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It's Not the Vicar's Fault!
Published in Norman Begg, The Remarkable Story of Vaccines, 2023
More serious reactions do occur, but fortunately are rare. Occasionally there is a very severe allergic response, called anaphylaxis, with hives, swelling of the lips and tongue, and breathing difficulty. Anaphylaxis is serious, but it can be treated with adrenaline. Vaccination clinics keep a stock of adrenaline in case this happens. In the UK, before COVID-19 vaccination began, there were on average eighteen cases a year of anaphylaxis following vaccination. This may sound a lot, but to put it in context, more than 16 million doses of vaccine were given every year. In comparison, forty-nine people are struck by lightning every year in the UK. With the mass roll out of COVID-19 vaccines, there have inevitably been more reports of anaphylaxis; however, it is still an extremely rare event. Deaths from vaccine-related anaphylaxis are virtually non-existent.
Alternative Tumor-Targeting Strategies
Published in David E. Thurston, Ilona Pysz, Chemistry and Pharmacology of Anticancer Drugs, 2021
As aminolevulinate is usually applied topically, it is free of systemic side effects. However, it can produce stinging, prickling, tingling, or burning sensations at the activation site during light treatment, although these symptoms normally resolve within 24 hours. Redness, swelling, scaling, itching, and bleeding around the treatment site are also common (especially when larger areas are treated for actinic keratoses), although this normally resolves within four weeks. However, some discoloration of the skin may remain after treatment. Also, it may take several weeks before an improvement in skin lesions is observed after treatment, and it may be necessary for patients to be treated more than once. Occasionally, an allergic response can occur, initially manifesting as urticaria (hives). As with porfimer sodium and temoporfin, photosensitivity of the skin can be problematic after treatment. Therefore, exposure of treated skin to sunlight or other bright lights should be avoided for at least 48 hours after treatment, and protective clothing should be worn whenever outdoors. It is recommended that treatment should be avoided during conception, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Anaphylaxis
Published in Pudupakkam K Vedanthan, Harold S Nelson, Shripad N Agashe, PA Mahesh, Rohit Katial, Textbook of Allergy for the Clinician, 2021
Histamine is an important chemical mediator of allergic responses and the major clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis. Histamine is released by activated mast cells and basophils. Cutaneous histamine release causes urticaria and pruritus, while systemic release of histamine results in flushing, headache, bronchoconstriction, hypotension, tachycardia, as well as direct effects on coronary arteries and atrial and ventricular contractility (Reber et al. 2017). Histamine effects are mediated through four histamine receptors; H1, H2, H3 and H4, which are present on target cells in different organs (MacGlashan 2003). H1 and H2 receptors both mediate flushing, hypotension and headaches, whereas airway obstruction and tachycardia are primarily mediated via the H1 receptor (Kaliner et al. 1981, Vigorito et al. 1983). In animal models, H3 appears to influence cardiovascular response to norepinephrine, and H4 may be involved in chemotaxis, mast cell cytokine release and pruritus (Godot et al. 2007, Dunford et al. 2007).
Current and emerging pharmacotherapy for pediatric allergic rhinitis
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2021
Peter Valentin Tomazic, Doris Lang-Loidolt
Four types of histamine receptors have been identified. H1 and H2 receptors are present on a wide range of cells, stimulate both the early and late phase of an allergic response Second/third generation non-sedating H1 receptor antagonists are the antihistamines of choice to treat AR [43]. Cetirizine has been proven effective in numerous studies, being superior in effect of symptom reduction to loratadine compared to placebo given an excellent safety profile [44,45]. The anti-inflammatory effect of antihistamines was shown to be mediated via the NFkappa-ß pathway; however, the clinical relevance of this potential has not been studied [46]. Apart from its effect on the H1 receptor it also reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-4 and IL-8). Cetirizine is used as of 6 months of age and 2 years of age in the US and Europe, respectively. It is effective given 10 mg daily in two doses for rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (age 6–12 years) and 5 mg daily against sneezing [45].
Pre-conceptional exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotubes suppresses antibody production in mouse offspring
Published in Nanotoxicology, 2020
Jitka S. Hansen, Thomas S. Rosengren, Hannah K. L. Johansson, Kenneth K. Barfod, Søren T. Larsen, Jorid B. Sørli, Émilie da Silva, Ulla Vogel, Karin S. Hougaard
Based on findings of offspring immune activation by particles, as well as immune activating properties of CNTs, we hypothesized that pre-gestational maternal exposure to multiwalled CNT would lead to exacerbated immune responses in offspring. This could be caused by perturbation of the normal tolerance induction by mucosal exposure, where ‘immunological tolerance is defined as a state of specific non-responsiveness to a particular antigen induced by previous exposure to that same antigen’ (Lowrey et al. 1998, p. 93). We investigated the hypothesis in a mouse model simulating women exposed at a time point close to conception by exposing female mice prior to mating. The hypothesis was tested in different immunization models: 1) Mucosal tolerance was induced in offspring prior to allergic sensitization – a method which has been assessed in numerous models of airway exposure (Holt et al. 1981; Lowrey et al. 1998; Clausen et al. 2003; Hansen et al. 2012; Smole et al. 2017); 2) Allergic response was induced by suboptimal immunization. This immunization sought to induce a weak allergic response by a booster injection. By using a suboptimal immunization, an exacerbation of the allergic response in the offspring due to the maternal treatment can be observed (Fedulov et al. 2008; Manners et al. 2014). Such an exacerbation can be difficult to detect with conventional immunization protocols, as these are designed to evoke a strong response that can hamper detection of differences between exposure groups.
Faces of antibody in immunopathology and immunotherapy
Published in International Reviews of Immunology, 2018
An inappropriate deleterious immune response generated during the encounter of a foreign substance is known as an allergy. Allergic responses range from mild to severe health problems, or even death. Food allergies are prevalent in early age, but adults can also develop allergies to some food substances. The first review article on this issue by Hong Lim et al. [1] discusses the peanut allergy, which is triggered by Immunoglobulin E (IgE). The article extensively discusses the recent immunotherapy strategies and delivery routes for immunotherapy in individuals with a peanut allergy. The article aims not only to broaden the current understanding of peanut allergies, but also introduces new avenues of therapy to improve the quality of life for affected individuals. This article is useful to a broad readership working in basic immunology, particularly researchers working in allergy immunology and the clinicians treating patients with food allergies (Figure 1).