Pregnant women with asthma carrying a female fetus are more likely to experience worse symptoms of asthma than are those carrying a male fetus, research suggests.

Researchers studied 702 pregnant asthmatic…

Indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from gas-fueled stoves, even at levels well below the Environmental Protection Agency outdoor standard, may cause respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children living in multi-family housing…

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk of asthma and wheezing, particularly in lean women, according to a report in the medical journal Thorax.

The findings…

Introduction
The most frequently used immunosuppressive drugs and their modes of action are briefly summarized below.

Corticosteroids
This group of drugs has potent and direct anti-inflammatory…

Cytokine Therapy
The experimental and clinical applications of cytokines, as biologic response modifiers and therapeutic agents, have been greatly expanded in recent years. Some cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor and interferon alfa,…

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…

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…

What is ELIDEL?
ELIDEL is a prescription medicine you put on your skin (topical) to treat atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. ELIDEL is for use on the skin only. ELIDEL is…