Imported fire ant immunotherapy.

Imported fire ants (IFAs) permeate many areas of the United States. The IFA allergy is a significant health problem for children and adults. Stings from IFAs cause pustules, localized reactions, and anaphylaxis. There have been at least 32 deaths attributed to IFA stings. Because of the difficulty with the extraction of venom from the fire ants, whole body extracts are the only commercially available serum for immunotherapy. Fortunately, whole body extract immunotherapy given conventionally or through the rush method has proven to be efficacious and safe. It is recommended for the treatment of IFA hypersensitivity. Maintenance immunotherapy is typically given at 4-week intervals. However, more recent research has revealed that these intervals can gradually be extended up to 12 weeks similar to flying Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. Long-term adherence to IFA immunotherapy remains an obstacle for many patients despite its potential as a life-saving treatment.

Long-term adherence to imported fire ant subcutaneous immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Imported fire ant (IFA) whole-body extract subcutaneous immunotherapy (IT) is a safe and effective treatment for IFA hypersensitivity, with a recommended length of treatment of 3 to 5 years. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term IFA IT adherence in patients with IFA allergy living in an endemic area. METHODS: During 2007 to 2014, patients with IFA-sting systemic reactions and a recommendation to start IFA IT were prospectively enrolled in this study. Subjects were contacted annually for interval IT adherence. Institutional review board approval was obtained. RESULTS: A total of 87 subjects, ages 2 to 64 years, with a recommendation to initiate IFA IT, were enrolled. Subjects were predominantly adult (76%) and female (55%), and 30% had asthma. Of these patients, 77 (89%) initiated treatment within 1 year of recommendation; 18 (23%) adhered to a 3-year course; and 10 (13%) adhered to a 5-year course. At 3 years, there were no significant differences in adherence between male and female subjects (28% vs 19%, P = .33), children and adults (25% vs 22%, P = .79), or those with or without asthma (30% vs 20%, P = .31). Adherence in subjects with mild initial reactions was lower than in subjects with moderate-to-severe reactions (0% vs 25%, P = .05) at 3 years only. Conventional buildup and concurrent flying Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy were predictive of adherence. Reasons for discontinuation were relocation to a nonendemic area (29%) and inconvenience (27%). CONCLUSION: This study showed poor long-term adherence to IFA IT at 3 and 5 years. Initial sting severity, buildup protocol, and concurrent flying Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy were predictors for long-term IT adherence.

Repurposing Clinical Decision Support System Data to Measure Dosing Errors and Clinician-Level Quality of Care.

We aimed to develop and validate an instrument to detect hospital medication prescribing errors using repurposed clinical decision support system data. Despite significant efforts to eliminate medication prescribing errors, these events remain common in hospitals. Data from clinical decision support systems have not been used to identify prescribing errors as an instrument for physician-level performance. We evaluated medication order alerts generated by a knowledge-based electronic prescribing system occurring in one large academic medical center's acute care facilities for patient encounters between 2009 and 2012. We developed and validated an instrument to detect medication prescribing errors through a clinical expert panel consensus process to assess physician quality of care. Six medication prescribing alert categories were evaluated for inclusion, one of which - dose - was included in the algorithm to detect prescribing errors. The instrument was 93% sensitive (recall), 51% specific, 40% precise, 62% accurate, with an F1 score of 55%, positive predictive value of 96%, and a negative predictive value of 32%. Using repurposed electronic prescribing system data, dose alert overrides can be used to systematically detect medication prescribing errors occurring in an inpatient setting with high sensitivity.

Cefepime-Induced Generalized Fixed Drug Eruption With Morbilliform Rash.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous reaction that characteristically recurs in the same locations upon re-exposure to the offending drug(s). The typical presentation of FDEs is single or multiple violaceous plaques with hyperpigmentation due to inflammation. The causative agents for FDEs include antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, barbiturates, and anticonvulsants. We present an interesting case of a generalized fixed drug eruption secondary to cefepime that resolved with the cessation of the offending drug and the institution of antihistamines and topical steroids.

The Curious Case of Elevated Tryptase: Workup and Differential in Family of Four.

Elevated basal serum tryptase (BST) levels are markers of both mast cell activation and overall mast cell burden. We present a family of four individuals with elevated tryptase levels greater than or equal to 20 mcg/L, all of whom exhibited signs and symptoms suggestive of mast cell activation. Differential diagnoses included hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HaT), systemic mastocytosis (SM), and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). In three individuals, SM was ruled out with normal morphology on bone marrow biopsy combined with negative genetic markers. Further workup would be required for the diagnosis of MCAS since serum tryptase levels were not obtained in our emergency department during acute episodes. Although genetic testing for HaT was not available upon initial workup, HaT remains the most likely explanation for this family's elevated BST.

A Complicated Case of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease With Kounis Syndrome.

Kounis syndrome is angina or acute coronary syndrome caused by mast cell degranulation and inflammatory cell activation. We present a case of a patient with underlying aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and previous anaphylaxis to aspirin. The patient underwent aspirin desensitization and was then treated with high-dose aspirin. Unfortunately, he developed recurrent angina and myocardial infarction (MI). Numerous left heart catheterizations revealed vasospasms as the etiology of his MIs; however, therapy with increasing doses of vasodilators yielded no improvement in the patient's condition. Ultimately the patient's aspirin was discontinued and he had no recurrence of angina or MI.