Efficacy of Omalizumab in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Its Association with Serum IgE Levels and Eosinophil Count.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria can be treated with several drugs such as antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, cyclosporine, doxepin, hydroxychloroquine, colchicine, and corticosteroids. However, treatment-resistant urticaria significantly reduces quality of life. In recent years, omalizumab has been considered to be an effective treatment option in treatment-resistant cases. We aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of omalizumab in urticaria and its possible association with serum IgE levels, total eosinophil counts, and basophil percentages. Medical records of 11 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with omalizumab were reviewed retrospectively. Treatment response, urticaria activity score, serum basophil percentages, eosinophil, and IgE levels evaluated before and at the end of the therapy. Ten patients healed completely with omalizumab. One patient did not respond to therapy. No correlation was observed between serum IgE levels and treatment outcome. However, serum eosinophil levels decreased and basophil percentages increased with omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment choice in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. We suggest that omalizumab may have an effect in the treatment of urticaria through eosinophils.

Multiorgan involvement of Behçet's disease in a young woman.

Behçet's disease is a rare disorder of unknown etiology that is classified as a systemic vasculitis. The prevalence of the disease is high in countries in the Far East, Mediterranean Basin, and East Asia. Thus, it is also known as the Silk Road Disease. Behçet's disease is characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, genital sores, and ocular lesions. However, it can present with severe clinical manifestations as a result of cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract involvement. The disease causes serious complications, morbidity, and mortality, especially in male patients with early age onset. Here we present a rare case of Behçet's disease exhibiting multiple organ involvement in a 26-year-old Caucasian female.