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Biomedical subjects

M Masi

Publications and source records attributed to M Masi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Relationship between Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 specific IgE and food allergy in children with grass pollen respiratory allergy.

Grass allergy is the most common pollinosis in Northern Italy. Some patients with grass allergy show polysensitization against other pollens and plant-derived foods. In these patients oral allergic syndrome (OAS) is frequently associated. To evaluate the correlation between food allergy or food sensitization and specific IgE against panallergens such as Bet v 1 and Bet v 2, we studied 56 children (mean age: 8 years 5 months) suffering from respiratory allergy due to grass pollens were enrolled. Specific IgE against the most important food, inhalant allergen and Bet v 1, Bet v 2 were performed by ImmunoCAP technology (UniCAP 1000, Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden). We found 14 children (25%) sensitized to Bet v 1 and 13 (23%) to Bet v 2; in 24 cases (42.3%) a sensitization to at least one of the 2 panallergens was observed. Five of the 14 cases (36%) sensitized to Bet v 1 showed food allergy and 8 (57%) food sensitization; 6 (46%) of the 13 children sensitized to Bet v 2 showed food allergy and 7 (54%) food sensitization; only one case of Bet v 1 specific IgE without food allergy or sensitization was seen. Sixteen subjects (29%) showed food allergy (group A); 20 children (35.5%) multiple sensitizations to inhalant and at least one plant-derived food (group B); 20 subjects (35.5%) only inhalant allergens (group C). Sensitization to Bet v 1 (P<0.03) and Bet v 2 (P<0.009) is from a statistical point of view significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C. In the 16 patients with food allergy hazelnut was the major triggering food (50%), followed by peanut (38%), kiwi (31%), apple and walnut (19%). Specific IgE for Bet v 1 is more associated with nuts and legumes, while Bet v 2 is more related to fresh fruit and vegetables. In conclusion grass pollinosis is frequently associated with polysensitization to other pollen and food allergens. Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 specific IgE are significantly higher in these patients than in patients with grass monosensitization, and this sensitization may be considered a possible risk factors to evolve later into food allergy. Among the offending foods, legumes and the nut group are mostly related to Bet v 1, while vegetables and fresh fruits to Bet v 2.

Allergens↗
PubMed2005

Anticardiolipin antibodies in children with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a multifactorial etiology. Immunological abnormalities (cell-mediated immune hyperactivity, elevated IgE serum levels and eosinophil-derived mediators) have been observed. In a recent issue, Szakos et al. describe, in children with extrinsic type of AD, an association between the occurrence of anticardiolipin (ACL) IgM and specific IgE against mite, and also in relation to the severity of the disease. We studied 51 children (35 males and 16 females, mean age 44 months) with AD, whose diagnosis was made on the basis of Hanifin and Rajka's criteria. The evaluation of the severity of the disease was made using the SCORAD index. Eleven children had intrinsic type AD (group A); 40 children had extrinsic type AD, 14 of them had specific IgE only against food allergens (group B); 26 children had specific IgE also against inhalant allergens (group C). Twelve children without allergy were designated as the control group. Specific IgEs were determined using the CAP-System (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) for food and inhalant allergens. The measurement of ACL IgG and IgM was carried out by ELISA (Orgentec Diagnostika, Mainz, Germany). An increase in serum levels of ACL was observed in 13 children (25.5%): 1 child (9%) from group A, 7 children (50%) from group B and 5 children (19.2%) from group C with a statistically significant difference (P=0.038). Our study shows the presence of ACL-IgG above all in extrinsic AD, but no association was found between high levels of ACL and increased severity scoring of AD. Increased levels of ACL were observed in younger children (mean age 26.5 months; P=0.025) especially if sensitized against food allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMed2004

Clinical effectiveness of a silk fabric in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: In children with atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema is easily aggravated by contact with irritant factors (e.g. aggressive detergents, synthetic and woollen clothes, climatic factors). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a special silk fabric (MICROAIR DermaSilk) in the treatment of young children affected by AD with acute lesions at the time of examination. METHODS: Forty-six children (mean age 2 years) affected by AD in an acute phase were recruited: 31 received special silk clothes (group A) which they were instructed to wear for a week; the other 15 served as a control group (group B) and wore cotton clothing. Topical moisturizing creams or emulsions were the only topical treatment prescribed in both groups. The overall severity of the disease was evaluated using the SCORAD index. In addition, the local score of an area covered by the silk clothes was compared with the local score of an uncovered area in the same child. All patients were evaluated at baseline and 7 days after the initial examination. RESULTS: At the end of the study a significant decrease in AD severity was observed in the children of group A (mean SCORAD decrease from 43 to 30; P = 0.003). At the same time, the improvement in the mean local score of the covered area (from 32 to 18.6; P = 0.001) was significantly greater than that of the uncovered area (from 31 to 26; P = 0.112). CONCLUSIONS: The use of special silk clothes may be useful in the management of AD in children.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: our experience].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is now the gold standard in the treatment of cholelithiasis. LC is safe even in patients with acute cholecystitis. In our 118 cases there was 4 major complications as bile duct injuries (3%) and 13 minor complications (11%); conversion rate was 21% (24 patients), without mortality. Our experience confirms the validity of early LC in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, but laparoscopic procedure is associated with higher conversion rate (21% versus 3%) and complication rates compared to the treatment in non-acute patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

A comparison of different allergometric tests, skin prick test, Pharmacia UniCAP and ADVIA Centaur, for diagnosis of allergic diseases in children.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of allergic disease is performed by skin prick tests (SPT) or through the demonstration of specific IgE in a blood sample via an in vitro test. The measurement of IgE concentration against allergens provides critical information in clinical allergy. Standardized and reproducible methods contribute to the quality of diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. METHODS: In this study we evaluated the performance of a new specific IgE method, developed by ALK-Abellò for Bayer Diagnostics to run on their ADVIA Centaur immunoassay system. One hundred and fifty-one children with allergic diseases (both food and inhalant allergies) were tested for specific IgE (sIgE) via SPT and in vitro tests (UniCAP system, Pharmacia, and ADVIA Centaur immunoassay system, Bayer Diagnostics) and the test results were correlated with the clinical data. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two in vitro tests compared with clinical history. The sensitivities and specificities are similar, but the UniCAP system method has higher sensitivity. In the children with cow's milk allergy, the UniCAP system has sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 70%; the ADVIA Centaur immunoassay has sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 74%. In hen's egg allergy, UniCAP system has 94% sensitivity and 64% specificity, and the ADVIA Centaur system has 88% sensitivity and 52% specificity. In inhalant allergies, the two methods show statistically similar performances for both grass pollen allergies (UniCAP sensitivity 100%, specificity 73%; ADVIA Centaur sensitivity 95%, specificity 79%) and in the dust mites allergies (UniCAP sensitivity 91%, specificity 62%; ADVIA Centaur sensitivity 86%, specificity 64%). In cat allergies, the systems showed equivalent results (UniCAP sensitivity 100%, specificity 71%; ADVIA Centaur sensitivity 100%, specificity 70%). Using the UniCAP system, the geometric mean of sIgE values in children with clinical allergy is significantly higher than in sensitized ones. The ADVIA Centaur system shows a similar trend with the exclusion of cow's milk and Dermatophagoides farinae allergens. With this last method the mean value of sIgE is higher in sensitized than in symptomatic children. CONCLUSION: The new ADVIA Centaur method compares favorably with the results obtained on the UniCAP system. If other studies continue to confirm this data, then the advantages are numerous: the use of only a small quantity of serum (25 micro l per allergen), rapid turnaround time, minimal hands-on time, and no interference from IgG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Latex allergy in children with oesophageal atresia.

BACKGROUND: Latex allergy is frequently found in children and patients with spina bifida and urogenital abnormalities and have been considered at risk for latex sensitization. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of latex sensitization in patients with oesophageal atresia and undergoing three or more surgical procedures and to identify possible risk factors in the process of latex sensitization. METHODS: A total of 20 patients were analysed: 19 boys and one girl. The oesophageal atresias were as follows: type I in three children, type II in two and type III in 15 children. Surgical and anaesthetic procedures, intensive care management, age, type of oesophageal atresia, associated congenital malformations, Waterston and Montreal prognostic classifications were considered as risk factors that may be implicated in the process of sensitization. RESULTS: Five patients (25%) were considered sensitized to latex (group 1) and 15 (75%) nonsensitized (group 2). Among the five sensitized patients, three reported clinical reactions to latex, while the other two presented only specific IgE sensitization. The number of operations, the total hours of surgery, the number of drainages, the total days of drainage, the total days of central venous catheter were significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2. Both of the highest risk oesophageal atresia classes (Waterston C and Montreal II) were related to latex allergy. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal atresia, especially in cases of prolonged management, must be considered as a risk for the development of latex allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Clinical significance of CD38 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) follows heterogeneous clinical courses, and several biological parameters need to be added to the current clinical staging systems to predict which patients will experience an indolent or an aggressive outcome. This study analyzed CD38 expression by flow cytometry and soluble APO1/Fas (sAPO1/Fas), Bcl-2 (sBcl-2), and CD23 (sCD23) proteins by immunoenzymatic methods to evaluate their effect on the clinical course of 168 unselected B-CLL patients. Intermediate/high risk modified Rai stages were characterized by a higher CD38(+) B-cell number (P =.0002) and higher sCD23 levels (P <.0001). Moreover, CD38(+) B-cell percentages were significantly and directly associated both with beta(2)-microglobulin and sCD23 concentrations (P <.0001 and P =.002, respectively). Both a higher tumor burden (lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly) and a lymphocyte doubling time less than 12 months were significantly associated with higher CD38(+) percentages (P <.0001 and P =.0001, respectively). With regard to clinical outcome, progression-free survival was significantly longer (75% versus 37% at 5 years; P =.00006) in patients with lower CD38(+) B-cell percentages. Furthermore, the risk of partial or no response to fludarabine increased with increasing CD38 expression (P =.003), and a shorter overall survival (50% versus 92% at 8 years; P <.00001) characterized patients with more than 30% CD38(+) B-cell number. The predictive value of CD38 expression was maintained among the patients within the Rai intermediate risk group and was confirmed in multivariate analysis. Thus, the percentage of CD38(+) B cells appears to be an accurate predictor of clinical outcome and therefore could be used to indicate when more novel chemotherapeutic approaches are needed.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed2001

Enhanced antifungal activity of ketoconazole by Euphorbia characias latex against Candida albicans.

The in vitro suseptibility of Candida albicans to ketoconazole and Euphorbia characias latex alone or in combination was tested using the macrobroth dilution method. The MIC 80% of crude latex and ketoconazole are respectively 159 microg protein/ml and 0.3901 microg/ml. This method permits us to determine an affinity constant K(aff) for crude latex (0.015 microg(-1) protein ml) and ketoconazole (23.828 microg(-1) ml). The utilization of a mixture of latex at several concentrations (7.8-15.62-31.25-62.5 and 125 microg protein/ml) and ketoconazole indicates a synergistic effect between latex and ketoconazole. For latex concentrations of 31.25 and 62.5 microg protein/ml the MIC 80% of ketoconazole were inferior (0.194 and 0.183 microg/ml respectively) to that obtained with ketoconazole alone (0.390 microg/ml). A synergistic effect is therefore obtained between ketoconazole on the one hand and two concentrations of Euphorbia characias latex.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2000

Level of minimal residual disease after consolidation therapy predicts outcome in acute myeloid leukemia.

We used flow cytometry to quantify minimal residual disease (MRD) in 56 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) expressing a leukemia-associated phenotype. Thirty-four patients aged 18 to 60 years were entered into the AML-10 protocol (induction, consolidation, and autologous stem-cell transplantation [ASCT]), whereas 22 patients older than 60 years received the AML-13 protocol (induction, consolidation, and consolidation II). After induction, the level of MRD that was best associated with treatment outcome was 4.5 x 10(-4) residual leukemic cells. However, the outcome in patients with at least 4.5 x 10(-4) cells (n = 26) was not significantly different from that in patients with fewer leukemic cells (n = 30); there were 15 (58%) relapses in the first group and 12 (40%) relapses in the second. After consolidation, the most predictive MRD cutoff value was 3.5 x 10(-4) cells: 22 patients had an MRD level of 3.5 x 10(-4) cells or higher and 17 (77%) of these patients had relapse, compared with 5 of 29 patients (17%) with lower MRD levels (P <.001). An MRD level of 3.5 x 10(-4) cells or higher after consolidation was significantly correlated with poor or intermediate-risk cytogenetic findings, a multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) phenotype, short duration of overall survival, and short duration of relapse-free survival (P =.014,.031,.00022, and.00014, respectively). In multivariate analysis, this MRD status was significantly associated with a high frequency of relapse (P <.001) and a short duration of overall (P =.025) and relapse-free survival (P =.007). ASCT did not alter the prognostic effect of high MRD levels after consolidation: the relapse rate after transplantation was 70%. Thus, we found that an MRD level of 3.5 x 10(-4) cells or higher at the end of consolidation strongly predicts relapse and is significantly associated with an MDR1 phenotype and intermediate or unfavorable cytogenetic findings. (Blood. 2000;96:3948-3952)

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed2000

A novel t(11;12)(q23-24;q24) in a case of minimally-differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0).

Acute myeloid leukemia with minimal signs of myeloid differentiation (AML-M0) is a recent addition to the FAB group classification. Chromosome data is scarce, but existing reports describe a high incidence of complex karyotypes and myelodysplastic syndrome-like chromosome alterations, while single chromosome translocations have rarely been reported. We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with AML-M0 with a novel translocation t(11;12)(q23-24;q24) as the sole karyotypic marker. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to assess MLL gene splitting did not show rearrangement of this oncogene.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Pulsed intravenous high-dose dexamethasone in adults with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The role of pulsed high-dose dexamethasone (DXM) in the treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is still uncertain. Following an early report in which it was described as an effective and well-tolerated treatment with a sustained platelet response in 100% of cases, a number of subsequent studies have failed to confirm such favorable results. As all these studies were conducted on small numbers of patients, we investigated further the effectiveness and side effects of this therapeutic modality in a larger cohort. Thirty-two patients with chronic ITP were scheduled to receive six monthly courses of intravenous DXM at the dose of 40 mg/day for 4 consecutive days. All patients had ITP that had been resistant to between two and five different therapeutic regimens, including 9 patients who had already failed splenectomy. All patients had to be seen 2 weeks after each cycle to asses their response as well as secondary effects. Three patients failed to respond and clinically required other therapy. Thirteen patients (41%) had a partial (platelet count between 50 and 100 x 10(9)/liter) or complete (platelet count >100 x 10(9)/liter) response to treatment, responses being mostly transient. Responses were observed early during the course of treatment, usually right after the first cycle of DXM. There were no late responses. Side effects were mild and did not require discontinuation of treatment. No clinical or laboratory parameter was found to predict treatment outcome. We conclude that high-dose DXM has a limited effect in patients with chronic ITP. Novel approaches and controlled multicenter trials may help identify new therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A phase-II trial of all trans retinoic acid and low-dose cytosine arabinoside for the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Twenty-two patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HRMDS) were treated with a 10-day course of oral all trans retinoic acid (45 mg/m2) and s.c. low-dose cytosine arabinoside (LDARAc) given at the dose of 20 mg twice per day. The courses were repeated monthly until response or progression, in the case of response, the therapy was administered until relapse. Morphologic diagnoses were refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) in nine, RAEB in transformation (RAEB-t) in nine, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL) in four patients; in all cases, bone-marrow blast infiltration was greater than 10% (median 20%, range 12-30%). When the international prognostic scoring system was applied, all the cases qualified as intermediate/high-risk categories. Nineteen patients were males and three were females; the median age was 69 years (range 25-90 years); three patients had previously been treated with conventional chemotherapy, and one of them had also undergone autologous bone-marrow transplantation. The criteria of response were defined as follows: (1) complete response: normalization of blood counts and bone-marrow blasts (<5%), and (2) partial response: decrease in bone-marrow blast infiltration by 50%, and two of the following parameters - improvement in hemoglobin level by 1.5 g/dl or decrease by 50% in transfusional requirement, increase by 50% in absolute neutrophil count, and increase by 50% in platelet count. Overall, 7 (32%) of 22 patients achieved a response, with 5 (23%) being classified as complete responders and 2 (9%) as partial responders. Fifteen (68%) patients did not achieve any response, and 14 died of progressive disease or infectious disease. The overall median survival was 8 months (range 1-27 months), whereas the median survival of responders was 16 months (range 8-27 months); the median duration of response was 11 months (range 2-21 months). Moderate to severe hematological toxicity and infections were the most common side effects. In conclusion, it seems that the association of ATRA and LDARA-C may be effective in approximately 30% of HRMDS patients. Optimizing this approach might be pursued by selecting, on a biological basis, those cases more likely to respond or by incorporating other differentiating agents or growth factors.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Effect of house dust mite avoidance measures in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: House dust mite allergens are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to verify if house dust mite allergen avoidance measures can improve the clinical manifestations of AD in children. METHODS: Forty-one children (mean age 3.9 years) affected by AD associated with high total and/or specific IgE serum levels ('extrinsic' AD) were recruited. Clinical evaluation was performed utilizing the Severity Scoring of AD (SCORAD) index; dust was sampled from the children's beds and tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study was planned in two parts. In the first part, a placebo-controlled trial of 2 months duration, mite allergen avoidance measures (encasing mattresses and pillows; a weekly hot wash of bedding; frequent vacuum cleaning of living room and bedroom; soft toys and carpets regularly cleaned or removed; no pets allowed) were recommended to group A patients, but not to group B. In the second part of the study, environmental avoidance measures were recommended to initial control group B patients also. One year after the start of the study the amounts of mite allergen in the home and clinical score of AD were measured in both groups. RESULTS: At the end of the first part of the study, significant decreases in major allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1) and D. farinae (Der f1) load (from 393 to 94 ng m-2) and concentration (from 1.84 to 0.73 microg g-1 of dust) in children's beds were observed in treatment group A. At the same time, in this group the mean SCORAD index improved significantly (from 33 to 26; P = 0.022). After 12 months, when all patients had used allergen avoidance measures, Der p1 + Der f1 load, concentration and clinical score had improved, reaching similar values in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Simple mite allergen avoidance measures should be recommended to families with children affected by extrinsic AD in order to control the clinical manifestations and prevent mite sensitization.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

P-glycoprotein and terminal transferase expression identify prognostic subsets within cytogenetic risk classes in acute myeloid leukemia.

Clinical and biological features were assessed in 204 consecutive de novo adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who received intensive chemotherapy regimens. Multiparameter flow cytometric assays both of the multidrug resistance (MDR-1)-associated P-glycoprotein (PGP) using the UIC2 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), and of terminal transferase (TdT) were performed. Cytogenetic findings were obtained from 196 patients with high resolution banding. At onset, UIC2 and TdT positivities were detected in 58.5% and 24% of cases, respectively. There were strict correlations either between UIC2 negativity and FAB M3 or between TdT and FAB M0-M1 (P = 0.001 and < 0.0001, respectively). On the other hand, age was significantly associated with cytogenetic risk classes (P < 0.0001). CD34 positivity was highly correlated with TdT expression (P < 0.0001). Moreover, CD7 and CD11b were significantly represented in UIC2+ subset (P < 0.0001). Rhodamine 123 (Rh 123) efflux was significantly higher in 75 UIC2 positive patients compared to 65 UIC2 negative ones (P < 0.001). As regards to cytogenetics, TdT positivity was strongly related either to t(9;22) or single/associated anomalies of chromosome 7; on the other hand, most or all cases with t(8;21) or t(15;17) were UIC2 or TdT negative, respectively. The rate of first complete remission (CR) differed both between UIC2+ and UIC2- cases and between TdT+ and TdT- ones (40% versus 72%, P < 0.001; and 36% versus 61%, P = 0.001, respectively). The survival rates (Kaplan-Meier method) were significantly shorter either in UIC2+ or in TdT+ patients (P = 0.005 and = 0.011, respectively). UIC2 and TdT negative cases showed longer remission duration (P = 0.03 and = 0.22, respectively). The additional effect of UIC2 and TdT on prognosis allowed us to identify two subsets of patients, the first [UIC2- TdT-] at better and the second [UIC2+ TdT+] at worse clinical outcome compared to single UIC2 and TdT cases, concerning CR (P < 0.001), survival (P < 0.0001) and CR duration (P = 0.007). The combinations [UIC2+ TdT-] and [UIC2- TdT+] showed an intermediate clinical course. A strong difference was found between poor risk and intermediate/favorable risk cytogenetic classes with regard to CR rate (P < 0.0001), overall survival and CR duration (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, within the poor risk class, UIC2 positivity was able to identify patients at worst prognosis with regard to CR (P = 0.005), survival (P = 0.02) and CR duration (P = 0.015). On the other hand, UIC2 and TdT negativity allowed us to distinguish patients with longer survival (P = 0.012 and = 0.04, respectively) and CR duration (P = 0.04 and = 0.025, respectively) within the intermediate/favorable risk class. The independent prognostic value of UIC2, TdT and cytogenetic risk classes was confirmed in multivariate analysis. These results suggest that PGP and TdT expressions, together with cytogenetic findings, may represent a basic predictor of chemotherapeutic failure in AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1999

Mite allergen (Der p 1) levels in houses of children with atopic dermatitis: the relationship with allergometric tests.

Several studies, in particular in adult groups, have evaluated the involvement of mites in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). This still remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the level of house dust mites (HDMs) in the beds of a group of children with AD and correlate these levels with their allergometric assessment. Forty-one children with AD underwent allergometric tests (prick test, patch test and radioallergosorbent test, RAST) and the concentration levels of HDMs in their homes were evaluated. Our data show that about half of the children (51%) with AD presented Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus positivity (prick test and/or RAST and/or patch test). Dust was collected in the period October-November from the children's beds, by the same two operators, using a dust-collection device. The dust mite level was tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antibody against Der p 1 allergen. Ten children (24%) presented a Der p 1 concentration > 2 microgram/g of dust (the value assumed to be a risk level for sensitization), 20 (49%) between 0.1 and 2 microgram/g and 11 (27%) < 0.1 microgram/g of dust. In the group with the highest Der p 1 concentration (> 2 microgram/g dust) nine children (90%) presented an allergometric D. pteronyssinus sensitivity, the difference with the other two groups being statistically significant at P < 0.018. The results of the present study show that the highest HDM concentrations were observed in the group with an allergometric D. pteronyssinus positivity (prick test and/or RAST and/or patch test). It is hypothesized that a higher HDM concentration may elicit D. pteronyssinus IgE sensitization and delayed hypersensitivity in children with AD.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Systemic interferon-alpha treatment for idiopathic Sweet's syndrome.

Despite the various therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatoses, interferon-alpha has so far been proposed only as an intralesional monotherapy for cutaneous lesions and has only had partial success. We now describe the treatment of a long-standing, previously drug resistant, case of idiopathic Sweet's syndrome. After an initial successful combined short therapy with systemic interferon-alpha and hydroxyurea, the results were maintained by long-term treatment with interferon-alpha only. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing a clear response to the drug in a patient affected by Sweet's syndrome.

Adult↗