Dilek Tezcan

Retrospective evaluation of epidermal skin prick tests in patients living in Aegean region

Sensitization to aeroallergens of Aegean region is not well decumented. In this study we evaluated the epidermal skin prick test results of the patients who applied to allergy outpatient department retrospectively. Epidermal skin prick test of the 5055 patients were evaluated. Of these patients 2638 (52 %) were female, 2417 (48 %) male, 1213 (24 %) adult and 3842 (76 %) pediatric patient, 1163 (23 %) patients were allergic rhinitis, 2477 (49 %) were bronchial asthma, 505 (10 %) were allergic rhinitis with bronchial asthma, 556 (11 %) were chronic urticaria, 253 (5 %) were wheezy infant and 101 (2 %) patients were atopic dermatitis, 2932 (58 %) had atopy history in their first and second degree relatives. Patients were aged between 3.5 months and 79 years (mean 14.1 3.2 years and median 11 years). In epidermal skin prick tests sensitization to house dust mites (D. farinae, D. pteroniyssinus), pollens (grass, cereals and trees), moulds, animal danders, foods (especially in early childhood) and cockroach were evaluated. Our data indicate that allergens that may be the cause of the high prevalence of allergic diseases in Izmir are probably produced by pollens and mites.

Evaluation of montelukast in 8 to 14 year old children with mild persistent asthma and compared with inhaled corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical effectiveness, tolerability and reliability of montelukast and to compare this drug with inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS We performed a randomized, 14-week, 2-period, prospective parallel group study. After a 2-week run-in period, patients received treatment for 12 weeks. Sixty-three clinically stable outpatients aged 8 to 14 years with a history of mild persistent asthma for at least 1 year and a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) greater than 80 % of the predicted value were evaluated. RESULTS Montelukast produced improvement in airway obstruction, daily symptom scores, total daily as-needed beta-agonist use, nocturnal awakenings, percentage of days and percentage of patients with asthma exacerbations, and urinary leukotriene E4 levels. These beneficial effects were similar to those produced by inhaled corticosteroids. There were no significant adverse effects requiring treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS Montelukast may be a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic option in 8 to 14-year-old patients with mild persistent asthma.

Relation between serum IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ levels and recurrence of wheezing episodes in infants with acute bronchiolitis

Lower respiratory tract infections are the most important factors among various causes which trigger wheezing in the first year of life. The factors associated with episodic wheezing in children with acute bronchiolitis are still subjects of research. Infections, environmental factors, immunologic mechanisms are sorted as etiologic risk factors of episodic wheezing. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐13 and γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ) levels and recurrence of wheezing episodes in infants with acute bronchiolitis. One hundred twenty infants between 3 and 36 months with acute bronchiolitis enrolled in the study. Personal histories, clinical and laboratory data of infants were recorded. The patients were followed for a year. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine serum IL‐4, IL‐13, and IFN‐γ levels during acute bronchiolitis episode. The number of wheezing episodes was significantly higher in infants with a positive family history of allergy. A statistically significant correlation was determined between serum IL‐13 levels of infants and number of wheezing episodes. High serum IL‐13 levels and a positive history of allergy may have important roles in the recurrence of acute bronchiolitis.

Sunflower seed allergy in a child reveloping after sensitization to sunflower pollen or dust

Sunflower seed is one of the most commonly consumed snacks in our country. Sunflower seeds are not only eaten as snacks but also are used as ingredients of breads, mueslies and bars in recent years. Sunflower seed allergy is seen rarely in children and may be presented as angioedema or anaphylaxis. Respiratory allergies have been reported previously in adults owning birds fed on sunflower seeds. We present a case with sunflower seed allergy who had been already sensitized with sunflower pollen or dust and developed sunflower seed allergy afterwards.

Ev Tozu Allerjisi Saptanan Hastaların Retrospektif Değerlendirmesi

Amac: Ocak 2002-Aralik 2003 tarihleri arasinda epidermal deri prick test sonucundaakar pozitifligi saptanan hastalarin degerlendirilmesi. Gerec ve yontem: 172 hastanin dosyalari retrospektif olarak tarandi.Bulgular: Hastalarin 76’si (%44,2) kiz, 96’si (%55,8) erkek idi. 5-68 yaslarindaki (Ort18,92 ± 13,08) hastalarin 53’u (%30,8) astim, 20’si (%11,6) mevsimsel allerjik rinit(MAR), 24’u (%14) perennial allerjik rinit (PAR), 12’si (%7) urtiker, 2’si (%1,2) atopikdermatit, 15’i (%8,7) astim ve MAR, 31’i (%18) astim ve PAR, 3’u (%1,7) astim veurtiker, 5’i (%2,9) PAR ve urtiker, 4’u (%2,3) MAR ve urtiker, 1’i (%0,6) astim, PARve urtiker, 2’si (%1,2) astim, MAR ve urtiker tanilari ile izlenmekteydi. Astim (Ort5,67 ± 3,79 yil), MAR (Ort 25,46 ± 15,60) ve PAR’e (Ort 17,40 ± 12,91) gore dahaerken yaslarda ortaya cikmisti. 106 hastanin (%61,6) ailesinde atopi mevcuttu. Ig Eduzeyleri 7,6-1521 IU/L (Ort 343,61 ± 334,28 IU/L), total eozinofil duzeyleri 01420/mm³ (391,88 ± 213,60/mm³) arasinda idi. 77 hastanin (%44) sadece akarlara,95 hastanin (%56) diger aeroallerjenlere de duyarliligi gosterildi. Hastalarin 18’ine (%10,5) immunoterapi uygulanmisti.Sonuc: Ev tozu akarlari; astim, alerjik rinit, atopik dermatit ve urtikeri de icerenallerjik hastaliklarin patogenezinde onemli bir rol oynamakta ve bu allerjenlerdenkorunma allerjik hastaliklarin tedavisinde onemli bir yer tutmaktadir