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Rivasi G, Bulgaresi M, Mossello E, Buscemi P, Lorini C, Balzi D, Barucci R, Del Lungo I, Gangemi S, Giardini S, Piga C, Barghini E, Boni S, Bulli G, Carrai P, Crociani A, Faraone A, Lo Forte A, Martella L, Pupo S, Fortini G, Marozzi I, Bandini G, Cosma C, Stacchini L, Vaccaro G, Baggiani L, Landini G, Bonaccorsi G, Ungar A, Benvenuti E. Course and Lethality of SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic in Nursing Homes after Vaccination in Florence, Italy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1174. [PMID: 34696282 PMCID: PMC8537408 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence on the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in nursing home (NHs) residents is limited. We examined the impact of the BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the course of the epidemic in NHs in the Florence Health District, Italy, before and after vaccination. Moreover, we assessed survival and hospitalization by vaccination status in SARS-CoV-2-positive cases occurring during the post-vaccination period. We calculated the weekly infection rates during the pre-vaccination (1 October-26 December 2020) and post-vaccination period (27 December 2020-31 March 2021). Cox analysis was used to analyze survival by vaccination status. The study involved 3730 residents (mean age 84, 69% female). Weekly infection rates fluctuated during the pre-vaccination period (1.8%-6.5%) and dropped to zero during the post-vaccination period. Nine unvaccinated (UN), 56 partially vaccinated (PV) and 35 fully vaccinated (FV) residents tested SARS-CoV-2+ during the post-vaccination period. FV showed significantly lower hospitalization and mortality rates than PV and UV (hospitalization: FV 3%, PV 14%, UV 33%; mortality: FV 6%, PV 18%, UV 56%). The death risk was 84% and 96% lower in PV (HR 0.157, 95%CI 0.049-0.491) and FV (HR 0.037, 95%CI 0.006-0.223) versus UV. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was followed by a marked decline in infection rates and was associated with lower morbidity and mortality among infected NH residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rivasi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (E.M.); (I.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Matteo Bulgaresi
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Enrico Mossello
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (E.M.); (I.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Primo Buscemi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Daniela Balzi
- Epidemiology Unit, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Barucci
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Ilaria Del Lungo
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Salvatore Gangemi
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Sante Giardini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Cecilia Piga
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Eleonora Barghini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Serena Boni
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Bulli
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Paolo Carrai
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.C.); (A.C.); (A.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Andrea Crociani
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.C.); (A.C.); (A.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Antonio Faraone
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.C.); (A.C.); (A.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Aldo Lo Forte
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.C.); (A.C.); (A.F.); (A.L.F.)
| | - Letizia Martella
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Simone Pupo
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Giacomo Fortini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
| | - Irene Marozzi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (E.M.); (I.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Giulia Bandini
- Division of Internal Medicine, Careggi Hospital, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy;
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Lorenzo Stacchini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Gabriele Vaccaro
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Lorenzo Baggiani
- Department of Territorial Health Network, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy;
| | - Giancarlo Landini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy;
| | - Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (P.B.); (C.L.); (C.C.); (L.S.); (G.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (E.M.); (I.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Enrico Benvenuti
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit “Toscana Centro”, 50134 Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (M.B.); (R.B.); (I.D.L.); (S.G.); (S.G.); (C.P.); (E.B.); (S.B.); (G.B.); (L.M.); (S.P.); (G.F.); (E.B.)
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Benvenuti E, Rivasi G, Bulgaresi M, Barucci R, Lorini C, Balzi D, Faraone A, Fortini G, Vaccaro G, Del Lungo I, Gangemi S, Giardini S, Piga C, Barghini E, Boni S, Bulli G, Carrai P, Crociani A, Lo Forte A, Martella L, Pupo S, Marozzi I, Bandini G, Buscemi P, Cosma C, Stacchini L, Baggiani L, Ungar A, Mossello E, Bonaccorsi G, Landini G. Caring for nursing home residents with COVID-19: a "hospital-at-nursing home" intermediate care intervention. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:2917-2924. [PMID: 34417733 PMCID: PMC8378521 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-021-01959-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Background Nursing home (NH) residents have been dramatically affected by COVID-19, with extremely high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Aims To describe the features and impact of an assistance model involving an intermediate care mobile medical specialist team (GIROT, Gruppo Intervento Rapido Ospedale Territorio) aimed at delivering “hospital-at-nursing home” care to NH residents with COVID-19 in Florence, Italy. Methods The GIROT activity was set-up during the first wave of the pandemic (W1, March–April 2020) and became a structured healthcare model during the second (W2, October 2020–January 2021). The activity involved (1) infection transmission control among NHs residents and staff, (2) comprehensive geriatric assessment including prognostication and geriatric syndromes management, (3) on-site diagnostic assessment and protocol-based treatment of COVID-19, (4) supply of nursing personnel to understaffed NHs. To estimate the impact of the GIROT intervention, we reported hospitalization and infection lethality rates recorded in SARS-CoV-2-positive NH residents during W1 and W2. Results The GIROT activity involved 21 NHs (1159 residents) and 43 NHs (2448 residents) during W1 and W2, respectively. The percentage of infected residents was higher in W2 than in W1 (64.5% vs. 38.8%), while both hospitalization and lethality rates significantly decreased in W2 compared to W1 (10.1% vs 58.2% and 23.4% vs 31.1%, respectively). Discussion Potentiating on-site care in the NHs paralleled a decrease of hospital admissions with no increase of lethality. Conclusions An innovative “hospital-at-nursing home” patient-centred care model based on comprehensive geriatric assessment may provide a valuable contribution in fighting COVID-19 in NH residents. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-021-01959-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Benvenuti
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Rivasi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bulgaresi
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Barucci
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Balzi
- Epidemiology Unit, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Faraone
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Fortini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Vaccaro
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Del Lungo
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gangemi
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Sante Giardini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Cecilia Piga
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Barghini
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Boni
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Bulli
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrai
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Crociani
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Aldo Lo Forte
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Martella
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Simone Pupo
- Geriatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Marozzi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Bandini
- Division of Internal Medicine, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Primo Buscemi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Cosma
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stacchini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Ungar
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Enrico Mossello
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Giancarlo Landini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Local Health Unit "Toscana Centro", Florence, Italy
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Abstract
The success of a vaccination campaign depends on the possibility of guaranteeing not only a wide distribution of effective vaccines, but also on their safety and acceptance by the population. Vaccine safety questions should be answered by correct, unbiased and evidence-based reports, and by addressing all possible problems including allergic reactions. Despite the fact that many COVID-19 vaccines are free from the majority of potentially sensitizing components, an allergic reaction can occur even in the form of a severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. The frequency of allergic reactions against COVID vaccine is greater than that observed for other vaccinations. National and international allergology societies have proposed specific guidelines for individuals at risk of anaphylaxis by vaccine. Vaccines, like all the pharmaceutical preparations, are submitted to great safety and efficacy valuations, however, even the greatest pre-licensure experimentations are insufficient to evaluate the vaccine's potential to provoke anaphylaxis. Therefore, post-market surveillance is essential to analyze, record and characterize all adverse events. To this purpose, specific algorithms should be used as a monitoring strategy of adverse events in patients undergoing vaccination against COVID 19.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gangemi
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Di Gioacchino
- Center Advanced Science and Technology, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.,Institute for Clinical Immunotherapy and Advanced Biological Treatments, Pescara, Italy
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Casciaro M, Di Salvo E, Pioggia G, Gangemi S. Microbiota and microRNAs in lung diseases: mutual influence and role insights. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021; 24:13000-13008. [PMID: 33378051 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202012_24205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Trillions of microbial cells colonize human body both internally and externally. The prevalent amount of these reside in the gastrointestinal tract (gut microbiome). Gut microflora support the transformation of food nutrients. The products of this modification processes both modulate gastro-intestinal immunity, and influence other organs such as lung and brain. Recently, it was reported the role of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) as regulators in different pathways of the innate and/or adaptive immune responses. Latest studies discussed the aptitude of probiotics strains to balance the host immune response at a post-transcriptional level by controlling miRNAs expression. We speculated a model of lung immune regulation driven by the axis microbiota-microRNAs, involving asthma, acute injury, cancer and COPD. Based on this axis, we propose a novel approach based on the modification of microRNAs expression centered not exclusively on antagomiRs but also on microbiota modification in order to further potentiate their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Casciaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Ricciardi L, Furci F, Gangemi S. Nickel sensitization influence on microbiota in allergic and non-allergic disorders: what's up? J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2021; 35:757-760. [PMID: 33910322 DOI: 10.23812/20-566-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Ricciardi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - F Furci
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
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Abstract
Summary Urticaria is a condition involving both skin and mucosal tissues characterized by the presence of wheals and/or angioedema. The acute form has been related to allergic reactions to drugs or foods, interaction with chemicals, or infections. We reviewed the association of urticaria with coronavirus infections. This review was carried out by the use of two search engines for published original articles, employing two key terms correlated to urticaria and viruses: "urticaria" and one term linked to each virus. The research of the relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and urticaria produced 18 papers (including a total of 114 cases). Surprisingly, the search for cases of urticaria in patients with SARS-CoV or MERS produced no results. We tried to interpret this discrepancy and attempted to analyze the possible pathogenesis of urticaria lesions in SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Allegra
- Division of Haematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,COVID Centre AOU Policlinic G. Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - R Asero
- Allergology Clinic, Clinica San Carlo, Paderno Dugnano, Milan, Italy
| | - A Giovannetti
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - S Isola
- COVID Centre AOU Policlinic G. Martino, Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Cannavò SP, Riso G, Di Salvo E, Casciaro M, Giuffrida R, Minciullo PL, Guarneri F, Nettis E, Gangemi S. Oxidative stress involvement in urticaria. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2020; 34:675-678. [PMID: 32431139 DOI: 10.23812/19-483-12-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S P Cannavò
- School and Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - G Riso
- School and Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - E Di Salvo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Casciaro
- School and Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Giuffrida
- School and Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - P L Minciullo
- School and Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - F Guarneri
- School and Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - E Nettis
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- School and Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Allegra A, Tonacci A, Pioggia G, Musolino C, Gangemi S. Vitamin deficiency as risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection: correlation with susceptibility and prognosis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24:9721-9738. [PMID: 33015818 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202009_23064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2019, an infection provoked by SARS-CoV-2 virus arose in Wuhan, China. Currently, there is still no definite and efficacious therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, our understanding of the physiopathology of the infection, and risk elements for severity and mortality, is incomplete. PATIENTS AND METHODS One largely neglected element that could affect prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the vitamin status of population. The purpose of this review is to evaluate whether a vitamin insufficiency could provoke an augmented risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or the appearance of major complications. In particular, we evaluated the presence of studies related to the state and effects of vitamin D, C, B, and A in subjects with SARS-CoV-2 disease. RESULTS Although, actually, the interest in a possible use for vitamin supplementation in SARS-CoV-2 patients is essentially based on indirect data, we tried to examine the evidence about a favorable effect of vitamin supplementation in the therapy of the infection and its complications. CONCLUSIONS Supplements with vitamin A, B, C, D, and E could represent an inexpensive and sufficiently safe approach, and a useful therapeutic complement. However, solid clinical research data are expected to support such claim.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Tonacci A, Nettis E, Asero R, Rossi O, Tontini C, Gangemi S. Omalizumab retreatment in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review of published evidence. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 52:100-103. [PMID: 32108461 DOI: 10.23822/eurannaci.1764-1489.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Summary A systematic review of the current literature on retreatment with omalizumab of patients with relapsing chronic spontaneous urticaria was performed. Published evidence shows that retreatment is safe and clinically effective, and that time to complete clinical response reduces as the number of retreatments increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tonacci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology-National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - E Nettis
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School and Chair of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - R Asero
- Allergology Clinic, Clinica San Carlo, Paderno Dugnano, Milan, Italy
| | - O Rossi
- ImmunoAllergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - C Tontini
- Allergy Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- School and Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Papia F, Incorvaia C, Genovese L, Gangemi S, Minciullo PL. Allergic reactions to genus Morus plants: a review. Clin Mol Allergy 2020; 18:1. [PMID: 32099533 PMCID: PMC7029495 DOI: 10.1186/s12948-020-00116-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mulberry is a plant belonging to the family Moraceae, and genus Morus. Allergic sensitization to mulberries has been reported as both food allergy or respiratory allergy, and cross-reactivity between mulberries and other pollens or fruits was described. Clinically, in the articles reporting mulberry allergy, the reactions included respiratory allergy, airborne contact urticaria, anaphylaxis, oral allergy syndrome, and food induced urticaria. As far as cross-reactivity is concerned, the allergens identified thus far in mulberries include pathogenesis-related (PR)10 proteins, with sequence identity to Bet v 1 from birch, lipid transfer (LTP)1 proteins with identity with LTPs from Rosaceae family plants, panallergens groups, and also ubiquitin-like protein and cystatin-like protein. The two latter proteins account for cross-reactions with Parietaria judaica and Olea europaea. Such large cross-reactivity warrants to pay particular attention to the risk of systemic reactions to foods, particularly in subjects sensitized to birch, parietaria or olive pollens. In fact, the increasing use of mulberry as a food product, which is encouraged by its remarkable antioxidant power, expose sensitized patients to possible reactions after ingesting foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals containing mulberry. Mulberry allergenicity can vary according to the processing methods used since some allergens are thermostable and other loss their reactivity during heating.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Papia
- 1Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - C Incorvaia
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ASST Pini/CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - L Genovese
- Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine (IRBIM) CNR Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- 1Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - P L Minciullo
- 1Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Ricciardi L, Furci F, Isola S, Minciullo PL, Saitta S, Gangemi S. Systemic nickel allergy syndrome: tips and tricks on how to be suspected and treated. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2019; 33:1289-1292. [PMID: 31347347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L Ricciardi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - F Furci
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - S Isola
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - P L Minciullo
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
| | - S Saitta
- Messina Provincial Health Department, Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital G. Martino, University of Messina, Messina Italy
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Ruggeri RM, Cristani M, Vicchio TM, Alibrandi A, Giovinazzo S, Saija A, Campennì A, Trimarchi F, Gangemi S. Increased serum interleukin-37 (IL-37) levels correlate with oxidative stress parameters in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:199-205. [PMID: 29796799 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0903-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Interleukin-37 (IL-37), member of the IL-1 family, is a natural suppressor of immune and inflammatory responses. Increased serum IL-37 levels were observed in several autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease. To our knowledge, no data on Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are available in the literature. METHODS Aim of our study was to measure serum IL-37 levels and evaluate their relationship, if any, with oxidative stress markers in HT patients. We enrolled 45 euthyroid HT patients (5 M e 40 F, median age 40 years) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. None was under L-thyroxine therapy. Serum IL-37 levels were measured by ELISA. Specific serum tests, such as derived reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), and biological anti-oxidant potential (BAP) test were performed in all subjects to investigate the changes in oxidative balance, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were determined as a specific marker of oxidative stress. RESULTS IL-37 levels were significantly higher in HT than in controls (median 475 vs. 268 pg/ml, P = 0.018). In the same patients, serum oxidants (d-ROMs) were increased and anti-oxidants (BAP) decreased compared with controls (P = 0.011 and < 0.0001, respectively), clearly indicating an enhanced oxidative stress. In addition, AGEs levels were higher in HT patients than in controls (210 vs. 140 AU/g prot, P < 0.0001) and directly correlated with IL-37 levels (P = 0.048). At multivariate analysis, the main independent predictors that influenced IL-37 levels were both anti-thyroid antibodies (P = 0.026) and AGEs levels (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS IL-37 is up-regulated in HT and may exert a protective role by counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- UOC di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Padiglione H, 4 piano - Policlinico Universitario "G. Martino", 98125, Messina, Italy.
| | - M Cristani
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - T M Vicchio
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Alibrandi
- Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Giovinazzo
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Saija
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Campennì
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, and Morpho-Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - F Trimarchi
- Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Postgraduate School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Merendino RA, Arena A, Gangemi S, Ruello A, Losi E, Bene A, D'Ambrosio FP. In Vitro Interleukin-8 Production by Monocytes Treated with Lithium Chloride from Breast Cancer Patients. Tumori 2018; 86:149-52. [PMID: 10855853 DOI: 10.1177/030089160008600208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Aims and background Since interleukin-8 (IL-8) has a suppressive effect on hematopoiesis, lithium induces leukocytosis and granulocytosis and mononuclear cells are defective in patients affected by neoplastic disease, we analyzed IL-8 production by monocytes obtained from patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BCaMO) and metastatic breast cancer (BCaM1) and the effect of lithium chloride (LiCI) on these cells. Lithium salt compounds are used to limit the degree and duration of neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer and acute leukemia. Lithium influences the hematopoietic system, which is known to be regulated by numerous cytokines including IL-8. Methods We selected three groups of subjects (15 per group): patients affected by BCaMO, BCaM1 and healthy donors (HD) matched for sex and age. IL-8 release was assessed in supernatants of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or LiCI-treated monocyte cultures. Results Monocytes from BCaM1 released higher IL-8 levels than monocytes from BCaMO (P <0.0001); the IL-8 levels of both groups were significantly higher (P <0.0001) than those of HD. In vitro LiCI treatment reduced IL-8 production by monocytes obtained from all subjects compared to the same cells when untreated or LPS treated. The suppressive effect of LiCI on IL-8 production by monocytes from breast cancer patients was particularly marked in monocytes from BCaMO with respect to those from BCaM1. LPS treatment increased the IL-8 production more in BCaM1 monocytes than in BCaMO monocytes. Moreover, combined LPS/LiCI treatment of monocytes significantly (P <0.0001) downregulated the release of IL-8 compared to treatment with LPS alone. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that monocytes from BCaM1 release larger amounts of IL-8 than monocytes from BCaMO and from HD. Lithium was able to downregulate IL-8 production by monocytes from different subgroups. Further studies are needed to clarify if the improvement of the hematopoietic system in vivo observed following lithium therapy could reside, at least in part, in the ability of lithium to downregulate this chemokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Merendino
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina Medical School, Italy
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Merendino RA, Gangemi S, Ruello A, Bene A, Losi E, Lonbardo G, Purello-Dambrosio F. Serum Levels of Interleukin-18 and sICAM-1 in Patients Affected by Breast Cancer: Preliminary Considerations. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 16:126-9. [PMID: 11471895 DOI: 10.1177/172460080101600207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a cytokine that plays an important role in the T-cell-helper type 1 response, acts as an angiogenesis and tumor suppressor. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has a potential role in immunoregulation by mediating immune cell infiltration into the tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate IL-18 and soluble (s) ICAM-1 serum levels in breast cancer (BCa) patients with liver (BCaM1h) or bone (BCaM1b) metastases compared to BCa patients without metastases (BCaM0) and healthy donors (HDs). Furthermore, since IL-18 enhances ICAM-1 expression, we investigated whether there was a direct correlation between sICAM-1 and IL-18 serum levels. Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were assayed by immunoenzymatic methods. The serum sICAM-1 levels in the three groups of cancer patients were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of HDs. Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in BCaM1h and BCaM1b patients compared to BCaM0 patients and HDs. sICAM-1 proved to be closely correlated with serum IL-18 levels in HDs, whereas a weaker correlation was found in BCaM1h, BCaM1b and BCaM0 patients. The defective correlation between sICAM-1 and IL-18 found in cancer patients may contribute to our understanding of the immunity upset occurring in cancer. Our data suggest that IL-18, irrespective of its biological activity, could represent a marker for metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Merendino
- University of Messina Medical School, University Hospital G. Martino, Messina, Italy
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Gangemi S, Manti S, Procopio V, Casciaro M, Di Salvo E, Cutrupi M, Ganci G, Salpietro C, Chimenz R, Cuppari C. Lack of clear and univocal genotype-phenotype correlation in familial Mediterranean fever patients: A systematic review. Clin Genet 2018; 94:81-94. [PMID: 29393966 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease. To date, following the isolation of more than 280 MEFV sequence variants, the genotype-phenotype correlation in FMF patients has been intensively investigated; however, an univocal and clear consensus has not been yet reached. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to analyze the available literature findings in order to provide to scientific community an indirect estimation of the impact of genetic factors on the phenotypic variability of FMF. This systematic review has been conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The p.M694V mutation was reported to have a relatively severe clinical course, similarly, patients homozygous for M694I and M680I, or carrying a combination of both at codons 694 and 680, have a severe disease. Also, patients homozygous for M694V and V726A variants experienced more severe clinical picture. Conversely, heterozygous p.V726A and p.E148Q genotypes have been correlated with a milder disease course. At present, doubts remain on the potential pathogenic role of E148Q variant. The heterogenity in clinical FMF manifestations reflects the changes occuring in repertoire of mutations. We believe that clinical criteria and gene tests, enhancing each other, could better support the diagnosis of FMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Manti
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - V Procopio
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Casciaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - E Di Salvo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Cutrupi
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - G Ganci
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - C Salpietro
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Chimenz
- Department of Pediatrics, Nephrology Unit, University School of Medicine, Messina, Italy
| | - C Cuppari
- Department of Pediatric, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Merendino RA, Ruello A, Cascinu S, Ferlazzo B, Bene A, Bonanno D, Quattrocchi P, Caristi N, Gangemi S. Influence of 5-Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid on Interleukin-18 Production in Colorectal Cancer Patients. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 17:63-6. [PMID: 11936589 DOI: 10.1177/172460080201700108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aims and Background This study was carried out to evaluate the IL-18 blood concentrations of operated colorectal cancer patients and their possible variation in response to combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid. Methods IL-18 levels were assayed in sera of 18 healthy donors and 18 surgical colorectal cancer patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. An ELISA kit for human IL-18 was used for the assay. Results Colorectal cancer patients showed significantly higher baseline levels of IL-18 than healthy donors (p<0.005). Furthermore, serum IL-18 levels increased significantly with respect to baseline in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (p<0.005). Conclusions This study suggests that treatment with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid may provoke an increase in IL-18 serum levels in colorectal cancer patients. This increase may help to explain the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Merendino
- Chair of Immunopathology, Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital G. Martino, Messina, Italy.
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Patanè M, Isola S, Gangemi S, Minciullo PL. Mucosal exfoliation as a selective reaction to etoricoxib. J Clin Pharm Ther 2016; 41:722-724. [DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Patanè
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; University Hospital “G. Martino”; Messina Italy
| | - S. Isola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; University Hospital “G. Martino”; Messina Italy
| | - S. Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; University Hospital “G. Martino”; Messina Italy
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI); Messina Italy
| | - P. L. Minciullo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; University Hospital “G. Martino”; Messina Italy
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Basile F, Santamaria A, Mannucci C, Rizzo L, Gangemi S, D'anna R, Arcoraci V. Interleukin 31 is involved in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:1124-1127. [PMID: 27406853 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1205025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disorder characterized by maternal itching and altered liver function. Interleukin (IL)-31 is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of pruritic inflammatory skin diseases. In a three-year period, 13 women with a singleton pregnancy and a diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP) were enrolled together with 26 healthy single pregnant women who concluded an uncomplicated pregnancy. The inclusion criteria were itching and elevated levels of liver transaminases. Median serum levels of IL-31 were significantly higher in ICP patients than in the control group (p = 0.004). Furthermore, IL-31 values were directly dependent on liver transaminase levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Basile
- a Department of Human Pathology and Development and
| | - A Santamaria
- a Department of Human Pathology and Development and
| | - C Mannucci
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - L Rizzo
- a Department of Human Pathology and Development and
| | - S Gangemi
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - R D'anna
- a Department of Human Pathology and Development and
| | - V Arcoraci
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Narbone
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.
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Bagnato G, Cordova F, Sciortino D, Fiorenza A, Ferrera A, Coppolino G, Sangari D, Roberts W, Gangemi S, Bruno A, Muscatello M, Pandolfo G, Zoccali R, Bagnato G. SAT0226 Circulating Serum Levels of Cortisol Are Associated with The Pain Threshold in Systemic Sclerosis: Correlations with Depression. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.5015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Costa C, Gangemi S, Ledda C, Polito I, Rapisarda V, Fenga C. Immunomodulatory effect of occupational exposure to synthetic pyrethroids. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Fenga C, Gangemi S, Giambò F, Rapisarda V, Polito I, Caccamo D, Costa C. Effects of organophosphates and role of metabolic polymorphisms on oxidative stress status in occupationally exposed workers. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Fenga C, Gangemi S, Giambò F, Polito I, Costa C. Evaluation of biomarkers of oxidative stress in gasoline station workers: A case-control study. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Guarneri F, Minciullo PL, Mannucci C, Calapai F, Saitta S, Cannavò SP, Gangemi S. IL-31 and IL-33 circulating levels in allergic contact dermatitis. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 47:156-158. [PMID: 26357000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced IL-31 expression in skin biopsies is present in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). IL-33 expression is induced in keratinocytes and in skin of ACD patients. This overexpression is present in both allergic and irritant conditions. The aim of this work was to test the systemic involvement of IL-31 and IL-33 in ACD. IL-31 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. IL-33 serum levels, on the contrary, were similar in patients and controls. This work shows a possible systemic involvement of IL-31 and the absence of a systemic involvement of IL-33 in ACD. IL-31 levels do not seem related to the allergen involved, and did not change on the strength of the allergen involved. More likely, IL-31 levels are related to the itch. IL-33, instead, is secreted from damaged or inflamed tissue and might function as an early warning system at the site of skin damage. In the future, IL-31 could be a possible therapeutic target of all pruritic skin diseases resistant to conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Guarneri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - P L Minciullo
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. UOC Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica Policlinico Universitario Via Consolare Valeria 98125 Messina, Italy. Phone: +39 090 221 20 49 Fax: +39 090 694 773 E-mail:
| | - C Mannucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - F Calapai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Saitta
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S P Cannavò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Institute of Clinical Physiology, IFC CNR, Messina Unit, Messina, Italy
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Navarra M, Ferlazzo N, Cirmi S, Lombardo G, Minciullo P, Calapai G, Gangemi S. P0107 New insights into the mechanisms of bergamot essential oil and its extractive fractions on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell growth. Eur J Cancer 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.06.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Gangemi S, Minciullo PL, Magliacane D, Saitta S, Loffredo S, Saija A, Cristani M, Marone G, Triggiani M. Oxidative stress markers are increased in patients with mastocytosis. Allergy 2015; 70:436-42. [PMID: 25630934 DOI: 10.1111/all.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mastocytosis is characterized by clonal proliferation of mast cells limited to the skin (cutaneous mastocytosis: CM and mastocytosis in the skin: MIS) and/or involving internal organs (systemic mastocytosis: SM). Oxidative stress occurring in various inflammatory and neoplastic disorders causes molecular damage with the production of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). We evaluated these markers of oxidative stress in patients with CM/MIS and SM and correlated their levels with the presence of symptoms related to mast cell activation. METHODS Serum levels of AOPPs and AGEs in 34 patients with mastocytosis (23 CM/MIS and 11 SM) and 27 healthy controls were measured by spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. Serum tryptase levels were measured by immunofluorescence. RESULTS Serum AOPPs, but not AGEs, were significantly higher in patients with mastocytosis as compared to healthy controls. While serum tryptase levels were higher in patients with SM as compared to those with CM/MIS, there was no difference in AOPP and AGE concentrations between these two groups of patients. Patients with recurrent mediator-related symptoms had lower AOPPs and AGEs as compared to patients without symptoms. AOPPs and AGEs were inversely correlated with the severity of symptoms, and in patients with symptoms, AOPPs correlated with tryptase levels. DISCUSSION Our data show that mastocytosis is associated with a state of increased oxidative stress that, in patients with mediator-related symptoms, correlates with mast cell burden as assessed by tryptase. Patients with symptoms presumably have an adaptive response resulting in lower blood levels of AOPPs and AGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Gangemi
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; IFC CNR; Messina Unit; Messina Italy
| | - P. L. Minciullo
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - D. Magliacane
- Division of Immunopathology and Respiratory Disease; Battipaglia Hospital; Salerno Italy
| | - S. Saitta
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - S. Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI); University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - A. Saija
- Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - M. Cristani
- Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - G. Marone
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI); University of Naples Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - M. Triggiani
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; University of Salerno; Salerno Italy
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Imbesi S, Allegra A, Calapai G, Musolino C, Gangemi S. Cutaneous adverse reactions to lenalidomide. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2015; 43:88-91. [PMID: 24998775 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) used principally in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), myelodysplastic syndromes (MS) and amyloidosis. Adverse reactions related to lenalidomide include myelosuppression (mainly neutropenia but also thrombocytopenia), gastrointestinal problems, skin eruption, atrial fibrillation and asthenia, decreased peripheral blood stem cell yield during stem cell collection, venous thromboembolism, and secondary malignances. In this review we focused our attention on the cutaneous adverse reactions to lenalidomide.
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Miroddi M, Calapai G, Isola S, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Rosmarinus officinalis L. as cause of contact dermatitis. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2014; 42:616-9. [PMID: 23827646 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Because of the widespread use of botanicals, it has become crucial for health professionals to improve their knowledge about safety problems. Several herbal medicines contain chemicals with allergenic properties responsible for contact dermatitis. Among these, one is Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), a plant used since ancient times in folk medicine; at the present time it is used worldwide as a spice and flavouring agent, as a preservative and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The present article aims to revise and summarise scientific literature reporting cases of contact dermatitis caused by the use of R. officinalis as a raw material or as herbal preparations. Published case reports were researched on the following databases and search engines: PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scopus. The used keywords were: R. officinalis and rosemary each alone or combined with the words allergy, contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, sensitisation and occupational dermatitis. The published case reports show that both rosemary extracts and raw material can be responsible for allergic contact dermatitis. Two cases related to contact dermatitis caused by cross-reactivity between rosemary and thyme were also commented. The diterpene carnosol, a chemical constituent of this plant, has been imputed as a common cause for this reaction. The incidence of contact dermatitis caused by rosemary is not common, but it could be more frequent with respect to the supposed occurrence. It seems plausible that cases of contact dermatitis caused by rosemary are more frequent with respect to the supposed occurrence, because they could be misdiagnosed. For this reason, this possibility should be carefully considered in dermatitis differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Miroddi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - G Calapai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Operative Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
| | - S Isola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - P L Minciullo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy; Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "A. Monroy" (IBIM), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Palermo, Italy
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Guarneri F, Cannavò SP, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Pityriasis rosea of Gibert: immunological aspects. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014; 29:21-5. [PMID: 25200809 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
More than 200 years after first description and 150 years after complete definition by Gibert, pityriasis rosea (PR) is still a clinical entity with many obscure aspects. Although great interest was focused on aetiology, studies on immunological mechanisms associated with this disease were rather discontinuous. We present a review of the literature on immunological features of PR, aimed to outline a unified picture of currently available knowledge in this field and create a useful starting point for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Guarneri
- Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Musolino C, Allegra A, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Allergy and risk of hematologic malignancies: associations and mechanisms. Leuk Res 2014; 38:1137-44. [PMID: 25171954 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that a dysregulated immune system, as the one found in allergic disorders, can affect survival of tumor cells. A possible association between allergies and risk of hematologic malignancies has been examined in several epidemiological studies; however, results were not always consistent. The aim of this review is to report the preclinical and clinical data, which support a correlation between allergy and hematologic neoplasms. Immune system modulation could represent a powerful tool in the prevention and treatment of hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Musolino
- Division of Hematology, Department of General Surgery and Oncology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of General Surgery and Oncology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - P L Minciullo
- School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy; Institute of Clinical Physiology, IFC CNR, Messina Unit, Messina, Italy
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Calapai G, Imbesi S, Miroddi M, Isola S, Venuto L, Navarra M, Gangemi S. Adverse reaction after administration of progesterone. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2014; 42:377-9. [PMID: 23735166 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cannavo S, Ferrau F, Cotta OR, Saitta S, Barresi V, Cristani MT, Saija A, Ruggeri RM, Trimarchi F, Gangemi S. Increased serum interleukin-22 levels in patients with PRL-secreting and non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas. Pituitary 2014; 17:76-80. [PMID: 23512698 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-013-0468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines' involvement in tumorigenesis has been hypothesized. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is implicated in proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways via its receptor IL-22R. Its role in pituitary adenomas has never been investigated. Twenty-seven patients with pituitary macroadenomas (PA, 21 males, mean age 53.8 ± 14.4 years) and 30 healthy controls (19 males, mean age 50.4 ± 8.4 years) were enrolled. Out of 27 PA patients, 17 had a non-functioning tumour (NFPA) and 10 a PRL-secreting adenoma (PRL-oma). Serum IL-22 levels were measured in both patients and controls. Immunohistochemical (IHC) tumoral IL-22R expression was evaluated in 10 patients with NFPA and 4 with PRL-oma. IL-22 levels were significantly higher in PA patients than in controls [32.47 (11.29-70.12) vs. 5.58 (0.19-21.46) pg/mL, p < 0.0001] but did not correlate with tumor maximum diameter and were not associated to pituitary function impairment. PRL-oma patients had significantly higher IL-22 levels than NFPA patients [37.18 (14.82-70.12) vs. 21.29 (11.29-56) pg/mL, p = 0.039]. IHC revealed a strong IL-22R staining in 100 % of PRL-omas and 60 % of NFPAs. We provide the first evidence of increased serum IL-22 levels in patients with pituitary macroadenoma, especially in PRL-omas, regardless of tumor size and/or degree of pituitary function impairment. We also demonstrated the expression of IL22R in all PRL-omas and in 60 % of NFPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cannavo
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino" (Pad. H, floor 4), Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
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Miroddi M, Calapai G, Navarra M, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials. J Ethnopharmacol 2013; 150:791-804. [PMID: 24140586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The genus Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus comprises approximately 520 species belonging to the Passifloraceae family. The majority of these species are vines found in Central or South America, with rare occurrence in North America, Southeast Asia and Australia. The genus Passiflora incarnata has long been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety in Europe, and it has been used as a sedative tea in North America. Furthermore, this plant has been used for analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-asthmatic, wormicidal and sedative purposes in Brazil; as a sedative and narcotic in Iraq; and for the treatment of disorders such as dysmenorrhoea, epilepsy, insomnia, neurosis and neuralgia in Turkey. In Poland, this plant has been used to treat hysteria and neurasthenia; in America, it has been used to treat diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, neuralgia, burns, haemorrhoids and insomnia. Passiflora incarnata L. has also been used to cure subjects affected by opiate dependence in India. This review aims to provide up-to-date information about the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and clinical safety of Passiflora incarnata L. based on the scientific literature. In particular, the methodological accuracy of clinical trials is analysed in accordance with current consolidated guidelines on reporting the clinical efficacy of herbal medicine, offering new insight into opportunities for future research and development. METHODS A bibliographic investigation was performed by examining the available data on Passiflora incarnata L. from globally accepted scientific databases and search engines (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, SciFinder and Google Scholar). We selected studies, case reports, and reviews addressing the pharmacology and safety of Passiflora incarnata. RESULTS Although numerous Passiflora incarnata L. derivative products have been commercialised as alternative anxiolytic and sedative remedies based on their long tradition of use, their supposed efficacy does not appear to be adequately corroborated by the literature, with clinical studies often featuring inadequate methodologies and descriptions of the products under investigation. This medicinal plant has shown a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities in preclinical experiments, including anxiolytic, sedative, antitussive, antiasthmatic, and antidiabetic activities. The plant has a good safety profile. The clinical trials that we included in this review were designed to evaluate and in some cases confirm promising observations of preclinical pharmacological activity, and the methodological limits of these studies are characterised here. CONCLUSION In conclusion, clinical studies on the effects of products containing herbal preparations based on Passiflora incarnata reveal crucial weaknesses such as poor details regarding the drug extract ratio, limited patient samples, no description of blinding and randomisation procedures, incorrect definition of placebo, and lack of intention to treat analysis. In conclusion, the results of this review suggest that new clinical trials should be conducted using a more rigorous methodology to assess the traditional putative efficacy of Passiflora incarnata L.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Miroddi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Ricciardi L, Carni A, Loschiavo G, Gangemi S, Tigano V, Arena E, Mannucci C, Calapai G. Systemic nickel allergy: oral desensitization and possible role of cytokines interleukins 2 and 10. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2013; 26:251-7. [PMID: 23527730 DOI: 10.1177/039463201302600127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nickel ingested with food can elicit either systemic cutaneous or gastrointestinal symptoms causing a systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS) that can be treated with tolerance by oral ingestion of the metal. It has been suggested that interleukins 2 (IL-2) and 10 (IL-10) are involved in the mechanisms underlying oral tolerance. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of oral desensitization therapy in SNAS consisting in the administration of nickel sulphate. Because nickel allergy prevalently affects women, only female subjects (N = 22) were recruited. Oral nickel desensitizing therapy was associated with low-nickel diet for three months. Before and after therapy, clinical conditions were evaluated, and circulating cytokines IL-2 and IL-10 were measured. After the two-year treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for symptoms were significantly reduced (P less than 0.001). Patients were released by either cutaneous or gastrointestinal symptoms and by tolerating nickel-containing food. At the end of the treatment, nickel oral challenge test was negative in 18 patients, and IL-2 level in the serum was significantly reduced while IL-10 was increased, although this datum was not statistically significant. Our study confirms the clinical efficacy of nickel oral immunotherapy and focuses on the mechanisms triggered by oral tolerance indicating that reduction of IL-2 can be associated with success of oral nickel desensitizing therapy.
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Calapai G, Miroddi M, Mannucci C, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Oral adverse reactions due to cinnamon-flavoured chewing gums consumption. Oral Dis 2013; 20:637-43. [DOI: 10.1111/odi.12170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Calapai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
- Operative Unit of Clinical Pharmacology; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘G. Martino’; Messina Italy
| | - M Miroddi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - C Mannucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - PL Minciullo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘G. Martino’; Messina Italy
| | - S Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
- Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘G. Martino’; Messina Italy
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology ‘A. Monroy’ (IBIM); Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR); Palermo Italy
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Abstract
Chronic urticaria is a common condition characterized by recurrent episodes of mast cell-driven wheal and flare-type skin reactions lasting for more than 6 weeks. In about 75% of cases, the underlying causes remain unknown, and the term chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is used to emphasize that wheals develop independently of identified external stimuli. Although CIU affects about 1.0% of the general population, its etiopathogenesis is not yet well understood. It is now widely accepted that in many cases CIU should be regarded as an autoimmune disorder caused by circulating and functionally active IgG autoantibodies specific for the IgE receptor (FceRI) present on mast cells and basophils or for IgE itself. The well-known association of CIU with other autoimmune processes/diseases represents further indirect evidence of its autoimmune origin. Autoimmune thyroid diseases, especially autoimmune thyroiditis, represent the most frequently investigated diseases in association with CIU. Here we review this topic with particular regard to the association between Graves' disease and CIU. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms and the clinical implications of such an association are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Calapai G, Imbesi S, Cafeo V, Ventura Spagnolo E, Minciullo PL, Caputi AP, Gangemi S, Milone L. Fatal hypersensitivity reaction to an oral spray of flurbiprofen: a case report. J Clin Pharm Ther 2013; 38:337-8. [PMID: 23668805 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Safety of the anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen is comparable with that of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of the propionic acid class, which are commonly associated with gastrointestinal and renal side effects. Here we report a case of a fatal hypersensitivity reaction to an oral spray of flurbiprofen taken for sore throat. CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old man came to the emergency care unit reporting sore throat with an intense burning sensation associated with fever. Pharyngotonsillitis was diagnosed, and local treatment with oral flurbiprofen spray was prescribed. Immediately after using the spray, the patient experienced a severe reaction characterized by serious dyspnoea, followed by death. The cause of death was heart failure with acute asphyxia from oedema of the glottis. The cause of death was concluded to be hypersensitivity to flurbiprofen spray. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION Oral propionic acid derivatives have been associated with a relatively high frequency of allergic reactions. However, allergy to flurbiprofen has rarely been documented. Scientific literature reports two relevant cases of hypersensitivity reaction to flurbiprofen: in one case, a patient presented with a maculopapular rash 48 h after having taken oral flurbiprofen followed by angio-oedema and hypotension. In another case, a single oral dose of flurbiprofen caused itching and swelling around the eyes, redness and increased lacrimation. We describe, for the first time, a fatal case of hypersensitivity reaction to flurbiprofen oral spray. Hypersensitivity reactions to flurbiprofen are infrequent; however, health professionals should be aware of potential adverse reactions, even during topical administration as oral spray.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Calapai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Abstract
Contact dermatitis is defined as "airborne" when the causative factor is present in the environment and may determine irritative or allergic skin reactions. It is often work-related. In this review of the literature, we focus our attention on airborne contact dermatitis due to pharmaceutical compounds. Contact reactions to medications, often occupation-related, occur mainly in two exposed groups: employees of pharmaceutical industries involved in the production of the drugs and healthcare workers who use the drugs for therapeutic aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Minciullo
- School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Di Lorenzo G, Minciullo PL, Leto-Barone MS, La Piana S, La Porta G, Saija A, Gangemi S. Differences in the behavior of advanced glycation end products and advanced oxidation protein products in patients with allergic rhinitis. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2013; 23:101-106. [PMID: 23654076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of oxidative stress in patients with asthma is well documented; however, the role of oxidative stress in allergic rhinitis has received less attention, although it is likely to be similar to that observed in patients with asthma. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are compounds formed by the transformation of macromolecules, including proteins, which can serve as densitometric markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in several diseases. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AGEs and AOPPs as new markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients affected by allergic rhinitis. METHODS AGE and AOPP levels were determined in the sera of 25 patients with allergic rhinitis and 64 healthy controls. AGEs and AOPPs were detected using spectrofluorimetry and spectrophotometry, respectively. RESULTS AGE levels in patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P < .0001). These levels were not affected by the presence of asthma. No statistically significant differences were found between AOPP levels in patients or controls (P = .38). CONCLUSIONS Formation of AGEs and AOPPs may be accelerated in immunological and respiratory disorders such as asthma. Depending on the marker evaluated, the presence or absence of oxidative stress in allergic rhinitis is controversial. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the possible involvement of AGEs in allergic rhinitis. The different behavior observed for these 2 biomarkers is very likely due to the activation of specific related biochemical pathways (eg, the myeloperoxidase pathway) associated with the condition under study.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Advanced Oxidation Protein Products/blood
- Advanced Oxidation Protein Products/immunology
- Aged
- Biomarkers/blood
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Glycation End Products, Advanced/blood
- Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin E/blood
- Immunoglobulin E/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Oxidative Stress/immunology
- Peroxidase/blood
- Peroxidase/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/blood
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/physiopathology
- Spectrometry, Fluorescence
- Spectrophotometry
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Affiliation(s)
- G Di Lorenzo
- Dipartimento BioMedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Minciullo PL, Cascio A, David A, Pernice LM, Calapai G, Gangemi S. Anaphylaxis caused by helminths: review of the literature. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2012; 16:1513-1518. [PMID: 23111963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. In many individuals with anaphylaxis a pivotal role is played by IgE and the high-affinity IgE receptor on mast cells or basophils. Less commonly, it is triggered through other immunologic mechanisms, or through nonimmunologic mechanisms. The human immune response to helminth infections is associated with elevated levels of IgE, tissue eosinophilia and mastocytosis, and the presence of CD4+ T cells that preferentially produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Individuals exposed to helminth infections may have allergic inflammatory responses to parasites and parasite antigens. AIM To summarize the evidences about the role of helmiths in triggering anaphylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed search was performed by combining the terms (anaphylaxis, anaphylactic, anaphylactoid) with each one of the etiological agents of human helminthiasis for the period January 1950 to September 2012. RESULTS < The PubMed search identified 609 papers. Only four genera of helminths were associated with anaphylaxis. (Echinococcus spp, 302 papers; Anisakis spp, 73 papers; Taenia solium cysticercosis, 7 papers; and Ascaris spp., 243 papers). CONCLUSIONS The risk of anaphylaxis in patients with helminthiasis can vary according to the pathogens, occurring more frequently during echinococcosis of after anisakis infestation and being extremely rare after other helminth infestations. However, physicians, allergist and parasitologist in particular, should be aware of a potential anaphylaxis caused by helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Minciullo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
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Donadio C, Kanaki A, Martin-Gomez A, Garcia S, Palacios-Gomez M, Donadio C, Calia D, Colombini E, DI Francesco F, Ghimenti S, Kanaki A, Onor M, Tognotti D, Fuoco R, Marka-Castro E, Torres Zamora MI, Giron-Mino J, Jaime-Solis MA, Arteaga LM, Romero H, Marka-Castro E, Akonur A, Leypoldt K, Asola M, Culleton B, Eloot S, Glorieux G, Nathalie N, Vanholder R, Perez de Jose A, Verdalles Guzman U, Abad Esttebanez S, Vega Martinez A, Barraca D, Yuste C, Bucalo L, Rincon A, Lopez-Gomez JM, Bataille P, Celine P, Raymond A, Francois G, Herve L, Michel D, Jean Louis R, Zhu F, Kotanko P, Thijssen S, Levin NW, Papamichail N, Bougiakli M, Gouva C, Antoniou S, Gianitsi S, Vlachopanou A, Chachalos S, Naka K, Kaarsavvidou D, Katopodis K, Michalis L, Sasaki K, Yasuda K, Yamato M, Surace A, Rovatti P, Steckiph D, Bandini R, Severi S, Dellacasa Bellingegni A, Santoro A, Arias M, Arias M, Sentis A, Perez N, Fontsere N, Vera M, Rodriguez N, Arcal C, Ortega N, Uriza F, Cases A, Maduell F, Abbas SR, Abbas SR, Zhu F, Kotanko P, Levin NW, Georgianos P, Sarafidis P, Nikolaidis P, Lasaridis A, Ahmed A, Ahmed A, Kaoutar H, Mohammed B, Zouhir O, Balter P, Ginsberg N, Taylor P, Sullivan T, Usvyat LA, Levin NW, Kotanko P, Zabetakis P, Moissl U, Ferrario M, Garzotto F, Wabel P, Cruz D, Tetta C, Signorini MG, Cerutti S, Brendolan A, Ronco C, Heaf J, Axelsen M, Pedersen RS, Ahmed A, Ahmed A, Amine H, Oualim Z, Ammirati AL, Guimaraes de Souza NK, Nemoto Matsui T, Luiz Vieira M, Alves de Oliveira WA, Fischer CH, Dias Carneiro F, Iizuka IJ, Aparecida de Souza M, Mallet AC, Cruz Andreoli MC, Cardoso Dos Santos BF, Rosales L, Dou Y, Carter M, Thijssen S, Kotanko P, Testa A, Sottini L, Giacon B, Prati E, Loschiavo C, Brognoli M, Marseglia C, Tommasi A, Sereni L, Palladino G, Bove S, Bosticardo G, Schillaci E, Detoma P, Bergia R, Park JW, Moon SJ, Choi HY, Ha SK, Park HC, Liao Y, Zhang L, Fu P, Igarashi H, Suzuki N, Esashi S, Masakane I, Panichi V, De Ferrari G, Saffiotti S, Sidoti A, Biagioli M, Bianchi S, Imperiali P, Gabrielli C, Conti P, Patrone P, Rombola G, Falqui V, Mura C, Icardi A, Rosati A, Santori F, Mannarino A, Bertucci A, Steckiph D, Jeong J, Jeong J, Kim OK, Kim NH, Bots M, Den Hoedt C, Grooteman MP, Van der Weerd NC, Mazairac AHA, Levesque R, Ter Wee PM, Nube MJ, Blankestijn P, Van den Dorpel MA, Park Y, Jeon J, Tessitore N, Tessitore N, Bedogna V, Girelli D, Corazza L, Jacky P, Guillaume Q, Julien B, Marcinkowski W, Drozdz M, Milkowski A, Rydzynska T, Prystacki T, August R, Benedyk-Lorens E, Bladek K, Cina J, Janiszewska G, Kaczmarek A, Lewinska T, Mendel M, Paszkot M, Trafidlo E, Trzciniecka-Kloczkowska M, Vasilevsky A, Konoplev G, Lopatenko O, Komashnya A, Visnevsky K, Gerasimchuk R, Neivelt I, Frorip A, Vostry M, Racek J, Rajdl D, Eiselt J, Malanova L, Pechter U, Selart A, Ots-Rosenberg M, Krieter DH, Seidel S, Merget K, Lemke HD, Wanner C, Krieter DH, Canaud B, Lemke HD, Rodriguez A, Morgenroth A, Von Appen K, Dragoun GP, Wanner C, Fluck R, Fouque D, Lockridge R, Motomiya Y, Uji Y, Hiramatsu T, Ando Y, Furuta M, Furuta M, Kuragano T, Kida A, Yahiro M, Otaki Y, Hasuike Y, Nonoguchi H, Nakanishi T, Sain M, Sain M, Kovacic V, Ljutic D, Radic J, Jelicic I, Yalin SF, Yalin SF, Trabulus S, Yalin AS, Altiparmak MR, Serdengecti K, Ohtsuka A, Fukami K, Ishikawa K, Ando R, Kaida Y, Adachi T, Sugi K, Okuda S, Nesterova OB, Nesterova OB, Suglobova ED, Golubev RV, Vasiliev AN, Lazeba VA, Smirnov AV, Arita K, Kihara E, Maeda K, Oda H, Doi S, Masaki T, Hidaka S, Ishioka K, Oka M, Moriya H, Ohtake T, Nomura S, Kobayashi S, Wagner S, Gmerek A, Wagner J, Wizemann V, Eftimovska - Otovic N, Spaseska-Gjurovska K, Bogdanovska S, Babalj - Banskolieva E, Milovanceva M, Grozdanovski R, Pisani A, Riccio E, Mancini A, Ambuhl P, Astrid S, Ivana P, Martin H, Thomas K, Hans-Rudolf R, Daniel A, Denes K, Marco M, Wuthrich RP, Andreas S, Andrulli S, Altieri P, Sau G, Bolasco P, Pedrini LA, Basile C, David S, Feriani M, Nebiolo PE, Ferrara R, Casu D, Logias F, Tarchini R, Cadinu F, Passaghe M, Fundoni G, Villa G, DI Iorio BR, Zoccali C, Locatelli F, Kihara E, Arita K, Hamamoto M, Maeda K, Oda H, Doi S, Masaki T, Lee DY, Kim B, Moon KH, LI Z, Fu P, Ahrenholz P, Ahrenholz P, Winkler RE, Waitz G, Wolf H, Grundstrom G, Alquist M, Holmquist M, Christensson A, Bjork P, Abdgawad M, Ekholm L, Segelmark M, Corsi C, Santoro A, De Bie J, Mambelli E, Mortara D, Santoro A, Severi S, Arroyo D, Arroyo D, Panizo N, Quiroga B, Reque J, Melero R, Rodriguez-Ferrero M, Rodriguez-Benitez P, Anaya F, Luno J, Ragon A, James A, Brunet P, Ribeiro S, Faria MS, Rocha S, Rodrigues S, Catarino C, Reis F, Nascimento H, Fernandes J, Miranda V, Quintanilha A, Belo L, Costa E, Santos-Silva A, Arund J, Tanner R, Fridolin I, Luman M, Clajus C, Clajus C, Kielstein JT, Haller H, David S, Basile C, Basile C, Libutti P, Lisi P, Vernaglione L, Casucci F, Losurdo N, Teutonico A, Lomonte C, Krisp C, Gmerek A, Wagner J, Wolters DA, Pedrini LA, Matsuyama M, Tomo T, Ishida K, Matsuyama K, Nakata T, Kadota J, Caiazzo M, Monari E, Cuoghi A, Bellei E, Bergamini S, Palladino G, Tomasi A, Baranger T, Seniuta P, Berge F, Drouillat V, Frangie C, Rosier E, Labonia W, Lescano A, Rubio D, Von der Lippe N, Jorgensen JA, Osthus TB, Waldum B, Os I, Bossola M, DI Stasio E, Antocicco M, Tazza L, Griveas I, Karameris A, Pasadakis P, Savica V, Santoro D, Saitta S, Tigano V, Bellinghieri G, Gangemi S, Daniela R, Checherita IA, Ciocalteu A, Vacaroiu IA, Niculae A, Bladek K, Stefaniak E, Pietrzak I, Krupa D, Garred L, Santoro A, Mancini E, Corrazza L, Atti M, Afsar B, Stamopoulos D, Mpakirtzi N, Gogola B, Zeibekis M, Stivarou D, Panagiotou M, Grapsa E, Vega Vega O, Barraca Nunez D, Abad Esttebanez S, Bucalo L, Yuste C, Lopez-Gomez JM, Fernandez-Lucas M, Gomis A, Teruel JL, Elias S, Quereda C, Hignell L, Humphrey S, Pacy N, Stamopoulos D, Mpakirtzi N, Afentakis N, Grapsa E. Extracorporeal dialysis: techniques and adequacy. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfs224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Imbesi S, Minciullo PL, Isola S, Gangemi S. Allergic contact dermatitis: immune system involvement and distinctive clinical cases. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2011; 39:374-7. [PMID: 21763058 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is drawing the attention to the contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition due to pro-inflammatory and toxic factors able to activate the skin innate immunity (irritant contact dermatitis) or caused by a T-cell- mediated hypersensitivity reaction (allergic contact dermatitis). The immune system involvement and a variety of clinical pictures are described in order to better diagnose, prevent and treat allergic contact dermatitis.
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MESH Headings
- Dermatitis, Contact/diagnosis
- Dermatitis, Contact/immunology
- Dermatitis, Contact/physiopathology
- Dermatitis, Contact/therapy
- Dermatitis, Irritant/diagnosis
- Dermatitis, Irritant/immunology
- Dermatitis, Irritant/physiopathology
- Dermatitis, Irritant/therapy
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed
- Immune System
- Immunity, Innate
- Immunization
- Inflammation
- Skin Tests
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- S Imbesi
- School and Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Adamo V, Franchina T, Minciullo P, Pace E, Colonese F, Ricciardi G, Saitta S, Ferraro M, Spatari G, Gangemi S. Role of interleukin-23 circulating levels increase in resected colorectal cancer before and after chemotherapy: Preliminary data and future perspectives. J Cell Physiol 2011; 226:3032-4. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Patella V, Incorvaia C, Ricciardi L, Florio G, Saija A, Frati F, Gangemi S. The adhesion molecule ICAM-1 is overexpressed in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy and decreases after ultrarush venom immunotherapy. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2011; 25:465-468. [PMID: 22023772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Adhesion molecules, including ICAM-1, are an important factor in allergic inflammation caused by inhalant allergens, but there are no studies investigating their possible role in Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA). We measured the level of ICAM-1 in 13 venom-allergic patients before and after ultra-rush venom immunotherapy (VIT). Eight patients were treated by yellow jacket venom and 5 were treated by honeybee venom. Serum ICAM-1 levels were assayed by an immunoenzymatic method, with a detection limit of 0.35 ng/ml. The mean level of ICAM-1 changed from 316.4±78.2 ng/ml before VIT to 294.7±77.9 after VIT. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.019). These findings show that in patients with HVA there is an over-expression of ICAM-1, and that ultra-rush VIT significantly decreases ICAM-1 levels. It is likely that the known ability of VIT to correct the imbalance in T lymphocytes subpopulations and in the associated production of cytokines may account for this observation. In fact, such cytokines include IL-4 and TNF-alpha, that up-regulate adhesion molecules.
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Gangemi S, Parisi P, Ricciardi L, Saitta S, Minciullo PL, Cristani MT, Nicita-Mauro V, Saija A, Basile G. Is interleukin-22 a possible indicator of chronic heart failure's progression? Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2010; 50:311-4. [PMID: 19523698 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2009.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Revised: 05/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex and heterogeneous clinical syndrome and because of its rising incidence and prevalence, it can be considered a global epidemic. Interleukin (IL)-22 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, belonging to the IL-10 family. Forty-seven consecutive older patients, hospitalized with an admitting diagnosis of CHF at the Geriatric Medicine Unit (University of Messina, Italy), from 01/01/06 to 30/06/06, were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of IL-22 were measured by a quantitative enzyme immunoassay technique. IL-22 levels in all CHF patients were significantly higher than those in controls, in particular, only the II and III NYHA class had IL-22 values significantly higher than the controls, whereas there was no difference between the IL-22 levels of NYHA class IV and the controls. The reason may be the declining immune function in CHF older patients, in fact we can hypothesize that the fall in IL-22 levels, with the progression of NYHA class, is due to the reduced ability in CHF patients to respond to infections, as IL-22 has anti-microbial properties. We detected different outcomes correlated to different IL-22 levels, and the Kaplan-Meier curves suggest a trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gangemi
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
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Ciprandi G, Cadario G, Di Gioacchino GM, Gangemi S, Gasparini A, Isola S, Marengo F, Minelli S, Ricciardi L, Ridolo E, Pravettoni V, Valle C, Verini M, Zambito M, Incorvaia C, Puccinelli P, Scurati S, Frati F, Simonetta M. Sublingual immunotherapy in children with allergic polysensitization. Allergy Asthma Proc 2010; 31:227-31. [PMID: 20615323 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2010.31.3337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Polysensitization is quite frequent in allergic children and may cause difficulties for the allergist in prescribing allergen-specific immunotherapy. This study aimed at evaluating the clinical effectiveness of 1 year of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in a cohort of Italian allergic children with polysensitization. This open study was performed on 51 polysensitized children (34 boys; mean age, 11.8 years; range, 5.2-17.7 years) with allergic rhinitis and/or mild to moderate asthma. All of them were treated with SLIT for 1 year. The kind and the number of prescribed allergen extracts, the type of diagnosis, the severity of symptoms, and the use of drugs were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. The adverse events to SLIT were also evaluated. Forty-two children were treated with a single extract, four with two different extracts and three with a mix of allergens. SLIT treatment induced a significant reduction in the number of sensitizations (p = 0.018); significant improvement of allergic rhinitis classification and severity; significant reduction of ocular, nasal, and bronchial symptoms (p < 0.01 for all); and drugs use (p < 0.01 for all drugs). No systemic reactions to SLIT were observed. This open study provides evidence that polysensitization is not an obstacle for prescribing SLIT in polysensitized children. Indeed, SLIT efficacy on clinical parameters is significant after 1 year and the therapy is safe.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Sublingual
- Adolescent
- Allergens/administration & dosage
- Allergens/adverse effects
- Asthma/immunology
- Asthma/physiopathology
- Asthma/therapy
- Child
- Cohort Studies
- Complex Mixtures/administration & dosage
- Complex Mixtures/adverse effects
- Desensitization, Immunologic
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Humans
- Italy
- Male
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/physiopathology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/therapy
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/physiopathology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Ciprandi
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Az. Osp. Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Ciprandi G, Cadario G, Valle C, Ridolo E, Verini M, Di Gioacchino M, Minelli M, Gangemi S, Sillano V, Colangelo C, Pravettoni V, Pellegrino R, Borrelli P, Fiorina A, Carosso A, Gasparini A, Riario-Sforza GG, Incorvaia C, Puccinelli P, Scurati S, Frati F. Sublingual immunotherapy in polysensitized patients: effect on quality of life. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2010; 20:274-279. [PMID: 20815304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of life (QOL) is an important issue in allergic rhinitis and has been evaluated in a number of studies that have shown how it is impaired in untreated patients and improved by effective treatment. However, there are no data concerning QOL after sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in polysensitized patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect, in real-life clinical practice, of SLIT on QOL in a population of polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 167 consecutively enrolled polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis. QOL was measured in all cases with the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year of SLIT (performed in approximately 70% of cases using single allergen extracts provided by the same manufacturer). RESULTS The most frequent causes of sensitization were grass pollen, Parietaria, and house dust mites. The mean number of sensitizations per patient was 3.65. SLIT was performed with 1 extract in 123 patients (73.6%), with 2 extracts in 31 patients (18.6%), and with more than 2 extracts in 13 patients (7.8%). The mean values of all the QOL items improved significantly (P < .01 in all cases), with the following reductions noted: activities, 3.96 to 2.89; sleep, 2.07 to 1.56; general problems, 2.16 to 1.5; practical problems, 3.69 to 2.58; nasal symptoms, 3.57 to 2.50; eye symptoms, 2.92 to 1.83; and emotional aspects, 2.2 to 1.44. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that QOL can be improved in polysensitized patients treated with SLIT, and that the use of just 1 or 2 allergen extracts seems to be sufficient and effective in terms of improving QOL.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Sublingual
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Antigens, Dermatophagoides/therapeutic use
- Antigens, Plant/therapeutic use
- Desensitization, Immunologic
- Female
- Humans
- Immunization
- Male
- Parietaria/immunology
- Poaceae/immunology
- Pollen/adverse effects
- Pyroglyphidae/immunology
- Quality of Life
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/diagnosis
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/physiopathology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/therapy
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/diagnosis
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/physiopathology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ciprandi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Di Rosa A, Gangemi S, Cristani M, Fenga C, Saitta S, Abenavoli E, Imbesi S, Speciale A, Minciullo P, Spatari G, Abbate S, Saija A, Cimino F. Serum levels of carbonylated and nitrosylated proteins in mobbing victims with workplace adjustment disorders. Biol Psychol 2009; 82:308-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2009] [Revised: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ciprandi G, Cadario G, Di Gioacchino M, Gangemi S, Minelli M, Ridolo E, Valle C, Verini M, Boccardo R, Incorvaia C, Puccinelli P, Scurati S, Frati F. Sublingual immunotherapy in polysensitized allergic patients with rhinitis and/or asthma: allergist choices and treatment efficacy. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2009; 23:165-171. [PMID: 19828093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Polysensitization is very common in allergic patients and was previously reported to be associated with more severe symptoms and impaired quality of life. Polysensitization is often considered as a contraindication for specific immunotherapy (SIT). This study is aimed at evaluating the allergist attitude for decision making in choosing SIT in a cohort of Italian polysensitized patients. Moreover, the 1-year effectiveness of the prescribed sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in this cohort was evaluated. The study was performed on 244 patients (109 males, 135 females, mean age 28.7 years, S.D. 12.0) with allergic rhinitis (assessed by ARIA criteria) and/or mild to moderate asthma (assessed by GINA criteria) treated with SLIT for 1 year. The kind and the number of prescribed allergen extracts, type of diagnosis, severity of symptoms, use of drugs, and adverse events were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. A total of 230 patients were treated with SLIT: 165 with a single extract, and 65 with two different extracts (mix). SLIT treatment significantly improved disease staging, and reduced symptom severity and drug use. No systemic reaction was reported. In conclusion, these findings provide preliminary evidence that SIT is effective and safe in polysensitized patients after 1 year of treatment also using single extracts, and thus does not represent an obstacle for prescribing SIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ciprandi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital San Martino, Genoa.
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Gangemi S, Minciullo PL, Guarneri F, Cristani M, Arcoraci T, Spatari G, Saija A, Cannavò SP. Increased serum levels of interleukin-22 in patients affected by pityriasis rosea. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2009; 23:858-9. [PMID: 19646140 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03067.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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