Currently, testing for immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization is the cornerstone of diagnostic evaluation in suspected allergic conditions. This review provides a thorough and updated critical appraisal of the most frequently used diagnostic tests, both in vivo and in vitro. It discusses skin tests, challenges, and serological and cellular in vitro tests, and provides an overview of indications, advantages and disadvantages of each in conditions such as respiratory, food, venom, drug, and occupational allergy. Skin prick testing remains the first line approach in most instances; the added value of serum specific IgE to whole allergen extracts or components, as well as the role of basophil activation tests, is evaluated. Unproven, non-validated, diagnostic tests are also discussed. Throughout the review, the reader must bear in mind the relevance of differentiating between sensitization and allergy; the latter entails not only allergic sensitization, but also clinically relevant symptoms triggered by the culprit allergen.

Background/Aims: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are of increased risk of reduced fat body mass (FBM) and lean body mass (LBM). Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)and leptin could be markers of LBM and/or FBM depletion. To evaluate the relationships between disease activity, body composition, IGF-1and leptin concentrations in CF children. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 26 CF children aged 5.0–15.5 years and 33 healthy controls, mean age 9.4 years. Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for leptin, IGF-1and IGFBP-3. Results: FBM standard deviation score (SDS; CF boys –0.02 ± 0.88 vs. 0.78 ± 0.65, p < 0.01; CF girls –0.37 ± 1.15 vs. 0.70 ± 0.97, p < 0.05), leptin concentration (CF boys 2.07 ± 0.79 vs. 3.07 ± 1.28 ng/ml, p < 0.05; CF girls 2.71 ± 0.86 vs. 5.00 ± 2.95 ng/ml, p < 0.05) and IGF-1SDS (CF boys –1.43 ± 1.50 vs. –0.32 ± 0.88, p < 0.05; CF girls –0.66 ± 1.66 vs. 0.64 ± 0.57, p < 0.01) were lower in CF children compared to controls. Shwachman score was the strongest predictor of lean body mass (R = 0.63). Leptin levels explain 60% of the variability in FBM. Conclusion: Serum concentrations of IGF-1 and leptin are decreased in children with CF and are associated with clinical conditions and body composition.

No abstract

The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Brazil was variable; higher prevalence values, especially of asthma and eczema, were observed in regions located closer to the Equator.

No abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in adolescents (AD; 13-14 years) living in seven Brazilian cities, by applying the standardized written questionnaire (WQ) of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), and to evaluate the time trend nine years after the last assessment of ISAAC phase 3 (ISP3). Methods: The ISAAC-WQ was answered by 20,099 AD from the Northern, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southern Brazilian regions. Values obtained were compared to those observed in ISP3 using nonparametric (chi-squared or Fisher) tests, and the ratio of annual increment/decrement was established for each of the centers, according to the symptom assessed. DOI se refere ao artigo: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2014.05.002 ଝ Como citar este artigo: Solé D, Rosário Filho NA, Sarinho ES, Camelo-Nunes IC, Barreto BA, Medeiros ML, et al. Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in adolescents: nine-year follow-up study (2003-2012). J Pediatr (Rio J). 2015;91:30---5.

No abstract

A combination of single-dose nebulized budesonide and salbutamol may be as effective as oral prednisone to improve symptom severity, but the latter increases hemoglobin saturation in exacerbation of asthma.