A. Todo-Bom

Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe--an underestimated disease. A GA²LEN study.

To cite this article: Hastan D, Fokkens WJ, Bachert C, Newson RB, Bislimovska J, Bockelbrink A, Bousquet PJ, Brozek G, Bruno A, Dahlén SE, Forsberg B, Gunnbjörnsdóttir M, Kasper L, Krämer U, Kowalski ML, Lange B, Lundbäck B, Salagean E, Todo‐Bom A, Tomassen P, Toskala E, van Drunen CM, Bousquet J, Zuberbier T, Jarvis D, Burney P. Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe – an underestimated disease. A GA2LEN study. Allergy 2011; 66: 1216–1223.

Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens

To cite this article: Bousquet J, Heinzerling L, Bachert C, Papadopoulos NG, Bousquet PJ, Burney PG, Canonica GW, Carlsen KH, Cox L, Haahtela T, Lodrup Carlsen KC, Price D, Samolinski B, Simons FER, Wickman M, Annesi‐Maesano I, Baena‐Cagnani CE, Bergmann KC, Bindslev‐Jensen C, Casale TB, Chiriac A, Cruz AA, Dubakiene R, Durham SR, Fokkens WJ, Gerth‐van‐Wijk R, Kalayci O, Kowalski ML, Mari A, Mullol J, Nazamova‐Baranova L, O’Hehir RE, Ohta K, Panzner P, Passalacqua G, Ring J, Rogala B, Romano A, Ryan D, Schmid‐Grendelmeier P, Todo‐Bom A, Valenta R, Woehrl S, Yusuf OM, Zuberbier T, Demoly P. Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens. Allergy 2012; 67: 18–24.

GA(2)LEN skin test study I: GA(2)LEN harmonization of skin prick testing: novel sensitization patterns for inhalant allergens in Europe

Background:  Skin prick testing is the standard for diagnosing IgE‐mediated allergies. However, different allergen extracts and different testing procedures have been applied by European allergy centres. Thus, it has been difficult to compare results from different centres or studies across Europe. It was, therefore, crucial to standardize and harmonize procedures in allergy diagnosis and treatment within Europe.

Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN paper

 Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) can be defined as a chronic nasal inflammation which is not caused by systemic IgE‐dependent mechanisms. It is common and probably affects far more than 200 million people worldwide. Both children and adults are affected. However, its exact prevalence is unknown and its phenotypes need to be evaluated using appropriate methods to better understand its pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. It is important to differentiate between infectious rhinitis, allergic/NAR and chronic rhinosinusitis, as management differs for each of these cases. Characterization of the phenotype, mechanisms and management of NAR represents one of the major unmet needs in allergic and nonallergic diseases. Studies on children and adults are required in order to appreciate the prevalence, phenotype, severity and co‐morbidities of NAR. These studies should compare allergic and NAR and consider different age group populations including elderly subjects. Mechanistic studies should be carried out to better understand the disease(s) and risk factors and to guide towards an improved diagnosis and therapy. These studies need to take the heterogeneity of NAR into account. It is likely that neuronal mechanisms, T cells, innate immunity and possibly auto‐immune responses all play a role in NAR and may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

GA2LEN skin test study II: clinical relevance of inhalant allergen sensitizations in Europe.

Background:  Skin prick testing is the standard for diagnosing IgE‐mediated allergies. A positive skin prick reaction, however, does not always correlate with clinical symptoms. A large database from a Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA2LEN) study with data on clinical relevance was used to determine the clinical relevance of sensitizations against the 18 most frequent inhalant allergens in Europe. The study population consisted of patients referred to one of the 17 allergy centres in 14 European countries (n = 3034, median age = 33 years). The aim of the study was to assess the clinical relevance of positive skin prick test reactions against inhalant allergens considering the predominating type of symptoms in a pan‐European population of patients presenting with suspected allergic disease.

GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) addresses the allergy and asthma 'epidemic'

Allergic diseases represent a major health problem in Europe. They are increasing in prevalence, severity and costs. The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), a Sixth EU Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (FP6) Network of Excellence, was created in 2005 as a vehicle to ensure excellence in research bringing together research and clinical institutions to combat fragmentation in the European research area and to tackle Allergy in its globality. The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network has benefited greatly from the voluntary efforts of researchers who are strongly committed to this model of pan‐European collaboration. The network was organized in order to increase networking for scientific projects in allergy and asthma around Europe and to make GA2LEN the world leader in the field. Besides these activities, research has also been carried out and the first papers are being published. Achievements of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network can be grouped as follows: (i) those for a durable infrastructure built up during the project phase, (ii) those which are project‐related and based on these novel infrastructures, and (iii) the development and implementation of guidelines. The major achievements of GA2LEN are reported in this paper.

Pollen proteases compromise the airway epithelial barrier through degradation of transmembrane adhesion proteins and lung bioactive peptides.

To cite this article: Vinhas R, Cortes L, Cardoso I, Mendes VM, Manadas B, Todo‐Bom A, Pires E, Veríssimo P. Pollen proteases compromise the airway epithelial barrier through degradation of transmembrane adhesion proteins and lung bioactive peptides. Allergy 2011; 66: 1088–1098.

The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study.

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking. As part of a multicentric case–control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20–45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma. These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

GA2LEN skin test study III: Minimum battery of test inhalent allergens needed in epidemiological studies in patients

Background:  The number of allergens to be tested in order to identify sensitized patients is important in order to have the most cost‐effective approach in epidemiological studies.

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin-specific IgE is associated with asthma in the general population : a GA(2)LEN study

Specific IgE to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SE‐IgE) has been associated with asthma. In the general population, we aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for serum SE‐IgE and to examine the association with asthma.