High burden of clonal mast cell disorders and hereditary α-tryptasemia in patients who need Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: In patients who require venom immunotherapy (VIT), there is a need to identify underlying mast cell (MC) disorders since these may affect the risk and severity of future sting reactions and the long-term effectiveness of VIT. METHODS: 1319 individuals with Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) who needed VIT from referral centers in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Poland underwent examination for KIT p.D816V in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) using a highly sensitive PCR test and tryptase genotyping by digital droplet PCR. We also included 183 control individuals with large local reactions (LLRs) to Hymenoptera stings and with asymptomatic sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms. RESULTS: 285 of 1319 individuals recommended for VIT (21.6%) were positive for KIT p.D816V in PBL, preferably those who present with severe reaction (33.9% [n = 207 of 610] with Ring-Messmer grade 3-4 vs. 11% [n = 78 of 709] with Grade 1-2; p < .0001), whereas only 1.3% (n = 2 of 152) of controls with LLR and none with asymptomatic sensitization (n = 31) had KIT p.D816V. KIT p.D816V allelic burden was higher in those with severe reaction (median 0.018% [n = 207] in Grade 3-4 vs. 0.001% [n = 78] in Grade 1-2; p < .0001), and the majority had normal baseline serum tryptase levels (69% [n = 196 of 285]). All KIT p.D816V-positive individuals (n = 41) who underwent bone marrow (BM) biopsy were found to have underlying clonal diseases, principally BM mastocytosis. HαT was also associated with severe HVA and symptoms (p < .01), and remarkably, 31.0% (n = 31 of 100) were found to have concomitant KIT p.D816V. Concomitant HαT and KIT p.D816V showed an additive effect, and having both was associated with the highest risk for severe HVA, even higher than having either HαT or KIT p.D816V alone (OR = 3.8; p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: By employing prospective universal tryptase genotyping and examination for KIT p.D816V in PBL in large HVA populations, we have demonstrated a high burden of clonal MC disorders and HαT in patients who require VIT.

The Role of Bradykinin Receptors in Hereditary Angioedema Due to C1-Inhibitor Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, genetic disease caused by the decreased level or function of the C1 inhibitor. The primary mediator of symptoms in HAE is bradykinin acting through its two receptors, namely receptors 1 (BR1) and 2 (BR2). Although BR2 is well characterized, the role of BR1 remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the role of bradykinin receptors 1 (BR1) in the etiopathogenesis of HAE. METHODS: A total of 70 individuals, 40 patients with HAE, and 30 healthy subjects were recruited to the study. HAE was diagnosed in accordance with the international guideline. The level of bradykinin receptors was determined in populations of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+ monocytes. In addition, the level of disease activity-specific markers was measured. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the subpopulation of lymphocytes and monocytes between patients with HAE compared to healthy subjects. The level of BR1 and BR2 on PBMCs was comparable in healthy subjects and HAE patients during remission with significant overexpression of both receptors, triggered by HAE attack. Moreover, a significant increase in TNF-alpha and IL-1 plasma levels was observed among HAE patients. CONCLUSIONS: BR1 expression may play an important role in the pathomechanism of HAE.

Abdominal and pelvic imaging in the diagnosis of acute abdominal attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency.

Introduction: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant disease caused by deficiency or dysfunction of C1 inhibitor (C1INH). Clinical symptoms include recurrent subcutaneous and submucosal angioedema of the internal organs. Abdominal attacks affect more than 90% of patients, are often misdiagnosed and result in unnecessary surgical procedures. Aim: To analyse the utility of imaging studies (USG, CT) in patients with C1INH-HAE during an abdominal attack and remission. Material and methods: We enrolled 40 patients with type I and II HAE (30 women, 10 men; mean age 39 years). The diagnosis of C1INH-HAE was based on patient and family history, significantly reduced values of C1INH serum level and activity. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound were performed in patients within the first 6 h of the abdominal attack and repeated during remission. Moreover, 23 cases underwent abdominal or pelvic computed tomography during acute abdominal symptoms. The most common ultrasound and CT findings showed the transient presence of a significant amount of fluid in the free abdominal cavity and intestinal oedema during the symptom progression and spontaneously disappearing during the seizure in 90% and 50% of patients, respectively. CT revealed also an enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes as well as a fat stranding along the bowel wall thickening. Conclusions: Ultrasound or CT imaging facilitates the diagnosis of the patient suspected of having an abdominal attack due to C1INH-HAE. They allow to identify transitional presence of an abundant fluid in the free abdominal cavity and intestinal swelling which spontaneously disappear with a symptoms attack.

The Role of Bradykinin Receptors in the Etiopathogenesis of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Background and Objectives: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a distressing skin condition, which manifests as red, swollen, itchy, and sometimes painful hives or wheals appearing on skin. Recently, CSU has been associated with bradykinin release, which was previously discovered to be the main trigger of hereditary angioedema attacks. To study the role of bradykinin receptors 1 (BR1) and 2 (BR2) in the etiopathogenesis of CSU. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 individuals, 30 patients with CSU and 30 healthy subjects, were recruited to the study. CSU was diagnosed in accordance with the standardized protocol of dermatological assessment of skin symptoms. The level of bradykinin receptors was determined in populations of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes as well as in CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+ and CD14+CD16+ monocytes. In addition, urticaria activity score summed over 7 days (UAS-7) was assessed and correlated with BR1 and BR2 expression. Results: A statistically significant higher concentration of BR1 expression in lymphocytes was found in patients with CSU, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between UAS-7 and BR1/BR2 expression in CD14++CD16- cells (p = 0.03, R = 0.4). Conclusions: Bradykinin receptors are elevated in selected populations of lymphocytes in symptomatic CSU patients compared to healthy controls, indicating their role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Genetic variants of SERPING1 gene in Polish patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency.

Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) type I and II is a rare and life-threatening disease caused by SERPING1 gene mutations. Previous genetic studies indicated a wide spectrum of disease-associated variants in the SERPING1 gene and often lack of correlation with patient's phenotypes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence, type, and localization of mutations in the SERPING1 gene in 41 Polish patients with C1-INH-HAE and their relation with case/family history, type of C1-INH-HAE, fC1-INH, age of onset, and disease severity. Sanger sequencing and MLPA method were used for detection of disease-associated variants. In 34 (82.9%) patients, mutations located in various regions of SERPING1 gene were revealed. The detected alterations in patients with C1-INH-HAE type I differed and were positioned in various exons/introns of the SERPING1 gene. The most frequent disease-associated variants appeared in exon 3 (especially in type I) and in exon 8 (type I and II). Out of 20 different disease-causing variants, 9 were not previously described. We did not find any relation between the type and location of the mutations and no type of features included in phenotype evaluation of the patients, such as case and family history, type of C1-INH-HAE, age of onset, biochemical parameters, or severity of disease.

[Honey bee venom allergy diagnostics].

Honey bee venom (Apis mellifera) is a mixture of many components, both amines, peptides enzymes and toxins. Most of the enzymes are allergens with different allergenic potential. It may affect not only to the symptoms, it may also contribute to the success of immunotherapy. In some cases the problem of a bee venom allergy diagnosis is difficult due to the imperfection of the classical diagnostic methods. In the present work reports in the literature regarding the bee venom allergy diagnosis on the basis of identification of the venom allergen sIgE to components are summarized. The use of recombinant allergens has allowed for the study of sIgE against the allergenic components, and thus determination of the individual profile of allergy. Extending the test panel of bee venom components to rApi m10 and rApi m3 compared to rApi m1 increases the diagnostic sensitivity by identifying new allergens that are not always present in the available preparations used in immunotherapy.

[The role of the basophil activation test (BAT) in qualification for specific immunotherapy with inhalant allergens].

Qualification for specific immunotherapy (SIT) according to the guidelines of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) includes medical history, skin prik tests (SPT) and/or measuring the concentration of sIgE. It is necessary to perform additional diagnostic tests in case of discrepancies between the history and the results of SPT/sIgE or differences between SPT and sIgE. Basophil activation test (BAT) assesses the expression of activation markers of these cells, eg. CD63 and CD203c after stimulation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of BAT in the qualification for the SIT in comparison to the SPT and sIgE and in case of discrepancies between the results of SPT and sIgE. The study included 30 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) caused by allergy to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dp) or birch pollen qualified for SIT. All patients had SPT, sIgE and BAT determination. The group of patients with allergy to birch was a control group for Dp allergic and vice versa. BAT with CD63 antigen expression was performed using a Flow2CAST test. Basophils were stimulated with allergen preparation (50, 500, and 5000 SBU/ml concentrations). BAT results were expressed as a stimulation index (SI). For optimal concentrations of 50 and 500 SBU/ml parameters comparing BAT to SPT and sIgE as the gold standards were consecutively: sensitivity 82-100% and 93-100%, specificity 50-94% and 47-89%, positive predictive value 65- 94% and 61-87%, negative predictive value 86-100% and 93-100%. Correlation BAT - SPT and BAT - sIgE ranged within 0.59 to 0.84 and 0.51 to 0.72. BAT was helpful in 2 of 30 patients with incompatible results of SPT and sIgE. Optimal concentrations for basophil stimulation are 50 and 500 SBU/ ml. BAT may be useful diagnostic tool in the qualification for the SIT in case of discrepancies between the results of SPT and sIgE.

Molecular methods of diagnosing allergic sensitization in patients with atopic dermatitis and infected by with Staphylococcus aureus.

The severity of allergic symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) intensifies when the number of colonies patient's of Staphylococcus aureus on patents' skin increases. The basic feature determining the quality of any diagnostic test for S. aureus is its credibility. Performing a test always carries the risk of obtaining false positive and/or false negative results. Furthermore, producing material for microbiological analysis of internal body cavities is sometimes difficult. Therefore, in our study, we compared the results of three tests to determine if their results were mutually compatible and if they confirmed whether S. aureus was present in patients with AD and what was its role in the development of the disease in those patients. Infection with S. aureus was tested in patients with AD and healthy volunteers using the API Staph system. The specific IgE antibodies for staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB) were measured using the UniCAP system. The secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-13 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after stimulation with SEA and SEB were studied with Elispot assay. We found that only certain patients with AD and S. aureus produced antibodies against SEA and SEB in the acute phase of AD. The secretion of IFN-γ was low in patients with exacerbated AD and S. aureus. Testing for the presence of S. aureus in the mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule and skin lesions is not sufficient for complex diagnosis of the role of S. aureus in the pathomechanism of AD. Measuring the presence of antibodies against bacterial components in patients' serum and the reactivity of patients' immune cells against these bacterial components is required in order to accurately diagnose this role of S. aureus in a patient.

[Gluten--mechanisms of intolerance, symptoms and treatment possibilities of IgE-related allergy for gluten in the light of actual clinical and immunological studies]. / Gluten--mechanizmy nietolerancji, objawy i mozIiwosci lecznicze IgE-zaleezinej alergii na gluten w swietle aktualnych badan klinicznoimmunologicznych.

Gluten is the product of a chemical bond of wheat prolamin proteins (glia- dins and glutenins) in an aqueous me- dium. IgE mediated gluten allergy can be induced either by gluten as an in- gredient in foods or wheat prolamines present in the air. The aim of the study was clinical analysis of 13 patients, who demonstrated elevated levels of gluten specific IgE and identification of the most allergenic protein fractions from several samples of wheat using serum of examined subjects. Clinical analysis showed the occupational allergy to gluten in the form of rhinitis, asthma and airborne dermatistis in 9 subjects, whose symptoms disappeared during isolation from occupational exposure despite the use of a normal diet. In case of 4 patients with severe forms of chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis, who are also allergic to grass pollen at the same time, the introduction of a gluten-free diet resulted in improvement of health conditions. The study of wheat protein fractions revealed a significant polymorphism dependent on the wheat sample. In the protein fractions, low and high molecular glutenin fractions, and alpha, beta, gamma, and omega-gliadins were separated. It has been shown that the strongest immunogenic effect causes omega-5 gliadin fraction. The removal of this fraction resulted in reduction of skin reactivity evaluated by skin prick test in the studied patients.

[Basophil activation test--a practical approach to diagnosis of common respiratory allergy]. / Test aktywacji bazofilów--praktyczne aspekty cytometrycznej diagnostyki alergii oddechowych.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of immediate allergy is based on clinical data, skin prick tests (SPT), and measurements of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE). Basophil activation test (BAT) can supplement these methods and obviate their disadvantages, and possibly replace allergen challenge tests, such as a nasal provocative test (NPT). In this study, we assessed the influence of different storage times on BAT results. Futhermore, we compared the results of SPT, sIgE and NPT against BAT for common aeroallergens. METHODS: BAT was performed in twelve patients with allergic rhinitis sensitized to birch pollen or mites 1, 4 and 24 hours after blood sampling. CD63 was used as an activation marker. Three serial 10-fold dilutions (1:1, 1:10, 100) of allergen extract were employed. The further 10 individuals allergic to mites undergone complete diagnostic evaluation including SPT, sIgE measurements, NPT and BAT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic techniques and tests conditions. RESULTS: Basophil activation expressed as stimulation index did not decline significantly up to 24h. Exposure to causal allergens resulted in a dose-dependent increase in expression of CD63 on peripheral blood basophils in tested individuals. We did not observed substantial differences in results of the investigated diagnostic methods determined by a ROC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Flow-assisted diagnosis of common respiratory allergy relies upon allergen-induced activation of blood basophils can be a useful approach to determine the clinically relevant allergen in sensitized individuals. BAT with inhaled allergens can be performed within 24 hours after blood collecting into a tube with EDTA. Allergen suitable for NPT in appropriate dilutions is a good reagent for use in BAT.

[Pharmacogenomics of severe drug hypersensitivity reactions--from bench to bedside]. / Farmakogenomika ciezkich polekowych reakcji nadwrazliwosci--miedzy laboratorium a lózkiem chorego.

Recent remarkable findings of pharmacogenomics and basic scientific research provided insights in the pathogenesis of severe drug hypersensitivity reactions such as drug rush with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), abacavir hypersensitivity syndrome or blistering reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis). There is increasing evidence for the strong associations of certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles with hypersensitivity to particular drugs. HLA genes may serve as genomic biomarkers of predisposition to severe adverse drug reactions and enable to prevent them. In this paper we review essentials and advances in this area.

[Hymenoptera venom allergy. Analysis of double sensitization to wasp and bee venom in own material--diagnosis and classification for immunotherapy]. / Alergia na jad owadów blonkoskrzydlych. Analiza przypadków podwójnego uczulenia na jad osy i pszczoly w materiale wlasnym--diagnostyka i kwalifikacja do odczulania.

According to scientific societies guidelines the indication for venom immunotherapy is based on the clinical history of the patient. Diagnostic tests, like skin prick test or specific IgE serum estimation are conduct to prove IgE dependent mechanism of allergy and insect identification. Recent guidelines indicates for group of patients with severe systemic reactions as a candidates for diagnostic testing and in consequence for immunotherapy. In some countries diagnostic tests are also performed in patient who have a history of large local reactions, if they are considered as a candidates for immunotherapy. Double sensitization in cases of patients unable to identify the culprit insect is a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. In our group of patients (n = 113) we confirmed the double sensitization in 30% cases. The addition of a major allergen labeling reduced the number of people actually double-sensitized to 8.84%. It was observed that in patients who are not able to identify insect double sensitization phenomenon is particularly frequent as much as 45.5% and in the determination of the major allergens in 18.2%. Such patients needed detailed diagnosis and in many cases the use of two vaccines to conduct immunotherapy.

[A three year survey of the practical application of pollen monitoring in specific allergen immunotherapy]. / Zastosowanie monitoringu pylkowego podczas swoistej immunoterapii alergenowej--trzy lata obserwacji.

Specific allergen immunotherapy should be modified according to sensitivity of the patient and the time interval between injections and seasonal allergen exposition. The aim of the study was to check the effectiveness of the multinomial logistic regression models predicting the pollen concentration during the pollen season in the immunotherapy trial in patients treated with grass and birch allergens. The study was performed in Krakow in 2011-2013. Models were validated for 2012 and 2013. The effectiveness of the total correct predictions slightly differed depending on the time series, in case of birch pollen the similar percentage of correct predictions was found in both study year, while in case of grass pollen, the predictions were more correct in 2012. A group of patients treated with grass and birch allergens filled in the diary cards during the pollen season. After the 2011 season 14 diary cards were analysed, while 18 and 19, in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Because of manifested symptoms, the injection dose was reduced during the season in 12 patients in 2011, in 9 patients in 2012 and in 6 patients in 2013. No visits were delayed because of medical indications. In some cases patients got the injection in time of the high pollen occurrence (2 cases, in 2011 and 2012). In 2013 in 10/17 patients the high pollen exposure was avoided thanks the information from pollen monitoring, in opposite to 1 and 8 patients in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Patients used antihistaminic drugs on request. The regional pollen monitoring data and satisfied co-operation with patients makes the possibility of closer control of the injection doses administration during immunotherapy in the pollen season.

Patient-dependent differentiation of gluten protein IgE-binding epitopes in wheat allergy.

Gliadins and glutenins--the main components of wheat gluten--are highly complex and polymorphic proteins of wheat kernels. They are also allergenic proteins causing a range of food allergies. We hypothesized that the diversity of chemical structures and properties may relate to the diversification of immunoreactive properties of various subunits and fractions of gluten proteins. In the present study we used IgE sera, obtained from patients manifesting different symptoms of wheat allergies, for immunobloting analysis, to prove the specificity of immunological reaction between IgE antibodies and individual gliadins and glutenins, separated by SDS-PAGE. The results suggest that patients have different characteristics of IgE binding to the separated protein subunits and fractions. Sera of two patients showed strong binding of omega-gliadins, while alpha-gliadins and LMW glutenin subunits of MW = 43 and 45 kDa were highly allergenic for two other subjects in the test group of patients.

[Oral allergy syndrome in patients with pollen allergy]. / Zespól alergii jamy ustnej u pacjentów z alergia pylkowa.

The symptoms of pollen allergy in the European population occur in a period of increased pollen precipitation, and take the form of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, contact urticaria, and food allergy. Diagnosis in addition to medical history, takes into account the positive results of skin tests and elevated allergen-specific IgE antibodies (specific IgE) in serum. These studies are considered to be objective diagnostic tests confirming the diagnosis of pollen allergy. Not in every case there is a correspondence of symptoms and results of diagnostic tests, which puts into question the accuracy of the diagnosis of pollen allergy. The aim of this study was to test the characteristics of patients with oral allergy syndrome on the background of all patients with pollen allergy and evaluation of the diagnostic value of history, skin tests and specific IgE levels in the diagnosis of patients with pollen allergy and oral allergy syndrome. A retrospective analysis of the cases of 85 patients with a diagnosis of pollen allergy and the 30 patients with OAS was performed. In our study the most common sensitizing allergen in patients with OAS was birch pollen, while patients showing no symptoms of OAS were equally sensitive to timothy and birch pollen. The main food responsible for the presence of the OAS in the mechanism of cross-allergy to pollen was an apple. Among patients with OAS we did not show significantly higher incidence of polyvalent allergies. It was shown, however, that there is a tendency that the maximum concentration of allergen-specific IgE causing clinically significant symptoms, ie in line with the pollen season, is higher in the OAS patients than in the absence of OAS. Further research is needed using new diagnostic methods, which would predict future symptoms after eating certain foods in particularly endangered patients with pollen allergy.

The Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergy in Children Living in an Urban Agglomeration-Is There a Current Relationship?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence in Poland is more frequent in individuals who live in a city. There are more studies demonstrating that long-term exposure to air pollutants is an independent risk factor for developing AD. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology of AD and food allergy (FA) in school children and adolescents living in Krakow, and to find a potential relationship between the incidence of atopic dermatitis with exposure to polluted air. In this paper, we presented the incidence of AD and FA between 2014 and 2018. We analyzed data collected from nearly 30,000 children aged 7-8 and adolescents aged 16-17 from the population of children and youth in Krakow. We correlated it with annual mean concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, which indicated a gradual improvement in the air quality in Krakow. As our research results show that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis decreased with food allergy prevalence depending on the age group. We can suspect that this is the result of children growing out of a food allergy. It may be also influenced by more consequential eating habits in a group of adolescents and the elimination of allergenic foods from the diet. The decreasing incidence of atopic dermatitis appears to be also related to improvement in air quality.

[Influence of venom immunotherapy on anxiety level of being re-stung]. / Wplyw immunoterapii swoistej z jadem owadów blonkoskrzydlych na poziom leku przed ponownym uzadleniem.

UNLABELLED: Hymenoptera venom allergy is related to higher risk of potential life -threatening anaphylactic reactions, which leads to anxiety and decreased quality of life. AIM: The aim of this paper was: 1) estimation of fear level of being re-stung among venom allergy adults treated with venom specific immunotherapy (VIT)--before and during treatment; 2) estimation of expectation of outcome of VIT as compared to level of anxiety of being re-strug, in the Visual Analogue Scale--VAS score; 3) identification of factors influencing changes in the fear level among patients during VIT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 42 patients (18 women, 24 men) in the mean age 42.6 years, with bee or vespid allergy, who had been qualified to the VIT treatment with Alutard SQ. Visual Analogue Scale--VAS and the Expectation of Outcome Questionnaire were used. The demographic data were collected. RESULTS: The VAS score before VIT for insect venom allergic patients was 8.8 (SD = 0.9). It decreased after achieving maintenance dose to 3.1 (SD = 1.6) and was significantly lower in men (p < 0.05). Score achieved in the Expectation of Outcome Questionnaire was for each question 2.2 (SD = 1.5) and there was correlation with VAS score during VIT. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with insect venom allergy, who undergo a serious allergic reaction (SR) as a result of being stung and who are qualified to VIT, have a high level of anxiety of being re-stung. Achieving the maintenance dose of VIT, results in a significant decrease of anxiety level in women and men, significantly so in men. There is a significant correlation between VAS score and the Expectation of Outcome Questionnaire results during VIT. Both VAS for anxiety level and the Expectation of Outcome Questionnaire can be simple, easily available and useful instruments helping to estimate quality of life. VIT significantly decreases the patients level of anxiety of being restung and improves their quality of life.

Survey of biological particles in the atmosphere of the Cracow center (southern Poland) in 2011. Preliminary study.

The seasonal concentrations of pollen and spores of selected fungi taxa in the area of the Main Square Market in Cracow, in 2011 were analysed using the volumetric method of sampling in order to compare these concentrations with results obtained in the continuous monitoring. The highest percentages of pollen in total pollen were noted for Urtica, Pinus and Poaceae. The fungal spore concentrations, with dominant contribution of Cladosporium spores, were relatively higher in comparison with pollen grains. The U Mann-Whitney test indicated that the differences between total pollen in both sites were not statistically significant for most of the taxa, on the contrary to fungal spores. The highest total pollen was reached in the second decade of May and the third decade of August in both study sites. The pollen and fungal spore season characteristics indicate similar pollen season duration for most taxa in both study sites, except at Rumex. Herb pollen seasons are clearly longer than tree pollen seasons and show periods of different concentrations. The statistically significant differences in pollen season dynamics were found for Plantago, Rumex and Urtica in both study sites. The period of high Alternaria spore concentrations coincided with high concentrations of Artemisia, however the time of high Cladosporium spore concentrations was related to relatively high concentrations of Poaceae and Urtica pollen.

Trends in the Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases of the Airways in Children Growing Up in an Urban Agglomeration.

The prevalence of asthma and allergies among children has become an increasing problem in the last few decades. Data on the population of children and adolescents, especially living in polluted cities, are limited and based on studies carried out in small groups. In our study, we analyzed the incidence of asthma and allergic rhinitis between 2014 and 2018. We analyzed data collected from nearly 30,000 children aged seven to eight and adolescents aged 16-17, which allowed us to assess the frequency of allergic diseases in the population of children and youth in Krakow. More than 40% of respondents reported allergic symptoms, and nearly 50% of them were not diagnosed and treated. In the group of seven- and eight-year-olds with a positive history of allergies, 52% had allergic rhinitis and 9.1% had asthma. In the group of 16-17-year-olds, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 35.8%, while asthma was found in 4.9% of cases. The results obtained over the course of 10 years has shown the reduction in the frequency of asthma (from 22% in the case of asthma in both age groups) and allergic rhinitis cases (from 63.9% in adolescents). In our opinion, this can be considered a positive effect of the preventive measures taken in Kraków after 2010. Although there is still a higher incidence of allergic diseases among children and young people living in urban areas compared to rural areas, the trend apparently has reversed for some diseases.

The most important contact sensitizers in Polish children and adolescents with atopy and chronic recurrent eczema as detected with the extended European Baseline Series.

The differential diagnostic work-up of children with chronic eczema should involve patch testing, also in cases with confirmed atopy. In our previous study, contact allergy was detected in every second child with chronic eczema. The aim of the present study was to identify the most important sensitizers in atopic children with eczema. During an allergy screening program, 103 consecutive children aged 7-8 and 93 adolescents aged 16-17 were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was chronic recurrent eczema as detected with the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and atopy, defined as positive skin prick test to one or more common airborne or food allergens. The children were patch-tested with the newly extended European Baseline Series (EBS, 28 test substances) supplemented with propolis, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride, and 2-phenoxyethanol. In total, 67.0% children and 58.1% adolescents were found patch test positive. Among children, 35.9% reacted to nickel, 16.5% propolis, 11.7% thimerosal, 9.7% cobalt, each 6.8% fragrance mix (FM) I and chromium, and 5.8% to FM II. Among adolescents, 37.6% reacted to thimerosal, 19.4% to nickel, 6.5% to cobalt, and 5.4% to propolis. We demonstrate the advantage of using FM II - a new addition to the EBS that detects a relatively high proportion of contact hypersensitivity among children. An important sensitizer from outside EBS is propolis, which according to the frequency of sensitization occupies rank 2 in children and rank 4 in adolescents. These data show that propolis should be included into routine patch testing in children.