scholarly journals 261. A Retrospective Evaluation of Coccidioidomycosis Skin Testing in Patients with Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis in an Endemic Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S145-S145
Author(s):  
Neema Mafi ◽  
Marlene Girardo ◽  
Janis E Blair
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Antifungal Therapy ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Antifungal Treatment ◽  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
History Of ◽  
Clinical Illness

Abstract Background Making the decision to stop antifungal therapy in patients with coccidioidomycosis can be challenging in patients with risk factors for relapsed infection. Spherulin-based coccidioidal skin testing was re-introduced to the market in 2014 and approved for the detection of delayed-type hypersensitivity in patients with a history of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis Methods We searched electronically for patients who had a spherulin skin test placed in our institution from January 1, 2015 through March 1, 2017, and then included patients age 18 years and older who met the definition for confirmed or probable pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. A retrospective chart review was conducted, and included details of clinical illness, antifungal treatment, serology, and chest imaging Results From January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017, 172 patients with coccidioidomycosis had a spherulin skin test placed. We included for further study the 129 patients who had primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, followed for a median of 18 months (range 0–50 months); 56 (43.4/%) were male, 108 (85.7/%) Caucasian, median age was 55 years (range18–89).19/12914.7%)) were smokers, 14/129 (10.9%) were diabetic, 2 patients had HIV (1.6%) and 15/129 (11.6) we immunocompromised without HIV. 116/129(89.9%) % received antifungal treatment. Median time from illness to skin test was 13.5 months (range 0–78). Eighty-nine of 129 patients (69%) had a positive skin test, 40 (31%) had a negative test. Antifungal treatment was subsequently discontinued in 75/89 (84%), and one patient (1.2%) with a positive test, experienced relapsed infection. Among 30/40 with negative CST, antifungals were discontinued and none relapsed. Conclusion The presence of delayed-type hypersensitivity to coccidioidomycosis, manifested by a positive spherulin skin test, was associated with discontinuation of antifungal therapy, and a low percentage of relapsed infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Coccidioides (spherulin) skin testing in patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in an endemic region†

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 626-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neema Mafi ◽  
C Brian Murphy ◽  
Marlene E Girardo ◽  
Janis E Blair
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cellular Immunity ◽  
Real World ◽  
Antifungal Agent ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Antifungal Treatment ◽  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Endemic Region

Abstract Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection of the desert southwestern United States. Intact cellular immunity is critical to the control of this infection. A recently released reformulated spherulin antigen (Spherusol; Nielsen BioSciences, Inc.) was approved to detect delayed-type hypersensitivity, which implies the presence of cellular immunity, to Coccidioides species. We aimed to summarize our experience with this test in patients with primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data for all patients with primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis who had a Coccidioides (spherulin) skin test (CST) placed at our institution between January 1, 2015, and August 31, 2017. During the study period, 172 patients had a CST placed, and 122 met our inclusion criteria for proven or probable pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Of these 122, 88 (72.1%) had a positive CST result and 34 (27.9%) had a negative result. In the positive CST group, 74 of the 79 treated patients (93.7%) had antifungal treatment stopped, 1 of whom (1.4%) had relapsed infection. In contrast, 27 of the 33 treated patients in the negative CST group (81.8%) had their antifungal treatment stopped, and none had a relapse. Seven patients overall (5.7%), all of whom had a positive CST, experienced mild local adverse reactions to the CST. Although previous controlled studies of CST showed sensitivity and specificity greater than 98%, our real-world experience with the CST showed lower rates of positivity. Negative CST results did not predict relapse with antifungal agent withdrawal.

scholarly journals Comparison of Subject-Reported Allergy versus Skin Test Results in a Common Cold Trial

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-162
Author(s):  
Jason S. Krahnke ◽  
Deborah A. Gentile ◽  
Kelly M. Cordoro ◽  
Betty L. Angelini ◽  
Sheldon A. Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Positive Skin Test ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Test Response ◽  
History Of ◽  
Allergy Skin Testing

Background Few studies have examined the relationship between subject-reported allergy and results of allergy skin testing in large unselected or unbiased cohorts. The objective of this study was to compare the results of self-reported allergy via verbal questioning with the results of allergy skin testing by the puncture method in 237 healthy adult subjects enrolled in a common cold study. Methods On enrollment, all subjects were verbally asked if they had a history of allergy and then underwent puncture skin testing to 19 relevant aeroallergens, as well as appropriate positive and negative controls. A skin test was considered positive if its wheal diameter was at least 3 mm larger than that obtained with the negative control. Results Forty-eight (20%) subjects reported a history of allergy and 124 (52%) subjects had at least one positive skin test response. A history of allergy was reported in 40 (32%) of the skin test-positive subjects and 8 (7%) of the skin test-negative subjects. At least one positive skin test response was found in 40 (83%) of those subjects reporting a history of allergy and 84 (44%) of those subjects denying a history of allergy. Conclusion These data indicate that there is a relatively poor correlation between self-reported history of allergy and skin test results in subjects enrolled in a common cold study. These results have implications in both clinical practice and research settings.

Sequential degranulation of eosinophils induced by antigen or autocoids in allergic humans

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 354-355
Author(s):  
Kate W. Sjoerdsma ◽  
W. James Metzger
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽  
Allergic Asthma ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Positive Skin Test ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Human Eosinophil ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Allergic Asthmatic ◽  
History Of

Eosinophils are important to the pathogenesis of allergic asthma, and are increased in bronchoalveolar lavage within four hours after bronchoprovocation of allergic asthmatic patients, and remain significantly increased up to 24 hours later. While the components of human eosinophil granules have been recently isolated and purified, the mechanisms of degranulation have yet to be elucidated.We obtained blood from two volunteers who had a history of allergic rhinitis and asthma and a positive skin test (5x5mm wheal) to Alternaria and Ragweed. Eosinophils were obtained using a modification of the method described by Roberts and Gallin.

High Rate of Negative Results of Tuberculin and QuantiFERON Tests Among Individuals With a History of Positive Skin Test Results

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd N. Friedman ◽  
Esther R. Nash ◽  
June Bryant ◽  
Susan Henry ◽  
Julia Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Negative Group ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Positive Results

Objectives.To evaluate individuals at high risk for tuberculosis exposure who had a history of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) result in order to determine the prevalence of unsuspected negative TST results. To confirm these findings with the QuantiFERON-TB test (QFT), an in vitro whole-blood assay that measures tuberculin-induced secretion of interferon-γ.Methods.This survey was conducted from November 2001 through December 2003 at 3 sites where TST screening is regularly done. Detailed histories and reviews of medical records were performed. TSTs were placed and read by 2 experienced healthcare workers, and blood was drawn for QFT. Any subject with a negative result of an initial TST during the study (induration diameter, <10 mm) underwent a second TST and a second QFT. The TST-negative group comprised individuals for whom both TSTs had an induration diameter of <10 mm. The confirmed-negative group comprised individuals for whom both TSTs yielded no detectable induration and results of both QFTs were negative.Results.A total of 67 immunocompetent subjects with positive results of a previous TST were enrolled in the study. Of 56 subjects who completed the TST protocol, 25 (44.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31.6%-57.6%) were TST negative (P<.001). Of 31 subjects who completed the TST protocol and the QFT protocol, 8 (25.8%; 95% CI, 10.4%-41.2%) were confirmed negative (P<.005).Conclusions.A significant proportion of subjects with positive results of a previous TST were TST negative in this study, and a subset of these were confirmed negative. These individuals' TST status may have reverted or may never have been positive. It will be important in future studies to determine whether such individuals lack immunity to tuberculosis and whether they should be considered for reentry into tuberculosis screening programs.

Penicillin Hypersensitivity

1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 132-158
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Positive Skin Test ◽  
Penicillin Allergy ◽  
Skin Tests ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Positive History ◽  
History Of

A (massive) multicenter study of 3,000 patients has demonstrated that skin tests to penicillin G and penicilloyl-polylysine (PPL-now commercially available) predict and confirm penicillin allergy. Of patients with a history of penicillin reaction, 19% were positive to either, compared to 7% of controls. A history of anaphylaxis led to 46% positive. Of those with a history of urticaria 17% were positive, and those with maculopapular eruptions did not differ from controls (7% positive). Challenge with penicillin led to a reaction in 6% with a positive history (compared to 2% with a negative) and 67% with a combined positive history and positive skin test (to either).

THE CUTANEOUS REACTION TO EGGWHITE

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1015
Author(s):  
Richard L. London ◽  
Jerome Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Intradermal Test ◽  
Skin Tests ◽  
Etiologic Factor ◽  
Initial Reaction ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Number Of Patients

A study of 400 allergic patients of all ages, who were skin tested with eggwhite, is reported. The authors agree with those who believe that a positive reaction in infants who have in no known way been exposed to eggwhite after birth is in all probability due to intrauterine sensitization. There is a possibility, however, that some reactions to eggwhite may be due to a primary histamine or serotonin releasing substance present in the eggwhite which has no relationship to antigen-antibody reaction. The circumstances under which this takes place are not known. In all age groups the family history was positive in about 65% of cases. It was surprising to find, in view of previous opinions, that in the youngest age group (infants up to 2 years of age), the skin test was positive in less than half the patients (42%) in the presence of clinical sensitivity. It was also unexpected to find that the number of patients clinically sensitive to eggwhite but giving negative skin tests increased as age advanced. This justifies the common practice of eliminating egg as a trial measure in the diet of the first age group, regardless of the results of skin testing, and suggests that this should be done in any age group where food is considered a possible etiologic factor. In the youngest age group somewhat more than one-third (34%) of the patients reacted positively to eggwhite but were not clinically sensitive. This finding was completely unexpected as it had been thought that in this age group a positive skin test to eggwhite was practically pathognomonic of clinical sensitivity. In this study more positive reactions in children to eggwhite were obtained (70.5%) than in a somewhat comparable series where the incidence was much less (20%). We attribute this to the fact that in our series both scratch and intradermal tests were made while in the other series only scratch tests were done. This reflects the greater sensitivity of the intradermal test. Only about half the patients of all ages who react to eggwhite are also clinically sensitive. Attention is drawn to a theory which explains why a positive cutaneous test to a food, as eggwhite, may be clinically significant in atopic dermatitis even though the test (wheal reaction) does not reproduce the type of dermatitis being studied. There was no definite evidence, because the number of cases studied is far too small, to indicate that the severity of asthma which may ultimately develop in infants not asthmatic at the time of skin testing is proportional to the strength of the initial reaction to eggwhite.

SKIN TEST REACTIVITY TO BEE HIVE PRODUCTS (HONEY BEES, HONEY, ROYAL JELLY AND POLLEN)

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (5-10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Shihah Abdullah ◽  
Nasuruddin Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Positive Skin Prick Test ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Skin Test Reactivity ◽  
Bee Pollen ◽  
Allergen Extracts

Bee hive products such as honey bees, honey, royal jelly and pollen are widely consumed as a health supplement. There has been several cases of allergic reactions to bee hive products reported worldwide. Consumption of bee hive products is common among Malaysians, but the degree of its sensitization is not known. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of skin test reactivity to Apis mellifera, domesticated locally and the bee hive products such as honey bees, honey, royal jelly and pollen among a group of volunteers. Four types of honey collected from different locations with different plant sources; one sample of imported honey from Australia, one sample of royal jelly, four different sources of bee pollen, and honey bee derivatives were used to prepare allergen extracts for skin testing. 2522 volunteers were skin tested to these allergen extracts. 271 (10.75%) of the subjects had a positive skin prick test result to at least one honey bee derivative or bee hive product allergen. Individuals with skin test positivity to honey bee are most likely to be sensitized to bee pollen followed by honey and royal jelly. Skin test reactivity to honey bee and bee hive products is prevailed to be high in Malaysia. This study has proven that bee hive products sensitization individuals are mostly to be also sensitized to honey bees. Therefore, is recommended these allergens to be included in the skin prick panel

scholarly journals Tuberculin Skin Testing Boosts Interferon Gamma Responses to DIVA Reagents in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected Cattle

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth J. Jones ◽  
Mick Coad ◽  
Bhagwati Khatri ◽  
Javier Bezos ◽  
Natalie A. Parlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Interferon Gamma ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Tuberculin Skin Testing ◽  
Test Scenario ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination sensitizes cattle to bovine tuberculin, which compromises the use of the current bovine tuberculosis (TB) surveillance tests. Although the performance of a blood test (that utilizes antigens expressed by Mycobacterium bovis but not by BCG) capable of discriminating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA interferon gamma test [DIT]) has been evaluated in naturally infected TB field reactors, there is a need to perform similar analysis in a BCG-vaccinated M. bovis-infected population. Furthermore, we explored different scenarios under which a DIT may be implemented alongside BCG vaccination: (i) serial testing to resolve potential false-positive skin test results or (ii) a standalone test to replace the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) skin test. Our results demonstrated significantly better relative test sensitivity when the DIT was evaluated in a serial test scenario. Direct comparison of pre- and post-skin test blood samples revealed that the SICCT test induced significant boosting of the gamma interferon response in M. bovis-infected animals to both the ESAT-6–CFP-10 and Rv3615c peptide cocktails that comprise the DIT, which persisted for the ESAT-6–CFP-10 reagent for at least 14 days. Importantly, no similar boosting effects were observed in noninfected BCG vaccinates, suggesting that DIVA blood testing after a recent skin test would have minimal impact on test specificity.

scholarly journals Primary aspergilloma and subacute invasive aspergillosis in two AIDS patients

2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Martinez ◽  
Gleusa de Castro ◽  
Alcyone A. Machado ◽  
Maria Janete Moya
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Aspergillosis ◽  
Female Patient ◽  
Antifungal Therapy ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Brain Lesions ◽  
Antifungal Treatment ◽  
Lung Involvement ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocyte

Although uncommon, invasive aspergillosis in the setting of AIDS is important because of its peculiar clinical presentation and high lethality. This report examines two AIDS patients with a history of severe cellular immunosuppression and previous neutropenia, who developed subacute invasive aspergillosis. One female patient developed primary lung aspergilloma, with dissemination to the mediastinum, vertebrae, and spine, which was fatal despite antifungal treatment. The second patient, who had multiple cavitary brain lesions, and eye and lung involvement, recovered following voriconazole and itraconazole, and drugs for increasing neutrophil and CD4+ lymphocyte levels. These cases demonstrate the importance of Aspergillus infections following neutropenia in AIDS patients, and emphasize the need for early and effective antifungal therapy.

scholarly journals The Frequency of Food Allergy Among Children With Migraine Headache; A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
Akefeh Ahmadiafshar ◽  
Mohammad Vafaee-Shahi ◽  
Saeide Ghasemi ◽  
Fariba Khosroshahi ◽  
Aina Riahi
Keyword(s):  
Food Allergy ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Migraine Headaches ◽  
Allergy Test ◽  
History Of

Background: Headache and particularly migraine headaches are considered as a debilitating disease worldwide that can adversely affect the quality of life of children and adults. Various factors can play a critical role in the development of migraine headache attacks. The food allergens are considered as important factors. This study aimed to determine the frequency of food allergy in children with migraine headaches. Methods: Forty patients aged <16 years with a migraine headache were entered into the study. A questionnaire was provided in which data on demographic information and skin test results for various allergens were recorded. Dietary allergies were defined based on a positive skin test plus a patient's history of food allergies. The severity of migraine was evaluated using the Migraine disability assessment score (MIDAS) questionnaire. Results: The present study showed 32.5% of our participants had a food allergy. No significant association was detected between sex (p=58) and age (p=0.14) with food allergy. However, the frequency of food allergy was significantly higher in patients aged ≥12 years old (44.4%) than those aged <12 (22.7%). A significant relationship was found between the number of attacks after prophylaxis and the frequency of food allergies (p=0.032). Individuals with lower attacks had a lower food allergy. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that about one-third of children with a migraine headache had a food allergy. This frequency was significantly higher in children with migraines than that of the general population based on the results of previous studies. It is recommended that these patients receive a skin allergy test while preparing a strong history of food allergies or when the frequency of migraine attacks does not decrease significantly despite proper prophylaxis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document