Aeroallergen immunotherapy associated with reduced risk of severe COVID-19 in 1095 allergic patients.

Introduction: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) brings along changes in the immune system, restoring dendritic cell function, reducing T2 inflammation and augmenting the regulatory cell activation. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, interferes with the immune system causing immune suppression during the first phase and over-activation in more advanced disease. We decided to explore the interaction of both in a real-world observational trial. Methods: We registered COVID-19 outcomes in patients with allergic disorders in Latin America, treated with and without AIT. The registry was conducted during the first 1.3 years of the pandemic, with most of the data collected before COVID-19 vaccination was concluded in most countries. Data collection was anonymous via a web-based instrument. Ten countries participated. Results: 630/1095 (57.6%) of the included patients received AIT. Compared to patients without AIT, those treated with AIT had a reduced risk ratio (RR) for COVID-19 lower respiratory symptoms (RR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.6703-0.9024; p = 0.001662) and need for oxygen therapy (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.4217-0.9992; p = 0.048). In adherent patients on maintenance sublingual immunotherapy/subcutaneous immunotherapy (SLIT/SCIT) the RR reduction was larger [RR = 0.6136 (95% CI 0.4623-0.8143; p < 0.001) and RR: 0.3495 (95% CI 0.1822-0.6701; p < 0.005), respectively]. SLIT was slightly more effective (NS). We excluded age, comorbidities, level of health care attendance, and type of allergic disorder as confounders, although asthma was related to a higher frequency of severe disease. When analyzing patients with allergic asthma (n = 503) the RR reduction favoring AIT was more pronounced with 30% for lower respiratory symptoms or worse (RR 0.6914, 95% CI 0.5264 to 0.9081, p = 0.0087) and 51% for need of oxygen therapy or worse (RR 0.4868, 95% CI 0.2829-0.8376, p = 0.0082). Among severe allergic patients treated with biologics (n = 24) only 2/24 needed oxygen therapy. There were no critical cases among them. Conclusion: In our registry AIT was associated with reduced COVID-19 severity.

[Neurological manifestations in atypical Kawasaki disease]. / Manifestaciones neurológicas en la enfermedad de Kawasaki atípica.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a type of systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. Atypical Kawasaki disease is defined as that where there are signs and symptoms not corresponding to the classical criteria for this nosological entity. Children with atypical Kawasaki disease may present with acute abdominal symptoms, meningeal irritation, pneumonia or renal failure. CLINICAL CASES: We describe 4 children with ages ranging from 2 to 12 years who had atypical Kawasaki disease, with neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms as part of the systemic presentation of the disease. Treatment consisted of immunoglobulin and corticosteroids with good evolution. CONCLUSIONS: KD is a systemic vasculitis that can involve many territories. Atypical manifestations can mislead the clinician and delay diagnosis. Pediatricians and sub-specialists should be aware of these neurological manifestations in order to provide adequate and opportune treatment.

Antecedentes: La enfermedad de Kawasaki es una vasculitis sistémica de etiología desconocida. La modalidad atípica se define como aquella en la cual hay signos y síntomas que no corresponden a los criterios clásicos de esta entidad nosológica. Los niños con enfermedad de Kawasaki atípica pueden presentar síntomas abdominales agudos, irritación meníngea, neumonía o falla renal. Casos clínicos: Describimos 4 niños con edades que oscilaron entre los 2 y 12 años que presentaron enfermedad de Kawasaki atípica, con síntomas neurológicos y gastroinstetinales como parte de la presentación sistémica de la enfermedad. El tratamiento se llevó a cabo con corticosteroides e inmunoglobulina, con los cuales los pacientes evolucionaron satisfactoriamente. Conclusiones: La enfermedad de Kawasaki es una vasculitis sistémica que puede involucrar numerosos aspectos. Las manifestaciones atípicas pueden confundir al clínico y retrasar el diagnóstico. Los pediatras y subespecialistas deben estar conscientes de estas manifestaciones neurológicas, con el fin de proporcionar tratamiento adecuado y oportuno.

Disease burden for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases identified at reference hospitals in Guanajuato, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the deleterious effect on health, there is considerable economic and psychosocial morbidity associated with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Also, the cost of a late diagnosis frequently results in a heavy disease burden on the patient. The objective of this study was to collect and analyze data on patients with PID in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, to indirectly estimate the burden of the disease. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and comparative study was conducted. A total of 44 patients were included and grouped according to the updated classification of PID. RESULTS: The median time elapsed from the onset of symptoms to the reference and diagnosis by a tertiary hospital was of 2.17 (IQR = 6.44) years. Before diagnosis, the number of hospitalizations/year per patient was 0.86 (IQR = 2.28), the number of visit to emergency room/year per patient was 0.92 (IQR = 1.77), the number of doctor's visits/year per patient was 15 (IQR = 11.25), whereas the school/work absence days per patient were reported in 52.72 (IQR = 56.35) days per year. After diagnosis, 20 patients (45.45%) received IVIG replacement therapy, and all of them presented a significant improvement (p <0.05) in all the mentioned variables. Characteristically, even when patients with PID received IVIG, there was still an important disease burden when comparing them against healthy controls. Complications secondary to PID were detected in 19 patients (43.18%). The reported overall mortality rate was 6.82% (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to indirectly estimate an important disease burden in patients with PID; which is considered to be preventable, at least in part, with effective interventions like health planning, research, collaboration with primary care providers, and generation of policies and practices, in order to improve the quality of life and care of families with PID.