Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology最新文献

Regulatory B (Breg) cells are recognized as immunosuppressive cells. During the last few years, several subsets of Breg cells with different phenotypes and suppressive mechanisms have been described in the literature. We review the role of Breg cells in allergy based on an extensive literature search in PubMed. We describe the types and mechanisms of action of B cells and their role in the pathogenesis of several allergic diseases (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, contact hypersensitivity, and anaphylaxis).

Background: Several studies have shown sex differences in the prevalence of asthma and an association with age. The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate the development of asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and allergic symptoms in adolescence and adulthood. We also aimed to determine whether sex modifies the association between baseline risk factors and incidence of asthma in early adulthood.

Methods: In the Screening Project Asthma in Schools (SPAIS) study, adolescents aged 12-15 years completed a standardized respiratory questionnaire (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and underwent measurements of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and lung function (FEV1) at baseline. Two follow-up assessments with similar questionnaires were performed after 4 and 16 years, with a total of 491 participants in all 3 examinations.

Results: The prevalence of asthma and wheeze were unchanged after 4 years but had increased after 16 years. However, the increase was significant only for females. The prevalence of rhinitis and allergy symptoms increased steadily, albeit with no differences between the sexes. The sex interaction analysis showed that higher FeNO (P=.01) and a family history of asthma (P=.02) increased the risk of incident asthma for males but not for females.

Conclusions: An increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms was seen primarily between late adolescence and young adulthood; the difference was significant for females but not for males. Allergic risk factors in early adolescence for incident asthma in early adulthood were confirmed in males but not in females. Awareness of these sex differences in the development of symptoms and of the associated risk factors is important in clinical practice.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the use of systemic corticosteroids (SCs) in patients with bronchial asthma using big data analysis.

Methods: We performed an observational, retrospective, noninterventional study based on secondary data captured from free text in the electronic health records. This study was performed based on data from the regional health service of Castille-La Mancha (SESCAM), Spain. We performed the analysis using big data and artificial intelligence via Savana® Manager version 3.0.

Results: During the study period, 103 667 patients were diagnosed with and treated for asthma at different care levels. The search was restricted to patients aged 10 to 90 years (mean age, 43.5 [95%CI, 43.4-43.7] years). Of these, 59.8% were women. SCs were taken for treatment of asthma by 58 745 patients at some point during the study period. These patients were older, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, depression, and hiatus hernia. SCs are used frequently in the general population with asthma (31.4% in 2015 and 39.6% in 2019). SCs were prescribed mainly in primary care (59%), allergy (13%), and pulmonology (20%). The frequency of prescription of SCs had a direct impact on the main associated adverse effects.

Conclusion: In clinical practice, SCs are frequently prescribed to patients with asthma, especially in primary care. Use of SCs is associated with a greater number of adverse events. It is necessary to implement measures to reduce prescription of SCs to patients with asthma, especially in primary care.

Background and objective: Allergy to mollusks has been the focus of fewer studies than allergy to crustaceans. Furthermore, allergy to mollusks is less well characterized. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of mollusk-allergic patients, to identify the responsible allergens, and to assess cross-reactivity.

Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter study including 45 patients with mollusk allergy, which was diagnosed based on a suggestive clinical history and a positive skin test result with the agent involved. Fractions were identified using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The proteins responsible were subsequently identified using mass spectrometry. ELISA inhibition studies were performed with mollusks, dust mites, and crustaceans.

Results: We found that 25 patients (55%) were allergic to cephalopods, 14 (31%) to bivalves, and 11 (24%) to gastropods. Limpet was the third most frequent cause of allergy (15% of cases). In 31 patients (69%), the manifestation was systemic; 10 (22%) exhibited oral allergy syndrome, and 7 (15%) experienced contact urticaria. Most major allergens were found between 27 kDa and 47 kDa. ELISA inhibition assays revealed a high degree of inhibition of cephalopods and bivalves from all the groups of mollusks, mites, and crustaceans. Mass spectrometry identified tropomyosin, actin, and myosin as the major allergens.

Conclusions: Cephalopods, especially squid, are the mollusks that most frequently trigger allergic symptoms. The very frequent occurrence of allergy to limpets is striking, given their low consumption in our area. It is worth highlighting the heterogeneity observed, exemplified by the gastropods. Tropomyosin appears to be responsible for the high cross-reactivity found between mollusks, mites, and crustaceans. Three new mollusk allergens were also identified, namely, actin, enolase, and a putative C1q domain-containing protein.