[Cross-reactivity in allergic fungal sinusitis. Case report]

BACKGROUND

The presence of allergic mucin in allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a manifestation that identifies it as a hypersensitivity process. AFS has a phenomenon of cross-reactivity to IgE-bound proteins having at least two shared epitopes.

CLINICAL REPORT

A 13-year-old male with nasal obstructive symptoms of three years of evolution. An obstructive mass was identified in the sinuses through physical examination and CT. In endoscopic surgery, the left nostril polyp was identified with the macroscopic appearance of allergic mucin; the polyp was resected. Final histopathological examination using periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott's methenamine silver staining indicated Aspergillus. Two weeks after surgery, percutaneous tests showed sensitization to Alternaria, Helminthosporium sativum, and Deramatophagoides farianae with negativity to Aspergillus fumigatus.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of significant titers of specific IgE antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus was the evidence that the hypersensitivity response was triggered by a pathogen other than that isolated in histopathological study, which coupled with positive tests for other fungi may be explained by the cross-reactivity phenomenon in a phenomenon of likely hypersensitivity.

Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis in Latin American Countries

BACKGROUND

Information regarding the clinical features and management of drug-induced anaphylaxis (DIA) in Latin America is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess implicated medications, demographics, and treatments received for DIA in Latin American patients referred to national specialty centers for evaluation.

METHOD

A database previously used to compile information on drug-induced allergic reactions in 11 Latin American countries was used to identify and characterize patients presenting specifically with a clinical diagnosis of DIA. Information regarding clinical presentation, causative agent(s), diagnostic studies performed, treatment, and contributing factors associated with increased reaction severity was analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 1005 patients evaluated for possible drug hypersensitivity reactions during the study interval, and 264 (26.3%) met criteria for DIA. DIA was more frequent in adults and in elderly females (N = 129 [76.6%] and N = 30 [75%], respectively) compared with children and/or adolescents (N = 21 [42.9%], P < .01). Severe DIA was less frequent with underlying asthma (N = 22 vs 35 [38.6% vs 61.4%], P < .05) or atopy (N = 62 vs 71 [43% vs 59% ], P < .01). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (N = 178 [57.8%]), beta-lactam antibiotics (N = 44 [14.3%]), and other antibiotics (N = 16 [5.2%]) were the most frequently implicated drug classes. Anaphylaxis was rated as severe in N = 133 (50.4%) and anaphylactic shock (AS) was present in N = 90 (34.1%). Epinephrine was only used in N = 73 (27.6%) overall, but in N = 70 (77.8%) of patients with AS.

CONCLUSION

In Latin American patients referred for evaluation of DIA, NSAIDs and antibiotics were implicated in approximately 80% of cases. Most of these reactions were treated in the emergency department. Epinephrine was administered in only 27.6% of all cases, although more frequently for anaphylactic shock. Dissemination of anaphylaxis guidelines among emergency department physicians should be encouraged to improve management of DIA.

In the (sub)tropics allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma classification of allergic rhinitis is more useful than perennial-seasonal classification

BACKGROUND

Two different allergic rhinitis (AR) symptom phenotype classifications exist. Treatment recommendations are based on intermittent-persistent (INT-PER) cataloging, but clinical trials still use the former seasonal AR-perennial AR (SAR-PAR) classification. This study was designed to describe how INT-PER, mild-moderate/severe and SAR-PAR of patients seen by allergists are distributed over the different climate zones in a (sub)tropical country and how these phenotypes relate to allergen sensitization patterns.

METHODS

Six climate zones throughout Mexico were determined, based on National Geographic Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía) data. Subsequent AR patients (2-68 years old) underwent a blinded, standardized skin-prick test and filled out a validated questionnaire phenotyping AR.

RESULTS

Five hundred twenty-nine subjects participated in this study. In the tropical zone with 87% house-dust mite sensitization, INT (80.9%; p < 0.001) and PAR (91%; p = 0.04) were more frequent than in the subtropics. In the central high-pollen areas, there was less moderate/severe AR (65.5%; p < 0.005). Frequency of comorbid asthma showed a clear north-south gradient, from 25% in the dry north to 59% in the tropics (p < 0.005). No differences exist in AR cataloging among patients with different sensitization patterns, with two minor exceptions (more PER in tree sensitized and more PAR in mold positives; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In a (sub)tropical country the SAR-PAR classification seems of limited value and bears poor relation with the INT-PER classification. INT is more frequent in the tropical zone. Because PER has been shown to relate to AR severity, clinical trials should select patients based on INT-PER combined with the severity cataloging because these make for a better treatment guide than SAR-PAR.

Perfil de sensibilización a alergenos en niños con dermatitis atópica atendidos en el Servicio de Alergología del Hospital Universitario de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México

Introducción. La sensibilización a alérgenos observada en la dermatitis atópica aumenta el riesgo del niño a padecer de rinitis alérgica y asma. Estudios recientes indican que entre mayor actividad de proteasas haya en los alérgenos a los que se está sensibilizado hay un mayor defecto en la barrera cutánea y una mayor gravedad de la enfermedad.Métodos. Revisamos los reportes de las pruebas cutáneas por “prick” realizadas en nuestro servicio a niños de 5 meses a 16 años de edad, con diagnóstico de dermatitis atópica, durante el periodo de enero de 2012 a enero de 2014. Evaluamos la frecuencia de sensibilización a aeroalérgenos y alimentos, así como el tamaño de la roncha en la respuesta cutánea para cada alérgeno en particular.Resultados. Se incluyeron los reportes de pruebas cutáneas de 66 niños, 30 hombres y 36 mujeres. Cuarenta y seis pacientes (69%) estaban sensibilizados a aeroalérgenos y 38 (58%) a alimentos. Los ácaros del polvo de casa (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/Dermatophagoides farinae) fueron los alérgenos con mayor frecuencia de respuesta positiva en las pruebas cutáneas. De los niños con sensibilización a alimentos, solo los niños sensibilizados a la leche de vaca, el huevo y al pescado tuvieron una roncha mayor de 6 mm de diámetro.Conclusión. En los niños con dermatitis atópica es común la sensibilización a aeroalérgenos con un alta actividad de proteasas y la polisensibilización es muy común. La sensibilización a alimentos es común en estos pacientes, pero solo un pequeño porcentaje de ellos muestra respuestas cutáneas lo suficientemente grandes para relacionarlas con gravedad de la enfermedad.

[Profile of sensitization to allergens in children with atopic dermatitis assisting to Allergology Service of University Hospital, Nuevo Leon, Mexico]

BACKGROUND

Sensitization to allergens in atopic dermatitis patients is a risk factor for developing asthma and allergic rhinitis in the future,as well as an aggravating factor in the course of the disease. Recent studies have attributed the activity of the proteases of some antigens to cause a grater defect in the epithelial barrier and a more severe disease.

OBJECTIVE

To know the sensitization to allergens pattern in children with atopic dermatitis attended at Allergology Service of University Hospital of UANL, Mexico, and to know if these children have higher sensitization to antigens with proteolytic activity.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A retrospective study was done reviewing the skin prick test reports done in our service to children ranging from 5 months to 16 years old, diagnosed with atopic dermatitis during a period of 2 years, from January 2012 to January 2014. The frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens and food were analyzed as well as the weal size (≥6mm) on the skin in response to each particular allergen in the case of food skin prick test.

RESULTS

Reports of skin tests of 66 children, 30 boys and 36 girls, were included; 37 of children were sensitized to more than one allergen,18/66 had asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, 40/66 60% skin prick tests were positive to high activity protease aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/Dermatophagoides farinae). Regarding food, sensitization was seen in 38 children; fruits and vegetables were the two most common foods. Only seven children had skin prick weal bigger than 6 mm, mainly to egg, fish and cow's milk.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with atopic dermatitis are often sensitized to high protease activity aeroallergens, polysensitization is very common and the association with airway allergy is seen early in life. Sensitization to food is also common in these patients, but only a small percentage showed a response large enough to be associated with disease severity.

Mastocitosis

La mastocitosis es una de las ocho subcategorías de las neoplasias mieloproliferativas de la clasificación de tumores de tejidos linfoides y hematopoyéticos de 2008 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud; es un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades mieloproliferativas que se distinguen por la proliferación excesiva de mastocitos morfológica e inmunofenotípicamente atípicos, además de la acumulación de estas células en uno o varios órganos o tejidos, incluidos la piel, la médula ósea, el hígado, el bazo y los ganglios linfáticos.

Hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito manifestada como síndrome de Skeeter

Las reacciones por picaduras de mosquito son reacciones inmunológicas con afectación de la hipersensibilidad mediada por IgE, IgG y linfocitos T. Éstas son frecuentes y van desde reacciones locales pequeñas o grandes, hasta reacciones alérgicas sistémicas. El síndrome de Skeeter es una reacción inflamatoria local grande inducida por la picadura de mosquito, en ocasiones acompañada de síntomas sistémicos como fiebre y vómito. El diagnóstico se basa en la historia clínica y la exploración física, con el apoyo de la identificación de IgE específica mediante pruebas cutáneas. El tratamiento consiste en la prevención de picaduras, administración de antihistamínicos y, en algunos casos, de esteroides. La inmunoterapia específica aún requiere mayor estudio. Comunicamos dos casos de pacientes que manifestaron reacciones de hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito, que fueron evaluados en nuestro centro con pruebas cutáneas positivas.

[Hypersensitivity to mosquito bite manifested as Skeeter síndrome]

The reactions to mosquito bites are immunological reactions with involvement of IgE, IgG and T cells mediated hypersensitivity. These reactions are common and range from small local reactions, large local reactions to systemic allergic reactions. Skeeter syndrome is defined as a large local induced inflammatory reaction to mosquito bite and sometimes accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and vomiting. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and physical examination, supported by the identification of specific IgE by skin testing. Treatment includes prevention, antihistamines and steroids in some cases. Specific immunotherapy still requires further study. This paper reports two cases of patients with hypersensitivity reactions to mosquito bites, which were evaluated in our center presenting positive skin tests.

[Mastocytosis]

Mastocytosis is one of the eight subcategories of the myeloproliferative neoplasms of the classification of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues' tumors of 2008 of World Health Organization; it is an heterogeneous group of myeloproliferative diseases characterized by the excessive proliferation of atypical mastocytes in morphological and immunophenotype terms, besides the cumulus of these cells in one or several organs or tissues, including skin, bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes.

ARIA México 2014. Adaptación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica ARIA 2010 para México. Metodología ADAPTE

Antecedentes: la prevalencia de rinitis alérgica en todo el mundo es alta. El Estudio Internacional de Asma y Alergias en la Niñez (ISAAC de International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) Fase III reporta una prevalencia estimada total en México de 4.6%. Existen guías de práctica clínica basadas en evidencia de rinitis alérgica, pero su promoción, aceptación y validez no son óptimas ni adecuadas para México.Objetivo: generar una guía de tratamiento de la rinitis alérgica y su repercusión en el asma adaptando la guía ARIA 2010 a la realidad mexicana mediante un proceso de transculturización, por medio de la metodología ADAPTE.Material y método: a través de la metodología ADAPTE un grupo de desarrollo de la guía, integrado por múltiples especialistas que tratan pacientes con rinitis alérgica, valoró la calidad de la guía ARIA 2010, revisó y tradujo las preguntas clínicas clave y ajustó las recomendaciones, preferencias del paciente y comentarios a la realidad mexicana (seguridad, costos y aspectos culturales). Para lograrlo se corrieron páneles Delphi, con tantas rondas como fuera necesario hasta lograr un acuerdo. Por medio de una revisión sistemática de la bibliografía se creó una pregunta especial no incluida en ARIA 2010 de la utilidad de realizar lavados nasales en pacientes con rinitis alérgica.Resultados: se incluyeron 45 preguntas de la guía original ARIA 2010, divididas en seis bloques que abarcan prevención, tratamiento médico, inmunoterapia y terapias alternativas de pacientes con rinitis alérgica con o sin asma. La mayor parte de las preguntas alcanzaron acuerdo en una a dos rondas, sólo una requirió tres para ello.Conclusiones: se cuenta ahora con una guía de rinitis alérgica de uso sencillo, adaptada, actualizada y válida para México.

[Adverse reaction to not iodinated contrast]

Adverse reactions to drugs are relatively frequent in clinical practice, and some of them can be life threatening. Reactions to contrast material (CM) represent an important percentage of these adverse reactions. It has been found that 70% of reactions to contrast material happen within the first five minutes of their administration. Despite the fact that hypersensitivity reactions are traditionally classified as non-allergic, in recent years investigators have reported positive skin prick tests in patients with immediate and late reactions to contrast material. This paper reports the case of a female patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has presented on two distinct occasions adverse reactions to contrast material. We discuss on the type of reaction, severity, suggested prophylaxis, prognosis and recommendations, keeping in mind the underlying disease and the need to have further image studies performed.

Reacción adversa a contraste no iodado

Las reacciones adversas a medicamentos son relativamente frecuentes en la práctica clínica y algunas ponen en riesgo la vida. Las reacciones al medio de contraste representan un porcentaje importante de esas reacciones adversas. Se ha encontrado que 70% de las reacciones adversas a los medios de contraste iodados ocurren en los primeros cinco minutos tras su administración. A pesar de que las reacciones de hipersensibilidad inducidas por contraste tradicionalmente se clasifican como no alérgicas, en los últimos años los investigadores han reportado pruebas por punción positivas en pacientes con reacciones inmediatas como tardías. Se reporta el caso de una paciente con linfoma no Hodgkin que ha tenido en dos ocasiones reacciones adversas al contraste. Se comenta el tipo de reacción, la gravedad, el tratamiento profiláctico sugerido, pronóstico y recomendaciones, tomando en cuenta el padecimiento subyacente y la necesidad de hacer nuevos estudios de imagen.

Multinational experience with hypersensitivity drug reactions in Latin America

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic drug allergy data from Latin America are scarce, and there are no studies on specific procedures focusing on this topic in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical characteristics and management of hypersensitivity drug reactions in different Latin American countries.

METHODS

An European Network of Drug Allergy questionnaire survey was implemented in 22 allergy units in 11 Latin American countries to report on consecutive patients who presented with a suspected hypersensitivity drug reaction. Each unit used its own protocols to investigate patients.

RESULTS

Included were 868 hypersensitivity drug reactions in 862 patients (71% of adults and elderly patients were women and 51% of children were girls, P = .0001). Children presented with less severe reactions than adults and elderly patients (P < .0001). Urticaria and angioedema accounted for the most frequent clinical presentations (71%), whereas anaphylaxis was present in 27.3% of cases. There were no deaths reported. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (52.3%), β-lactam antibiotics (13.8%), and other antibiotics (10.1%) were the drugs used most frequently. Skin prick tests (16.7%) and provocation tests (34.2%) were the study procedures most commonly used. A large proportion of patients were treated in the emergency department (62%) with antihistamines (68%) and/or corticosteroids (53%). Only 22.8% of patients presenting with anaphylaxis received epinephrine.

CONCLUSION

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics were the drugs used in at least 75% of patients. More than half the reactions were treated in the emergency department, whereas epinephrine was administered in fewer than 25% of patients with anaphylaxis. Dissemination of guidelines for anaphylaxis among primary and emergency department physicians should be encouraged.

[Effects of reforestation on tree pollen sensitization in inhabitants of Nuevo Leon, Mexico]

BACKGROUND

Climate change has implications for health, ecology and society. Urban green areas are a key element in the planning of cities, promoting citizen interaction with the environment, as well as health. Lack of planning and design of these areas as well as the selection of ornamental trees can be a trigger of pollen allergy in the surrounding population. Reforestation is among the programs implemented by the government that have an impact on allergy. Environmental reforestation programs do not take into account the allergenic potential of some species. In the last 4 years, the government of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, has planted nearly 18,000 Quercus species trees, in addition to an unknown number of Fraxinus species trees that are listed as tree species with high pollen production.

OBJECTIVE

To identify changes in tree pollen sensitization, based on environmental reforestation programs.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A retrospective and descriptive study was done in which positive skin prick tests to pollen from trees in the interval of 2010-2014 were analyzed, correlating between tree species used for reforestation and increased sensitivity to the former.

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase in pollen sensitization to species with which Nuevo Leon was reforested was found, along with a decrease in sensitization to the species that were not reforested.

CONCLUSIONS

Reforestation contributes to some extent to the change in the pattern of positive skin tests and may result in more frequent exacerbations of respiratory diseases. It is an activity that should always be regulated and assisted by experts in the according field.

Efectos de la reforestación en la sensibilización al polen de árboles en habitantes de Nuevo León, México

Antecedentes: el cambio climático tiene consecuencias en la salud, el medio ambiente y la sociedad. Las áreas verdes urbanas son importantes en la planeación de las ciudades para promover la interacción de los ciudadanos con el ambiente y la salud. La falta de planeación y diseño de estas áreas y la mala selección de árboles han contribuido a aumentar la incidencia de alergia al polen entre la población. Con frecuencia los programas de reforestación ambiental no toman en cuenta el potencial alergénico de algunas especies. El gobierno de Nuevo León en los últimos cuatro años ha plantado cerca de 18 mil árboles de la especie Quercus, además de un número indeterminado de árboles de la especie Fraxinus, cuyo polen es alergénico.Objetivos: identificar el cambio en la sensibilización al polen de árboles de acuerdo con los programas de reforestación ambiental.Material y método: estudio restrospectivo y descriptivo en el que se analizaron las pruebas cutáneas positivas para polen de árboles de los últimos cuatro años, correlacionando entre la especie de árbol utilizada para la reforestación y el aumento de la sensibilidad a ésta.Resultados: se encontró un incremento estadísticamente significativo en la sensibilización al polen de las especies con las que se reforestó Nuevo León, además de disminución en la sensibilización a las especies con las que no se reforesta.Conclusión: la reforestación contribuye, en cierta medida, al cambio en el patrón de la positividad de las pruebas cutáneas y puede traer como consecuencia exacerbaciones más frecuentes de enfermedades respiratorias. Es una actividad que debe ser regulada y asesorada siempre por expertos.

Allergen sensitization linked to climate and age, not to intermittent-persistent rhinitis in a cross-sectional cohort study in the (sub)tropics

BACKGROUND

Allergen exposure leads to allergen sensitization in susceptible individuals and this might influence allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype expression. We investigated whether sensitization patterns vary in a country with subtropical and tropical regions and if sensitization patterns relate to AR phenotypes or age.

METHODS

In a national, cross-sectional study AR patients (2-70 y) seen by allergists underwent blinded skin prick testing with a panel of 18 allergens and completed a validated questionnaire on AR phenotypes.

RESULTS

628 patients were recruited. The major sensitizing allergen was house dust mite (HDM) (56%), followed by Bermuda grass (26%), ash (24%), oak (23%) and mesquite (21%) pollen, cat (22%) and cockroach (21%). Patients living in the tropical region were almost exclusively sensitized to HDM (87%). In the central agricultural zones sensitization is primarily to grass and tree pollen. Nationwide, most study subjects had perennial (82.2%), intermittent (56.5%) and moderate-severe (84.7%) AR. Sensitization was not related to the intermittent-persistent AR classification or to AR severity; seasonal AR was associated with tree (p < 0.05) and grass pollen sensitization (p < 0.01). HDM sensitization was more frequent in children (0-11 y) and adolescents (12-17 y) (subtropical region: p < 0.0005; tropical region p < 0.05), but pollen sensitization becomes more important in the adult patients visiting allergists (Adults vs children + adolescents for tree pollen: p < 0.0001, weeds: p < 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

In a country with (sub)tropical climate zones SPT sensitization patterns varied according to climatological zones; they were different from those found in Europe, HDM sensitization far outweighing pollen allergies and Bermuda grass and Ash pollen being the main grass and tree allergens, respectively. Pollen sensitization was related to SAR, but no relation between sensitization and intermittent-persistent AR or AR severity could be detected. Sensitization patterns vary with age (child HDM, adult pollen). Clinical implications of our findings are dual: only a few allergens -some region specific- cover the majority of sensitizations in (sub)tropical climate zones. This is of major importance for allergen manufacturers and immunotherapy planning. Secondly, patient selection in clinical trials should be based on the intermittent-persistent and severity classifications, rather than on the seasonal-perennial AR subtypes, especially when conducted in (sub)tropical countries.

[ARIA Mexico 2014. Adaptation of the Clinical Practice Guide ARIA 2010 for Mexico. Methodology ADAPTE]

BACKGROUND

The global prevalence of allergic rhinitis is high. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III reports a total estimated prevalence of 4.6% in Mexico. There is evidence based on allergic rhinitis Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG), but its promotion, acceptance and application is not optimal or adequate in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE

To generate a guideline for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma by adaptating the 2010 ARIA Guideline to Mexican reality, through a transculturation process applying the ADAPTE methodology.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Using the ADAPTE Methodology, the original 2010 ARIA CPG recommendations were evaluated by the guideline development group (GDG) into which multiple medical specialities managing patients with allergic rhinitis were incoorporated. The GDG valorated the quality of 2010 ARIA, checked and translated key clinical questions. Moreover, the GDG adjusted recommendations, patient preferences and included comments in the context of the Mexican reality (safety, costs and cultural issues). To accomplish this, we ran Delphi panels with as many rounds as necessary to reach agreement. One extra question, not included in the original 2010 ARIA, on the use of Nasal Lavages for AR was created sustained by a systematic literature review.

RESULTS

A total of 45 questions from the original 2010 ARIA were included and divided into six groups covering prevention, medical treatment, immunotherapy and alternative medicine to treat patients with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma. Most of the questions reached agreement in one or two rounds; one question required three rounds.

CONCLUSIONS

An easy-to-use, adaptated, up-to-date and applicable allergic rhinitis guideline for Mexico is now available.