The incidence of upper respiratory infections in children is related to the concentration of vanadium in indoor dust aggregates.

Prokopciuk N, Taminskiene V, Vaideliene L et al.  Front Public Health. 2024 Mar 21;12:1339755. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1339755.

Abstract:

Background: It has been reported that the disease-initiated and disease-mediated effects of aerosol pollutants can be related to concentration, site of deposition, duration of exposure, as well as the specific chemical composition of pollutants.

Objectives: To investigate the microelemental composition of dust aggregates in primary schools of Vilnius and determine trace elements related to acute upper respiratory infections among 6-to 11-year-old children.

Methods: Microelemental analysis of aerosol pollution was performed using dust samples collected in the classrooms of 11 primary schools in Vilnius from 2016 to 2020. Sites included areas of its natural accumulation behind the radiator heaters and from the surface of high cupboards. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, W, Sb, Sn, Zr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, V, and As) in dust samples were analyzed using a SPECTRO XEPOS spectrometer. The annual incidence rates of respiratory diseases in children of each school were calculated based on data from medical records.

A rare condition: montelukast allergy

Dindar Çelik F, Çelik Tuğlu H, Yağdıran M, Akkale Ö, Telli O, Aksu K. Eurasian J Pulmonol 2024;26:70-2.

Abstract

Montelukast, selective leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist specific for cysteinyl LT type 1 receptors, serves as an alternative treatment option for asthma and different allergic clinical conditions. However montelukast, itself, may rarely induce hypersensitivity reactions. Although rare, clinicians, especially those working in pulmonology and allergy clinics, should be aware of the potential for montelukast to cause hypersensitivity reactions. 

Herein, we present a 61-year-old female patient who was followed up with Samter’s syndrome and developed urticarial rashes after montelukast treatment, and montelukast allergy was confirmed by oral drug provocation test.

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Allergen Component Testing: Key in Diagnosing Atypical Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome

Lee Qiyu M, Dawson T, Moulsdale P.  Cureus 16(4): e58722. doi:10.7759/cureus.58722

Abstract

This case report details the complex presentation, diagnosis, and management of a teenager with pollen-food allergen syndrome (PFAS), formerly known as oral allergy syndrome. PFAS, mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, stems from the cross-reactivity between pollens and uncooked plant-based foods, leading to a spectrum of symptoms, such as itching or tingling of the oral cavity. A UK survey indicated an average PFAS prevalence of 2%, with apples, hazelnuts, and kiwifruit commonly implicated. The presented case involved a 15-year-old girl referred from the respiratory clinic to the allergy clinic due to episodes of sore throat and urticaria rash following Nutella (chocolate paste containing hazelnut) and peanut consumption. 

Summary of the allergen component testing results.

Extensive diagnostic measures, including specific IgE testing, skin prick tests, and allergen component testing, revealed cross-reactivity between Bet v 1 and hazelnut allergens.

Patients' values and preferences for health states in allergic rhinitis-An artificial intelligence supported systematic review

Brozek J, Borowiack E, Sadowska E et al. Allergy. 2024 Mar 29. doi: 10.1111/all.16100.

Abstract

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) impacts patients' physical and emotional well-being. Assessing patients' values and preferences (V&P) related to AR is an essential part of patient-centered care and of the guideline development process. We aimed to systematically summarize the information about patients' V&P on AR and its symptoms and impact on daily life.

Methods

We conducted systematic review in a MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases. We included studies which quantitatively assessed patients' V&P for specific outcomes in AR by assessing utilities, applying discrete choice approaches, or rating and ranking outcomes. We grouped outcomes as AR symptoms, functional status, and care-related patient experience. Study selection and data extraction were supported by the Laser AI tool. We rated the certainty of evidence (CoE) using the GRADE approach.

Global assessment of the knowledge and confidence in managing allergic disorders among primary care pediatricians across Europe: An EAACI task force report

 Cabrera M, Ryan D, Erlewyn-Lajeunesse M et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2024 Apr;35(4):e14116. doi: 10.1111/pai.14116. 

Abstract

Background: Pediatricians are often the first point of contact for children in Primary Care (PC), but still perceive gaps in their allergy knowledge. We investigated self-perceived knowledge gaps and educational needs in pediatricians across healthcare systems in Europe so that future educational initiatives may better support the delivery of allergy services in PC.

Method: A multinational survey was circulated to pediatricians who care for children and adolescents with allergy problems in PC by the EAACI Allergy Educational Needs in Primary Care Pediatricians Task Force from February to March 2023. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the level of agreement with questionnaire statements. Thirty surveys per country were the cut-off for inclusion and statistical analysis.

Proportion of responders and reasons for referral to an allergist.

Results: In this study, 1991 respondents were obtained from 56 countries across Europe and 210 responses were from countries with a cut-off below 30 participants per country. Primary care pediatricians (PCPs) comprised 74.4% of the respondents. The majority (65.3%) were contracted to state or district health services. 61.7% had awareness of guidelines for onward allergy referral in their countries but only 22.3% were aware of the EAACI competencies document for allied health professionals for allergy.

Increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease after COVID-19: A single-center, prospective study

Rossini A, Cassibba S, Perticone F et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 8;14:1126683. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1126683. 

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunctions associated with SARS-CoV-2 acute infection have been extensively described since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemics. Conversely, few data are available on the occurrence of thyroid autoimmunity after COVID-19 resolution. We assessed the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and thyroid dysfunctions in COVID-19 survivors three months after hospital admission.

Design and methods: Single-center, prospective, observational, cohort study performed at ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. 599 COVID-19 survivors were prospectively evaluated for thyroid function and autoimmunity thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). When a positive antibody concentration was detected, thyroid ultrasound was performed. Multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between autoimmunity and demographic characteristics, respiratory support, and comorbidities. Autoimmunity results were compared to a cohort of 498 controls referred to our Institution for non-thyroid diseases before the pandemic onset.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Urticaria are Underused in Clinical Practice

Cherrez-Ojeda I, Bousquet J, Giménez-Arnau A et al.  J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024 Apr 9:S2213-2198(24)00349-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.03.050. 

Abstract

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are validated and standardized tools that complement physician evaluations and guide treatment decisions. PROMs are crucial for monitoring atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic urticaria (CU) in clinical practice, but there are unmet needs and knowledge gaps regarding their use in clinical practice.

Objective: We investigated the global real-world use of AD and CU PROMs in allergology and dermatology clinics as well as their associated local and regional networks.

Methods: Across 72 specialized allergy and dermatology centers and their local and regional networks, 2,534 physicians in 73 countries completed a 53-item questionnaire on the use of PROMs for AD and CU.

Results: Of 2,534 physicians, 1,308 were aware of PROMs. Of these, 14% and 15% used PROMs for AD and CU, respectively. Half of physicians who use PROMs do so only "rarely" or "sometimes". AD and CU PROM usage is associated with being female, younger, and a dermatologist. POSCORAD and UAS were the most utilized PROMs for AD and CU, respectively.

An integrated molecular risk score early in life for subsequent childhood asthma risk

Böck A, Urner K, Eckert JK et al.  Clin Exp Allergy. 2024 Mar 31. doi: 10.1111/cea.14475. 

Abstract

Background

Numerous children present with early wheeze symptoms, yet solely a subgroup develops childhood asthma. Early identification of children at risk is key for clinical monitoring, timely patient-tailored treatment, and preventing chronic, severe sequelae. For early prediction of childhood asthma, we aimed to define an integrated risk score combining established risk factors with genome-wide molecular markers at birth, complemented by subsequent clinical symptoms/diagnoses (wheezing, atopic dermatitis, food allergy).

Methods

Three longitudinal birth cohorts (PAULINA/PAULCHEN, n = 190 + 93 = 283, PASTURE, n = 1133) were used to predict childhood asthma (age 5–11) including epidemiological characteristics and molecular markers: genotype, DNA methylation and mRNA expression (RNASeq/NanoString). Apparent (ap) and optimism-corrected (oc) performance (AUC/R2) was assessed leveraging evidence from independent studies (Naïve-Bayes approach) combined with high-dimensional logistic regression models (LASSO).

Results

Asthma prediction with epidemiological characteristics at birth (maternal asthma, sex, farm environment) yielded an ocAUC = 0.65. Inclusion of molecular markers as predictors resulted in an improvement in apparent prediction performance, however, for optimism-corrected performance only a moderate increase was observed (upto ocAUC = 0.68).