] and 5 [4.5, 5] for ASOF-ORQ. There was no significant change in the two of the three domains of the ASOF. Correlation between ASOF and UPSIT scores were weak. Older age and larger tumor size were associated with worsened olfaction after surgery.

Conclusions: Patients did not experience significant changes in olfactory-specific QOL three months after EESBS, as measured by two domains of the ASOF. The ASOF may serve as a useful adjunctive tool for assessing olfaction after surgery. The lack of correlation between UPSIT and ASOF suggests the need for more research in subjective olfactory-related quality of life after surgery.

Introduction: Different subtypes of vaccines have been developed to help protect populations from COVID-19. Currently, three vaccines have been authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration for emergency use to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. With COVID-19 vaccination rates increasing, it is important to know whether immunodeficient patients have the capacity to mount an immune response with the available vaccines.

Case report: A 78-year-old female with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and anti-IgA antibodies who is naïve to IVIgG treatment responded positively to a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Successful seroconversion was proved by having positive COVID-19 spike protein IgG antibodies weeks after the vaccination. Her recent IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were all significantly reduced. Previously, she had no response to the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine, but did maintain titers afterTdap vaccination.

Discussion: Immunodeficient patients are a susceptible population during a pandemic. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research on the infectivity, vaccination, and outcome of these patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our patient with CVID was able to respond to protein/toxoid vaccines, but did not respond to polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. After inoculation with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine she was able to create COVID-19 spike protein IgG antibodies.

Conclusion: We present a case of successful vaccination to COVID-19 by an mRNA vaccine in an IVIgG naïve CVID patient.

Background: Qualitative olfactory disorders in the form of parosmia and phantosmia are very subjective and cannot be measured at present. They pose an unpleasant experience for patients and a therapeutic challenge for clinicians.

Objective: This study aimed to characterise the specific experiences of patients affected by the qualitative symptoms of parosmia and phantosmia including both triggers for symptoms and self-help measures they have tried.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was developed with the input of patient experts within the charity Fifth Sense. The survey was then open online for 3 months to charity members complaining of qualitative symptoms. The survey captured the frequency and impact of symptoms and self-management undertaken. Reflective feedback was also captured from a patient workshop.

Results: There were 100 participants; 61% female, age range 13-88. Common self-reported aetiology included sinonasal disease (17%), idiopathic (33%) and post-viral olfactory loss (26%) and post-traumatic olfactory loss (23%). Parosmia was reported as a daily symptom in 67% compared to 31% for phantosmia; 36% complained of suffering with both symptoms. Only 4% of respondents reported having received any successful treatment for their qualitative symptoms and 58% reported having received no treatment whatsoever. Olfactory training was the most common self-management method reported.

Conclusion: This study illustrates that qualitative disturbances remain problematic for those who experience them due to the duration of symptoms, the relative lack of experience or knowledge amongst medical professionals and the lack of therapeutic options. In future, consideration needs to be given to adaptation and coping strategies to help patients deal with these symptoms.

We report the case of a 67-year-old female with hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis who had 5 unprovoked episodes of anaphylaxis in an 18-month period of time. We review idiopathic anaphylaxis, including its definition, diagnostic work-up, and differential diagnosis.