Clinical Relevance of Lepidoglyphus destructor Sensitisation in Allergic Rhinitis: Nasal Provocation Test as in vivo Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Dust mites are the leading cause of respiratory allergic diseases worldwide. Allergy to storage mites (SMs) has mostly been related to occupational exposures. However, recent studies have shown that sensitisation to SM, such as Lepidoglyphus destructor (Lep d), is of considerable importance also in urban populations, with high prevalence in dust samples of domestic environments. Co-sensitisation between house dust mites (HDMs) and SM is now regarded as very frequent in some regions, and cross-reactivity between them seems to be narrow. Therefore, SM allergenic capacity is increasingly a subject of study. The nasal provocation test (NPT), as an in vivo technique, could be considered the gold standard for the clinical relevance assessment of an allergen, in polysensitised rhinitis patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical relevance of the SM Lep d, by assessing the relationship between in vivo sensitisation and expression of allergic respiratory disease in an urban setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, we enrolled a total of 32 allergic patients with rhinitis (with or without asthma) with proven sensitisation by skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) to HDMs and/or SM. Patients underwent NPT with Lep d using subjective (Lebel Symptom Score Scale) and objective measurements (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]) for assessment of nasal response. RESULTS: Most of the patients with positive SPT and sIgE to Lep d had a positive NPT (24/27; 89%). True Lep d allergy, assessed by a positive NPT, could be predicted by a SPT wheal size >9.7 mm and a sIgE >0.42 kUA/L, with 100%/95.7% sensitivity and 75.0%/83.3% specificity, respectively. Co-sensitisation between Lep d and Der p was high, 75.0%. Asthma was more frequent in the positive Lep d NPT group (54 vs. 12%, p < 0.05). Significantly more patients from this group reported physical exercise, nonspecific irritants, and respiratory infections as relevant triggers of respiratory symptoms (p < 0.01-p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that sensitisation to Lep d may have clinical relevance in a non-occupational setting. In this group, there seems to be a relationship between allergy to Lep d and severity of respiratory disease, with more bronchial inflammation, when comparing with mite-allergic patients sensitised only to HDM. Therefore, the authors consider that sensitisation to Lep d should be considered when assessing and treating allergic respiratory disease in urban environments.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome related with Comirnaty® coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare severe delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Even though not initially described as a side-effect of the Comirnaty® coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine, the worldwide public COVID-19 vaccination programs are uncovering this serious adverse event. We present the case of a 44-year-old woman, vaccinated with the 1st dose in July 2021, and the 2nd dose 4 weeks later. Five days after the 2nd dose, a 10 cm, circular, painful, violet/red lesion appeared on the injection site. From then on, multiple, generalized purpuric painful lesions appeared, associated with ulcers on the lips, oral cavity, nasal cavity, vulva, and vagina, oedema of the hands and feet, conjunctival erythema, blurred vision, and malaise. The patient was being treated with lamotrigine and sodium valproate (for 2 years, without interruptions or dose change) which were stopped, and the patient started treatment with systemic corticosteroids. Lymphocyte transformation test were performed and were positive for PEG2000 1 µg/mL (stimulation index [SI], 30.9), and the undiluted Comirnaty® vaccine (SI, 32.2). These tests were negative on several vaccinated controls. We can definitively show that sensitization to the vaccine and PEG2000 can occur. A more extensive evaluation and reporting is needed to know the true incidence of this life-threatening condition and possible risk factors; as not only further booster shots of this vaccine will be administered, but also new vaccines with the mRNA technology are likely to be more prevalent in the future.

Impact of Air Pollution on Daily Asthma Symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of air pollution on respiratory diseases, particularly in asthma, has been the subject of several studies. The impact of pollution on the daily symptoms of patients with asthma has been less studied. The aim of this study is to assess the association between the intensity of asthma symptoms and the variation of pollution levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were instructed to record the intensity of their respiratory symptoms daily, expressed on a scale from 0 to 5, in the months of March and April 2018. The website of the Portuguese Environment Agency was consulted in order to obtain the daily levels of pollutants measured by the two local monitoring stations during the same period of time. Data was analyzed using a temporal causal model to study the association between pollutant levels - particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide - and the intensity of respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: From the 135 schedules delivered, 35 were correctly filled out and returned. The patient median age was 47.0 years, 18 being females. The best statistical model obtained identified ozone as the most relevant 'Granger cause' of asthma symptoms. Particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen also appeared as lower impact factors. The quality of the model was expressed by an R2 of 0.92. The correlation between ozone values and asthma symptoms was more significant after five days. For the other identified factors there was a lag of four to five days. DISCUSSION: Our results support the existence of a daily variation of asthma symptoms that is associated with the pollution levels, even if these are within acceptable limits according to national and international standards. Regretfully, the small number of participants was a limitation in term of the conclusions that could be drawn and did not allow the analysis of clinical or other factors that are potentially involved. CONCLUSION: In the place and period studied the air pollutants behaved as factors of variation in the intensity of asthma symptoms. The ozone level was the best predictive factor of symptom variation. Levels of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen were identified as secondary markers. The time lag between the variables with the best correlation suggests there could be a delayed effect of pollutants on respiratory symptoms.

Introdução: O impacto da poluição atmosférica nas doenças respiratórias, nomeadamente na asma, tem sido objeto de numerosos estudos. A repercussão da poluição na sintomatologia diária dos doentes asmáticos tem sido menos estudada. Pretendemos estudar a relação entre a intensidade dos sintomas diários de asma e a variação dos níveis de poluição. Material e Métodos: Foram selecionados doentes com diagnóstico de asma, sendo instruídos para anotar diariamente a intensidade dos seus sintomas respiratórios, expressa numa escala de 0 a 5, nos meses de março e abril de 2018. O website da Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente foi consultado e registaram-se os níveis diários de poluentes medidos pelas duas estações locais de monitorização durante o mesmo período. Os dados foram analisados utilizando um modelo causal temporal com a finalidade de relacionar os níveis de poluentes ­ partículas inaláveis com diâmetro menor que 10 µm, ozono, dióxido de nitrogénio e monóxido de carbono - com a intensidade dos sintomas de asma dos doentes. Resultados: Dos 135 calendários entregues, 35 foram corretamente preenchidos e devolvidos. A mediana de idades dos doentes foi de 47,0 anos, sendo 18 do sexo feminino. O melhor modelo estatístico obtido identificou o ozono como a 'causa Granger' mais relevante para os sintomas de asma. A qualidade do modelo traduziu-se por um R2 de 0,92. A correlação entre os valores de ozono e os valores dos sintomas de asma foi mais significativa após cinco dias. Para os outros fatores identificados verificou-se um desfasamento de quatro a cinco dias. Discussão: Os nossos resultados sugerem, de forma significativa, uma relação entre a variação dos sintomas de asma e os níveis de poluição, mesmo dentro dos limites considerados aceitáveis pelos padrões nacionais e internacionais. A reduzida dimensão da amostra foi, no entanto, um fator limitativo das conclusões e não permitiu a análise de outras varáveis potencialmente envolvidas. Conclusão: No período e local estudados, os poluentes atmosféricos comportaram-se como fatores de variação da intensidade dos sintomas de asma. O nível de ozono foi o melhor fator preditivo das variações da sintomatologia. Os níveis de partículas inaláveis, com diâmetro menor que 10 µm, de monóxido de carbono e de dióxido de nitrogénio foram identificados como marcadores secundários. O desfasamento temporal entre as variáveis com melhor correlação sugere um possível efeito retardado dos poluentes sobre os sintomas respiratórios.

Late-Onset Rash from Irbesartan: An Immunological Reaction.

Cutaneous delayed reactions to antihypertensive drugs have been described in a limited number of case reports but the mechanisms remain mostly unknown. We report the case of a 60-year-old female patient with a 3-week history of an itchy erythematous maculopapular eruption. Although the patient was polymedicated, irbesartan was the most likely culprit. Patch tests and a lymphocyte transformation test to irbesartan were both positive, which was useful for diagnosis and suggested an immunological reaction. No new lesions appeared after irbesartan was stopped or after the introduction of candesartan. Despite its similar chemical structure, candesartan may be tried in patients allergic to irbesartan. LEARNING POINTS: Irbesartan can induce immunological cell-mediated skin reactions.Allergy to irbesartan does not imply a class allergy.Patch tests and a lymphocyte transformation test were useful in the diagnosis of irbesartan allergy.

[Approach and Registry of Anaphylaxis in Portugal]. / Abordagem e Registo da Anafilaxia em Portugal.

Anaphylaxis has a growing incidence, especially in children. It represents a medical emergency and its successful therapy depends on early and proper intervention. Intramuscular epinephrine, with dose adjustment according to weight and age, is the drug of choice for anaphylaxis treatment. After resolution of the acute reaction, the patient should be kept under clinical surveillance for 6 to 24 hours, due to possible biphasic reactions. Prescription of an epinephrine auto injectable device should be considered in all patients with diagnosed or suspected anaphylaxis; additionally these patients should always be referred to an Immunoallergy consultation, to perform adequate investigation and management in order to reduce future risk. All anaphylaxis episodes must be recorded in The Portuguese Catalogue of Allergies and other Adverse Reactions (Catálogo Português de Alergias e outras Reações Adversas, CPARA), which represents a fundamental tool to share clinical information within the Health System. The present manuscript intends to disclose the most recent Portuguese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis, making its clinical approach more effective and homogeneous, and to promote the use of The Portuguese Catalogue of Allergies and other Adverse Reactions as an essential tool to register and share information on anaphylaxis in Portugal.

A anafilaxia apresenta uma incidência crescente, particularmente em idade pediátrica. Constituindo uma emergência Médica, o sucesso terapêutico depende de uma intervenção precoce e adequada. A adrenalina por via intramuscular constitui o fármaco de eleição para o seu tratamento, devendo a dose ser ajustada ao peso e à idade. Resolvida a reação aguda, o doente deve ser mantido sob vigil'ncia Médica por um período de 6 a 24 horas, pelo risco de ocorrência de reações bifásicas. Deverá ser considerada a prescrição de um dispositivo de autoadministração de adrenalina em todos os doentes com diagnóstico ou suspeita de anafilaxia; adicionalmente estes doentes têm indicação formal para estudo em consulta de imunoalergologia, de modo a permitir uma adequada intervenção diagnóstica e terapêutica que reduzirá o risco futuro. Todos os episódios de anafilaxia devem ser registados no Catálogo Português de Alergias e outras Reações Adversas (CPARA), constituindo este um instrumento fundamental de partilha de informação clínica dentro do Sistema de Saúde. Este manuscrito pretende divulgar as orientações para o diagnóstico e tratamento da anafilaxia, tornando a sua abordagem clínica mais eficiente e consertada a nível nacional, e promover a adesão ao Catálogo Português de Alergias e outras Reações Adversas como um instrumento essencial de registo e partilha de informação dos episódios de anafilaxia ocorridos em Portugal.