Prevalence of sensitization to specific allergens in allergic patients in Beijing, China: A 7-year retrospective study
Knowledge of the prevalence of common sensitizing allergens may aid in overall management of allergic disease in a specified area.
Clinical and immunological characteristics of bee venom hypersensitivity among beekeepers in Thailand
Bee venom (BV) hypersensitivity can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Beekeepers heavily exposed to bee stings and are thus at a high-risk group. The data on bee sting reactions among beekeepers in Thailand is limited.
Ability of Alere™ HIV Combo to diagnose acute HIV infection is based mainly on HIV-1 p24 antigen detection
Alere™ HIV Combo is the only rapid and sensitive point-of-care 4th generation (antigen/antibody) HIV test newly available in Thailand which is advantageous of differentiating between positivity of antigen or antibody or both, especially in acute HIV infection (AHI). AHI in this study was defined by positive machine-based 4th generation test with measurable HIV-RNA but negative 3rd generation (IgM/IgG antibody only) tests.
Notch 2 receptor expression and reduced cytotoxicity in MAIT cells of active pulmonary TB patients
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), resulting in significant increase in mortality rate worldwide. Immunity against M.tb consists of both innate and adaptive immunity, with emerging evidence of the role of the unconventional mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. MAIT cells are MR1-restricted T cells that possess anti-bacterial activity, including activity in response to M.tb. To date, human studies regarding peripheral blood MAIT cell frequency and MAIT cell activity in TB patients are still controversial and most studies are cross-sectional.
Severe allergic asthma: Does alexithymia interfere with omalizumab treatment outcome?
Alexithymia is among psychological factors reported to interfere with asthma management. Severe allergic asthma (SAA) is characterized by uncontrolled asthma despite maximal standard pharmacological treatment which can benefit from an add-on treatment with Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody.
Eosinophilia, asthma, NERD and the use of oral corticosteroids predict uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps after surgery
Severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a challenging condition to treat. The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 (EPOS2020) has the following criteria when considering biological therapy for severe uncontrolled CRSwNP: eosinophilia, need for oral corticosteroids (OCS), symptom score, loss of sense of smell and co-morbid asthma.
The role of anti-elastin antibodies in a mouse model of asthma
The role of anti-elastin antibody (Ab) in the lung is unclear, although they may be involved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, increased anti-elastin Ab levels were reported in asthma.
Direct healthcare cost comparison of Fluticasone propionate/Salmeterol vs Budesonide/Formoterol Maintenance And Reliever Therapy for moderate/severe asthma: Results from Thailand
Inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA) for moderate/severe asthma i.e. regular Fluticasone propionate/Salmeterol (FP/Salm) with as-needed short acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) or ICS/Formoterol Maintenance And Reliever Therapy (MART) are the recommended options.
Characteristics of allergic proctocolitis in early infancy; accuracy of diagnostic tools and factors related to tolerance development
We aimed to overview clinical characteristics of FPIAP with the results of diagnostic tools like APT, SPT and fecal calprotectin levels and the factors associated with tolerance development.
Synergy of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ in arginase-1 production in RAW264.7 macrophages
Interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 are considered to be important factors to regulate immune responses. Although the effects of IFN-γ or IL-4 on macrophage functions are well established, their cooperative action is not fully understood.