Original Article – Page 10 – Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology

January 4, 2022

A sero-epidemiological study after two waves of the COVID-19 epidemic

The COVID-19 situation in Maldives have evolved since the epidemic began in March 2020 with unprecedented increase in cases since mid-July 2019 with over 8000 cases at the end of August 2020.

age, antibody levels, COVID-19, Maldives, seroprevalence, Symptoms

November 2, 2021

Short-term immune response after inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac®, Sinovac) and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Vaxzevria®, Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccinations in health care workers

Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac®, Sinovac, or SV) and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Vaxzevria®, Oxford-Astra Zeneca, or AZ) vaccines have been administered to the health care workers (HCWs).

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody, COVID-19 vaccine, Health care workers, Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, Surrogate viral neutralizing antibody titer

November 2, 2021

Notch signaling regulates function of human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells

Notch signaling plays an important role in the development of T lymphocytes and regulates their effector functions. The regulatory roles of Notch signaling on T cells have been intensely investigated, but whether it involves in effector functions of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells has never been reported.

gamma secretase inhibitor, MAIT cell activation, MAIT cell function, MAIT cells, Notch signaling

November 2, 2021

Ocular manifestation and generalization after ocular onset in ocular myasthenia gravis: A 5-year analysis

Ocular Myasthenia Gravis (OMG) is an autoimmune disease which causes ptosis, diplopia, or both. There is very limited information on the presenting symptoms, treatment trends, factors influencing generalization, and treatment outcome in Thai populations.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, AChR antibodies, Autoantibodies/immunology, Cholinergic/immunology, Diplopia, Generalized Myasthenia Gravis, Ocular Myasthenia Gravis, Ptosis, Receptors, Treatment outcome

November 2, 2021

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.

Artemisia, Chinese patients, crab, dust mites, food allergens, Inhaled allergens, peanut, R package ggplot2, sensitization prevalence, Serum specific IgE

November 2, 2021

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.

bee stings, bee venom, beekeepers, Thailand, venom allergy

November 2, 2021

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.

acute HIV infection, Alere™ HIV Combo, p24 antigen, rapid 4th generation HIV test, Rapid distinguishable antigen-antibody HIV test

November 2, 2021

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.

Active pulmonary TB patients, Anti-TB drug treatment, MAIT cell phenotype, MAIT TCR repertoire, Notch signaling pathway

November 2, 2021

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.

alexithymia, Allergy, Asthma, Omalizumab, Quality of life

September 20, 2021

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.

Asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, computed tomography, Eosinophilia, nasal polyp, sinusitis