Polymorphisms in Human IL4, IL10, and TNF Genes Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of genetics in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is unclear, with different candidates involved, such as HLA genes, genes related to leukotriene synthesis, and cytokine genes. This study aimed to determine possible associations between 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes. METHODS: We included 195 patients (85 with NERD and 110 with respiratory disease who tolerate NSAIDs) and 156 controls (non-atopic individuals without a history of asthma, nasal polyposis (NP), or NSAID hypersensitivity). Genotyping was performed by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). Amplicons were analyzed by horizontal gel electrophoresis in 2% agarose. RESULTS: Significant differences in allele and genotype frequency distributions were found in TNF (rs1800629), IL4 (rs2243248 and rs2243250), and IL10 (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872) genes in patients with NSAID hypersensitivity. In all cases, the minor allele and the heterozygous genotype were more prevalent in NERD. An association of TNF rs1800629 SNP with respiratory disease in NSAID-tolerant patients was also found. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospectively recorded, we found strong associations of NERD with polymorphisms in IL4, IL10, and TNF genes, suggesting that these genes could be involved in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying NERD.

Immunological aspects of nonimmediate reactions to beta-lactam antibiotics.

beta-lactam antibiotics are the agents most frequently implied in immune drug adverse reactions. These can be classified as immediate or nonimmediate according to the time interval between the last drug administration and their onset. Mechanisms of immediate IgE-mediated reactions are widely studied and are therefore better understood. Nonimmediate reactions include a broad number of clinical entities like mild maculopapular exanthemas, the most common, and other less frequent but more severe reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute exanthematic pustulosis or cytopenias. These nonimmediate reactions are mainly mediated by T cells but the precise underlying mechanisms are not well elucidated. This fact complicates the allergological evaluation of patients with this type of reaction and available tests have demonstrated poor sensitivity and specificity.

Allergy Diagnosis in Children and Adults: Performance of a New Point-of-Care Device, ImmunoCAP Rapid.

BACKGROUND: : Allergy is a serious problem affecting approximately 1 of 4 individuals. The symptoms with and without allergy etiology are often difficult to distinguish from each other without using an IgE antibody test. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of a new point-of-care (POC) test for IgE antibodies to relevant allergens in Europe. METHODS: : IgE antibodies from children and adults with allergies recruited from allergy clinics in Sweden and Spain were analyzed for 10 allergens, suitable for the age groups, using the new POC test and ImmunoCAP laboratory test. The IgE antibody level best discriminating between positive and negative results (the cutoff point) for the different allergens of the POC test and the efficacy of the POC and the ImmunoCAP laboratory tests for diagnosing allergy compared with that of clinical diagnosis were investigated. RESULTS: : The estimated cutoffs for the different allergens in the POC test ranged from 0.70 to 2.56 kUA/L. Taking into account all positive allergen results in a given patient, the POC test could identify 95% of the patients with allergies. Seventy-eight percent of the allergen-specific physicians' diagnoses were identified and 97% of the negative ones. Most allergens exhibited good performance, identifying about 80% of clinically relevant cases. However, dog, mugwort, and wall pellitory would benefit from improvement. CONCLUSIONS: : The POC test will be a valuable adjunct in the identification or exclusion of patients with allergies and their most likely offending allergens, both in specialist and general care settings.