L. Perfetti

Clinical and inflammatory features of occupational asthma caused by persulphate salts in comparison with asthma associated with occupational rhinitis

To cite this article: Moscato G, Pala G, Perfetti L, Frascaroli M, Pignatti P. Clinical and inflammatory features of occupational asthma caused by persulphate salts in comparison with asthma associated with occupational rhinitis. Allergy 2010; 65: 784–790.

Levels of house-dust-mite allergen in homes of nonallergic people in Pavia, Italy

Background:u2002HDM distribution varies between geographic areas and may be affected by housing characteristics. We quantified Der p 1 and Der f 1 and assessed the relationships between their levels and housing characteristics in homes of nonallergic subjects.

Increased CD69 expression on peripheral blood eosinophils after specific inhalation challenge

Background:u2002CD69 is a molecule expressed on human eosinophils after cytokine‐activation. Different studies have described the eosinophil activation, evaluated by CD69 expression, at the site of an allergic inflammation. In this study we evaluated the expression of CD69 on peripheral blood eosinophils after a specific inhalation challenge (SIC), in order to better define the state of activation of peripheral blood eosinophils after exposure to sensitizers.

Occupational asthma and rhinitis induced by a cephalosporin intermediate product: description of a case

role in the development of CSS; (ii) the reduction of corticosteroids, allowed by omalizumab treatment, can unmask CSS, which, beforehand,manifests itself only by asthma, as a forme-fruste of CSS (4). Although the existing evidence seems to indicate that omalizumab can be continued as soon as acute CSS is resolved in order to achieve an optimal control of the asthmatic component (5, 6), we preferred to stop treatment, so as not to expose the patient to a potential risk of further evolution of CSS. In any case, our case suggests to taper corticosteroid with caution and to strictly monitoring patients under omalizumab treatment for signs of CSS, as apparently anti-IgE therapy does not control CSS activity.

Usefulness of basophil activation test in diagnosis of occupational nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis

from 120 before treatment to MFI 22 following omalizumab (data not shown) indicating a decreased IgE load on the basophils. We hypothesize that the favourable clinical response to omalizumab reflects decreased activation of mast cells (similar to the effect in basophils) because of decreased IgE binding to systemic mast cells, which has occurred in this nonatopic individual with an abnormal mast cell population. A BMA performed 7 months after treatment commenced showed persistence of abnormal CD25 and CD2 positive mast cells, consistent with SM, despite the patient’s dramatic clinical improvement. Anaphylaxis associated with SM may have catastrophic consequences. We alert our colleagues to the efficacy of omalizumab for treatment of such patients whether atopic or nonatopic. Jo A Douglass, Robyn O’Hehir and Astrid Voskamp received omalizumab for an investigator initiated study not involving systemic mastocytosis. Jo A Douglass and Robyn O’Hehir participated in contracted research for Novartis. Jo A Douglass received travel sponsorship from Schering-Plough.