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Objectives/Hypothesis: To investigate the association between PM10 concentration and the severity of rhinitis symptoms. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the data of 590 participants prospectively enrolled in a regional population‐based cohort study was performed. The ambient PM10 concentrations were measured at 12 different observatories located in three cities. All participants were screened for allergic sensitization by skin prick tests and asked to complete questionnaires regarding their rhinitis symptoms. The severity and duration of rhinitis were analyzed and compared at different levels of PM10 concentration. Results: On multivariate analysis, the PM10 concentration significantly correlated with the severity of symptoms when adjusting for age, sex, presence of sensitized allergen, region, and the time of enrolment (β = 0.102, P =.021). Positive correlation was found between PM10 concentration and the duration of allergic rhinitis symptoms (β = 0.082, P =.077). In the stratified analysis on the atopic status, there was a significant correlation between PM10 concentration and the severity and duration of rhinitis symptoms in those without allergic sensitization (β = 0.104; P =.032 and β = 0.104; P =.011, respectively). Conclusions: The significant correlation between the annual PM10 concentration and severity and duration of rhinitis symptoms suggests the necessity of intensive management of rhinitis patients exposed to elevated levels of ambient PM10 concentration. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1753–E1759, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Recently, the increased prevalence of allergic diseases and this particular disorder causes lots of problems for those suffering from the disorder. Allergens are attributed to elements, which can bring allergies to those who are prone to it. They motivate the immune system, and activate biogenetic materials, released from mastocytes. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the prevalence of allergens causing diseases in Khuzestan Province. Materials & Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study, which involved 150 patients affected by allergies in 2014. The tools applied for collecting the information consisted of a checklist containing two parts: the patients’ satisfaction form and the demographic clues. In addition, for diagnosing allergies in patient's skin, prick test was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS13 software. Result: In this study, 88% were sensitive to allergens. From those diagnosed, 86 patients were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, 22 patients with asthma, 13 patients with skin allergies, and 29 of those patients suffered from a mixture of skin allergies, nose allergies, and asthma. In patients, the most predominant symptoms resulted in patients were sneezing (76.6%), rhinorrhea (72%), and itching (68%) (p˂0.001). There was a significant association between the family background of allergies and allergy diseases (p=0.012). The Salsola kali plant showed an increased number of allergy symptoms outbreak s in this area. Conclusion: According to this study, the amount of allergens and the rate of clinical symptoms is very high among the inhabitants of this area, therefore, it is recommended to conduct more studies in order to decrease the allergic symptoms and to identify the antigenic function of allergens in different climates.

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising treatment of food allergy. To administer an appropriate oral dose of an allergenic component as OIT to individuals sensitized with a food allergen may prevent inducing food allergic inflammation in them. So we attempted to establish a mouse model to evaluate efficacy for oral administration of food allergen after sensitization. In BALB/c mice sensitized by injecting ovalbumin (OVA) with alum twice, OVA was administered before inducing inflammation by feeding the mice with egg white (EW) diet. Severe inflammatory responses, such as enteropathy, weight loss, IL-4 production, and increase of IgE antibody levels, were suppressed by administration with 4 mg of OVA 7 times before feeding EW diet. OVA administration alone induced a slight Th2 response, but no symptoms. The current study demonstrated that severe food allergic enteropathy could be prevented by pre-administration with appropriate dose of OVA to sensitized mice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Exposure to indoor allergens plays an important role in the etiology of asthma. This study was designed to quantify indoor allergens from homes of families that had at least one case of childhood asthma at home in a southwestern city of Iran. The relationship between the indoor allergen levels and home characteristics was also investigated. Dust samples were collected from the bedrooms and the kitchens of 35 homes where children with persistent asthma were living. The levels of indoor allergens were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Detectable amounts of mite, mouse and cockroach allergens were found in all evaluated places. None of our patients were exposed to a threshold concentration of indoor allergen for sensitizing at home. Regarding of mite allergens, the levels of Der f1 were significantly higher than Der p1 and a direct correlation was observed between living in an apartment and Der f1 levels. Moreover, Fel d1 (cat) and Bla g1 (cockroach) allergens were found in the children’s bedrooms more frequently than those in the kitchens. In this study, direct associations were obtained between Bla g1 allergen and the duration of occupancy and between Fel d1 and average home size. A total of 34.2% of the patients showed positive skin reactions to at least one of the tested allergens as 17.1% of them showed reactivity to D. pteronyssinus. Proper controlling of cockroaches and mice by public health officials would be a practical approach to avoid inducing asthma or worsening the symptoms.

Exposure to indoor allergens plays an important role in the etiology of asthma. This study was designed to quantify indoor allergens from homes of families that had at least one case of childhood asthma at home in a southwestern city of Iran. The relationship between the indoor allergen levels and home characteristics was also investigated. Dust samples were collected from the bedrooms and the kitchens of 35 homes where children with persistent asthma were living. The levels of indoor allergens were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Detectable amounts of mite, mouse and cockroach allergens were found in all evaluated places. None of our patients were exposed to a threshold concentration of indoor allergen for sensitizing at home. Regarding of mite allergens, the levels of Der f1 were significantly higher than Der p1 and a direct correlation was observed between living in an apartment and Der f1 levels. Moreover, Fel d1 (cat) and Bla g1 (cockroach) allergens were found in the children's bedrooms more frequently than those in the kitchens. In this study, direct associations were obtained between Bla g1 allergen and the duration of occupancy and between Fel d1 and average home size. A total of 34.2% of the patients showed positive skin reactions to at least one of the tested allergens as 17.1% of them showed reactivity to D. pteronyssinus. Proper controlling of cockroaches and mice by public health officials would be a practical approach to avoid inducing asthma or worsening the symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Recently, the increased prevalence of allergic diseases and this particular disorder causes lots of problems for those suffering from the disorder. Allergens are attributed to elements, which can bring allergies to those who are prone to it. They motivate the immune system, and activate biogenetic materials, released from mastocytes. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the prevalence of allergens causing diseases in Khuzestan Province. Materials & Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study, which involved 150 patients affected by allergies in 2014. The tools applied for collecting the information consisted of a checklist containing two parts: the patients' satisfaction form and the demographic clues. In addition, for diagnosing allergies in patient's skin, prick test was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS13 software. Result: In this study, 88% were sensitive to allergens. From those diagnosed, 86 patients were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, 22 patients with asthma, 13 patients with skin allergies, and 29 of those patients suffered from a mixture of skin allergies, nose allergies, and asthma. In patients, the most predominant symptoms resulted in patients were sneezing (76.6%), rhinorrhea (72%), and itching (68%) (p˂0.001). There was a significant association between the family background of allergies and allergy diseases (p=0.012). The Salsola kali plant showed an increased number of allergy symptoms outbreak s in this area. Conclusion: According to this study, the amount of allergens and the rate of clinical symptoms is very high among the inhabitants of this area, therefore, it is recommended to conduct more studies in order to decrease the allergic symptoms and to identify the antigenic function of allergens in different climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burden of asthma attributable to occupational exposures is significant. A better evaluation of markers of asthma and rhinitis in occupational settings may help reduce the frequency of occupational asthma (OA) and rhinitis (OR). This publication reviews articles published in 2008 and 2009 to provide an update on aspects related to markers of asthma and rhinitis. Markers derived from occupational exposure assessment, questionnaires, clinical data, and noninvasive tests such as functional tests or measures of serum antibodies are used to develop prediction models for the likelihood of OA and OR development. Findings from prospective studies highlight the course of preclinical signs and markers of airway inflammation in the natural history of OA and OR. Airway inflammation, evaluated by quantification of cells and mediators in induced sputum or nasal lavage and by exhaled nitric oxide, is associated with OA and OR; however, the sensitivity and specificity of these means, especially exhaled nitric oxide, have not been sufficiently assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A higher exposure to bacterial compounds is purported to explain the lower prevalence of allergy in farm children, but responsiveness to bacterial compounds is modulated by genetic factors. Objective: To assess whether the protective effect of farm exposure on atopy is influenced by a CD14 promoter functional polymorphism. Methods: We administered a detailed questionnaire on farm exposure in childhood and genotyped the CD14 C-159T polymorphism in 2 French centers participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS)–II. Results: Six hundred randomly selected young adults provided blood samples for IgE measurements and had CD14 C-159T genotyped. Exposure to a farming environment in early life was associated with a reduced risk of nasal allergies (odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.29-1.00) and atopic sensitization (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24-0.93) in adulthood. A lower risk of allergic rhinitis and atopy was also observed in carriers of the CD14-159TT genotype compared with −159CC subjects (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.88; and OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.92, respectively). When farm exposure and CD14 C-159T were considered together, the risk of nasal allergies and atopy was the most reduced in the subjects who combined both an early-life exposure to a farming environment and the −159TT genotype (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.94; and OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05-0.93, respectively, vs nonexposed −159CC+CT subjects). The results were consistent in the 2 centers, supporting the validity of the results. Conclusion: A gene-by-environment interaction between CD14 C-159T and environmental exposure in childhood may modify the development of atopy. Clinical implications: This polymorphism should be considered in interventions studies that use microbial stimuli to reduce sensitization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Asthma is common in minority and disadvantaged populations, whereas atopic disorders other than asthma appear to be less prevalent. It is unclear whether the same holds true for objective markers of sensitization. Objective: To determine the association of asthma, atopic disorders, and specific sensitization with race and socioeconomic factors. Methods: We analyzed total and specific IgE among 882 women (577 white, 169 black, and 136 Hispanic) who delivered a child at a large tertiary hospital in Boston, Mass, and who were screened for participation in a family and birth cohort study. Race/ethnicity and other characteristics were obtained from screening questionnaires. Addresses were geocoded, and 3 census-based geographic area socioeconomic variables were derived from block group information from the 1990 US Census. Results: Black and Hispanic women were more likely to come from areas with low socioeconomic indicators and were more likely to have asthma than white women. However, these women were less likely to have hay fever and eczema than their white counterparts. Compared with white women, black women had higher mean total IgE levels; had greater proportions of sensitization to indoor, outdoor, and fungal allergens; and were more than twice as likely to be sensitized to ≥3 aeroallergens. Conclusion: The racial/ethnic disparities in atopic disorders may represent either underdiagnosis or underreporting and suggest that allergy testing may be underused in some populations. Differences in total IgE levels and specific allergen sensitization are likely a result of the complex interplay between exposures associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased for several decades. We evaluated the correlation between pollen count of weeds and their sensitization rate in Seoul, 1997-2009. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from 3 stations around Seoul. Skin prick tests to pollen were performed on children with allergic diseases. Ragweed pollen gradually increased between 1999 and 2005, decreased after 2005 and plateaued until 2009 (peak counts, 67 in 2003, 145 in 2005 and 83 grains/m(3)/day in 2007). Japanese hop pollen increased between 2002 and 2009 (peak counts, 212 in 2006 and 492 grains/m(3)/day in 2009). Sensitization rates to weed pollen, especially ragweed and Japanese hop in children with allergic diseases, increased annually (ragweed, 2.2% in 2000 and 2.8% in 2002; Japanese hop, 1.4% in 2000 and 1.9% in 2002). The age for sensitization to pollen gradually became younger since 2000 (4 to 6 yr of age, 3.5% in 1997 and 6.2% in 2009; 7 to 9 yr of age, 4.2% in 1997 and 6.4% in 2009). In conclusion, sensitization rates for weed pollens increase in Korean children given increasing pollen counts of ragweed and Japanese hop.