ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Background: Recent data about clinical features, triggers and management of anaphylaxis in Latin America is lacking. Objective: To provide updated and extended data on anaphylaxis in this region. Method: An online questionnaire was used, with 67 allergy units involved from 12 Latin-American countries and Spain. Among data recorded, demographic information, clinical features, severity, triggering agents, and treatment were received. Results: Eight hundred and seventeen anaphylactic reactions were recorded. No difference in severity, regardless of pre-existing allergy or asthma history was found. Drug induced anaphylaxis (DIA) was most frequent (40.6%), followed by food induced anaphylaxis (FIA) (32.9%) and venom induced anaphylaxis (VIA) (12%). FIA and VIA were more common in children-adolescents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-lactam antibiotics (BLA) were the most frequent drugs involved. Milk (61.1% of FIA) and egg (15.4% of FIA) in children, and shellfish (25.5% of FIA), fresh fruits (14.2% of FIA), and fish (11.3% of FIA) in adults were the most common FIA triggers. Fire ants were the most frequent insect triggers, and they induced more severe reactions than triggers of FIA and DIA (p < 0.0001). Epinephrine was used in 43.8% of anaphylaxis episodes. After Emergency Department treatment, epinephrine was prescribed to 13% of patients. Conclusions: Drugs (NSAIDs and BLA), foods (milk and egg in children and shellfish, fruits and fish in adults) and fire ants were the most common inducers of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine was used in less than half of the episodes emphasizing the urgent need to improve dissemination and implementation of anaphylaxis guidelines.
ABSTRACT
In order to determine the frequency of seropositive cases of Bartonella henselae in children with regional adenitis treated in a national hospital in Peru, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 children with regional adenitis greater than 1 cm in diameter. The sample was selected from patients aged 5-11 years seen at the National Institute of Child Health for acute onset of regional adentitis, with more than five days of symptoms. B. henselae seropositivity was defined by indirect immunofluorescence test. We found that 86 children (81.1%) were positive for B.henselae. The median age of the patients was 7 years. In the bivariate analysis, the following associated factors were found: aged 5 years, history of fever, lymphadenopathy greater than 4 cm and reported contact with cat. In conclusion, children with regional adenitis treated in this national referral hospital showed a high frequency of positive serology for B. henselae.
Subject(s)
Bartonella henselae , Cat-Scratch Disease/epidemiology , Lymphadenitis/epidemiology , Lymphadenitis/microbiology , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Bartonella henselae/immunology , Cat-Scratch Disease/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Lymphadenitis/blood , Male , Peru , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Con el objetivo de determinar la frecuencia de casos seropositivos a Bartonella henselae en niños con adenitis regional atendidos en un hospital nacional del Perú, se realizó un estudio trasversal en 106 niños con adenitis regional mayor de 1 cm de diámetro, de aparición aguda, con tiempo de enfermedad mayor de cinco días, atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño durante el año 2012. Se definió seropositividad para B. henselae mediante el examen de inmunofluorescencia indirecta, siendo positivos 86 niños (81,1%) con una mediana de edad de 7 años, rango de 5 a 11; en el análisis bivariado se encontraron como factores asociados, edad mayor de 5 años, antecedentes de fiebre, adenopatía mayor de 4 cm y reporte de contacto con gato. En conclusión, los niños con adenitis regional atendidos en este hospital de referencia nacional presentaron una frecuencia alta de serología positiva para B. henselae. (AU)
In order to determine the frequency of seropositive cases of Bartonella henselae in children with regional adenitis treated in a national hospital in Peru, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 children with regional adenitis greater than 1 cm in diameter. The sample was selected from patients aged 5-11 years seen at the National Institute of Child Health for acute onset of regional adentitis, with more than five days of symptoms. B. henselae seropositivity was defined by indirect immunofluorescence test. We found that 86 children (81.1%) were positive for B.henselae. The median age of the patients was 7 years. In the bivariate analysis, the following associated factors were found: aged 5 years, history of fever, lymphadenopathy greater than 4 cm and reported contact with cat. In conclusion, children with regional adenitis treated in this national referral hospital showed a high frequency of positive serology for B. henselae. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Bartonella henselae , Cat-Scratch Disease , Lymphadenitis , Cross-Sectional Studies , PeruABSTRACT
Con el objetivo de determinar la frecuencia de casos seropositivos a Bartonella henselae en niños con adenitis regional atendidos en un hospital nacional del Perú, se realizó un estudio trasversal en 106 niños con adenitis regional mayor de 1 cm de diámetro, de aparición aguda, con tiempo de enfermedad mayor de cinco días, atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño durante el año 2012. Se definió seropositividad para B. henselae mediante el examen de inmunofluorescencia indirecta, siendo positivos 86 niños (81,1%) con una mediana de edad de 7 años, rango de 5 a 11; en el análisis bivariado se encontraron como factores asociados, edad mayor de 5 años, antecedentes de fiebre, adenopatía mayor de 4 cm y reporte de contacto con gato. En conclusión, los niños con adenitis regional atendidos en este hospital de referencia nacional presentaron una frecuencia alta de serología positiva para B. henselae.
In order to determine the frequency of seropositive cases of Bartonella henselae in children with regional adenitis treated in a national hospital in Peru, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 children with regional adenitis greater than 1 cm in diameter. The sample was selected from patients aged 5-11 years seen at the National Institute of Child Health for acute onset of regional adentitis, with more than five days of symptoms. B. henselae seropositivity was defined by indirect immunofluorescence test. We found that 86 children (81.1%) were positive for B.henselae. The median age of the patients was 7 years. In the bivariate analysis, the following associated factors were found: aged 5 years, history of fever, lymphadenopathy greater than 4 cm and reported contact with cat. In conclusion, children with regional adenitis treated in this national referral hospital showed a high frequency of positive serology for B. henselae.
