BACKGROUND: The relationship between helminthiases and allergy is a matter of considerable interest and research. In the tropics, house dust mite exposure, a known risk factor for asthma, is frequently concurrent with helminth infections. It remains to be defined whether infection with the common roundworm Ascaris or its bystander immunological effects influence the prevalence and pathogenesis of asthma independently of mite sensitization.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship ...

BACKGROUND: Many children with severe persistent allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma remain inadequately controlled despite treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA).

RESEARCH AND DESIGN METHODS: This pre-specified analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in children (6-<12 years) with perennial allergen sensitivity, and history of asthma exacerbations and symptoms ...

BACKGROUND: While it is suggested that the prevalence of asthma in developed countries may have stabilized, this is not clear in currently developing countries. Current available information for both adults and children simultaneously on the burden and impact of allergic conditions in Colombia and in many Latin American countries is limited. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence for asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic eczema (AE), and atopy in six colombian ...

This cross-sectional study of children aged 6-7 years and adolescents aged 13-14 years in Bogotá, Colombia, assessed the prevalence of asthma symptoms and their associations with dietary, health, and behavioral habits. This study is part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)-phase III. Asthma prevalence among the children was assessed using a parental self-administered written questionnaire (WQ), and among adolescents using a WQ together with a video ...

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most frequent chronic diseases among children. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis and determine clinical, social and environmental associated factors, among school children aged 6-7 years and adolescents aged 13-14 years in Bogotá, Colombia.

METHODS: We used ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) phase III study methodology and questionnaire for design and data collection, and ...

BACKGROUND: No detailed information is available on the burden and impact of allergic diseases simultaneously for adults and children in Colombia and most Latin American countries.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis symptoms in 6 cities in Colombia; to measure patient expenses and school days and workdays lost; to describe disease severity; and to determine levels of total and specific IgE in asthmatic subjects.

METHODS: A ...

BackgroundPapular urticaria is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by exposure to arthropod bites. The disease has been reported in children attending medical centers, but the causes as the risk factors associated with the disease have not been established. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of papular urticaria caused by flea bite and identify the risk factors in children between 1 to 6 years of age in Bogotá D.C, between March 2009 and June 2011.MethodsA ...

BACKGROUND: Papular urticaria caused by flea bite presents clinical symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction accompanied by skin lesions. However, the pattern of recognition by different antibody isotypes during the progression of the disease is unknown. This study evaluated variations in immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G subclass antibody responses to flea antigens during the progression of papular urticaria caused by flea bite

METHODS: Twenty-five patients clinically diagnosed with ...

BACKGROUND: Papular urticaria caused by flea bite presents clinical symptoms of hypersensitive reaction accompanied by skin lesions. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease often go unrewarded, partly because of our incomplete understanding of the underlying immunopathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the immune response to the flea bite in patients with papular urticaria.

METHODS: This study included 45 randomly selected patients and 17 controls. Cutaneous allergy tests ...

Background: Cable cars provide urban mobility benefits for vulnerable populations. However, no evaluation has assessed cable cars' impact from a health perspective. TransMiCable in Bogotá, Colombia, provides a unique opportunity to (1) assess the effects of its implementation on the environmental and social determinants of health (microenvironment pollution, transport accessibility, physical environment, employment, social capital, and leisure time), physical activity, and health ...

PURPOSE: Eosinophils are frequently found in atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that release eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Continuous exposure to these proteins could trigger an autoimmune response which may contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of skin inflammation. In this study, we investigate the immunoglobulin E (IgE) response against eosinophil proteins in CSU and AD.

METHODS: We recruited patients with severe ...

OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence derived from randomized controlled clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of omalizumab compared to placebo in controlling symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria/chronic spontaneous urticaria (CIU/CSU).

DATA SOURCE: The electronic databases PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Biomed Central, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Wiley, OVID, and HighwirePress were reviewed. The date limit was set to May 31th, but it was extended to ...

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia is a disease that can significantly compromise a patient's quality of life. Desensitization is a safe and effective treatment option for iron-deficient anemic patients who require intravenous iron despite their hypersensitivity to iron. This report describes a safe desensitization protocol for patients with iron hypersensitivity who require iron treatment for their clinical improvement.

CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients of 20 and 46-year-old diagnosed ...

Allergic diseases are distributed worldwide and their risk factors and triggers vary according to geographical and socioeconomic conditions. Allergies are frequent in the Tropics but aspects of their prevalence, natural history, risk factors, sensitizers and triggers are not well defined and some are expected to be different from those in temperate zone countries. The aim of this review is to investigate if allergic diseases in the Tropics have particularities that deserve special ...