Frequency of ragweed sensitization and allergy among patients with respiratory allergy.

Pollen is well known to cause seasonal allergy. Ragweed sensitization and allergy represent a worldwide challenge for allergists. Ambrosia is one of the major genera in the Asteraceae family which includes at least 51 species known as "ragweed". The current study aimed at determining frequency of ragweed sensitization and allergy among patients with respiratory allergy. The study included 220 subjects selected from patients attended the Allergy Clinic, Ain Shams University. All patients were subjected to detailed medical history, clinical examination, asthma severity grading according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, allergic rhinitis severity grading according to the allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) guidelines, pulmonary function tests for asthmatic patients, complete blood count with differential for detection of eosinophilia, serum total IgE and skin prick testing (SPT) to ragweed pollen together with common inhalants and common food allergens. Specific IgE for Ambrosia artemisiifolia was done for patients who showed positive SPT to ragweed pollen. About 34% of patients had positive SPT to ragweed, 30.5% were sensitized to ragweed and 3.2% allergic. Specific IgE for A. artemisiifolia was positive in 33.8%. There was a statistically significant association between ragweed sensitization and level of asthma control and disease duration. We concluded that ragweed sensitization is less common as the frequency of Ambrosia pollen sensitization was about one third of the studied allergic patients.

Dyslipidemia among allergic rhinitis patients: Frequency and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Although cumulative data strongly suggest an association between dyslipidemia and allergic disorders, especially asthma, evidence regarding allergic rhinitis (AR) is lacking. We aimed to assess frequency and associated risk factors of dyslipidemia among patients with AR. METHODS: The current study is a cross-sectional study that recruited 150 AR patients by systematic randomization. Blood samples for serum lipid profile, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and serum interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were withdrawn from all patients. RESULTS: Dyslipidemia was prevalent in 84 AR patients (56%). Higher levels of total IgE, IL17-A, and sensitization to hay dust and mixed mites significantly increased the risk of dyslipidemia among AR patients by 1.004, 1.062, 4.057 and 3.652 respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High serum total IgE level, high serum IL-17A level, and sensitization to hay dust and mixed mites are independent risk factors for dyslipidemia among AR patients.

Diamine oxidase enzyme: a novel biomarker in respiratory allergy.

BACKGROUND: Well-known allergy tests are used to evaluate and diagnose allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the role of serum level diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme as a diagnostic marker in respiratory allergy. METHODS: This case-control study included 40 patients with respiratory allergies (atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis) as well as 40 age- and sex-matched controls. A detailed past medical history of allergy was collected from each participant including family history of allergy. Physical examination, pulmonary function test (PFT) and measurement of serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and DAO were performed. Skin-prick test and specific IgE to common aeroallergens were also carried out. RESULTS: DAO levels were higher in patients than controls. There was a positive correlation between severity of disease and DAO. No significant association was found between DAO level and age, type of respiratory allergy, duration of disease, PFT, eosinophilia, and total IgE. DAO had a high negative predictive value (94.7%) and high sensitivity (97.5%). CONCLUSION: DAO may be helpful in the assessment of severity and in ruling out respiratory allergy.