Study of indicators of the immune status in HIV-infected patients with concurrent allergic pathology

Aim. To study the indicators of the immune status and manifestations of allergic diseases in HIV-infected patients in the Novgorod region. Methods. We studied the data of HIV-infected patients living in the Novgorod region for the years 20002021. A total of 1020 cases of HIV infection were studied, in which 121 (12%) patients were diagnosed with allergic reactions. In patients with allergic manifestations, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid content was measured by the polymerase chain reaction method, and the indicators of the immune status (the content of lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, the levels of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ cells, immunoregulatory index) were assessed. For statistical analysis, the Student's test (t) was used to assess the statistical significance of differences in immune status indicators, and the Pearson 2 test to assess the statistical significance of differences in allergic manifestations in patients with HIV. Results. The subjects of the study were divided into 2 groups based on the levels of HIV viral load. Analysis of these groups using the Pearson 2 test showed a statistically significant (p 0.012) correlation between high viral load and the development of drug hypersensitivity reaction in HIV-infected patients. The following etiology of allergic reactions was determined among the subjects: drug (59%), food (19%), pollen (5.7%), household (5.7%), chemical (1.9%), unspecified (6.7%). The study of the immune status in two groups did not reveal statistically significant differences (p 0.05). The study of the immune status indicators in HIV-infected patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions and different levels of viral load revealed a significantly higher level of CD3+ cells (p 0.003) in patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions and detectable viral load. Conclusion. The study revealed statistically significant differences in the immune status of HIV-infected patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions living in the Novgorod region compared with HIV-infected patients without drug allergies.

The role of educational work in educational institutions in order to prevent the influence of harmful factors on the human body

The growing number of allergic diseases among people is a global problem. The article considers the role of educational work among students as an important component of knowledge formation about the causes of allergic diseases, prevention methods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is established, that this problem is relevant in the world and requires the introduction of a system of measures to overcome it. The prevalence of allergic diseases has tripled in the last 10 years and to date allergies have reached pandemic proportions. The stages of allergic reactions and possible causes of allergic diseases (genetic, environmental, social) are indicated. The result of immunodeficiency as a result of allergies is the development of various complications or chronic diseases that can lead to disability and even death. The complex epidemiological situation in the world with a large increase in the number of allergic diseases requires constant monitoring to understand current trends. It is taken into account, that there are no statistical data on the level of prevalence of allergic diseases among the population of Ukraine, the study of epidemiological and preventive areas is relevant. The problem of allergic manifestations was considered among the applicants for education of Zhytomyr Pharmaceutical Basic Vocational College. It has been found, that students of the college already have certain professional competencies: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concept of "allergy", the manifestation of allergies, treat the causes and ways of the disease, methods of diagnosing allergens, are informed about historical aspects of disease recognition. It has been proven, that issues, related to allergies, worry students because of the causes of their allergic reactions and diseases. It has been found, that students want to continue to receive and deepen modern knowledge on prevention, causes and types of allergic manifestations and ways to eliminate them. As a result of the analysis the actual questions of students and the necessary answer to them, teachers and specialists-allergists have been revealed. The importance of information work among applicants for pharmaceutical education, which in their daily work will constantly use toxic substances, drugs and cosmetics that contain substances – allergens, has been traced. Substantiation of the need to develop effective systems of actions for prevention, diagnosis and provision of treatment and prevention care to the population has been presented

Effects of Histobulin (Immunoglobulin/Histamine Complex) on Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Urticaria: Psychiatric Manifestations or Psychiatric Comorbidities of Chronic Urticaria?: A Case Report

Background: Psychiatric comorbidities of chronic urticaria (CU) have been reported and examined recently. The prevalence of mental disorders and emotional distress is high in patients with CU. This is a case report in which Histobulin was found to be effective for psychiatric manifestations in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Case Presentation: Three cases of CSU accompanying psychiatric manifestations (PMs) were treated with Histobulin. One patient with CSU with severe depression showed clinical changes in depressive symptoms in parallel to changes in allergic symptoms during treatment. Histobulin clearly improved not only CSU but also the accompanying PMs in one patient and slightly improved them in another patient. The PMs were not improved by an antihistamine (H1 blocker) in any case. Histobulin is effective not only for allergic manifestations (AMs) but also for PMs of CSU. Conclusions: PMs as well as AMs of CSU were improved by Histobulin therapy. PMs were suspected to be a part of the clinical manifestations in CSU, possibly through histamine-mediated mechanisms. These conditions were suggested to be ‘allergic psychiatric manifestations (APMs)’ or ‘histamine-mediated psychiatric manifestations (HPMs)’. Further study of PMs based on histamine-mediated mechanisms, including allergies, may be necessary. Accordingly, it should be clarified whether the PMs of CSU are a part of the clinical manifestations of CSU or are psychiatric comorbidities of CSU.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Hypoallergenic Milk Formulas for the Management of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy in the United Kingdom

Background: Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in early childhood. In most children CMPA resolves by age 5 or 6; however, if not treated correctly can provoke nutritional deficiency resulting in poor growth. Management consists of excluding cow’s milk from the diet, with hypoallergenic formulas (or non-dairy alternatives) being introduced to meet nutritional requirements. Objectives: To compare the cost-effectiveness of hypoallergenic formulas in reducing allergic manifestations and promoting immune tolerance in infants with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated symptoms of CMPA. Methods: A trial-based decision analytic cohort model was developed to simulate the occurrence of urticaria, eczema, asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, or being symptom-free in infants with CMPA in the United Kingdom. Amino acid-based formula (AAF), extensively hydrolysed casein formula containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus Gorbach Goldin (EHCF+LGG), extensively hydrolysed whey formula (EHWF), and soy formula (SF) were compared using the National Health Service (NHS) perspective, 3-year time horizon and 3.5% discount rate for cost and health consequences. Hypoallergenic formulas comparative efficacy was sourced from a prospective cohort study. Resources required to manage allergic symptoms were sourced from published literature, validated by a UK clinician, and applied to UK cost resources. Results were reported as cost per additional child free from allergic manifestations at 3 years and cost per additional immune tolerant child at 3 years. Results: In the base case, infants receiving EHCF+LGG were associated with lower NHS resource use and improved CMPA tolerance. Over the 3-year treatment period, savings of £119, £476, and £1094 were achieved with EHCF+LGG compared to SF, EHWF and AAF, respectively. Infant formula accounted for the largest proportion of resource consumption averaging 44% for all comparators, with a minimum of 31% for SF and a maximum of 53% for AAF over 3 years. General practitioners’ visits constituted the second highest cost component, approximately 17% of total costs across comparators. The results were robust to deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Compared to AAF, SF, and EHWF hypoallergenic formulas, EHCF+LGG was the most cost-effective, associated with lower total costs and contributing to a higher proportion of children being symptom-free and developing immune tolerance 3-years after diagnosis.

CLINICAL CASE OF ALLERGIC ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME (KOUNIS SYNDROME) CAUSED BY COLD URTICARIA

Kounis syndrome is one of the rare variants of acute coronary syndrome that occurs as a result of an allergic reaction. Its main pathophysiological mechanism is coronary vasospasm. Clinically, Kounis syndrome is manifested by symptoms of both an allergic reaction and an acute coronary syndrome, and its treatment is not an easy task, since both cardiac and allergic manifestations must be treated at the same time. In the given article we describe a clinical case of diagnosis and successful treatment of Kounis syndrome caused by cold urticaria in a 58-year-old patient who was hospitalized to the Grodno Regional Clinical Cardiology Center.

Assessment of the effect of non-asthmatic allergic rhinitis on pulmonary functions - A prospective case-control study

Introduction Allergic rhinitis, beginning from childhood, is a global health problem. According to the literature, allergic rhinitis has been found to be associated with asthma and other allergic manifestations. In this study we like to find out the significance and prognostic importance of pulmonary function test (PFT) in allergic rhinitis. Design and setting: The study was carried out over a period of 2 years, with 63 cases and controls each. Subjects in the age of 20-55 years with allergic rhinitis and SFAR score of >/=7 were included as a case. Participants were interviewed and sent for PFT. Controls were recruited from the retrospective data of healthy individuals with pulmonary function parameters done for health checkup. These controls had an SFAR score of <7. Main outcome measures: Clinical data and PFT of cases and controls was used for the study. SFAR score was used to recruit the cases and controls. All the data obtained were analyzed and compared between cases and controls. Results The mean age of the cases and controls were 33.17 +/- 10.817 and 44.41 +/- 7.4, respectively. Majority of cases and controls were males (60.3% and 57.1%). A statistically significant difference in FEF25-75% among cases and controls was noted (p=0.00), thus proving probability of developing small airway obstruction in subjects with allergic rhinitis. Conclusion Subjects with allergic rhinitis have a probability of developing small airway obstruction with subclinical changes, hence necessitating the need of regular follow-up.

Incidence and remission of aeroallergen sensitization in adults in Northern Finland: 15 years longitudinal study

Studies on the longitudinal changes in sensitization to aeroallergens in adult populations are sparse. The aim was to evaluate changes in sensitization to aeroallergens [birch, timothy, cat and house dust mite (HDM)] in an unselected adult population aged from 31 to 46 years. Data were gathered from a cohort of adults (Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966) who had been skin prick tested (SPT) with birch, timothy, cat and HDM allergens at the age of 31 years and at age 46 (n = 5484 and 5373 respectively). Data from both time points were available for 3409 participants, who made up the cohort of the longitudinal study. The overall prevalence of sensitization to any of the selected allergens was 30.3% (n = 1661) in 31-year-olds and 30.7% (n = 1649) in 46-year-olds. In general, men were more sensitized (P < 0.001) and also had more polysensitization (P < 0.001) compared to women. In longitudinal sub-population incidence of sensitization was 7.1%. Birch was the most prevalent new sensitizer, however, the difference was not statistically significant when compared to cat. We conclude that new sensitization, demonstrated by positive findings in SPT, can still occur in middle age and this should be taken into account when managing allergic manifestations in adults as sensitization can be considered the first step in developing clinical allergy.

Anisakis Allergy: Is Aquacultured Fish a Safe and Alternative Food to Wild-Capture Fisheries for Anisakis simplex-Sensitized Patients?

Background: Anisakis simplex (A. simplex) infection, in humans, causes a series of clinical manifestations affecting the gastro-intestinal tract known as Anisakiasis/Anisakidosis. Patients may also present allergic manifestations such as hives and/or angioedema and even anaphylactic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aquacultured fish could be considered A.simplex-free food and constitute a safe, alternative, wild-capture fish food for Gastro-Allergic Anisakiasis (GAA)-sensitized subjects. Methods: Protein extracts from A. simplex larvae in the third stage (L3) and from edible part of heavily infected horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and aquacultured sea bream, have been tested for A. simplex allergens presence by immunological analysis. Western blot analysis using, as source of specific Anisakis allergens antibodies, serum samples from subjects referring allergic symptoms after raw fish ingestion, was performed. These subjects showed high levels of specific IgE anti A.simplex allergens determined by clinical laboratory tests (ISAC test). Results: Our data demonstrate the presence of Ani s4 allergen in both infected and aquacultured fish extracts, providing a possible interpretation for the allergic manifestations reported by subjects, already sensitized to A. simplex, who ate frozen or well-cooked or, even, aquacultured fish. Conclusions: The present data stimulate more accurate prophylaxis suggestions for Anisakis allergy and more specific controls of fishmeal used in aquaculture.