Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, DCM is a heterogeneous, severe, cutaneous disease, associated with mediator-related symptoms and risk of anaphylactic shock. Although our results suggest generally favourable prognosis, the review of the literature indicate that SM may occur. Therefore, more guarded prognosis should be given in DCM patients.
In the face of increasing prevalence of hypersensitivity reactions, introduction of effective, reliable and safe methods plays a crucial role in their diagnosing. Among the currently available laboratory (in vitro) methods is basophil activation test (BAT). It is a flow- cytometry based assay that allows to identificate in the blood sample basophils and additionally to asses the degree of cell activation after exposure to an antigen. The most common superficial identification markers are CD63 and CD203c, which increase in number after activation. Basophil actvation test can be applied to confirm diagnosis of allergy to Hymenoptera venoms, food, pollens and hypersensitivity to drugs. The aim of present paper is to present theoretical methods of this test as well as its pros and cons. We focus also on presentation of clinical case where BAT seemed to be a necessary addition to a routine diagnostic pathway. We present a case of identification of the culprit drug which caused an anaphylactic reaction.
Introduction: Allergen specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment modifying the course of the disease in patients allergic to airborne allergens. It has been proven to be effective in allergic populations, however individual patients vary in terms of response to the therapy. Aim: To assess the factors that might affect the efficacy of AIT. Material and methods: Patients treated with AIT for grass pollen or house dust mites were included. The efficacy of AIT was assessed with the use of Allergy Control Score (ACS), performed before and at least 1 year after AIT. The following variables were assessed as potential risk factors for a worse response to AIT: age, gender, type of allergy, type of allergen, type of vaccine, type of AIT and smoking history. Results: The study group consisted of 145 subjects. AIT was effective in the entire group; the mean ACS results decreased from 21.14 to 14.41 points (p < 0.0001). No differences in efficacy in terms of assessed risk factors were found, except for smoking history (ACS change in the smoking group was smaller: from 21.8 to 18.1 points; p = 0.09, OR = 0.323; 95% CI: 0.11-0.88; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Smoking history may affect AIT outcomes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.