Any abnormal reaction resulting from the ingestion of a food could be considered an adverse food reaction, and not necessarily a food allergy. In the evaluation of a patient with a history of an adverse reaction to food, one must consider the broad differential diagnosis before labelling the patient as ‘allergic’ to a foodstuff. The classification of adverse reactions to food is discussed, and ...

Cefotetan is a commonly prescribed second-generation cephalosporin that acts against a wide range of bacteria. However, cefotetan-induced hypersensitivity has rarely been reported. We report 2 cases of cefotetan-induced anaphylaxis with immunologic evaluation. The first case was a 70-year-old asthmatic woman who had dyspnea and hypotension during administration of cefotetan, in which high serum...

In a proportion of atopic asthmatics, exposure to a relevant antigen is followed by chronic inflammation in the airways leading to altered airway responsiveness (AR). However, the mechanisms underlying the development of airway hyperresponsiveness still remain unclear. To elucidate the relationship between IgE-mediated reactions and airway hyperresponsiveness, a murine model of passive sensitiz...

BACKGROUND: Low-dose macrolides (LDM) are anti-inflammatory agents with antineutrophilic activity, but patient selection for LDM therapy in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is controversial. This study aimed to assess factors which predict responders. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort was performed. Patients CRS received roxithromycin (150 mg) once daily 12 weeks. Nasal secretions and sero...

BACKGROUND Few population-based cohort studies have examined reported food hypersensitivity longitudinally. We investigated prevalence, incidence and remission of perceived food hypersensitivity among schoolchildren from 8 to 12 years of age, and risk factors associated with incidence and remission. METHODS A population-based cohort including all 7-8 year-old children in three Swedish towns w...

The human immune system is an assemblage of cellular and humoral components working together in a highly complex, coordinated, and elegant fashion to achieve the primary goal of protecting the human host (self) from harmful offenders (nonself). Exposure to danger signals activates the various immune mechanisms to bring about immune responses aimed at neutralizing the dangerous nonself while pre...

Regulation of the immune response requires the cooperation of multiple signals in the activation of effector cells. For example, T cells require signals emanating from both the TCR for antigen (upon recognition of MHC/antigenic peptide) and receptors for costimulatory molecules (e.g., CD80 and CD60) for full activation. Here we show that IgE-mediated reactions in the conjunctiva also require mu...

BACKGROUND Allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies play pivotal roles in the induction and progression of allergic hypersensitivity reactions. Consequently, monoclonal human IgE and IgG4 antibodies with defined specificity for allergens should be useful in allergy research and diagnostic tests. We used combinatorial antibody libraries and subsequent recombinant production to make and assess Ig...

BackgroundIgE causes anaphylaxis in type I hypersensitivity diseases by activating degranulation of effector cells such as mast and basophils. The mechanisms that control IgE activity prevent under normal conditions are still enigmatic.ObjectiveWe aimed to unravel how anti-IgE autoantibodies induced we understand their role regulating serum level allergic anaphylaxis.MethodsWe immunized mice wi...