Systemic reactions to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy and the response to epinephrine.

The use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is the standard of care, but its use for mild systemic reactions (SRs) is somewhat controversial. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of SR to SCIT, the symptoms reported, and the response to intramuscular (i.m.) epinephrine over a 1 year period. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate SRs to SCIT to any combination of approximately 20 allergens (pollens, animal emanations, molds, and Hymenoptera) in 773 subjects representing 14,707 visits, receiving approximately 28,000 injections over 1 year. Nurses were instructed to administer epinephrine (1:1000 v/v) 0.2 mL i.m. for signs or symptoms of a SR. SRs were graded using the universal grading system proposed by the World Allergy Organization (WAO) Joint Task Force for Grading SR to Immunotherapy. Thirty-one patients (4%) had 32 SRs, 22 (71%) female, average age 40 yr. Nineteen (61%) had a history of asthma; 7 (22.6%) had a history of a previous SR. SRs were reported on average 24 minutes after injection. Symptoms included: generalized pruritus, 34.4%; upper airway pruritus, 28.1%; cough, 25.0%; shortness of breath, 21.9%. Fourteen SRs were classified as Grade 1, thirteen Grade 2, two Grade 3, and three Grade 4. No Grade 5 or late phase reactions were reported. 29 (90.6%) reactions were treated with epinephrine, 27 (84.4%) glucocorticosteroid, and 30 (93.8%) H1 antihistamine. SRs occurred in 4% of patients receiving SCIT and all who received early intervention with epinephrine responded successfully. The WAO Grading system was useful.

Important Florida botanical aeroallergens.

Florida is home to approximately 4 million allergy sufferers and almost 15,000 individual species of plants. Only a few of these plants produce pollen with documented allergenicity via in vivo/in vitro testing and provocation challenges. Many plant species with proven allergenicity are present only to a limited degree. Furthermore, allergenic plants in Florida do not follow the same pollinating patterns as the rest of the country, i.e., trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and weeds in the fall. Media outlets that report pollen counts to the general public may mislead patients without appropriate interpretation. This review highlights clinical studies that document the allergenicity of some pollens and summarizes expert opinion regarding other prevalent and allergenic pollens throughout the state.

Approach to patients with suspected hypersensitivity to local anesthetics.

Adverse reactions to local anesthetics are relatively common, but true IgE-mediated hypersensitivity is extremely rare. Fortunately, the vast majority of adverse reactions occur via nonimmunologic means, but considerable confusion still exists among providers. We conducted a review of the literature to determine if earlier estimates of IgE-mediated allergy are consistent with current reports and whether current management strategies are consistent with these findings. We identified several confounding variables involved in the evaluation, including the roles of preservatives/additives, epinephrine, latex, and inadequate testing procedures. These problems may cause significant diagnostic challenges for clinicians. It is in fact much more likely that there is an alternate diagnosis, and in many cases clinicians can begin the evaluation in the office. When local anesthetic allergy is still suspected, the patient should be referred to an allergist for testing to determine if the suspected culprit drug can be safely used, or, if necessary, identify a suitable alternative.

Oral curcumin supplementation in patients with atopic asthma.

Oral curcumin is recognized to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used by ancient traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of diseases. In vitro studies have confirmed the ability of curcumin to inhibit allergic inflammatory cytokine responses from lymphocytes; however, there are no in vivo studies of curcumin to treat inflammation associated with allergic asthma. This study was designed to determine the effect of oral curcumin supplementation on patients with stable, persistent, atopic asthma. Adult patients with stable, persistent asthma with evidence of allergic sensitization were randomized to receive 1000 mg of curcumin twice daily or placebo. Subjects were followed for 6 months and performed monthly spirometry (pre- and postbronchodilator); Asthma Control Test (ACT) scoring; and measurements for fractional excretion of nitric oxide (NO), serum eosinophil count, leukocyte count, total IgE, specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), use of rescue albuterol, and dose of inhaled corticosteroid. Nine patients were randomized into the treatment arm and six were randomized into the placebo group. No differential response was seen in the treatment and placebo groups regarding the primary end point, postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)). Similarly, all secondary end point evaluations were not significantly different. Despite in vitro evidence that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit allergic cytokine responses from lymphocytes in vitro, curcumin, 1000-mg, twice daily supplementation did not significantly affect postbronchodilator FEV(1), ACT scores, use of rescue bronchodilator, dose of inhaled corticosteroid, exhaled NO, serum IgE, total white blood cell count specific IgE to Der p or Der f, and blood eosinophils in patients with persistent atopic asthma.