The role of CD14 gene promoter polymorphism in tuberculosis susceptibility

BackgroundCD14 is expressed principally by cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage and plays a pivotal role in the innate immunity to intracellular infections. Recent research findings have revealed an association between the CD14 gene promoter polymorphism and several major infectious diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the CD14-159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis in a Turkish population.MethodsFor this purpose, 88 consecutive patients with tuberculosis (63 pulmonary, 25 extrapulmonary) and 116 control subjects were enrolled into a prospective study. We determined CD14-159 genotypes by polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and also measured serum concentrations of soluble CD14 (sCD14) by using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.ResultsThere was no significant difference in terms of genotype distribution between patients with tuberculosis (CC 18.2%, CT 48.9%, TT 33.0%) and controls (CC 12.9%, CT 50.9%, TT 36.2%) or between patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Serum levels of sCD14 were significantly increased in patients with active tuberculosis compared to those with inactive tuberculosis and healthy controls (p<0.001). However, levels of sCD14 were not associated with any genotypes of CD14-159.ConclusionThe genotyping findings of the present study do not support a role for the CD14-159C/T polymorphism in the development of tuberculosis, at least in the geographical region of central Anatolia. Significantly elevated serum sCD14 levels in patients with active disease reflect the importance of the mononuclear phagocytic system activation in tuberculosis

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

Background Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. Objectives To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. Methods As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. Results Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). Conclusions PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics

“Whole” vs. “fragmented” approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities

Background: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. Objective: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa. Methods: As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. Results: The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). Conclusion: The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area

Does Serum Leptin Differ Between Patients With Rhinitis Of Allergic Vs Nonallergic Aetiology?

Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI) -- FEB 28-MAR 04, 2014 -- San Diego, CAWOS: 000330241300266…Amer Acad Allergy Asthma & Immuno

Comparison of azelastine versus triamcinolone nasal spray in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis

65th Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology -- MAR 13-17, 2009 -- Washington, DCWOS: 000274570000007PubMed: 20109317Background: Intranasal antihistamine has not been thoroughly studied in the treatment of rhinitis of different etiologies. This study was designed to show the comparative efficacy of nasal antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). Methods: A comparison of the efficacy of azelastine nasal spray (AZENS) versus triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray (TANS) on total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), nasal peak inspiratory flow rate (nPIFR), and nasal cytology was studied in a 2-week randomized parallel-group trial. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were also analyzed. Results: The study group consisted of 132 patients (100 women and 32 men) with a mean age of 33.14 +/- 12.52 years, Sixty-nine patients had AR and 63 had NAR. Although TNSS including sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, congestion-but not anosmia-significantly improved in both groups, intranasal azelastine reduced ocular symptoms greatly compared with intranasal triamcinolone (p = 0.05). Patients with NAR seemed to respond more to TANS, whereas AZENS was more useful in AR. The nPIFR improved in AR and NAR, with no significant difference between the treatment groups. Neither intranasal azelastine nor intranasal triamcinolone changed cytology in nasal lavage. Both medications were well tolerated, but AZENS led to more adverse events than TANS (56.9 and 19%, respectively; p = 0.001), mainly because of bitter taste. Scores on each domain of generic HRQoL (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) and mini-rhinitis QoL questionnaires, as well as ESS score, significantly improved in both groups, irrespective of rhinitis etiology. Conclusion: In this first comparative demonstration, AZENS appears to be as effective as triamcinolone in symptom scores, nPIFR, ESS, and HRQoL, equally in AR and NAR. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 24, 29-33, 2010; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2010.24.3423)Amer Acad Allergy Asthma & Immunol (AAAAI

Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis: Can We Find the Differences/Similarities between the Two Pictures?

WOS: 000267195300010PubMed: 19544169The diagnostic challenge of rhinitis is to determine the etiology, specifically whether it is allergic or nonallergic. We therefore evaluated the general features of patients with allergic (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study group consisted of 323 patients (201 F/122 M) with a mean age of 31.79 +/- 12.64 years. Almost two thirds of the population had AR (63.5%). Neither the demographic characteristics nor the duration of rhinitis was different between the two groups. Total immunoglobulin E was significantly higher in AR. Although both groups displayed a mild-intermittent rhinitis profile, patients with AR had more seasonal and NAR had more perennial symptoms (p = 0.01). Frequency of nasal obstruction was comparable in both groups, whereas patients with AR significantly complained of rhinorrhea (86.8%), followed by nasal obstruction, sneezing, and nasal itching compared with the NAR group. Conjunctivitis and sinusitis were more prominent in the AR than NAR group (p = 0.01). However, the prevalences of asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity were not different, as well as the other allergic or systemic comorbidities. Furthermore, the impairment in HRQoL was similar in both groups, using a generic questionnaire- Short form-36 (SF-36). In conclusion, although the allergy test results still remain the only relevant difference, the diagnosis of NAR is important as it has many differences/similarities with AR and is seen almost half as often as AR in patients with chronic rhinitis

Desensitization in Interferon-beta 1a Allergy: A Case Report

WOS: 000263355000014PubMed: 19127077We report a 41-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who was successfully desensitized after she developed non-injection-site urticaria and angioedema due to interferon (IFN)-beta 1a. Although a few cases of urticaria and anaphylaxis have been reported in the literature, to our knowledge this is the first report of a successful desensitization with IFN-beta 1a. Desensitization with IFN-beta 1a allowed us to continue with the administration of interferon-beta, which is a mainstay in treatment for MS. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Contribution of Neurogenic and Allergic Ways to the Pathophysiology of Nonallergic Rhinitis

WOS: 000311488700010PubMed: 23018649Background: A neuroallergic interaction was reported in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR), but the pathophysiology of nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is poorly understood. We aimed to explore the contribution of neuroallergic mechanisms to the pathogenesis of NAR. Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups - NAR patients (n = 25), AR patients (n = 16) and the control group (n = 10) - and were assessed using the nasal provocation test (NPT) with house dust mite. Total symptom scores, nasal inspiratory peak flow and nasal lavage were performed before and after NPT. Nasal brushing and scraping was done after NPT. Results: NPT was positive in NAR (52%) and AR (100%) patients and negative in all controls. After NPT, total symptom scores increased in both rhinitis groups. Post-NPT values of nasal inspiratory peak flow decreased only in AR patients. NAR patients showed a similar inflammatory cell profile in the nasal smears to AR patients which was different in controls. There were more tryptase- and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-positive cells in the nasal mucosa of AR patients, and more substance-p-positive cells were observed in NAR patients compared with controls. However, IgE- and tryptase-positive cells in NAR patients and substance-p-positive cells in AR patients were detectable in nasal mucosa, but rarely in the controls. Comparing the values before and after NPT, tryptase significantly increased in the nasal lavages of AR and NAR patients, while house dust mite-specific IgE did not change. Conclusions: We showed the existence of a common pathophysiological mechanism with different contributions in AR and NAR. We conclude that the difference in dominance of neuroallergic ways may determine the major phenotype of rhinitis. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, BaselKirikkale University Projects of Scientific ResearchesKirikkale University [2007/4]This work was supported by a grant from Kirikkale University Projects of Scientific Researches (grant No. 2007/4) which was received by Baccioglu Kavut and Fusun Kalpaklioglu

False-positive PET-CT scan secondary to interstitial pneumonitis mimicking malignancy in fire eater's lung

28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) -- SEP 15-19, 2018 -- Paris, FRANCEWOS: 000455567104068…European Respiratory So

Orlistat and obesity: be aware of lichenoid drug eruption

WOS: 000293836300056PubMed: 21680292