BACKGROUND S100A7 is a calcium-binding protein with chemotactic and antimicrobial properties. S100A7 protein levels are decreased in nasal lavage fluid from individuals with ongoing allergic rhinitis, suggesting a role for S100A7 in allergic airway inflammation. The aims of this study were to describe genetic variation in S100A7 and search for associations between this variation and allergic rh...

OBJECTIVE Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. The pathogenesis of nasal polyps is still not entirely known and has been debated for many years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of interferon gamma and TNF-alpha secreted by Th1 lymphocytes and to analyze their role in the etiology of nasal polyps. METHODS 12 patients with nasal poly...

BACKGROUND Subclinical spirometric abnormalities may be detected in patients with rhinitis without asthma, proportional to the severity established by ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma) guidelines. New criteria of rhinitis classification were recently validated according to the ARIA modified (m-ARIA), which allow the discrimination between moderate to severe grades. The impact of...

Normal pregnancy and allergy are both characterized by a T helper (Th) 2 deviation. In the current study, we hypothesized that paternal antigen-induced cytokine responses during pregnancy would be deviated toward Th2 and an anti-inflammatory profile, and that the Th2 deviation would be more pronounced in allergic pregnant women. Blood samples were collected longitudinally on three occasions dur...

BACKGROUND Currently, there is no mandatory labelling of allergens for non-pre-packed foods in the EU. Therefore, consumers with food allergy rely on voluntary information provided by the staff. The aim of this study was to characterize allergic reactions to non-pre-packed foods and to investigate whether staff in bakery shops were able to give advice regarding a safe product choice. METHODS ...

BACKGROUND Mast cells participate in immune defense and allergic disease. At baseline, serum tryptase levels primarily reflect mast cell burden, while mast cell degranulation leads to granule tryptase release, which may be detectable as a transitory elevation of serum tryptase levels. Thus, mast cell burden and mast cell activity are reflected by serum tryptase levels, but reports are scarce in...