TY  - JOUR
AB  - Before starting venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT), systemic sting reactions to Hymenoptera venoms require allergological workup in order to prove an IgE-mediated reaction and to identify the culprit insect venom. In addition to skin tests and the determination of specific IgE antibodies, the basophil activation test (BAT) using flow cytometry has emerged as a powerful tool and sensitive marker for this purpose in recent years. BAT seems to have a better informative value in terms of clinical relevance compared to the other tests. In Hymenoptera venom allergies, BAT is particularly useful for the diagnosis of cases with unclear or contradictory history and sensitization profile. Its results are associated with adverse reactions during VIT and efficacy of VIT and therefore have a certain predictive value for side effects and treatment failure of VIT. In research, it is mainly used to characterize the allergenic components of Hymenoptera venoms. This review article focuses on these topics.
AU  - Eberlein, B.*
AU  - Brockow, K.*
AU  - Darsow, U.*
AU  - Biedermann, T.*
AU  - Blank, S.
C1  - 71540
C2  - 56266
SP  - 293-298
TI  - Basophil activation test in Hymenoptera venom allergy.
JO  - Allergol. Select
VL  - 8
PY  - 2024
SN  - 2512-8957
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Occupational rhinitis (OR) has so far received little attention even though it shares common pathophysiological features and trigger factors and is closely associated with occupational asthma (OA). Work-related exposure to certain substances, such as animal dander, is considered to be the main factor for the development of OR. The new EAACI definition of OR stresses the causal relationship between workplace exposure and onset of rhinitis symptoms as opposed to previous definitions that mainly focused on a temporal relationship between workplace exposure and occurrence of nasal symptoms. Also, it has been suggested to use the term "work-related rhinitis" for classifying the different forms of rhinitis associated with the workplace. These forms can be subdivided into allergic or non-allergic OR, which is due to causes and conditions related to a particular work environment, as well as work-exacerbated rhinitis, which is defined as a pre-existing rhinitis exacerbated by exposure at the workplace. Even though taking a detailed patient history is especially important when it comes to diagnosing OR, the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis is nasal provocation testing. Best possible symptomatic relief and prevention of development of OA constitute the main therapeutic objectives in OR. Treatment options consist of total avoidance of trigger substances (main goal), reduction of exposure to certain substances, and pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, it is important to note that allergic OR is an occupational disease in Germany (Berufskrankheit No 4301) and needs to be reported to health authorities.
AU  - Kotz, S.*
AU  - Pechtold, L.
AU  - Jörres, R.A.*
AU  - Nowak, D.*
AU  - Chaker, A.
C1  - 61190
C2  - 50077
SP  - 51-56
TI  - Occupational rhinitis.
JO  - Allergol. Select
VL  - 5
PY  - 2021
SN  - 2512-8957
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment of patients with allergic and atopy-associated diseases has faced major challenges. Recommendations for "social distancing" and the fear of patients becoming infected during a visit to a medical facility have led to a drastic decrease in personal doctor-patient contacts. This affects both acute care and treatment of the chronically ill. The immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection is so far only insufficiently understood and could be altered in a favorable or unfavorable way by therapy with monoclonal antibodies. There is currently no evidence for an increased risk of a severe COVID-19 course in allergic patients. Many patients are under ongoing therapy with biologicals that inhibit type 2 immune responses via various mechanisms. There is uncertainty about possible immunological interactions and potential risks of these biologicals in the case of an infection with SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selective literature search was carried out in PubMed, Livivo, and the internet to cover the past 10 years (May 2010 - April 2020). Additionally, the current German-language publications were analyzed. Based on these data, the present position paper provides recommendations for the biological treatment of patients with allergic and atopy-associated diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: In order to maintain in-office consultation services, a safe treatment environment must be created that is adapted to the pandemic situation. To date, there is a lack of reliable study data on the care for patients with complex respiratory, atopic, and allergic diseases in times of an imminent infection risk from SARS-CoV-2. Type-2-dominant immune reactions, as they are frequently seen in allergic patients, could influence various phases of COVID-19, e.g., by slowing down the immune reactions. Theoretically, this could have an unfavorable effect in the early phase of a SARS-Cov-2 infection, but also a positive effect during a cytokine storm in the later phase of severe courses. However, since there is currently no evidence for this, all data from patients treated with a biological directed against type 2 immune reactions who develop COVID-19 should be collected in registries, and their disease courses documented in order to be able to provide experience-based instructions in the future. CONCLUSION: The use of biologicals for the treatment of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and spontaneous urticaria should be continued as usual in patients without suspected infection or proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. If available, it is recommended to prefer a formulation for self-application and to offer telemedical monitoring. Treatment should aim at the best possible control of difficult-to-control allergic and atopic diseases using adequate rescue and add-on therapy and should avoid the need for systemic glucocorticosteroids. If SARS-CoV-2 infection is proven or reasonably suspected, the therapy should be determined by weighing the benefits and risks individually for the patient in question, and the patient should be involved in the decision-making. It should be kept in mind that the potential effects of biologicals on the immune response in COVID-19 are currently not known. Telemedical offers are particularly desirable for the acute consultation needs of suitable patients.
AU  - Klimek, L.*
AU  - Pfaar, O.*
AU  - Worm, M.*
AU  - Eiwegger, T.*
AU  - Hagemann, J.*
AU  - Ollert, M.*
AU  - Untersmayr, E.*
AU  - Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K.*
AU  - Vultaggio, A.*
AU  - Agache, I.*
AU  - Bavbek, S.*
AU  - Bossios, A.*
AU  - Casper, I.*
AU  - Chan, S.*
AU  - Chatzipetrou, A.*
AU  - Vogelberg, C.*
AU  - Firinu, D.*
AU  - Kauppi, P.*
AU  - Kolios, A.*
AU  - Kothari, A.*
AU  - Matucci, A.*
AU  - Palomares, O.*
AU  - Szépfalusi, Z.*
AU  - Pohl, W.*
AU  - Hötzenecker, W.*
AU  - Rosenkranz, A.R.*
AU  - Bergmann, K.C.*
AU  - Bieber, T.*
AU  - Buhl, R.*
AU  - Buters, J.*
AU  - Darsow, U.
AU  - Keil, T.*
AU  - Kleine-Tebbe, J.*
AU  - Lau, S.*
AU  - Maurer, M.*
AU  - Merk, H.*
AU  - Mösges, R.*
AU  - Saloga, J.*
AU  - Staubach, P.*
AU  - Jappe, U.*
AU  - Rabe, K.F.*
AU  - Rabe, U.*
AU  - Vogelmeier, C.*
AU  - Biedermann, T.
AU  - Jung, K.
AU  - Schlenter, W.*
AU  - Ring, J.*
AU  - Chaker, A.*
AU  - Wehrmann, W.
AU  - Becker, S.*
AU  - Freudelsperger, L.*
AU  - Mülleneisen, N.*
AU  - Nemat, K.*
AU  - Czech, W.*
AU  - Wrede, H.*
AU  - Brehler, R.*
AU  - Fuchs, T.*
AU  - Tomazic, P.V.*
AU  - Aberer, W.*
AU  - Fink-Wagner, A.H.*
AU  - Horak, F.*
AU  - Wöhrl, S.*
AU  - Niederberger-Leppin, V.*
AU  - Pali-Schöll, I.*
AU  - Roller-Wirnsberger, R.*
AU  - Spranger, O.*
AU  - Akdis, M.*
AU  - Matricardi, P.M.*
AU  - Spertini, F.*
AU  - Khaltaev, N.*
AU  - Michel, J.P.*
AU  - Nicod, L.*
AU  - Schmid-Grendelmeier, P.*
AU  - Idzko, M.*
AU  - Hamelmann, E.*
AU  - Jakob, T.*
AU  - Werfel, T.*
AU  - Wagenmann, M.*
AU  - Taube, C.*
AU  - Jensen-Jarolim, E.*
AU  - Korn, S.*
AU  - Hentges, F.*
AU  - Schwarze, J.*
AU  - O Mahony, L.*
AU  - Knol, E.F.*
AU  - Del Giacco, S.*
AU  - Chivato Pérez, T.*
AU  - Bedbrook, A.*
AU  - Zuberbier, T.*
AU  - Akdis, C.*
AU  - Jutel, M.*
C1  - 60673
C2  - 49584
SP  - 53-68
TI  - Use of biologicals in allergic and type-2 inflammatory diseases during the current COVID-19 pandemic: Position paper of Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen (AeDA)A, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI)B, Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Allergologie und Umweltmedizin (GPA)C, Österreichische Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (ÖGAI)D, Luxemburgische Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (LGAI)E, Österreichische Gesellschaft für Pneumologie (ÖGP)F in co-operation with the German, Austrian, and Swiss ARIA groupsG, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)H.
JO  - Allergol. Select
VL  - 4
PY  - 2020
SN  - 2512-8957
ER  -