Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting skin disorder seen primarily in adolescents, whose aetiology appears to be multifactorial. The four main aetiological factors are hypercornification of the pilosebaceous duct, increased sebum production, colonization with Propionibacterium acnes, and subsequently the production of inflammation. Considerable investigation has addressed the immunologic reaction to...

the primary immunodeficiency (pi) disorders are abnormalities in development and maturation of the immune system. individuals with pi disease may experience frequent infections, which limit their abilities to exhibit physical and psychological well-being secondary to their illness. in this survey we compared health-related quality of life of primary immune deficient patients with healthy childr...

it has been recognized that acute and chronic stress has an impact on the immune system. acute stress may have a stimulating effect on the immune system, while in the case of chronic stress specially depression, the immune system could be down-regulated. however, an association between depression and a higher number of circulating white blood cells with increased activity has been reported. ele...

Photopheresis, the process by which peripheral blood is exposed in an extracorporeal flow system to photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), is a new treatment for disorders caused by aberrant T lymphocytes. It is now a standard therapy for advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and shows promise in the treatment of two autoimmune disorders, pemphigus vulgaris and progressive systemic sclerosis (s...

Objective: Our aim is to establish the immunologic profile of PPD-intoxicated persons based on monitoring of the inflammatory reaction. Methods and patients: A prospective study of 21 patients hospitalized in a medical ICU with PPD intoxication during 2010. A follow-up of demographic, clinical, paraclinical and evolutive parameters as well as an inflammatory check-up (white blood cell, C-reacti...

In the analysis of respiratory tract reactions, much emphasis is placed on possible allergic mechanisms. The term "allergy" was introduced by von Pirquet in 1906 (1) to describe the profound biologic transformation of the intact organism resulting from adequate exposure to viable and nonviable agents, so that re-exposure, often to small, indeed minute, and apparently innocuous amounts of extrin...

Erythema multiforme (EM) is a clinical conundrum, the name of which reflects the broad morphological spectrum of the lesions [1]. It is an acute, self-limited, episodic and muco-cutaneous inflammatory disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that could be related to immunologic [2] hypersensitivity reaction to certain infections, medications, and other various triggers [3]. It is classified in...

DEFINITION OF FOOD ALLERGY — In this section, the terms "allergy" and "hypersensitivity" are used interchangeably to refer to an abnormal immunologic reaction to food. Such reactions can be mediated by IgE molecules directed against specific food proteins that activate mast cells and basophils, or can arise from other cellular processes involving eosinophils or T cells. (See "Clinical manifesta...