Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology

BACKGROUND: Biphasic anaphylaxis despite successful treatment has an incidence of 4-5% based on NIAID/FAAN criteria. Our study aimed to investigate the frequency and predictive factors associated with biphasic reactions within the emergency department (ED) at Siriraj Hospital. METHODS: This observational study assessed medical records of anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock patients at Siriraj Hospital's ED from January 2015 to December 2019. Of these, a random sample was reviewed and validated by allergists...

BACKGROUND: Although allergy might be another factor that exacerbates lupus as demonstrated by several epidemiologic studies, the direct correlation between lupus activities and allergy is still in question. OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between allergic reaction and lupus activities. METHODS: The allergic asthma model using ovalbumin (OVA) administration in wildtype (WT) and Fc gamma receptor IIb deficient (FcgRIIb-/-) mice (a lupus-prone model) together with in vitro experiments on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were performed...

BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Septicemic melioidosis patients have a high mortality rate within 48 hours. OBJECTIVE: To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) assay for detection of B. pseudomallei in blood samples. METHODS: The PCR with wcbG gene primers and a PCR-LFD test were developed. The specificity and sensitivity were determined using the B...

BACKGROUND: Air volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause allergic reaction mainly via the respiratory tract or skin. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between daily visits by patients with urticaria and short-term changes in exposure to ambient air VOCs. METHODS: The dependent variable was information from patients with urticaria at a medical center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 2014/01/01 to 2018/07/31. The multivariable model included one-day average 75th percentile values of air VOCs and meteorologic data retrieved from Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network database, and was analyzed using a case-crossover study design and conditional logistic regression...

BACKGROUND: In children suspected of asthma, diagnosis is confirmed via variable expiratory airflow limitation. However, there is no single gold standard test for diagnosing asthma. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary function characteristics in children suspected of asthma without bronchodilator response (BDR) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). METHODS: We utilized two separate real-world retrospective observational cohorts of children who underwent both spirometry and bronchial provocation testing for asthma...

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) has been reported in one-third of children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To identify factor associated with food allergy among preschool children with AD, and to compare AD resolution between preschool children with and without FA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using database registry and questionnaire interview was conducted at Siriraj Hospital(Bangkok, Thailand) during 2022, and physician-diagnosed AD children aged ≤ 6 years were enrolled...

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with different outcomes. For children with asthma at the age of 7 years, 67-75% are symptom-free as adults. Data on the important link between childhood and adult asthma are sparse. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate factors associated with persistence of childhood asthma over three years of follow-up by linking data between Korea childhood Asthma Study (KAS) and their matched claims data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)...

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract is the primary target of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, nasal immune responses act as the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the immune responses of human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) upon stimulation with a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. This candidate named RBD-NPs is composed of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) encapsulated within the N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (TMC-NPs)...

BACKGROUND: Selecting optimal biologics based on type 2 biomarkers has been of interest in severe asthma treatment. However, few direct biomarker stratification-based comparisons have been made. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, benralizumab), omalizumab, and dupilumab in reducing the number of hospitalizations from asthma and exacerbations across all and eosinophil-stratified subgroups. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Organization database (2016-2020) was performed...

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction with rising incidence worldwide. Young children's limited ability to express symptoms adds unique diagnostic challenges. OBJECTIVE: To study on anaphylaxis in children, including triggers, symptoms, treatment, atopic status impact, and adrenaline injection time intervals. METHODS: In-patient medical records of children who were diagnosed with anaphylaxis during 2014-2021 were reviewed...

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) of the cannabinoid system is predominantly expressed on immune cells and involved in a diverse range of immune functions. However, the role of CB2 in immunoregulation is still controversial. One of the challenges in the detailed characterization and functional study of CB2 is the lack of CB2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to produce mAbs against a native form of human CB2 using human CB2 expressing mouse myeloma cells as immunogens...

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper; in Chinese) is used as a spice worldwide and is a potentially life-threatening allergenic food source, as first reported by our team in 2005. However, its allergen components are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aim to identify and characterize its major allergen and determine its cross-reactivities with citrus seeds, pistachios, and cashew seeds. METHODS: Ionic exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography were used to isolate the protein components from Sichuan pepper seed...

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is defined as an inflammatory disease of the nose. Nasal corticosteroids (NCS) are one of the most effective drugs used in AR treatment. OBJECTIVE: One of the most important issues in the treatment of AR is patient adherence to NCS. We aimed to evaluate the adherence and attitude of patients with AR to NCS treatment. METHODS: One hundred four patients who were prescribed NCS for AR at any time and who used NCS during the study period were included in the study...

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are a growing public health concern with increasing prevalence and severity. Allergens play significant roles in triggering immune responses and the development of allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the presence and clinical significance of dust mites, storage mites, and predatory mite Cheyletus eruditus(Ce) in household environments. METHODS: A survey of household dust was performed to determine mite occurrence and analyze influencing factors, an analysis of the correlation between mite species and allergic symptoms, and basophil activation triggered by mite allergens...

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in young children. As improved diagnostic tools, allergic tests are inconsistent and limited in predicting anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVE: To explore risk factors for anaphylaxis and to determine practical cut-offs for allergic tests in predicting anaphylaxis. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Children with IgE-mediated CMA were enrolled and divided into three groups (Group 1: non-anaphylaxis; Group 2: GRADE I anaphylaxis; Group 3: GRADE II-IV anaphylaxis that warranted epinephrine)...

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with wheat oral immunotherapy (OIT) difficulties in patients with IgE-mediated wheat allergy have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess factors associated with difficulties in wheat OIT. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from children under 18 years of age with history of IgE-mediated wheat allergy who underwent wheat OIT. The initial specific IgE (sIgE) of wheat and omega-5-gliadin, wheat skin prick test (SPT) sizes, eliciting doses, and adverse reactions during the OIT were evaluated...

BACKGROUND: Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical data regarding such conditions is still limited in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of SCARs in Thai pediatric patients. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 52 patients aged less than 18 years who were diagnosed with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or SJS/TEN overlap during January 2005 to August 2021 at Siriraj Hospital...

BACKGROUND: Food allergies pose serious health risks, including life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, increased morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Wheat allergy is a common concern in Asia. There is growing interest in understanding the potential association between dysregulation of the gut microbiome and the development of food allergies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the gut microbiome of Thai children with wheat allergy and its potential association with allergic responses...

Fish allergy is one of the "big nine" categories of food allergens worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing with the higher demand for this nutritious food source. Fish allergies are a significant health concern as it is a leading cause of food anaphylaxis, accounting for 9% of all deaths from anaphylaxis. The gaps in treating fish allergies at present are the incomplete identification of fish allergens, lack of component-resolved diagnosis of fish allergens in the clinical setting, and the variability in sensitization profiles based on different fish consumption practices...

BACKGROUND: Intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) has a beneficial effect on ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis (AR). To our knowledge, the cost-effectiveness of available INCS for AR with ocular symptoms is yet to be demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of INCSs including Budesonide (BANS), Mometasone furoate (MFNS), Triamcinolone (TANS), and Fluticasone furoate (FFNS) on ocular symptoms associated with AR in the Thai context. METHODS: The percentage of effectiveness in improving total ocular symptoms score (TOSS) was derived from the result of a meta-analysis that estimated the SMD of each INCS treatment compared to placebo as clinical input parameters...