Zeynep Çelebi Sözener

Omalizumab in non-allergic Asthma: A report of 13 cases

ABSTRACT Background: There are limited data regarding the effectiveness of omalizumab in patients with non-allergic asthma. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional effectiveness of omalizumab in patients with non-allergic asthma. Methods: The study was a single-center, retrospective chart review of patients with non-allergic asthma who were treated with add-on omalizumab between February 2014 and March 2016. After omalizumab was started, data of the asthma control test (ACT), pulmonary function test, and daily oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage were collected at baseline, 16 weeks, 1 year, 2 and 3 years (if available). The number of exacerbations/hospitalizations were collected 1 year prior to and 6 months/1 year after omalizumab. To calculate the total daily dosage of OCS in milligrams, data for 6 months/1 year prior and after omalizumab treatment were recorded. Results: Thirteen patients were included. After omalizumab, the mean ACT was significantly increased at 16 weeks (n = 13, p = 0.002), 1 year (n = 7, p = 0.006), and 2 years (n = 5, p = 0.006). The mean daily OCS dose was significantly decreased at 16 weeks (n = 13, p = 0.001), 1 year (n = 7, p = 0.006), and 2 years (n = 5, p = 0.04). The mean number of exacerbations and hospitalizations were decreased at the 6th month (n = 13; p = 0.001, p = 0.005) and 1st year (n = 7; p = 0.01, p = 0.02). The mean total quantity of OCS decreased 42% from 1.4 to 0.8 g in the six-month period prior to and post-omalizumab treatment (n = 6, p = 0.02) and decreased 76% from 3.8 to 0.9 g at 1 year in the pre vs. post-omalizumab treatment comparison (n = 7, p = 0.01). Six (46.2%) patients responded perfectly and seven (53.8%) partially responded to treatment. Conclusion: Omalizumab can be effective in non-atopic severe asthma.

Rapid Drug Desensitization with Biologics: A Single-Center Experience with Four Biologics

Background: Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) induces a temporary tolerance to biologics which induce hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). Data are limited regarding the use of RDD outside the USA. Our purpose was to report our data on RDD to rituximab, infliximab, cetuximab, and trastuzumab. Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective chart review of patients with symptoms of HSRs to biologics. HSRs were classified as grades I, II, and III, based on their severity. Skin-prick tests/intradermal tests (IDTs) were performed with the implicated biologics. The 12-step RDD protocol was used. Results: The study group comprised 11 women and 6 men (mean age: 47 ± 11.7 years). Fourteen patients experienced HSRs to rituximab; 3 had HSRs to cetuximab, infliximab, and trastuzumab, respectively. HSRs to cetuximab, infliximab, and trastuzumab occurred during the first infusion and were all grade III. Twelve of the 14 patients with rituximab hypersensitivity had a reaction during the first infusion; 10 patients had grade II reactions and 4 had grade III reactions. Respiratory symptoms were the most frequent presentation of HSR. Skin tests with rituximab were performed on 10 patients; only 3 resulted in positive IDTs (with 1:100 dilutions) and the other tests were negative as were those performed with the other biologics. Of 96 RDDs, 89 desensitizations were performed with rituximab, 5 with cetuximab, 1 with infliximab, and 1 with trastuzumab. There were 12 (13.5%) breakthrough reactions, all of which were associated with rituximab and were less severe than the initial reactions. Conclusion: RDD was found to be safe and effective in the largest case series of RDDs with biologics in our country, Turkey.

Fixed drug eruption caused by ornidazole and fluconazole but not isoconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and metronidazole

1 Shiohara T, Inaoka M, Kano Y. Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS): a reaction induced by a complex interplay among herpesviruses and antiviral and antidrug immune responses. Allergol Int 2006; 55: 1–8. 2 Walsh SA, Creamer D. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms(DRESS): a clinical update and review of current thinking. Clin Exp Dermatol 2011; 36: 6–11. 3 Hamaguchi Y, Fujimoto M, Enokido Y et al. Intractable genital ulcers from HSV reactivation in DIHS caused by allopurinol. Int J Dermatol 2010; 49: 700–704. 4 Kano Y, Hiraharas J, Sakuma K, Shiohara T. Several herpesvirus can reactivate in a severe drug-induced multiorgan reaction in the same sequential order as in graft-versus-host disease. Br J Dermatol 2006; 155: 301–306.

Churg–Strauss syndrome: a new endotype of severe asthma? Results of 14 Turkish patients

Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare multisystem vasculitis. Considering the variation of autoimmune diseases in different races, it is of interest to determine whether any outstanding features exist for Turkish patients with CSS.

Smoking attitudes of the patients with allergic rhinitis: a comparison with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Are there differences when only upper airways are involved?

Introduction Despite the well documented relationship between lower airway diseases and smoking, there are limited data about smoking and allergic rhinitis (AR). In this study, we aimed to document the smoking behaviour and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of the patients with AR in comparison with patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and healthy controls (HC). Materials and Methods Demographics and disease characteristics were recorded from case files whereas smoking history, childhood and current exposures to ETS, as well as the smoking behaviors were investigated by a self reported questionnaire. Result A total of 937 subjects comprising patients with AR (n= 252), asthma (n= 249), COPD (n= 188) and HCs (n= 248) were enrolled in the study. The rates of active smokers were 35% (HCs), 26% (COPD), 21% (AR), and 11% (asthma). Exposure to ETS while with friends was significantly higher among HCs and AR groups (p< 0.0001). The rate of willingness to quit smoking is high in AR patients (73%) but they did not determined about date of quiting. Conclusions Our results showed that a significant number of patients with AR actively smoke and neither the patients with AR nor the people in their surroundings were sufficiently aware of the health hazards of smoking with AR. It seems necessary to inform patients with about the health effects of smoking on all respiratory tract diseases.

Is Adenoidectomy and/or Tonsillectomy a Risk Factor for Allergic Diseases and Asthma in Adulthood?

Objective To determine the relationship between adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood and allergic diseases in adulthood. Materials and Methods A survey investigating the history of adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was administered to patients that were followed-up by our department between January and June 2014 with the diagnosis of asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria-angioedema, drug allergy, food allergy, and venom allergy; patients willing to participate were included in the study. The relationship and risk ratios were analyzed. Results Totally, 510 (female/male: 379/131) patients were included in the study: 248 with asthma, 205 with rhinitis, 82 with drug allergy, 73 with urticaria, 24 with food allergy, and 14 with venom allergy. Of these, 65 (12.7%) had undergone adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Of these 65 patients, 41 had asthma, 33 had allergic rhinitis, and 28 had other allergic diseases. No relation between the history of atopy and adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (p=0.129) was detected; however, there was a positive correlation between asthma and patients aged <15 years having a history of tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (p=0.020). The risk of asthma was determined to be increased by 1.96 fold among the patients, provided the patient had undergone adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (confidence interval [CI]:1.14-3.36). No connection was observed between atopic and non-atopic asthmatic patients in relation to adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (p=0.46). No relationship was observed between allergic rhinitis and adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Conclusion Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood increase the risk of asthma in adulthood, whereas it does not increase the risk of atopy. This result signifies the criticality of adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Does the Medical Diagnosis of Occupational Asthma Coincide With the Legal Diagnosis

ABSTRACT Objective: The incidence of occupational asthma (OA) is increasing worldwide. In this study, we first aimed to document the rate of diagnosis of OA among patients who were referred to our clinic from the Social Security Institution and the factors that affected diagnosis; secondly, we aimed to assess the consistency of the medical and legal diagnoses. Methods: The study involved 132 consecutive patients who were referred to our clinic for the evaluation of OA between 2010 and 2015. Detailed workplace history, the tools used in the diagnosis such as peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring and bronchial provocation tests, and the final medical diagnosis were recorded from case files. Results: Asthma was diagnosed in 75% (n = 99) of the patients. Among them, 22.2% were diagnosed as having OA. The diagnosis was confirmed by serial PEF measurements, non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity assessment or both of the tests both at work and off-work periods. OA diagnosis was mostly established in active workers (72.7%). The legal diagnosis period was completed in 54.5% of these 22 patients, and 50% (n = 11) were officially diagnosed as having OA with a 91.6% concordance with medical diagnosis. Conclusion: This study verifies the importance of diagnosing asthma correctly as a first step in the evaluation of OA. Diagnostic tests other than specific provocation tests could be preferential in patients who still work in the same field. We believe that cooperation with the patients occupational physician and adequate recognition of the work environment will improve the consistency of legal and medical diagnoses.

A Case of Pantoprazole Anaphylaxis with Cross Reactivity to All Proton Pump Inhibitors: Finding a Safe Alternative

BACKGROUND Hypersensitivity reactions due to Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs ) are rare, and further anaphylaxis to a PPI with cross-reactivity to all commercially available PPIs is very rare. OBJECTIVE To present a case of anaphylaxis to pantoprazole with cross-reactivity to all commercially available PPIs. METHODS Skin prick tests (SPTs), intradermal tests (IDTs) and oral provocation tests (OPTs) were performed with available PPIs according to the method described in previous studies. RESULTS All tested PPIs except lansoprazole were positive on skin tests either SPT or IDT. The patient was challenged with lansoprazole at increasing doses (7.5 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg capsule) every 60 minutes and she reacted with urticaria to 52.5 mg cumulative dose of lansoprazole. She could tolerate ranitidine and famotidine tablets via OPT. CONCLUSION In our best knowledge, our case was the first case in this regard and that points the possibility of all cross-reactive pattern in patients with pantoprazole anaphylaxis and the importance of a thorough drug allergy work-up for finding safe alternatives. H2 receptor antagonists are used as safe alternatives in cases with PPI hypersensitivity.

Malign mesothelioma and gelatinous pleural fluid

Abstract Gelatinous or viscous pleural fluid can be seen in malignant mesothelioma. We reported a 65-year-old patient with mesothelioma, also diagnosed as non-hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Mini-thoracotomy was performed in order to get the fluid out, and to make pleurodesis. This patient had been followed up for four years then he died. Gelatinous fluid can be manageable well with surgery and pleurodesis and can be the messenger of long survival.