Global influence of dupilumab on Quality of Life in a severe asthma patient with T2 multimorbidities: a case report on atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and eosinophilic esophagitis.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are considered key drivers of type 2 inflammatory diseases. Dupilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared receptor component for IL-4 and IL-13, thus inhibiting signaling of both cytokines. CASE STUDY: We report a case of a patient with uncontrolled severe asthma and other T2 inflammatory diseases (atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and eosinophilic esophagitis) treated with dupilumab. RESULTS: After one year of treatment, dupilumab improved asthma control together with lung function parameters and airway inflammation. Additionally, a positive impact on quality of life (QoL), evaluated by validated questionnaires, across all the diseases was observed. CONCLUSION: In this case report, a positive and objectively measurable of global improvement on QoL across all four T2 comorbidities was observed after treatment with dupilumab, demonstrating the important role of IL-4 and IL-13 and the existence of a unifying pathological mechanism in T2 diseases.

CHOICE international survey: Clusters of allergen immunotherapy prescription from French and Spanish cohorts.

Background: There is no description of the drivers of prescription for allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for respiratory allergic diseases. Methods: A prospective, multicentre, observational, non-interventional real-life study was performed in France and Spain for 20 months. Data were gathered using 2 different questionnaires, anonymously collected in an online platform. No names of AIT products were recorded. Multivariate analysis and unsupervised cluster analysis were performed. Results: One hundred and three physicians (50.5% from Spain and 49.5% from France) reported 1735 patients (433 in France and 1302 in Spain), 47.9% males, 64.8% adults with a mean age 26.2 years old. They suffered from allergic rhinitis (99%), allergic conjunctivitis (70.4%), allergic asthma (51.8%), atopic dermatitis (13.9%), and food allergy (9.9%). A clustering analysis based on 13 predefined relevant variables for AIT-prescription identified 5 different clusters, each of them including information regarding doctor's profile and patient demographics, baseline disease characteristics, and main AIT indication: 1) Looking at the future: focusing on asthma prevention (n = 355), 2) Efficacy after discontinuation of AIT (n = 293), 3) Fighting severe allergic disease (n = 322), 4) Looking at the present, facing current symptoms (n = 265) and 5) Doctor's own clinical experience (n = 500). Each one of these clusters have specific patients' and doctors' characteristics, representing distinctive AIT prescription drivers. Conclusion: Using data-driven analysis, we identified for the first time some reasons and patterns of AIT prescriptions in real-life clinical settings. There is no uniform indication for prescribing AIT, which varies amongst patients and doctors with multiple but specific drivers, taking into account several relevant parameters.

[Girl with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A case report]. / Niña con neumonitis por hipersensibilidad. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis entails several inflammatory lung diseases that preferentially affect the alveolar and perialveolar tissue. It is a very rare disease in children, with a complicated diagnosis due to the fact that antigen exposure usually goes unnoticed. CASE REPORT: A 12-year-old girl with dry cough, dyspnea, wheezing, and tachypnea, with partial improvement after treatment with inhaled bronchodilators and corticoids. The spirometry showed a restrictive pattern and reduced lung diffusion capacity; in the CT scan, centrilobular ground-glass opacities were observed, and a lymphocyte count of CD4/CD8 of 2.46 (lymphocytosis) was obtained from the bronchoalveolar lavage. IgG positivity to bird feathers was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is based on avoiding exposure to the causative agent, which is determined by the prognosis; for which taking an extensive medical history is of paramount importance. Corticosteroids can be prescribed based on the clinical response, the pulmonary function, and the radiological improvement.

Antecedentes: La neumonitis por hipersensibilidad agrupa varias enfermedades inflamatorias pulmonares que afectan preferentemente el tejido alveolar y perialveolar. En niños se trata de una enfermedad muy rara, con diagnóstico complicado debido a que la exposición antigénica suele pasar desapercibida. Caso clínico: Niña de 12 años que presentaba tos seca, disnea, sibilancias y taquipnea con mejoría parcial al tratamiento con broncodilatadores y corticoides inhalados. En la espirometría presentó un patrón restrictivo y una capacidad de difusión pulmonar reducida; en la tomografía computarizada se observaron opacidades centrolobulillares en vidrio esmerilado y del lavado broncoalveolar se obtuvo un cociente de linfocitosis CD4/CD8 de 2.46. Se obtuvo IgG positiva a plumas de aves. Conclusiones: El manejo de la neumonitis por hipersensibilidad se basa en evitar la exposición al agente causante, lo que determina el pronóstico; de ahí que resulta de vital importancia realizar una historia clínica exhaustiva. Pueden indicarse corticosteroides en función de la respuesta clínica, la función pulmonar y la mejoría radiológica.

[Pemphigoid reaction by specific allergen immunotherapy: An unusual adverse reaction]. / Reacción tipo penfigoide por inmunoterapia alérgeno-específica: una reacción adversa inusual.

BACKGROUND: For the most part, adverse reactions caused by subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are directly induced by the administration of an allergen; there is usually redness and induration at the area of the injection. Other skin lesions are extremely unusual. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old woman with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma due to sensitization to grass pollen had received monthly doses of 0.5mL of a subcutaneous polymerized extract of grass pollen with glutaraldehyde and adsorbed in aluminum hydroxide. Five hours after the seventh dose, the patient presented stinging and itching at the area of the injection of the immunotherapy, together with a blistering reaction that appeared later. CONCLUSION: Although adverse reactions by allergen-specific immunotherapy are rare and difficult to verify, it is important to perform the necessary analyses to identify the causes or their relation to the symptoms to avoid reactions in the future.

Antecedentes: En su mayoría, las reacciones adversas por inmunoterapia específica subcutánea de alérgenos están directamente inducidas por la administración del alérgeno; por lo general se presenta enrojecimiento e induración de la zona de inyección y otras lesiones cutáneas son raras. Caso clínico: Mujer de 40 años, con rinoconjuntivitis alérgica y asma por sensibilización al polen de gramíneas, quien recibía mensualmente 0.5 mL de un extracto polimerizado subcutáneo de polen de gramíneas, con glutaraldehído y adsorbido en hidróxido de aluminio. Cinco horas después de la administración de la séptima dosis, la paciente presentó ardor y prurito en la zona de la inyección de la inmunoterapia y, posteriormente, ampollas. Conclusiones: Aunque las reacciones adversas por inmunoterapia específica de alérgenos son raras y difíciles de demostrar, es importante realizar los análisis que se requieran para identificar las causas o su relación con los síntomas a fin de evitar reacciones futuras.

Oat allergy: report on 2 cases

No disponible

[Allergy to vegetables belonging to the Solanaceae family]. / Alergia a vegetales pertenecientes a la familia de las solanáceas.

BACKGROUND: Although cross-reactivity with other plant-based foods and latex has been described, allergies to potatoes and tomatoes are uncommon. OBJECTIVE: To study the different sensitization patterns in patients who are allergic to potatoes and/or tomatoes. METHODS: Skin prick tests were carried out with fresh foods and extracts, specific IgE determination and allergen detection by SDS-PAGE and IgE-Immunoblotting with both raw and heated potato and tomato extracts. RESULTS: In 10 patients, two thermostable allergens to potato extract were detected; the first one with a molecular weight that is compatible with Sola t 1 (43 kDa, patatin) and the second one with a molecular weight of 14-22 kDa, which could correspond to the allergens Sola t 4 (16 kDa) and Sola t 2 and Sola t 3 (21 kDa); in two patients who are allergic to potatoes and two patients who are allergic to tomatoes, a thermostable allergen that is compatible to Sola I 2 (50 kDa) was detected. The patient had presented oral allergy syndrome with some types of potatoes and showed higher IgE reactivity to two thermostable potato allergens. CONCLUSIONS: The allergen sensitization patterns were similar in all the patients that had been studied, regardless of the symptoms. A new allergen involved in the allergy to solanaceae plants has been detected.

Antecedentes: Aunque se ha descrito reactividad cruzada con alimentos vegetales y látex, la alergia a la papa y al tomate es infrecuente. Objetivo: Estudiar los diferentes patrones de sensibilización en pacientes alérgicos a la patata o tomate. Métodos: Se realizaron pruebas de punción cutánea con extractos y alimentos frescos, determinación de IgE específica y detección de alérgenos mediante SDS-PAGE e IgE-Immunoblotting con extractos de patata y tomate crudos y calientes. Resultados: En 10 pacientes se detectaron alérgenos termoestables a extracto de patata, uno de peso molecular compatible con Sola t 1 (43 kDa, patatina) y otro de 14-22 kDa que podría corresponder a los alérgenos Sola t 4 (16 kDa), Sola t 2 y Sola t 3 (21 kDa); en dos pacientes alérgicos a la patata y dos alérgicos al tomate se detectó un alérgeno termoestable de aproximadamente 42 kDa. En un paciente alérgico al tomate se detectó un alérgeno termoestable compatible con Sola l 2 (50 kDa); había presentado síndrome de alergia oral con algunos tipos de patatas y mostró mayor reactividad IgE a dos alérgenos termoestables de la patata. Conclusiones: Los patrones de sensibilización a los alérgenos fueron similares en los pacientes, independientemente de los síntomas. Se ha detectado un nuevo alérgeno implicado en la alergia a las solanáceas.

[Study on immunotherapy safety: clinical practice in allergy outpatient care]. / Estudio de seguridad en inmunoterapia: práctica clínica en consulta de alergia.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy with specific allergens is the only immune system-modifying treatment for allergic disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of adverse reactions during the subcutaneous immunotherapy initiation phase in real-life conditions and possible associated risk factors. METHODS: One-year retrospective, observational study. Epidemiological characteristics of 481 patients, type of immunotherapy used and adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: 16.8% of patients suffered atopic dermatitis, 8.9% food allergy, 4% drug allergy and 7.3 % had experienced idiopathic urticaria. Grass pollen was the main allergen. In polysensitized patients, the use of polymerized extracts that contained grasses in their composition was higher (89.2%) than that of native extracts (78.9%). A total of 1292 doses of specific immunotherapy were administered: 881 polymerized extracts and 411 depot extracts; 30 patients had an adverse reaction (6.2 %): 4.4% of those who received polymerized extract and 14.3 % of those who received a native one (OR = 3.657). In patients who received polymerized extracts, the adverse reaction was local in 82.4%, mild systemic in 11.8% and only in one it was serious systemic; 66.7 % of those who received native extract had local reactions, 25 % mild systemic and only one, serious systemic. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous immunotherapy under real life conditions is not free of risk, but the incidence of severe reactions is very low, especially with polymerized extracts, even when grouped or ultra-rapid testing is used.

Antecedentes: La inmunoterapia con alérgenos específicos es el único tratamiento modificador del sistema inmunológico para la enfermedad alérgica. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de reacciones adversas durante la fase de inicio de inmunoterapia subcutánea en condiciones de vida real y los posibles factores de riesgo que se asociados. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de un año. Se registraron características epidemiológicas de 481 pacientes, inmunoterapia utilizada y reacción adversa. Resultados: 16.8 % de los pacientes sufría dermatitis atópica, 8.9 % alergia alimentaria, 4 % alergia a fármacos y 7.3 % había presentado urticaria idiopática. El polen de gramíneas fue el principal alérgeno. En los pacientes polisensibilizados, el uso de extractos polimerizados que llevaban gramíneas en su composición fue mayor (89.2 %) que los extractos nativos (78.9 %). Se administraron 1292 dosis de inmunoterapia específica: 881 extractos polimerizados y 411 extractos depot; 30 pacientes presentaron reacción adversa (6.2 %): 4.4 % de quienes recibieron extracto polimerizado y 14.3 % de quienes recibieron uno nativo (RM = 3.657). En los pacientes que recibieron extractos polimerizados, la reacción adversa fue local en 82.4 %, en 11.8 % sistémica leve y solo uno, sistémica grave; 66.7 % de quienes recibieron extracto nativo presentó reacciones locales, 25 % sistémicas leves y solo uno, sistémica grave. Conclusión: La inmunoterapia subcutánea en condiciones de vida real no está libre de riesgo, pero la incidencia de reacciones graves es muy baja, especialmente con extractos polimerizados, incluso cuando se utilizan tratamientos agrupados o ultrarrápidos.