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Am J Kidney Dis 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Nephrology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

Autoantibodies against thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) cause membranous nephropathy (MN); however, the mechanisms involved in THSD7A expression and immunization are uncertain. We present 2 cases of THSD7A-associated MN accompanied by angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE), a benign tumor characterized by proliferation of plump endothelial cells. Prednisolone therapy, but not surgical resection of ALHE tumors, successfully suppressed eosinophilia and proteinuria in both cases. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054, Korea; Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, 26339, Korea. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Anthriscus sylvestris L. Hoffmann (AS) is a perennial plant that grows in Asia and Eastern Europe. Its dried root is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and cough. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Allergy Department Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avenida de Córdoba s/n, Postal code 28041 , Madrid, Spain.

J Clin Med 2018 Dec 8;7(12). Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Internal Medicine IV (Nephrology and Hypertension), Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

Peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE), defined as 500 eosinophils or above per microliter (µL) blood, is a condition that is not uncommon but often neglected in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), or patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The nature of PBE in the context of kidney diseases is predominantly secondary or reactive and has to be distinguished from primary eosinophilic disorders. Nonetheless, the finding of persistent PBE can be a useful clue for the differential diagnosis of underdiagnosed entities and overlapping syndromes, such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), or the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Human Eosinophil Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, MD. Electronic address:

Background: Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-8 is selectively expressed on eosinophils, mast cells and basophils, and, when engaged on eosinophils, can cause cell death.

Objective: To characterize surface and soluble Siglec-8 levels in normal (ND) and eosinophilic (EO) subjects and assess the efficacy of anti-Siglec-8 antibodies in inducing eosinophil cell death in vitro.

Methods: Eosinophil expression of Siglec-8 was assessed using flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 22;9:2624. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an emerging treatment for food allergy. While desensitization is achieved in most subjects, many experience gastrointestinal symptoms and few develop eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease. It is unclear whether these subjects have subclinical gastrointestinal eosinophilia (GE) at baseline. Read More

Clin Mol Allergy 2018 3;16:25. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

1Department of Surgery, Medicine, Molecular Biology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Background: According to ATS/ERS document on severe asthma (SA), the management of these patients requires the identification and proper treatment of comorbidities, which can influence the control of asthma.

Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the independent effect of different comorbidities on clinical, functional and biologic features of SA. Seventy-two patients with SA according to GINA guidelines were examined. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, CIBERER, IDIS, Grupo de Medicina Xenómica-Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de CompostelaSpain.

Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome (IPS), or ichthyosis congenita type IV, is a rare syndromic form of autosomic recessive ichthyosis caused by mutations in fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), also known as SLC27A4. Patients with a disrupted FATP4 gene are usually born prematurely with thick desquamating skin and other complications, such as neonatal asphyxia, eosinophilia and elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels. Symptoms become less severe after the first months of life, evolving to non-scaly ichthyosis with follicular hyperkeratosis in adulthood (1, 2). Read More

Pediatr Surg Int 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.

Purpose: We have recently shown that uncomplicated phlegmonous appendicitis is characterized by independent inflammatory patterns based on significant eosinophilia in children aged 7-17 years. However, clinical decision-making based on inflammatory values is not easy, especially due to the dynamics of inflammation over time. The present study was performed to evaluate the basic distinguishability of the inflammatory entities by laboratory values over time based on an extended patient number with children aged 0-17 years. Read More

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2018 4;14:84. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Tea Research Institute, Thalawakelle, Sri Lanka.

Background: Exposure to agrochemicals is one of the many aetiological agents, postulated to cause allergic diseases. In this study, we have compared the prevalence of allergic diseases among preschool children growing in environments exposed to agrochemicals and artificial fertilizers with those who are not exposed to them.

Methods: Our study was conducted on preschool children in two tea estates in the hill country of Sri Lanka, one using conventional agricultural practices and the other using organic practices. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 26;9:2718. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease of the airway caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and characterized by airflow obstruction, wheezing, eosinophilia, and neutrophilia of lungs and sputum. Similar to other proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 is elevated in asthma and plays an active role in this disease. However, the exact molecular mechanism of IL-6 involvement in the pathogenesis of asthma remains largely unknown and the major cellular source of pathogenic IL-6 has not been defined. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 24;26:59-62. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan.

A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for recurrent asthma of 20 years duration. She was diagnosed as having allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis on the basis of clinical symptoms, peripheral blood eosinophilia, elevated total serum immunoglobulin E value, positive results of specific IgE and precipitating antibodies against sp., central bronchiectasis, and mucoid impaction. Read More

Can Vet J 2018 Dec;59(12):1325-1328

Animal Health Laboratory (Hazlett, Cai, You), University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1; Toronto Animal Services (Sparling), 1300 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario M3K 2A6.

A 14-week-old female Boston terrier-cross dog with intermittent gastroenteritis and an eosinophilia developed progressive neurologic disease with ataxia progressing to uncontrolled paddling. Autopsy revealed larvae in 4 of 7 brain sections, with severe eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis was confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing tests of fresh and paraffin-embedded brain in conjunction with the compatible histologic appearance. Read More

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2018 Dec;28(6):434-436

Clinical Analysis Laboratory, Policlínico Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36, Sanhao Street, Heping district, Shenyang 110004, PR China. Electronic address:

Background: Abdominal ascites is a common problem in general surgery. The causes include parasitic diseases, tuberculosis, malignancies, hypoalbuminemia, abdominal inflammatory diseases, and peritonitis. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) has also been reported to be an infrequent cause. Read More

Chest 2018 Dec;154(6):e173-e176

Département de Médecine Interne, Université Paris-Diderot, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France; Unite INSERM U1149, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old man was admitted to the ICU with chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, increasing dyspnea, and orthopnea for 1 week. The patient reported an 8-kg weight loss over the last month and recurrent wheezing episodes for approximately 1 year. He had a history of tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, both of which he stopped 15 years ago. Read More

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya City University.

Background: We previously reported that dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with CD40 siRNA and pulsed by ovalbumin (OVA) (CD40-silenced OVA DCs) inhibited allergic responses through facilitation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, to our knowledge, no prior study has examined allergen-specific therapy by administration of siRNA-induced Tregs for the control of allergy.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of Tregs induced in vitro on allergic responses and symptoms in vivo. Read More

Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2018 Dec 3;260:28-36. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Shirpur, Dhule, 425405, India.

Zizyphus jujuba Mill, a famous oriental traditional medicine, has been reported to exhibit diverse activities in biological systems including the respiratory system. However, a little information is available on its antiasthmatic activity. Jujuboside B (JB) is a natural saponin and one of the active constituent of fruits of Zizyphus jujuba. Read More

Rhinology 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Otorhinolaryngology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Airway epithelial cells have a well-accepted role in the regulation of local inflammatory processes in allergic and innate defence responses. However, their role the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is unclear. The objective was to investigate whether potential differences in the mRNA expression profile of nasal epithelia from healthy individuals and from CRSwNP patients would shed new light on disease mechanisms. Read More

Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2018 Nov;2018(1):326-331

Human Eosinophil Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HESs) are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic end organ complications. Conventional therapies, including glucocorticoids and cytotoxic and immunomodulatory agents, have variable efficacy and significant toxicity. Although the recent development of agents that target eosinophils, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, provides the possibility of more effective, less toxic approaches to treatment of HES, there are little available data to guide their use in these conditions. Read More

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Toxicol Sci 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Disruption of epithelial cell-cell junctions is essential for the initiation and perpetuation of airway inflammation in asthma. We've previously reported compromised epithelial barrier integrity in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced occupational asthma model. This study is aimed to explore the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in the dysfunction of adherens junctions in TDI-induced asthma. Read More

Liver Int 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Dermatology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India.

While dermatologic manifestations of adverse drug reactions are frequent, drug-induced liver injury is rare. Numerous drugs are implicated in either Drug-Induced Liver Injury or Drug-Induced Skin Injury. However, concomitant Drug-Induced Liver Injury and Drug-Induced Skin Injury are uncommon, not well characterized and appear to be caused by a limited number of drugs. Read More

Respir Med 2018 Dec 23;145:95-100. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

ProAR, Núcleo de Excelência Em Asma, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Asthma is a syndrome with multiple phenotypes. Peripheral blood eosinophil counts might be the ideal biomarker to identify subjects with eosinophilic asthma. It is available, inexpensive, and it is associated with eosinophilia in sputum. Read More

Respir Med 2018 Dec 26;145:89-94. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Department of Respiratory and Ventilatory Medicine, Klinik Schillerhöhe, Robert-Koch Hospital, Academic Hospital of the University of Tübingen, Germany.

Aim: Biological therapies developed for severe asthma may have a role in COPD patients with asthma features.

Method: We carried out a prospective, consecutive, cross-sectional analysis of 80 patients with severe COPD GOLD IV/D.

Results: We studied 80 patients (48. Read More

Int J Lab Hematol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.

Eosinophilia is typically secondary, that is, reactive, in nature and is associated with a wide variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders. Clonal eosinophilia is also seen in a wide variety of hematopoietic neoplasms, and sub-classification can be diagnostically challenging. A proper evaluation of persistent eosinophilia involves correlation of clinical history, laboratory data, cellular morphology, and ancillary testing. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 25;2018:7582057. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Medical Science, University of Torino, Italy.

Asthma is a chronic and heterogeneous disease, which is defined as severe disease whenever it requires treatment with a high dose of inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller and/or systemic corticosteroids to prevent it from becoming ''uncontrolled" or if it remains ''uncontrolled" despite this therapy. Severe asthma is a heterogeneous condition consisting of phenotypes such as eosinophilic asthma, which is characterized by sputum eosinophilia, associated with mild to moderate increase in blood eosinophil count, frequently adult-onset, and associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in half of the cases. Eosinophilic asthma is driven by T2 inflammation, characterized, among the others, by interleukin-5 production. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2018 Nov 29;18(1):181. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric and Sleep Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, 11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic ANCA-associated vasculitis characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and a predilection for the upper and lower respiratory tract. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is also a systemic ANCA-associated vasculitis, but EGPA is characterized by eosinophilic as well as granulomatous inflammation and is more commonly associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Polyangiitis overlap syndrome is defined as systemic vasculitis that does not fit precisely into a single category of classical vasculitis classification and/or overlaps with more than one category. Read More

J Asthma 2018 Nov 29:1-8. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

a Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases , Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences , Niigata , Japan.

Background: The anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody, omalizumab, is used to treat severe asthma and has the potential to ameliorate airway inflammation. However, the effect of omalizumab in ameliorating upper airway inflammation has not been fully elucidated.

Objective: We investigated the association of upper and lower airway inflammation with the response to omalizumab treatment. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We previously identified several cytokines potentially linked to smell loss, potentially supporting an inflammatory etiology for CRS-associated olfactory dysfunction. In the current study we sought to validate patterns of olfactory dysfunction in CRS using hierarchical cluster analysis, machine learning algorithms, and multivariate regression. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan.

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare, severe skin disease with manifestations such as fever, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy and internal organ damage that typically develops 2 to 6 weeks after drug intake. DRESS/DIHS follows a prolonged course involving frequent flare-ups and relapses over weeks or months after treatment discontinuation. Read More

Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2019 Jan;35(1):42-50

Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

Purpose Of Review: Eosinophilic colitis is a rare condition, with a prevalence rate in the USA of 2-3/100 000 persons (0.003%), but diagnosed in 0.1% of biopsies in those colonoscoped for diarrhoea. Read More

Allergy Asthma Immunol Res 2019 Jan;11(1):90-103

Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.

Purpose: Although there have been reported cases of drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome caused by antituberculosis drugs, there has been no research to examine its prevalence. This study assessed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DRESS syndrome caused by antituberculosis drugs.

Methods: The electronic medical records of a cohort consisting of adult patients diagnosed with tuberculosis between July 2006 and June 2010 were reviewed and retrospectively inspected. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Rhinology Unit & Smell Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBERES Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Objective: The aim of our study was to analyze the montelukast effectiveness in improving oculonasal symptoms, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and eosinophilic biomarkers in patients with nonallergic rhinitis eosinophilic syndrome (NARES).

Methods: We enrolled prospectively 80 symptomatic patients treated with 10 mg once a day of montelukast in monotherapy for 2 months. All patients were investigated before and after treatment. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Background: Rumination syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by effortless, postprandial regurgitation. Duodenal eosinophilia has been described in patients with functional dyspepsia. Because of the significant symptomatic overlap between functional dyspepsia and rumination syndrome, we hypothesized that histological changes might exist among patients with rumination syndrome. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Nov 21. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Rheumatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing, China.

Objective: To identify clinical and pathological differences between IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis (IgG4-RPF) and idiopathic RPF (iRPF) in a Chinese population.

Method: Clinical and pathological data of 50 RPF patients from 2006 to 2016 were retrospectively analysed. The presence of at least one characteristic histopathological feature, >30 IgG4+ plasma cells per high power field, and an IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cells ratio cutoff of >40% were used to define IgG4-RPF. Read More

Mediators Inflamm 2018 24;2018:9138904. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by tissue and blood eosinophilia. Previous studies showed enhanced eosinophilia in allergic rhinitis patients with obesity, suggesting an association between obesity and eosinophilia. However, the interaction and mechanism between obesity and eosinophilia is still unclear. Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University.

It has been well known in humans that eosinophil infiltration into the site of inflammation and eosinophilia occur in mycobacterial infections. However, the role of eosinophils against the mycobacterium is unclear. We showed in previous study that in situ mouse eosinophils infiltrated into tissues produce α-defensin, an anti-bacterial peptide. Read More

Med Clin North Am 2019 Jan 1;103(1):29-42. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, CB #7080, Room 4140, Bioinformatics Building, 130 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA. Electronic address:

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and esophageal inflammation with intraepithelial eosinophils. EoE represents an important cause of upper gastrointestinal morbidity. Primary care providers are pivotal for timely and accurate recognition of symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis, for facilitating diagnoses through specialist referrals, and for understanding management strategies. Read More

Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2018 Nov;16(4):501-504

Departments of Child Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disease characterized with destruction of erythrocytes as a result of antibody produce against patient's own erythrocytes and anemia. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia can be roughly stratified into two groups according to serological features and secondary causes including drugs induced hemolytic anemia. Drugs induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia is very rare in pediatric patients. Read More

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2018 5;13:3651-3662. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital - IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,

COPD is characterized by a pulmonary and systemic inflammatory process. Several authors have reported the elevation of multiple inflammatory markers in patients with COPD; however, their use in routine clinical practice has limitations. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a useful and cost-effective inflammatory marker derived from routine complete blood count. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Nov 22;12(1):346. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: We describe a patient with Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with Streptococcus pyogenes and with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. To the best of our knowledge this association has not been previously described.

Case Presentation: A 78 year-old Israeli man, who was born in Iraq but lived in Israel for 66 years, presented with multi-organ failure including acute kidney and hepatic injury, coagulopathy, and lactic acidosis. Read More

Int Immunol 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.

The induction of a dominant Th2-type response is the main cause of harmful inflammation in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines trials. A balanced Th1 versus Th2 immune response is needed for a safe and effective RSV vaccine. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a recombinant protein SBP-FG as vaccine candidate with main focus on shifting the harmful Th2 response to Th1 response. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(47):e11922

Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City.

Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have eosinophilic inflammation which may be evaluated via the measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) like asthma. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether FeNO levels can be used to identify patients with COPD with eosinophilic inflammation who may respond to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy.This study included patients (N = 112) with COPD (age >18 years) who were divided into 4 groups depending upon whether they had high (≥25 parts per billion [ppb]) or low (<25 ppb) pretreatment (baseline) FeNO and if they were treated with either ICS plus long-acting β-agonist (ICS + LABA) or a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Read More

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2018 Nov 20;19(1):76. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Background: Severe systemic reactions resembling septic shock have been described following trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) administration. Nearly all cases described in the literature occurred in HIV-infected patients.

Case Presentation: We present a 42-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) twice with fever and circulatory shock after taking a dose of TMP-SMX 800-160 mg. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2018 Nov 20;19(1):330. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Nephrology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minamikoshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan.

Background: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized fibroinflammatory condition. The kidney is one of the organs commonly affected by IgG4-RD. Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the main feature, and membranous nephropathy (MN) has also been described frequently. Read More

ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2018 Nov 20;81(1):1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the interaction between the overall severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) before treatment and subjective improvement following surgical or medical treatment.

Procedures: A group of 97 patients with CRS completed the visual analog scale (VAS) symptom score and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire in the moment of their sinus computerized tomography (CT) scan. Data were analyzed via a 2-step cluster analysis based on gender, polyp presence, CT scan, and VAS scores for symptoms. Read More

Allergy 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.

Lancet Infect Dis 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. Infection typically occurs through ingestion of undercooked molluscs or vegetables contaminated by infective larvae. Endemic regions were previously limited to southeast Asia and the Pacific basin; however, this parasite is seeing an alarming increase in global distribution with reported cases in more than 30 countries, including several states in the USA. Read More