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Introduction
Organ transplants are in widespread use. Limitations include the scarcity of donor organs and expense. Failure to achieve successful grafts is primarily due to histoincompatibility and lack of safe…

Introduction

The monoclonal gammopathies include those diseases in which there is a proliferation of a single clone of immunoglobulin-forming cells that produce a homogeneous heavy chain, light chain, or complete molecule.…

The diagnosis and treatment of specific autoimmune diseases are described elsewhere in this book. Autoantibodies associated with certain autoimmune diseases may not be pathogenetic but are thought to be markers or by-products of the injury…

Introduction
Autoimmune diseases cannot be explained by a solitary cause or mechanism. Small amounts of autoantibodies are normally produced and may have physiologic roles in cellular interactions. Positive serologic findings may be found years before…

Introduction

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Defect in terminal differentiation of B cells, with absent plasma cells and deficient synthesis of secreted antibody.
• Frequent sinopulmonary infections secondary to humoral immune deficiency.
• …

Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency disorder and is characterized by the absence of serum IgA with normal levels of IgG and IgM; its prevalence is about 1:500 individuals. Most…

Introduction
The primary immunologic deficiency diseases include congenital and acquired disorders of humoral immunity (B cell function) or cell-mediated immunity (T cell function). Most of these diseases are rare, and since they…

Introduction
These reactions resemble immediate hypersensitivity reactions but are not mediated by allergen-IgE interaction. Instead, direct mast cell activation occurs. Examples of pseudoallergic or “anaphylactoid” reactions include the now rare “red man syndrome”…

Introduction

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Fever, pruritus, and arthropathy.
• Reaction is delayed in onset, usually 7-10 days, when specific IgG antibodies are generated against the allergen.
• Immune complexes…

Clinical Findings

A. Symptoms and Signs
The development of symptoms and the nature of the reaction can suggest whether an immunologic process is responsible for symptoms. In previously sensitized individuals, immediate hypersensitivity…

Introduction

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction with cutaneous symptoms, associated with dyspnea, visceral edema, and hypotension.
• Urticaria is characterized by large, irregularly shaped, pruritic, erythematous wheals.…

Introduction

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Seasonal or perennial occurrence of nasal pruritus, congestion, rhinorrhea, or paroxysms of sneezing, which may be associated with lower respiratory symptoms, eye erythema, pruritus, irritation, tearing, or eczematous…

The use of bedding that contains no synthetic materials appears to reduce the risk of developing wheezing in infants, Australian researchers report in the American Journal of Public Health.

“These…

Good asthma management requires appropriate treatment of persistent stuffy nose or “allergic rhinitis,” researchers report in the journal Chest.

“We must treat rhinitis as part of asthma treatment because we…

New therapies for allergic rhinitis may be more effective and have fewer side effects than older medications, and may increase patient compliance, according to research presented at the Annual…

The combination of a kiss and an allergy to nuts has resulted in death for a teenage girl.

Fifteen year old Christina Desforges, 15, from Saguenay, north of Quebec…

The use of controller medications before an ER visit for Asthma may not affect whether a child is admitted to the hospital or given oral steroids, according to the results…

Many individuals with Asthma lack the skills to properly manage their disease. They are not very knowledgeable about Asthma medication and often don’t know how to use metered dose inhalers (MDIs)…

The theory that whether a child born by Cesarean section or in the normal way, via the birth canal, could affect his or her chances of developing asthma later in…

A Mayo Clinic allergist and colleagues representing the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology announce they are revising the old classification…

Eczema (EG-zih-mah) is a skin condition that usually comes and goes. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis (ay-TOP-ick dur-ma-TIE-tiss), which is an inflammation of the skin. During a flare-up, the…

How ELIDEL Works

ELIDEL effectively treats mild to moderate eczema. Watch how it works by targeting the key cells involved.

ELIDEL is the number one prescribed brand for eczema. Treating mild or moderate eczema…

Skin care tips

Dry skin is a fairly common occurrence. It can also be a serious problem if you have eczema. Simply put, dry skin often itches, and, for those with eczema, scratching it only…

Diagnosing eczema is not easy, and requires a visit to a physician. Only a physician can determine whether or not a skin rash is caused by eczema based upon the patient’s recent…