A review on hypersensitivity reactions to fungal aeroallergens in patients with allergic disorders in Iran

Probiotics on chronic urticaria: A randomized clinical trial study

Background

Urticaria is a common itchy skin condition characterized by swelling and erythema. A variety of treatments is available today. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of probiotic use in patients with chronic resistant urticaria.

Methods

This four-way blind randomized clinical trial was conducted between June 2019 and June 2020. Study population consisted of patients with chronic urticaria who did not respond well to first line treatment with antihistamines. For the intervention group, antihistamine (cetirizine) and probiotics (femilact capsule) and for the control group, antihistamine (cetirizine) and placebo were administered twice a day for 8 weeks. The "Urticarial Activity for 7 Days" (UAS7) questionnaire was used to assess urticaria activity and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life of patients.

Results

Patients' age range was 7 to 30 years with a mean and standard deviation of 23.6±9.2 years. 31 (81.57%) cases were females and 7 (18.42%) cases were males. Twenty patients were in the intervention group and eighteen patients were in the control group. The mean scores of UAS7 questionnaire were reduced in both groups, but it was more significant in the intervention group (9.6±6.4) compared to the control group (12.7±8.1) at the end of week eight of treatment (P=0.036). Also, there was no significant difference in the quality of life between the two groups after 8 weeks (P=0.805).

Conclusion

This study showed that probiotic consumption along with antihistamines significantly improved the activity of urticaria but not the quality of life of patients.

Composition and Ecological Functionality of Fungal Communities Associated with Smokeless Tobacco Products Mainly Consumed in India

The microbial communities present in smokeless tobacco products (STPs) perform critical steps in the synthesis of carcinogens, mainly tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Most studies emphasize the bacterial component, and the mycobiome of STPs has not been well characterized. In this study, we investigated the fungal communities in the different categories of STPs by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region of the fungal genome. The ecological character of the fungal community associated with STPs was determined by using FUNGuild. Our results indicated that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the most abundant fungal phyla across all STPs. The predominant fungal genera in STPs were Pichia, Sterigmatomyces, and Mortierella. The α-diversity varied significantly across the STPs based on observed, Fisher, and Shannon indices. Using SparCC cooccurrence network analysis, significant positive correlations of 58.5% and negative connections of 41.5% were obtained among fungal genera identified in STPs. Furthermore, the functional predictions by FUNGuild determined that STPs possessed high abundances of saprotroph and pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotroph fungal trophic groups. At the functional guild level, the qiwam samples contained high abundances of soil saprotrophs, while plant pathogens were prevalent in pan-masala samples. These results suggest that various fungal populations reside in STPs and interrelate with each other and can contribute to the synthesis of TSNAs. This study has established the basis for future large-scale investigations of STP-associated mycobiota and the impact of such mycobiota in oral carcinogenesis in STP users via inflammation and carcinogens (TSNAs and mycotoxins). IMPORTANCE Smokeless tobacco products (STPs) contain complex microbial communities that influence the synthesis of carcinogens, such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Research on STP-associated bacterial populations revealed connections between bacterial metabolism and TSNA synthesis. The abundance of the fungal population may also have an impact on the production of TSNAs. This study examined STPs popularly used in India, and diverse fungal communities were identified in these STPs. Pichia, Sterigmatomyces, and Mortierella were the predominant fungal genera in the STPs. High abundances of saprotroph and pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotroph trophic groups in STPs could affect the degradation of tobacco products and the synthesis of TSNAs.

Patterns of allergen sensitization in patients with asthma in Yaqui Valley, Mexico

Introduction. People who live in highly allergenic regions have a greater risk of being sensitized; therefore, these areas have a higher prevalence of mono and polysensitized patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the allergen sensitization profiles in patients with asthma in an agricultural zone in Mexico.Methods. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a secondary care hospital in Obregon City, Mexico. The allergen sensitization pattern profiles were analyzed through a skin prick test (SPT) in 294 patients. Data was collected before SPT: asthma control was classified according to the Global Initiative for Asthma Criteria, nutritional status was assessed with the Body Mass Index (BMI) using Quetelet's index (BMI = weight/height²), and comorbidities, asthma, and smoking habits were collected from the patients' medical records.Results. In this study, in a group of adults with asthma, the prevalence of sensitization was 77%. The most frequent categories of aeroallergens were in indoors, in zones with weeds and abundant trees. A low proportion of monosensitized patients (2%) was observed. House dust mites were the most common allergens.Conclusions. Our study describes the sensitization pattern among asthma patients. This study will help identify the panel of most common allergens in this region of Mexico, and aid in selection of specific treatment through immunotherapy.