PURPOSE: Genetic modification technique is widely used in plants for improving crop yields and qualities, and reducing pesticide use. Zoysia japonica is one of the widely planted grasses for lawning. Pollenless herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) grasses (JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2) were developed under surveillance for possible biohazard. Grasses may cause allergic contact dermatitis with direct contact on human skin. Patch testing with allergens was adopted to compare the incidences of allergic contact dermatitis to GM grass leaves with those of wild-type grass. METHODS: Patch testing with controls and leaves of wild-type and GM grasses was performed in individuals with informed consent. RESULTS: Ninety-seven individuals (mean age, 32+/-8 years; 48% males) were enrolled. For nickel sulfate as a positive control, 38 subjects (39.2%) were positive. For GM grasses, 10 (10.3%) showed positive patch test results and 11 (11.3%), for wild-type grass, the proportions of which were similar among the tested grasses. CONCLUSION: JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2 are not more biohazardous than wild-type grass in the risk of allergic contact dermatitis.
Allergens ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Nickel ; Patch Tests* ; Plants ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Poaceae* ; Skin

PURPOSE: Recent studies have used the term "gastroallergic anisakiasis" to describe incidental gastrointestinal infection with Anisakis spp. larvae, proposed as a causative agent of food hypersensitivity. However, it is unknown whether this condition represents an independent disease entity distinguishable from acute gastric anisakiasis. To better understand the role of the allergic response in Anisakis infections we examined the clinical and immunological implications of Anisakis-specific IgE. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in a geographic region where the consumption of raw seafood is common. Case subjects who had been clinically diagnosed with gastroallergic anisakiasis were selected, along with controls who frequently ate raw seafood but had never experienced gastroallergic anisakiasis-like symptoms. Clinical and immunological features were compared based on atopic status, sensitization rates to Anisakis, and serum titer of Anisakis-specific IgE. RESULTS: Seventeen case subjects and 135 controls were included in this study. The case subjects had experienced gastrointestinal symptoms after raw seafood ingestion, along with additional mucocutaneous, respiratory, or multisystemic symptoms. Case subjects were significantly sensitized to Anisakis excretory-secretory product and crude extract compared with controls (76.5% vs. 19.3%, P<0.001, and 88.2% vs. 30.3%, P<0.001, respectively). Anisakis-specific serum IgE titers were also significantly higher in case subjects than in controls. Both the results of skin prick tests and elevated Anisakis-specific IgE titers (>17.5 kU/L) were found to be reliable indicators for the diagnosis of gastroallergic anisakiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients presenting acute gastric anisakiasis-like symptoms, a diagnosis of gastroallergic anisakiasis may be strongly supported by a high Anisakis-specific IgE titer.
Anisakiasis* ; Anisakis ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunologic Tests* ; Larva ; Nematode Infections ; Prospective Studies ; Seafood ; Skin ; Skin Tests

Anaphylaxis is a fatal and systemic allergic reaction, which can be prevented by avoiding exposure to a causative agent. However, the causative agent cannot be identified in all cases and may be hardly avoided. A 41-year-old man, diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis, experienced 6 anaphylactic events over 7 months, requiring 4 emergency department (ER) visits and 3 epinephrine self-injections. Anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy was introduced to prevent further anaphylactic events. He experienced no anaphylactic events during 13 months of 4 monthly injections from the beginning until his most recent ER visit because of a similar anaphylactic event. We report a patient who experienced recurrent anaphylactic events that were prevented effectively by anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab. Anti-IgE therapy might be considered as an option to prevent anaphylactic events in patients for whom the causative agent(s) cannot be identified or avoided.
Adult ; Anaphylaxis ; Distance Counseling ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epinephrine ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Immunoglobulin E ; Omalizumab

Second-generation antihistamines are widely prescribed for the control of symptoms of allergic inflammation such as itchy hives, coryza, and itchy eyes. In rare circumstances, these drugs might provoke allergic inflammation. Hypersensitivity to bepotastine besilate, a second-generation antihistamine has never been reported. A 17-year-old schoolgirl, whose paroxysmal itchy hives had been controlled with bepotastine, experienced aggravation of the hives. An oral provocation test confirmed her hypersensitivity to bepotastine and cross-reactivity to levocetirizine. She showed no reaction to chlorpheniramine, ketotifen, or olopatadine among the 13 antihistamines tested. While searching for an antihistamine to control her itchy hives, we found that she also exhibited cross-reactivity to various antihistamines with different chemical structures from that of bepotastine, which is not predicted according to the chemical classification of antihistamines. We report a case of hypersensitivity to bepotastine besilate in a patient with chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Adolescent ; Chlorpheniramine ; Classification ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Ketotifen ; Olopatadine Hydrochloride ; Urticaria

Metoclopramide is prokinetic drug that inhibits dopamine receptors, and it is commonly used in emergency rooms because of its anti-emetic effect. A 71-year-old man visited the hospital with upper abdominal pain and nausea, but agitation and cold sweating were observed after 5 minutes of metoclopramide injection. The vital signs were blood pressure: 120/70 mmHg, heart rate: 170/minute, respiration: 23 breaths/minute, and temperature: 37.5。C, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ventricular tachycardia. One hour after the injection of amiodarone, normal sinus rhythm was shown on the ECG and the vital signs were stable. Metoclopramide is known to be relatively safe, but rarely causes serious cardiovascular side effects. Therefore, emergency physicians should be aware that metoclopramide can cause serious side effects.

Purpose: Red meat allergy has recently been described as rare food hypersensitivity with unique pathogenesis and clinical relevance of delayed anaphylaxis. The culprits are various mammal meats containing oligosaccharide epitope (galactose-α-1,3-galactose, α-gal). Interestingly, hard tick bites precede the onset of this allergic condition. The clinical characteristics of red meat allergy had never been reported in Korea. Methods: Among patients diagnosed with food hypersensitivity in a hospital located in Jeju, Korea, those with red meat allergy were recruited. Clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and additionally interviewed. Results: Five patients (mean age, 57±4 years; 4 males and 1 female) were diagnosed as having red meat allergy. They suffered from hives, as the most common symptom, followed by shortness of breath from 10 minutes to 6 hours after exposure to the culprits. Four patients visited the emergency department for anaphylaxis. Culprits included beef, pork, dog, ham, goat, and roe deer. Chicken, duck, bacon, or horse did not cause clinical symptoms. In 4 patients, hard tick bites preceded the onset. Detection of specific IgE to α-gal and culprits such as beef and pork facilitated the confirmative diagnosis. They were advised to avoid mammal meats and to receive a prescription for self-injectable epinephrine. Conclusion Red meat allergy is one of the food hypersensitivities, characterized by severe and delayed allergic reactions to various meats. Red meat allergy may be a tick-borne illness in Jeju, Korea.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major culprit of drug-induced hypersensitivity. No reliable diagnostic tests other than a direct challenge are available. Cross-reactivity among NSAIDs that inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 is common. However, in rare cases, the mechanism underlying hypersensitivity is immunologically understood, without involving cross-reactivity of NSAIDs or even with a positive skin test for an NSAID. A 55-year-old woman was referred to the Emergency Department for anaphylaxis. She suffered from generalized hives, chest tightness, and hypotension a few minutes after intramuscular diclofenac injection. One year before, she had experienced a similar reaction after intramuscular injection of aceclofenac. Thereafter, she had been taking naproxen as needed to relieve her osteoarthritis pain, without having an adverse reaction. To confirm drug hypersensitivity and to find alternative drugs, provocation tests were performed with acetaminophen, celecoxib, and lysine-aspirin. All tests were negative, and a skin prick test with diclofenac was also negative. However, intradermal injection of 0.05 mL (37.5 mg/mL) diclofenac provoked an anaphylactic shock and resulted in her admission. Here, we report a rare case of single NSAID-induced anaphylaxis, which was only triggered by acetic acid derivatives of NSAIDs, presumably by an immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction.

Background/Aims: Beta-lactam (BL) antibiotics are widely prescribed for controlling bacterial infections and relevant culprits of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). BL allergy may vary according to prescription patterns within a given period of time. However, BL allergy in contemporary clinical practice has rarely been a focus of research. Methods: To investigate the clinical characteristics of BL allergy, subjects with ADRs to medicines, including BL antibiotics, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among the 175 enrolled subjects, BL antibiotics as culprits were confirmed in 79 (45.1%, female 53.2%, age 49 ± 14 years). Among the patients with confirmed BL allergy, only two (2.5%) were diagnosed via a prescription survey completed as part of multi-drug administration. The others were confirmed by serologic tests in 33 patients (41.8%), skin tests in 29 (36.7%), and drug provocation tests in 15 (19.0%). Regarding the symptoms and signs, onset within an hour of taking medicines was common (61 patients, 77.3%). Itchy skin was most common, followed by hives, rash, breathing difficulty, angioedema, and hypotension. Anaphylaxis occurred in 67%, and one-half (50.6%) of patients visited the emergency room. Cefaclor and amoxicillin were common BL culprits. Among others who did not have BL allergy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were found to be common culprits, followed by quinolones. Conclusions BL allergy is common among patients who experienced ADRs to medicines including BL antibiotics. For multi-drug administration, a prescription survey hardly helped in confirming BL allergy. Anaphylaxis is common in patients with BL allergy, frequently leading to emergency room visits. Cefaclor and amoxicillin are common culprits.

Background/Aims: Beta-lactam (BL) antibiotics are widely prescribed for controlling bacterial infections and relevant culprits of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). BL allergy may vary according to prescription patterns within a given period of time. However, BL allergy in contemporary clinical practice has rarely been a focus of research. Methods: To investigate the clinical characteristics of BL allergy, subjects with ADRs to medicines, including BL antibiotics, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among the 175 enrolled subjects, BL antibiotics as culprits were confirmed in 79 (45.1%, female 53.2%, age 49 ± 14 years). Among the patients with confirmed BL allergy, only two (2.5%) were diagnosed via a prescription survey completed as part of multi-drug administration. The others were confirmed by serologic tests in 33 patients (41.8%), skin tests in 29 (36.7%), and drug provocation tests in 15 (19.0%). Regarding the symptoms and signs, onset within an hour of taking medicines was common (61 patients, 77.3%). Itchy skin was most common, followed by hives, rash, breathing difficulty, angioedema, and hypotension. Anaphylaxis occurred in 67%, and one-half (50.6%) of patients visited the emergency room. Cefaclor and amoxicillin were common BL culprits. Among others who did not have BL allergy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were found to be common culprits, followed by quinolones. Conclusions BL allergy is common among patients who experienced ADRs to medicines including BL antibiotics. For multi-drug administration, a prescription survey hardly helped in confirming BL allergy. Anaphylaxis is common in patients with BL allergy, frequently leading to emergency room visits. Cefaclor and amoxicillin are common culprits.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is one of the typical characteristics of asthma. However, its natural course is unknown. The presence of AHR is often not assessed in asthmatics undergoing medical treatment. We investigated the changes of AHR as compared with clinical parameters in patients with mild asthma. METHODS: We enrolled patients who were diagnosed with asthma, but were asymptomatic for > 3 months while undergoing medical treatment. AHR was measured using a methacholine bronchial provocation test after a 2-week washout period. AHR-negativity was defined as a PC20 > 25 mg/mL. Clinical parameters were retrospectively compared between the AHR-negative and -positive patients. RESULTS: Among 54 patients, 22 (40.7%) were AHR negative. Factors associated with the maintenance of AHR were male sex, presence of dyspnea, and high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta agonists at initial presentation (respectively, p < 0.05). Age, symptoms other than dyspnea, blood tests, results of spirometry, diagnostic methods at presentation, and time from diagnosis to follow-up testing were not significantly different between AHR-negative and AHR-positive patients. Multivariate analyses failed to show a significant difference between the two groups, except for male sex (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 40% of patients with mild asthma show no AHR or clinical remission of the disease. Male sex may be a predictive factor for persistent AHR. However, altered AHR status is not predictable in patients with mild asthma undergoing medical treatment. Therefore, the cessation of regular controller might be advocated, and reassessment of AHR should be mandatory.
Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Dyspnea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Methacholine Chloride ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spirometry