Evidence-based data support strategies for the prevention of Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to identify phenotypes at-risk of Hymenoptera venom-induced anaphylaxis (HVA), focusing on different perspectives (epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic) in order to adapt future preventive strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: HVA remains one of the leading causes of anaphylaxis, with a broad pattern of symptoms. Although most cases occur outside healthcare settings, data indicate a high emergency admission rate due to insect stings. Mortality is often underestimated because of the lack of witnesses and difficulties in recognizing the signs and the culprit. Targeting risk factors could be a clue to improve these statistics and the prognosis of the disease.Potential risk factors for severe HVA in the European population are basal serum tryptase (BST) above 8 µg, mast cell disorders, the absence of skin symptoms, and cardiovascular conditions requiring the use of beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Identifying these criteria, mainly based on clinical patterns, helps to develop personalized strategies for management and prevention. SUMMARY: With a personalized medicine approach, phenotypes must be characterized to adapt to the management of patients suffering from Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis (HVA), including venom immunotherapy (VIT). In this systematic review, all articles mentioned systemic reactions with heterogeneous severity degrees. Half of those reported grade III-IV systemic reactions (Ring and Messmer). HVA clinical patterns could be worsened by one Hymenoptera sting, a patient's history with mast cell disorders, or cardiovascular diseases. VIT failure was attributed to bee venom extract and monotherapy in two-thirds of publications. Findings stress the difficulty of having uniform epidemiological data on HVA and the lack of financial support in some world regions to support appropriate management of these conditions. Although observing a heterogeneity of data, we were able to identify potential risk factors, in particular for the severe cases. We believe our work will support allergists and health professionals to implement improved personalized management of patients suffering from severe HVA.

Skin necrosis following local anesthetic: Same presentation for two different diagnoses.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics (LA) are widely used in medicine and are generally well tolerated. Although most adverse reactions are nonallergic, LA are a frequent reason for allergy consultation. OBJECTIVE: We want to expand the differential diagnosis of adverse reactions to LA by presenting rare diagnoses. METHODS: We present here two patients with similar clinical presentations, namely skin necrosis after local anesthesia with lidocaine, but with two different final diagnoses. RESULTS: For Patient 1, skin necrosis was imputed to the vasoconstrictor effect of epinephrine in a patient with vascular background aggravated by heavy consumption of tobacco and cannabis. Patient 2 final diagnosis was Nicolau syndrome (embolia cutis medicamentosa), a cutaneous necrosis at the site of injection. CONCLUSIONS: The allergist should be aware of these diagnoses and include them in the differential diagnosis of local anesthetic hypersensitivity.

Multiple cases of sensitization to an antiseptic containing chlorhexidine digluconate/benzalkonium chloride/benzyl alcohol with different profiles of sensitization in adults and children.

BACKGROUND: An aqueous antiseptic containing "chlorhexidine digluconate/benzalkonium chloride/benzyl alcohol" (CBB) is widely used in France. The only previous documented study dealing with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to this antiseptic is one small case series in children. The French Vigilance Network for Dermatology and Allergy (REVIDAL-GERDA) has collected many cases in the last few years. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and sensitization profiles of patients diagnosed with ACD to CBB. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with contact dermatitis to CBB and positive tests to CBB and/or at least one of its components. All patients had to be tested with all components of CBB. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (71 adults and 31 children) were included. The lesions were extensive in 63% of patients and 55% had delayed time to diagnosis. CBB patch tests were positive in 93.8% of cases. The allergen was identified in 97% of patients, mainly benzyl alcohol in adults (81.7%) and chlorhexidine digluconate in children (54.8%). About 32.4% of the patients were sensitized to several components. CONCLUSION: CBB is a cause of ACD at all ages. The components of the antiseptic should be tested. The sensitization profile seems to be different between adults and children.

A new case of photoallergic contact dermatitis caused by benzophenones in magazine covers.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) to benzophenone present in printing ink have been reported. However, precise chemical analyses and extended photo-patch tests have not been performed in these cases. OBJECTIVES: To determine which components present in a magazine cover are responsible for a patient's skin reaction, to determine the primary sensitizer, and precisely diagnose ACD and PACD. METHODS: After initial photo-patch tests were performed on a patient with a history of reaction to magazine covers after sun exposure, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses of the magazine covers, and additional photo-patch tests were performed. RESULTS: The first photo-patch test results confirmed PACD to ketoprofen and fenofibrate and evoked PACD to the magazine covers. 4-methyl benzophenone (4-MBP) and 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (1-HCPK) were found in the magazine cover. Additional photo-patch tests confirmed PACD to 1-HCPK and to benzophenone, and photo-aggravated ACD to 4-MBP. The primary sensitizer was ketoprofen. CONCLUSIONS: Benzophenones are present in a wide variety of products, without always being listed on the packaging. Patients previously sensitized to other ketones, such as ketoprofen, may react to benzophenones without being able to avoid contact with these molecules. New regulations may be needed for more efficient eviction advice.

The six million dollar man.

In this case report, relapse of urticaria after a switch from oma- to mepolizumab successfully led to combination of biologics https://bit.ly/2GykNtI.

Multiple Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome in a Large Database.

BACKGROUND: Multiple drug hypersensitivity syndrome (MDHS) is defined as confirmed drug hypersensitivity (DH) to at least 2 chemically and pharmacologically unrelated drugs. Reports of MDHS are scarce and poorly specified, and studies that diagnose MDHS on the basis of positive allergy test results are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the frequency and characteristics of patients with MDHS in a large database. METHODS: We included all patients who consulted and were tested in our Allergy Unit between September 1996 and February 2018 for a suspicion of DH. Clinical history and allergy workup results compiled in our Drug Allergy and Hypersensitivity Database were reviewed, and data of patients with a diagnosis of MDHS were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: During this period a total of 9250 patients were explored and 1819 tested positive for at least 1 drug. Forty-five cases, 30 female and 15 male patients cumulating 92 DHs, were confirmed as having MDHS. An immunologic mechanism, as demonstrated by positive skin testing, accounted for 59 DHs. Drug provocation tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis for the remaining 33 DHs. Of the 92 DHs in this series, 38 were classified as type IV and 21 as type I allergies; 33 remained of undetermined mechanism. Drug class occurrences seem to differ from those in monoallergic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the concept of MDHS as a distinct and rare subgroup of DH. The prevalence in our database was 2.5% in the total DH alleged patient population and 0.5% of the demonstrated DHs. Skin testing and drug provocation tests are mandatory for confirming the diagnosis.

Anaphylaxis to bovine serum albumin tissue adhesive in a non-meat-allergic patient

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IgE-mediated allergy to proton pump inhibitors with both delayed and immediate onset.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Incidence of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) to PPIs has been rising, presumably because of their increased consumption. Most DHR are IgE-mediated, with half of the reactions being anaphylactic. We describe the case of a Caucasian 50-year-old female patient referred to our allergy department after 2 episodes of anaphylaxis. The allergy work-up distinguished PPI as a cause of delayed onset (14 hours) and immediate onset (45 minutes) IgE-mediated DHR.

Pru p 7 sensitization is a predominant cause of severe, cypress pollen-associated peach allergy.

BACKGROUND: Peach is a common elicitor of food allergic reactions. Peach-induced immediate reactions may occur as benign pollen-food syndromes, usually due to birch pollen-related PR-10 cross-reactivity in temperate climates, and as potentially severe primary food allergies, predominantly related to nsLTP Pru p 3 in Mediterranean regions. The newly described peach allergen Pru p 7 has gained recent attention as a potential peach allergy severity marker. Sensitization to Pru p 7 and its allergenic homologues of the gibberellin-regulated protein family occurs in areas with high Cupressaceae tree pollen exposure. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the distribution, clinical characteristics and molecular associations of Pru p 7 sensitization among subjects with suspected peach allergy in different regions of France. METHODS: Subjects with suspected peach allergy (n = 316) were included. Diagnostic work-up was performed according to current guidelines, including open food challenge when required. IgE antibody measurements and competition experiments were performed using the ImmunoCAP assay platform. RESULTS: Sensitization to Pru p 7 was present in 171 (54%) of all subjects in the study and in 123 of 198 (62%) diagnosed as peach allergic, more than half of whom were sensitized to no other peach allergen. Frequency and magnitude of Pru p 7 sensitization were associated with the presence of peach allergy, the clinical severity of peach-induced allergic reactions and the level of cypress pollen exposure. Cypress pollen extract completely outcompeted IgE binding to Pru p 7. Pru p 7 was extremely potent in basophil activation tests. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A subtype of Cupressaceae pollinosis, characterized by Pru p 7 sensitization, can be an underlying cause of severe peach allergy.