New developments in work-related asthma

Introduction: Work-related asthma includes two subtypes: occupational asthma or asthma caused by specific agents (sensitizers or irritants) in the workplace, and work-exacerbated asthma or pre-existing asthma worsened by workplace exposures.

Areas covered: This review provides an update on the definitions and the clinical features of the different work-related asthma subtypes as well as new insights into their etiology and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved. The diagnosis of work-related asthma should be made on objective basis using a constellation of clinical, physiologic and allergologic tests. Specific inhalation challenge with the suspected occupational agent(s) remains as the reference standard for diagnosis. A literature search was performed using the following terms: work-related asthma, occupational asthma, work-exacerbated asthma, irritant-induced asthma and etiological agents.

Expert commentary: Studies focusing on the biological effects and mechanisms of environmental exposures in the development of sensitizer-induced or irritant-induced asthma in various workplace settings are of greatest interest. An integrative approach that combines clinical parameters with component-resolved diagnosis as well as inflammatory biomarkers appears to be very promising. Occupational allergy provides a good opportunity to understand the complex relationships between exposure to allergens in the workplace, interaction with genes and the co-exposures to other factors in the working environment.     

Permanent dysphasia after status epilepticus: long-term follow-up in an elderly patient

We report the long-term follow-up of an elderly patient who developed a permanent sensorimotor dysphasia after status epilepticus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and magnetic resonance angiography failed to demonstrate structural cerebral damage; however, a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan revealed marked hypometabolism involving a large area in the left hemisphere and contralateral cerebellar cortex. Our case illustrates that permanent language dysfunction may occur after recurrent complex partial and secondarily generalized seizures.     

Adverse cutaneous reactions due to macrolides.

Macrolides, which are widely prescribed and seldom produce hypersensitivity reactions, are considered to be safe drugs. We present five patients with generalized skin reactions due to erythromycin and/or spiramycin, proved by oral challenge tests. One patient showed reactions to both erythromycin and spiramycin. All skin prick and patch tests and histamine release tests with both macrolides were negative.     

Fixed eruption caused by ciprofloxacin with cross-sensitivity to norfloxacin

A case of fixed eruption caused by ciprofloxacin is reported. To our knowledge, no other cases have been published. Cross-sensitivity with another fluoroquinolonc has been demonstrated.