Practical approach to diagnosis and treatment of ocular allergy: a 1-year systematic review

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis: Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly

Among the different forms of allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis has distinct characteristics, defined by a more common onset in late adolescence or early adulthood, but also affecting the elderly, and with a higher prevalence in male individuals. However, the prevalence of atopic keratoconjunctivitis is scarcely investigated, and the data are often uncertain because other allergic nasal or respiratory disorders occur concomitantly. Mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Despite its denomination as atopic, negative responses to skin tests or in-vitro immunoglobulin E tests are common. In fact, atopic keratoconjunctivitis can be attributed to a combination of T-helper-1 and T-helper-2 responses, but a higher prominence for T-helper-1 cells was found. The most common symptoms of atopic keratoconjunctivitis are bilateral ocular itching, burning, and tearing with a perennial presentation, although some patients may have seasonal exacerbations in winter or summer. Other symptoms such as photophobia, blurred vision, and mucous chewy discharge, owing to the accumulation of cells and mucin, may occur. The diagnosis of atopic keratoconjunctivitis is mainly clinical, as accepted diagnostic criteria or laboratory tests are not available. The treatment of atopic keratoconjunctivitis is aimed at controlling symptoms, decreasing relapse and exacerbations, and reducing vision loss. Therapeutic options comprise topical ophthalmic drops, including cromones, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors. Topical ointments are also available for corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Severe forms may require systemic medications including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis therapy in the elderly does not differ from the adult population, but the occurrence of multi-morbidities and concomitant drug treatment, which are common in this age group, requires a careful evaluation to determine appropriate and personalized treatment.

Immunological and non-immunological mechanisms of allergic diseases in the elderly: biological and clinical characteristics

A better hygiene, a Westernized diet, air pollution, climate changes, and other factors that influence host microbiota, a key player in the induction and maintenance of immunoregulatory circuits and tolerance, are thought to be responsible for the increase of allergic diseases observed in the last years. The increase of allergic diseases in elderly is related to the presence of other factors as several comorbidities that should interfere with the development and the type of allergic reactions. A central role is played by immunosenescence responsible for modifying response to microbiota and triggering inflamm-ageing. In addition, in elderly there is a shift from Th1 responses vs. Th2, hence favouring allergic responses. Better understanding of the mechanisms of immunosenescence and its effects on allergic inflammation will most certainly lead to improved therapy.

Allergic diseases in the elderly: biological characteristics and main immunological and non-immunological mechanisms

Life expectancy and the number of elderly people are progressively increasing around the world. Together with other pathologies, allergic diseases also show an increasing incidence in geriatric age. This is partly due to the growing emphasis on a more accurate and careful diagnosis of the molecular mechanisms that do not allow to ignore the real pathogenesis of many symptoms until now unknown, and partly to the fact that the allergic people from 20 years ago represent the elderly population now. Moreover, environmental pollution predisposes to the onset of allergic asthma and dermatitis which are the result of internal pathologies more than the expression of allergic manifestations. At the same time the food contamination permits the onset of allergic diseases related to food allergy. In this review we provide the state of the art on the physiological changes in the elderly responsible for allergic diseases, their biological characteristics and the major immunological and extra immunological mechanisms. Much emphasis is given to the management of several diseases in the elderly, including anaphylactic reactions. Moreover, some new features are discussed, such as management of asthma with the support of physical activity and the use of the AIT as prevention of respiratory diseases and for the purpose of a real and long lasting benefit. The mechanisms of adverse reactions to drugs are also discussed, due to their frequency in this age, especially in polytherapy regimens. Study of the modifications of the immune system is also of great importance, as regards to the distribution of the lymphocytes and also the presence of a chronic inflammatory disease related to the production of cytokines, especially in prevision of all the possible therapies to be adopted to allow an active and healthy aging.

Topical immunomodulators in the management of allergic eye diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Allergic eye diseases comprise a spectrum of diseases, with each condition being characterized by a complex immunopathology. The more severe and chronic conditions, such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, involve predominantly mast cells and eosinophils, while also being associated with a preponderance of T cells. Treatment with topical antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers is often unsatisfactory, and therapy depends on topical corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have significant side-effects with long-term use; therefore, they appear to be more appropriate for short-term pulse therapy. Immunomodulatory agents can also be used to inhibit T-cell activation and show encouraging results among patients with severe allergic eye conditions. The present review is an attempt to present a coherent picture of the recent investigations of topical immunomodulatory agents' therapy in severe allergic eye diseases, especially cyclosporine A and tacrolimus, and their mechanisms of action.

RECENT FINDINGS

Immunomodulatory agents are commonly indicated for the treatment of severe and prolonged allergic conjunctivitis. This article reviews the recent studies of these drugs and the development of immunomodulatory treatments for severe allergic eye diseases.

SUMMARY

Cyclosporine A and tacrolimus are currently available for the treatment of severe allergic conjunctivitis. These agents have led to improved therapeutic results for patients with severe and chronic allergic eye diseases.

Respiratory allergies: a general overview of remedies, delivery systems, and the need to progress

The spread of respiratory allergies is increasing in parallel with the alarm of the scientific community. Evidently, our knowledge of the onset mechanisms of these diseases and, as a consequence, of the available remedies is inadequate. This review provides a brief, general description of current therapeutic resources and the state of research with regard to both drugs and medical devices in order to highlight their limits and the urgent need for progress. Increasing the amount of basic biochemical research will improve our knowledge of such onset mechanisms and the potential efficacy of therapeutic preparations.

Omalizumab beyond asthma

INTRODUCTION

Omalizumab has been demonstrated to be a successful therapy in the management of asthma through reduction of patient's symptoms and use of inhaled corticosteroids. The effect of omalizumab is achieved by immunoglobulin E (IgE) blockage and other secondary mechanisms resulting from this blockage. Because other diseases have an important IgE mediation in their physiopathology, the question arises as to if omalizumab would be useful in the treatment of other IgE-mediated diseases.

OBJECTIVE

We present an overview of the experimental studies and clinical reports evaluating the use of omalizumab in diseases different to asthma including atopic dermatitis, urticaria, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, idiopathic anaphylaxis, latex allergy, hymenoptera venom allergy, and other IgE diseases.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature using PUBMED, EMBASE, and LILACS for publications which used omalizumab in the treatment of patients with allergic diseases or any other diseases. Complete articles published in English, Spanish or Portuguese were included.

CONCLUSION

There is not enough evidence to support the regular use of omalizumab in IgE diseases other than asthma. However, some experimental and clinical investigations indicate that omalizumab could be a therapeutic option in several allergic diseases like atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. More control studies are needed in each IgE disease to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in IgE mediated diseases.

Omalizumab for severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis

A 35-year-old patient received omalizumab (300 mg twice a month) for 2 years for a severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) in order to reduce the risk for steroid-induced keratitis. After 4 months, quality of life and ocular symptoms improved, and the use of oral steroids was strongly reduced. The treatment was well tolerated. This observation suggests that omalizumab may be a good option for the treatment of severe AKC, especially to avoid side effects of immunosuppressive treatments, as suggested for other allergic diseases. Specific trials should be designed for allergic eye diseases.

Advances in upper airway diseases and allergen immunotherapy in 2007

The purpose of this review is to highlight important articles on upper airway diseases and immunotherapy that appeared in 2007. Advances in rhinitis include the realization that allergic rhinitis might be caused by local nasal IgE sensitization to aeroallergens in the absence of systemic evidence of IgE sensitization. After inhalation, allergens might reach systemic circulation. Epidemiologic studies continue to show that allergic rhinitis impairs school performance and is a risk factor for future asthma. New pathways are being identified in chronic sinusitis, as well as in different types of allergic ocular diseases. New treatments for patients with allergic rhinitis include use of beta-1,3-glucan, a mushroom product that can reduce allergic symptoms by inducing T(H)1 response, and olopatadine nasal spray. Studies on immunotherapy in 2007 suggest that sublingual immunotherapy induces similar immunologic alterations as those induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy, although to a lesser degree. Among allergists in the United States, there is a sizable variation in clinical practice, particularly related to concomitant administration of immunotherapy and beta-blockers, to administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and to patients with HIV or autoimmune diseases. The combination of omalizumab with allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy can enhance clinical efficacy. Recombinant technology can modify allergen structure to prevent binding to IgE (allergenicity) while enhancing immunogenicity (stimulation of T cells), which might improve the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy.