Objective To compare serum folate levels between atopic asthmatics, non-atopic asthmatics, and healthy controls. Methods This case-control study included 60 asthmatics with at least one positive skin prick test (SPT) reaction (atopic asthma group), 60 asthmatics with negative SPT reactions (non-atopic asthma group), and 60 healthy controls with no history of asthma or other allergic diseases, and with negative SPT reactions. Serum folate and total IgE levels were measured in all subjects. In addition, lung functions were assessed by spirometry. Results Serum folate levels were significantly lower among the atopic asthma group [9.1 (4.9, 12.1) ng/ mL] as compared to the non-atopic asthma group [11.3 (7.5, 14.8) ng/mL] and the control group [12.0 (8.3, 15.1) ng/mL], p= 0.001. Among atopic asthmatics, serum folate levels were inversely correlated with total serum IgE levels (r=-0.483, p<0.001), and the number of positive SPT reactions (r=-0.442, p<0.001). Atopic asthmatics with a total serum IgE !200 IU/mL had significantly higher levels of serum folate than those with a total serum IgE >200 IU/mL. Regression analysis showed that higher folate levels independently predicted lower total serum IgE levels. Folate was not found to be an independent predictor of asthma. No association was observed between serum folate levels and values of forced expiratory volume in 1s. Conclusion Among asthmatics, serum folate levels are significantly lower among atopics, and correlate inversely with the degree of atopy.

We conclude that activation of the coagulation cascade occurs in CSU, and we demonstrate the novel finding that activated factor VII levels are significantly reduced after medical therapy, confirming the implication of the extrinsic pathway activation in CSU. Future controlled studies may investigate the role of anticoagulant therapy in refractory chronic urticaria.

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hronic urticaria is a prevalent disabling dermatological disease. About 90%, are considered idiopathic and referred to as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and nearly half of them are likely to have autoimmune mechanisms. Regulatory T cells play a substantial role to prevent autoimmune diseases. Subsets of Tregs expressing the CD4+CD25high and forkhead-box-P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor, crucial for their development and function, are best characterized in maintenance of self-tolerance. The objective of this study was the analysis of peripheral CD4+CD25highFOXP3+(T regs) frequency in chronic spontaneous urticaria; and its possible association with autologous serum skin test (ASST). Fifty chronic spontaneous urticaria patients (25 with positive ASST and 25 with negative ASST) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The frequency of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ (T regs) was analyzed by flow cytometry. A Significant decrease in peripheral blood CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ T regs% was detected in CSU patients in comparison to healthy individuals (median [IQR], 1.47% [0.71–3.12] vs 1.79% [1.15–4.00]; P = 0.05). When ASST positive patients were compared with ASST negative patients, no significant difference was found in percentage of T regs, (P=0.112). In conclusion our data provided further insights into CSU pathogenesis. Reduced frequency of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+(Tregs) in patients with urticaria, support the notion that CSU is an immune mediated disease and may help researchers to develop a novel immunotherapy strategy.

Background Allergy symptoms occur when the immune system overreacts to environmental allergens, such as pollen or dust, which are typically harmless to most individuals but induce a potentially severe reaction to those who are sensitive to them. Pollen is one of the main reasons to cause seasonal allergic respiratory diseases and it is influenced by multiple risk factors. Objective To determine the most prevalent types of allergenic pollens by skin prick testing among Egyptian patients with respiratory allergy (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis). Methods 200 adult patients, all were subjected to the following: full detailed medical history, clinical examination, asthma severity grading according to the GINA Guidelines, allergic rhinitis severity grading according to ARIA Guidelines, pulmonary Function tests for asthmatic patients. (PFTs), CBC with differential for detection of eosinophilic count, Skin prick testing (SPT) to common environmental allergens and common food allergen. Results The present study proved that the grass pollens; timothy grass and maize were the most prevalent pollens among Egyptian respiratory allergy patients. Conclusion Difference in results of SPT performed to patients across different countries is explained by the difference in climates, which affects pollination, Egypt is considered to have a dry, desert-like climate in addition to its coastal regions. Our results revealed that both timothy grass and maize pollens were the most prevalent among Egyptian respiratory allergy patients.