An association between allergies to latex proteins and to various foods has been reported and confirmed by RAST and immunoblotting inhibition. However, no significant data had been collected on the frequency of specific IgE antibodies to fruits in these patients and the frequency of a history of fruit intolerance. Serum samples of 136 patients with well-documented, clinically relevant, immediate-type hypersensitivity against latex proteins were analyzed for IgE antibodies against a panel of different fruits. Patient history of food intolerance was documented by a standardized questionnaire. Fruit-specific IgE antibodies were detected in 69.1% of serum samples. Cross-reacting IgE antibodies recognizing latex and fruit allergens (papaya, avocado, banana, chestnut, passion fruit, fig, melon, mango, kiwi, pineapple, peach, and tomato) were demonstrated by RAST-inhibition tests. Of our patients, 42.5% reported allergic symptoms after ingestion of these fruits and a total of 112 intolerance reactions were recorded. However, fruit-specific IgE antibodies were detected only in serum samples from 32.1% of the patients who perceived symptoms due to these fruits. Thus, serologic tests seem to be of low significance for prediction o food allergy in latex-allergic patients.

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Background: Renal amyloidosis (RA) is a progressive and fatal renal disease. Hypothesis: Clinical and pathologic manifestations of RA differ between Chinese Shar-Pei (CSPs) and non-Shar-Pei (NSPs) dogs.Animals: 91 client-owned dogs.Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of dogs with a histological diagnosis of RA. Clinical and clinicopathologic data, hospitalization, complications, and outcome were compared between CSPs and NSPs.Results: Comorbid diseases were present in 64% of all dogs. CSPs were significantly younger compared to NSPs (median, 4.8 years; range: 3.6-17 versus median: 9.0 years; range: 2.4-11.1; P < .0001). The frequency of hypoalbuminemia, the most common biochemical abnormality, was higher in NSPs compared to CSPs (100% versus 64.7%, respectively; P < .001). Median serum creatinine concentration at presentation was 5.5 mg/dL, and was 3-fold higher in CSPs compared to NSPs (P = .005). Increased urine protein : creatinine ratio was present in 96% of all dogs. Nephrotic syndrome was present in 10% of NSPs but not in CSPs. Glomerular amyloid deposition, present in both CSPs (78.6%) and NSPs (95.6%) was most commonly diffuse, global, and severe. Renal medullar amyloidosis was more common in CSPs (100%) compared to NSPs (49.0%, P = .002), as was extrarenal amyloid deposition. The median survival time of all dogs was 5 days (range: 0-443 days). Serum creatinine concentration was significantly and negatively associated with survival (P = .025).Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The clinical and pathologic manifestations of amyloidosis differ between CSPs and NSPs. The survival time observed herein was unexpectedly low, and argues for early surveillance and management of the underlying predisposing conditions.

Summary We report a 55‐year‐old man with severe inflammatory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. The skin lesions did not respond to various immunosuppressive treatments. The combined administration of prednisone, azathioprine, dapsone and colchicine resulted only in a transient and incomplete resolution of the lesions. The bullae and increased skin fragility were successfully controlled by the addition of high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (Ofuji’s disease) is a rare skin disease of unknown etiology characterized by infiltrated circinate plaques with sterile follicular pustules in primarily seborrheic areas. Several therapeutic regimens have been reported to control the disease with inconsistent results. We here report on a patient with Ofuji’s disease, who was successfully treated with interferon-α2b.