OBJECTIVES The authors discuss the outcomes of a study on IL-18 concentration in nasal washings after the inhalatory challenge test with flour allergens (ICHT-F) in bakers with flour-induced occupational airway allergy (OAA). METHODS We measured IL-18 concentration using ELISA kit and assessed morphological changes in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) before, and 4 h and 24 h after ICHT-F in three gro...

BACKGROUND Eyelash extensions are applied on top of customers' lashes using instant glue containing cyano acrylate, known to cause occupational rhinitis (OR) and occupational asthma (OA). The number of beauty professionals applying these extensions is increasing due to their popularity. AIMS To report on a case of OA with OR and a case of OR attributable to lash extension glue and to evaluate...

BACKGROUND Exposure to wheat flour and guar gum is a well-known cause of occupational respiratory allergies among workers in the food processing industry. To date, there have been no reports of occupational rhinitis (OR) caused concurrently by two different allergens present in the workplace. AIMS To report a case of OR likely to be induced concurrently by exposure to wheat flour and guar gum...

BACKGROUND Work-related rhinitis and asthma symptoms frequently co-exist. AIMS To determine the prevalence and nature of nasal, pharyngeal, laryngeal and sinus symptoms among individuals with work-related respiratory symptoms. METHODS Individuals referred to a tertiary occupational asthma clinic for investigations with specific inhalation challenges were evaluated using the RHINASTHMA quali...

OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical profile of patients with asthma and to identify possible risk factors for its development in subjects over the age of 12. PATIENTS AND METHODS A multicenter study of cases and controls. Recruited for inclusion were case subjects between the ages of 12 and 40 diagnosed with asthma, with an onset of symptoms after the age of 12. Control subjects were selected...

OBJECTIVES Chloramine T is a known sensitising agent in the occupational environment of health care workers. In cases of occupational hazards induced by this agent, a clinical history may be far from conclusive, hence appropriate provocation tests are absolutely essential. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the nasal challenge test in diagnostics of respiratory allergy to ch...

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of factors associated with difficult-to-control asthma. METHODS Patients with severe asthma were selected from the outpatient asthma clinic of the Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas. The patients were divided into two groups: controlled severe asthma and difficult-to-control severe asthma. After new attempts to optimize the severe ast...

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the frequencies of allergic symptoms and rate of upper respiratory infections during the past year in the general population, kitchen workers (KW) and health care workers (HCW). METHODS The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used to inquire retrospectively about asthma and asthma-like symptoms and the number of treatments required for previ...

F or about one in five people in Australia, the external world can be an unpleasant and potentially dangerous place because of allergic disease. Already one of the most common chronic noncommunicable conditions in the world, allergic disease is predicted to increase in prevalence by approximately 70% in the next 35 years.1 Inadequately treated allergic disease creates a significant economic bur...