Respiratory diseases, allergic

Reed CE, Kita H (2004) The role of protease activation of inflammation in allergic respiratory diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 114(5) 997-1008. 

Respiratory disease In general, antihistamines are not recommended to treat lower respiratory tract symptoms, because their anticholinergic effects may cause thickening of secretions and impair expectoration. However, several reports indicate antihistamines can be safely used in asthmatic patients with severe perennial allergic rhinitis. 

IL-5 is usually not present in high levels in humans. However, in a number of disease states where the number of eosinophils is elevated, high levels of IL-5 and its mRNA can be found in the circulation, tissue and bone marrow. These conditions include the diseases of the respiratory tract, hematopoietic system, gut and skin. Some other examples include food and drug allergies, atopic dermatitis, aspirin sensitivity and allergic or nonallergic respiratory diseases. 

Holt PG, Sly PD, Smith W Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic respiratory disease. Lancet 1998 28 613-614. 

The balance sheet for SLIT is improving SLIT represents an important step towards an adequate treatment of patients with allergic respiratory diseases nevertheless, the safety of an alternative therapy is only a real advantage if it is not counterbalanced by a loss of efficacy. 

Allergic rhinitis is a major chronic respiratory disease because of its prevalence, its impact on the quality of life, its impact on work/school performance and productivity, its economic burden, and its links with asthma. 

Several epidemiological studies show that fine and ultrafine (<0.1 pm) particulate matter and air pollution can pose adverse health effects including respiratory, cardiovascular, allergic, and carcinogenic diseases (Kiinzli et al., 2000 Donaldson et al., 2003 Bernstein et al., 2004). It appears also that ultrafine particles, after deposition in the lung and gain access to the pulmonary interstitium, can penetrate the systemic circulation and exert more toxicity than coarse and fine particles (Oberdorster, 2001 Bernstein et al., 2004). 

Workers are potentially exposed to a variety of substances during daily industrial operations. The OSHA estimates that a large segment of workers are simultaneously exposed to more than one substance and suffer from adverse effects. Adverse effects include many acute and chronic diseases (e.g., allergic sensitization, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dermatitis, erythema, edema, irritation of the mucous membrane, irritation of the skin, kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic interferences, narcosis, neuropathy, ocular effects, odor effects, respiratory diseases, systemic toxicity). These should be properly addressed by concerned management and the individual worker to improve chemical safety. Workers come in contact directly or indirectly during different work conditions hence it is important to understand the possible adverse effects that these chemicals may cause vis-a-vis chemical safety. 

Exposures to sick buildings may stimulate respiratory responses in healthy individuals with no previous history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic respiratory disease, recent acute respiratory illness, or extensive exposure to pollutants. Chemicals typically found in sick buildings arise from carpeting, paint, wood products, cleaners, and other sources. These chemicals are mixtures of lipophilic and hydrophilic chemicals and, with the exception of isocyanates from polyurethane wood finishes, are usually... 

Reed CE, Frigas E. 1984. Does formaldehyde cause allergic respiratory disease In Gammage RB, Kaye SV, Jacobs VA, ed. Indoor air and human health. Chelsea, MI Lewis Publishers, Inc., 379-386. 

Smedley J. 1996. Is formaldehyde an important cause of allergic respiratory disease Clin Exp Allergy 26 247-249. 

Peterson B, Saxon A Global increases in allergic respiratory disease The possible role of diesel exhaust particles. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1996 77 263-8 quiz 269-270. 

As noted in the discussion above, respiratory viral infections are now acknowledged as potent co-stimulants of airway inflammation in atopic children, and may be an important co-factor in driving allergic respiratory disease towards persistence. The use of recently available anti-virals in children may provide a useful prophylactic approach for reduction of the impact of these infections in asthma pathogenesis. 

Halken S, Host A, Nilsson L, Taudorf E Passive smoking as a risk factor for development of obstructive respiratory disease and allergic sensitization. Allergy 1995 50 97—105. (IV)... 

Prevention of Allergy and Allergic Asthma was a collaborative project between the World Allergy Organization (WAO) and the WHO. This collaboration was commissioned to advance the strategic objectives of the WHO as outlined in its Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Respiratory Diseases. 

METZGER, W.J., ZAVALA, D RICHERSON, H.B., MOSELEY, P IWAMOTO, P MONICK, M SJOERDSMA, K. HUNNINGHAKE, G.W. (1987) Local allergen challenge and bronchoalveolar lavage of allergic asthmatic lungs description of the model and local airway inflammation. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 135,433 440. 

MATSUMURA, Y. (1970) The effects of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide on the experimentally induced allergic respiratory disorder in guinea pigs I the effect on sensitization with albumin through the airway. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 102, 430 137. 

GULBENKIAN, A.R., EGAN, R.W., FERNANDEZ, X., JONES, H KREUTNER, W KUNG, T PAGVARDI, F SULLIVAN, L ZURCHER, J.A. WATNICK, A.S. (1992) Interleukin-5 modulates eosinophil accumulation in allergic guinea pig lung. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 146, 263-265. 

ABRAHAM, W.M., DELEHUNT, J.C., YERGER, L. MARCHETTE, B. (1983) Characterization of a late phase pulmonary response after antigen challenge in allergic sheep. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 128, 839-844. 

---