Efficacy of pollen immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of subcutaneous pollen immunotherapy has been documented in published double-blind, placebo-controlled studies related to treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the present study, subjective (symptom scores) and objective (nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal smear, nasal biopsy) parameters were used to study the efficacy of pollen immunotherapy. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (32 male), mean +/- SE age 13.6 +/- 2.8 years allergic to grass-pollen participated in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 24 patients who did not receive pollen immunotherapy; group II, 12 patients who received the build-up phase of pollen immunotherapy; and group III, 12 patients who had just finished pollen immunotherapy. With regard to objective and subjective parameters these three groups were compared. RESULTS: When group I was compared to groups II and III, the patients who had not received any immunotherapy were found to have a high daytime nasal symptoms score (P < 0.01), high daytime eye symptoms score(P < 0.01) and high night-time symptoms score (P < 0.01). In objective parameters, it was found that group I had low nasal peak inspiratory flow (P < 0.05), and a high eosinophil count in nasal smears (P < 0.05) and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that there was an increased eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.01) and mast cell infiltration (P < 0.05) in nasal biopsy in group I. There was no significant difference between group II and group III according to these results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immunotherapy leads to a better clinical and histopathological prognosis in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.     

Effect of nasal steroid treatment on airway inflammation determined by exhaled nitric oxide in allergic schoolchildren with perennial rhinitis and asthma

Rhinitis is common in asthmatic schoolchildren who are allergic to animal dander and constantly and indirectly exposed to these allergens in their everyday environment. As a patho‐physiological linkage between nasal and bronchial inflammation has been proposed to exist, the primary objective of this study was to determine whether nasal administration of mometasone furoate (MSNF) can reduce bronchial inflammation, as reflected in the level of exhaled nitric oxide (F_ENO) in asthmatic schoolchildren with dander allergy and mild‐to‐moderate rhinitis. Forty such children were assigned randomly to be treated for 4 wk with MSNF or placebo, employing a double‐blind procedure. F_ENO was the primary end‐point measured and secondary end‐points were nasal levels of NO, the concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in nasal lavage, the relative numbers of eosinophils in blood, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and scoring of symptoms. There was no significant difference in the F_ENO values of the treated and control groups at any time‐point, whereas the nasal level of ECP was lower in the treated group compared with placebo (p = 0.05) on both days 7 and 28, and compared with baseline for the treated group (p = 0.06 on day 7, p = 0.02 on day 28). Furthermore, the mean blood eosinophil count decreased in the treated group, which also demonstrated lower scores for nasal symptoms compared with placebo, but neither of these differences were statistically significant. FEV₁, PEF and nasal levels of NO remained unchanged in both groups. Four weeks of nasal treatment with MSNF had no effect on bronchial inflammation, as reflected by exhaled NO, whereas signs of nasal and systemic eosinophil activation were reduced. Thus, nasal administration of a steroid as a strategy to reduce asthmatic inflammation remains questionable in mild‐to‐moderately severe cases of perennial rhinitis and asthma.     

Complement activation in the nasal mucosa following nasal ragweed-allergen challenge

The aim of this study was to explore complement activation in the nasal lavage following a nasal ragweed-allergen challenge. The study was carried out with 15 adolescents who were allergic to ragweed and with six non-allergic healthy volunteers. Following the baseline measurement after the symptoms were registered, subjects were given increasing doses of ragweed allergen. Lavage fluid was collected and tested for a complement-activation product (C3bBbP). The allergic patients responded to allergen provocation with an increase in C3bBbP formation compared to the initial lavage (p = 0.001). The C3bBbP level remained low in the lavage fluids of the non-allergic controls. We found a strong correlation between the threshold dose that induced symptoms and the dose where the maximum complement activation was detected ( r  = 0.78, p = 0.001). Our findings indicate that in allergic patients nasal challenge with ragweed allergen induces a rise in complement activation in the nasal lavage fluid. These results highlight the role of the complement system in the allergic inflammation on the nasal mucosal surface.     

Congenital dacryocystoceles controlled by nCPAP via nasal mask in a neonate

Congenital dacryocystocele is a relatively rare type of nasolacrimal duct obstruction that may induce respiratory distress during the early neonatal period. We encountered a case of bilateral congenital dacryocystoceles with intranasal cysts in a premature infant delivered at 34 weeks of gestation. The patient developed symptoms of respiratory failure immediately after birth, but no ophthalmologic symptoms. Treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure via a nasal mask, instead of a nasal prong, effectively relieved the symptoms. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical for infants with nasal obstruction.     

Exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic children and adolescents after nasal allergen challenge

Epidemiological data suggest a comorbidity link between nasal and bronchial allergic disease. Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a sensitive marker of bronchial inflammation and increases after bronchial allergen provocation. We studied FENO in 19 children and adolescents with allergic asthma and 10 controls before and 2, 6 and 24 h after a single nasal allergen challenge. The correlation between FENO and other markers of allergic inflammation, such as eosinophils in blood and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum and nasal lavage was also assessed. FENO remained unchanged 24 h post-challenge in both steroid and steroid-naive patients. At 6 h post-challenge, FENO decreased in both asthmatics and controls. The asthmatic subjects showed a positive correlation between FENO and blood eosinophils before (r=0.71, p=0.001) and after the challenge, and between FENO and ECP in nasal lavage (r=0.62, p=0.02) 2 h after the challenge. Mean ECP in nasal lavage increased post-challenge but not significantly. We conclude that a single nasal allergen challenge does not augment bronchial inflammation although FENO, is related to blood eosinophil count and to the nasal inflammatory response. Our data do not support the theory of a direct transmission of the nasal inflammation to the lower airways.     

Cytology in the diagnosis of rhinosinusitis

Nasal cytology is a diagnostic tool currently used in rhinology, with the aim of assessing cell changes in the nasal epithelium exposed to irritant or inflammatory agents. Its rationale is based on the knowledge that nasal mucosa of healthy individuals is constituted by four cytotypes ( ciliata , mucipara , striata, and basalis ) and does not show other cells except, rarely, neutrophils and, very rarely, bacteria. In this view, the detection of a given cell type different from these is a sign of possible pathology. The advantage and the diffusion of nasal cytology were increased by a number of factors such as the easiness of performance, the non-invasiveness allowing repetition (which is often needed in the efficacy monitoring of medical or surgical treatment of nasal diseases), and the low cost. This makes nasal cytology particularly feasible for application in children. The cytological feature characterizing infectious inflammation is the presence of abundant bacteria, which may be found in extracellular tissue and also inside neutrophils as a result of phagocytosis. In such clinical condition it is important to monitor the disease with cytological controls to verify the significant decrease, or the disappearance of inflammatory cells, which indicates the resolution of the pathology.     

Effect of sleeping position on nasal patency in newborns

Sleeping posture has been implicated in the pathophysiology of sudden infant death syndrome. The effect of supine and lateral sleeping positions on nasal patency was investigated using acoustic rhinometry in 11 healthy newborns. The implications of the findings in sudden infant death syndrome are discussed.     

Chondro‐osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the nasal cavity

Chondro‐osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma is a rare hamartomatous lesion of the nasal cavity, with only five cases reported in the literature to date. We report the case of a 3‐year‐old boy who presented with nasal obstruction and a mass in the left nasal cavity. The mass was completely resected on endoscopy. On microscopy, hamartomatous proliferation of respiratory‐type glands admixed with islands of immature hyaline cartilage, characteristic of chondro‐osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma, was seen. Neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis was observed after 6 month follow up. Recognition of chondro‐osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma as a benign lesion is important to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.     

加温湿化高流量鼻导管吸氧治疗儿童毛细支气管炎的临床研究

目的 研究对比加温湿化高流量鼻导管吸氧(humidified high flow nasal cannula,HHFNC)与经鼻连续气道正压通气(nasal continuous positive airway pressure,NCPAP)及鼻导管吸氧治疗儿童毛细支气管炎的差异,探讨HHFNC在治疗儿童毛细支管炎中的价值.方法 选择2015年10月至2016年2月我院儿童内科收治的需要氧疗但未达到机械通气指征的毛细支气管炎患儿.按随机数字表法分为HHFNC组、NCPAP组及鼻导管吸氧组(对照组).各组根据血气结果调节FiO2,以维持PaO2在60~70mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)、经皮血氧饱和度(TcSO2)在90%~95%.所有病例在进行氧疗同时均给予抗感染、通畅气道及对症支持治疗.记录比较各组患儿主要症状/体征消失时间(喘息、气促、三凹征、哮鸣音)、供氧时间、住院时间及治疗前后的PaO2、PaCO2、呼吸频率的变化.结果 与对照组比较,HHFNC组的临床症状/体征消失时间、供氧时间及住院天数比较均明显缩短,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05),与NCPAP组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05);与对照组比较,HHFNC 组治疗后PaO2升高、PaCO2降低、呼吸频率减慢,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05),与NCPAP 组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 HHFNC可明显改善患儿的临床症状/体征及血气结果,减少供氧时间及住院天数;HHFNC作为呼吸支持应用于毛细支气管炎,与NCPAP治疗效果相当,疗效确切,但副损伤相对较少,更有利于患儿的耐受性,值得临床进一步推广.     

Free secretory component as a standardization protein for nasopharyngeal specimens from children with upper respiratory tract infection

Free secretory component (FSC) has been recommended as a reliable protein for correction of the unknown dilution in tracheal aspirate samples from preterm infants. To investigate whether FSC would also provide a valid standardization protein for samples of nasopharyngeal secretions, this study determined the intersubject variation and the alteration over time in the concentrations of FSC in nasal secretions from 35 children (median age 14 months) who participated in an antibiotic efficacy trial. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained at enrolment and after 2-3 d. FSC in the specimens was quantified by a direct enzyme immunoassay. The concentrations of FSC in the nasal secretions ranged from 0.08 to 189.6 μg ml^-1 (median 12.3 μg ml^-1); the ratio of the highest to the lowest concentrations was 2370, the difference between the 90th and 10th percentile concentrations was 189-fold and the difference between the 75th and 25th percentile values was 26. FSC concentrations were significantly lower in children aged ≤12 months (median 2.2 μg ml^-1) than in the older children (median 21.5 μg ml^-1; p = 0.035). Between the first and the follow-up specimens, 65% of the children had ≥2-fold difference in the levels of FSC in the secretions. Because an optimal standardization protein should show minimal variation between individuals and over time, FSC may not be a suitable protein for correction of the unknown dilution of nasopharyngeal specimens from children with upper respiratory tract infection.     

新生儿高流量鼻导管通气的安全性研究进展

近年来,加热湿化高流量鼻导管通气(HFNC)作为一种无创辅助通气模式越来越多地应用于新生儿重症监护病房,但到目前为止,支持其临床使用安全的相关证据并未充分建立。文章综述影响HFNC安全使用的因素以及相关并发症,为临床应用提供参考。     

Predictors of chronic lung disease in the 'CPAP era'

OBJECTIVE: To assess predictors of chronic lung disease (CLD), in infants requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support in the first 4 weeks of life. METHODS: A retrospective case note audit of infants of birthweight 1250 g or less was undertaken. RESULTS: Of 290 infants identified, 50% were initially treated with ventilation, 41% with CPAP, 4% required no support, and 5% had care withdrawn. Of infants initially treated with CPAP, 23% subsequently required ventilation. Overall mortality was 19%, with a further 21% of infants developing CLD. For infants requiring CPAP support, requirement for supplementary oxygen at between 10 and 21 days predicted increased risk of CLD, and receiver operating characteristic curves suggest requirement for supplementary oxygen at 14 days to be the most reliable cut-off (area under curve = 0.72). Positive predictive values for future CLD or death for FiO2 .25, .30 and .40 while on CPAP at 14 days were 0.56, 0.61 and 0.76, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CLD remains prevalent in very low birthweight infants in the CPAP era. Oxygen requirement at 14 days is the strongest predictor of CLD. Infants requiring 30% oxygen or more while on CPAP at 14 days have a 60% risk of subsequent CLD or death.     

��ͯ�Dz�����֢״����������Ե������

??Abstract??Objective To discuss the correlation between bronchial asthma and nasal allergy symptoms in children from 0 to 14 years in Hefei ??China. Methods Use uniform asthma epidemiological investigation form and randomly stratified cluster sampling to survey the children aged 0 - 14 years living in Hefei city between October 1 and December 31 in 2010?? who were divided into the asthma group and non-asthma group according to the the unified program developed by the National Pediatric Asthma Collaborative Group. These data related to nasal allergy symptoms were analyzed by the Chi-square test. Results This investigation showed that there was significant difference in various nasal allergy symptoms between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children??P??0.001??. The nasal allergy symptoms were significantly related to asthma. About 73.75% of the children in asthma group without a cold case firstly appeared nasal allergy symptoms?? who were mostly less than 5 years old. About 82.96% of the asthmatic children exposed to the cold air easily induced nasal symptoms. In any season?? the asthmatic children exposed to pollen were vulnerable to nasal symptoms. Conclusions The prevalence of asthma increases significantly in the past 10 years.It is important to prevent asthma by controlling the nasal allergy symptoms among children     

Vascular air embolism: A rare complication of nasal CPAP

Abstract: A preterm infant developed bilateral tension pneumothoraces and extensive vascular air embolism 6 h after being commenced on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Neonatal clinicians should be aware that catastrophic vascular air embolism could occur in infants receiving nasal CPAP, a modality of respiratory support conventionally considered non-invasive and 'safe'.     

Follow-up of children with rhinitis and cough associated with milk allergy

Young children sensitized with foods may develop early respiratory symptoms including nasal symptoms and cough, but not clinical manifestations in the skin or gastrointestinal tract. The long-term outcome of these patients is largely unknown. We studied 36 children sensitized with cow's milk and three different age-matched control groups. The patients were followed from 12 to 18 months of age for at least 5 yr with repeat skin testing and oral food challenge. After 2½ yr, 63.9% (n = 23) of those in the mild allergy group lost sensitivity to foods; after 5 yr, the number was 86.1% (n = 31). However, during the study period of 5 yr, 69.4% (n = 25) simultaneously developed a sensitivity to common indoor airborne allergens. A similar trend was found only in the egg allergy control group. A positive family history and a history of parental smoking significantly increased the relative risk (RR) of sustaining nasal allergy symptoms (RR = 3.33 and 1.79, respectively). We concluded that allergy march from food sensitivity to sensitivity to airborne allergens may occur in a subset of children before 4 yr of age. Genetics and environmental factors might independently contribute to the continuation of these respiratory symptoms.     

“Nasal Gliomas” and Related Brain Heterotopias: A Pathologist's Perspective

Brain heterotopias arc rare congenital malformations embryologically related to encephaloceles. They present as a mass in or about the nose (nasal glioma) or in the nasopharynx. We present the clinical and pathological features of 5 cases of heterotopic brain tissue. Four nasal gliomas consisted of mature neuroglial tissue, including neurons in 2 cases, embedded in a fibrovascular stroma. A nasopharyngeal brain heterotopia showed histologic features of mature neuroglial tissue including neurons and ependymal-lined cystic structures. The finding of mature neuroglial tissue in a mass from the head and neck region raises three differential diagnostic possibilities: teratoma, encephalocele, or heterotopic tissue. A teratoma can be ruled out by examination of the entire specimen. Encephaloceles and brain heterolopias can be distinguished only after correlation with the patient's clinical and radiologic findings.     

加温湿化高流量鼻导管通气在儿科应用中的研究进展

加温湿化高流量鼻导管给氧是相对较新型的无创呼吸支持模式,最初应用于早产儿呼吸暂停,近年来,其应用发展迅速,逐步应用于婴幼儿、较大儿童.相比其他无创给氧装置,加温湿化高流量鼻导管给氧舒适度高,耐受性好,护理方便,降低气管插管率,可以有效应用于临床.