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Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical... 2020Allergic eye disease is common, yet often overlooked in North America. In the U.S., up to 40% of the population is deemed to be affected and this number is growing.... (Review)
Review
Allergic eye disease is common, yet often overlooked in North America. In the U.S., up to 40% of the population is deemed to be affected and this number is growing. Symptoms and signs of ocular allergy can lead to decreased productivity and negatively impact quality of life (QoL). Various treatment options exist to achieve symptom control. For allergic conjunctivitis, ophthalmic agents include antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, dual-activity agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids and some off-label treatments. Immunotherapy is recommended as a therapeutic option. This review provides a summary of the forms of ocular allergies, with a focus on symptoms and signs, impact on QoL, physical examination, diagnosis and therapeutic options of allergic conjunctivitis. Through multidisciplinary collaborations, a simplified algorithm for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is proposed for Canadian clinical practice.
PubMed: 31993069
DOI: 10.1186/s13223-020-0403-9 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023Ocular surface diseases (OSDs) are significant causes of ocular morbidity, and are often associated with chronic inflammation, redness, irritation, discomfort, and pain.... (Review)
Review
Ocular surface diseases (OSDs) are significant causes of ocular morbidity, and are often associated with chronic inflammation, redness, irritation, discomfort, and pain. In severe OSDs, loss of vision can result from ocular surface failure, characterised by limbal stem cell deficiencies, corneal vascularisation, corneal opacification, and surface keratinisation. External and internal exposomes are measures of environmental factors that individuals are exposed to, and have been increasingly studied for their impact on ocular surface diseases. External exposomes consist of external environmental factors such as dust, pollution, and stress; internal exposomes consist of the surface microbiome, gut microflora, and oxidative stress. Concerning internal exposomes, alterations in the commensal ocular surface microbiome of patients with OSDs are increasingly reported due to advancements in metagenomics using next-generation sequencing. Changes in the microbiome may be a consequence of the underlying disease processes or may have a role in the pathogenesis of OSDs. Understanding the changes in the ocular surface microbiome and the impact of various other exposomes may also help to establish the causative factors underlying ocular surface inflammation and scarring, the hallmarks of OSDs. This review provides a summary of the current evidence on exposomes in various OSDs.
Topics: Humans; Exposome; Eye Diseases; Inflammation; Corneal Neovascularization
PubMed: 37511032
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411273 -
Eye & Contact Lens Mar 2020Allergic conjunctival diseases (ACDs) are a group of ocular allergies that include allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and... (Review)
Review
Allergic conjunctival diseases (ACDs) are a group of ocular allergies that include allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Although a large body of information exists on the pathophysiology of ACDs, this has not yet lead to the development of clear recommendations and guidelines for the diagnosis of ACDs or development of conclusive and objective diagnostic tools. Identification of objectively measurable biomarkers that represent the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with ACDs will be an important step toward achieving these aims. This is a comprehensive review of biological markers that have the potential to become "biomarker(s)" for ACDs and aid in the classification, diagnosis, and development of new therapeutic strategies for these group of allergic conditions.
Topics: Biomarkers; Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Eye Proteins; Humans
PubMed: 32097185
DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000688 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Dec 2017We found for the first time that IL-4 and IL-13, signature type 2 cytokines, are able to induce periostin expression. We and others have subsequently shown that... (Review)
Review
We found for the first time that IL-4 and IL-13, signature type 2 cytokines, are able to induce periostin expression. We and others have subsequently shown that periostin is highly expressed in chronic inflammatory diseases-asthma, atopic dermatitis, eosinophilc chronic sinusitis/chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp, and allergic conjunctivitis-and that periostin plays important roles in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The epithelial/mesenchymal interaction via periostin is important for the onset of allergic inflammation, in which periostin derived from fibroblasts acts on epithelial cells or fibroblasts, activating their NF-κB. Moreover, the immune cell/non-immune cell interaction via periostin may be also involved. Now the significance of periostin has been expanded into other inflammatory or fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma and pulmonary fibrosis. The cross-talk of periostin with TGF-β or pro-inflammatory cytokines is important for the underlying mechanism of these diseases. Because of its pathogenic importance and broad expression, diagnostics or therapeutic drugs can be potentially developed to target periostin as a means of treating these diseases.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Dermatitis, Atopic; Epithelial Cells; Fibroblasts; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Inflammation; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; NF-kappa B; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 28887633
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2648-0 -
Translational Medicine @ UniSa 2023Recent increases in allergic diseases are thought to be caused by better hygiene, Westernized diets, air pollution, climate change, and other factors that influence host...
Recent increases in allergic diseases are thought to be caused by better hygiene, Westernized diets, air pollution, climate change, and other factors that influence host microbiota, a key player in the induction and maintenance of immunoregulatory circuits and tolerance. The increase of allergic diseases in the elderly is also related to additional factors, such as various comorbidities that may interfere with the development and the type of allergic reactions. Immunosenescence plays a central role in these reactions, altering microbiota responses and triggering inflammageing. In addition, in the elderly, there is a shift from Th1 to Th2 immunity, thus favoring allergic responses. A better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for immunosenescence and its effects on allergic inflammation will most certainly lead to improved therapies.
PubMed: 38343419
DOI: 10.37825/2239-9747.1046 -
Journal of Ayub Medical College,... 2022Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular disease which not only affects vision but can also compromise the quality of life of patients to a greater extent. If it is...
BACKGROUND
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular disease which not only affects vision but can also compromise the quality of life of patients to a greater extent. If it is not properly managed it can lead to decreased vision due to corneal complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of allergic conjunctivitis.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Ophthalmology department of Federal General Hospital, from June 2018 to June 2020. We enrolled 236 patients of allergic conjunctivitis. Data collection form consisted of a structured questionnaire, records of ocular findings using slit lamp biomicroscope and skin prick test results. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0.
RESULTS
The mean age (±SD) of study population was 22.71±13.11 years, 60.2% were females. Most common type of conjunctivitis was vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) 46.2%, followed by perennial (27.1%), seasonal (17.4%) and atopic (9.3%). There was significant association of type of conjunctivitis with the age, pvalue< 0.001. VKC was prevalent in patients of age <20 years. There was a significant association of gender with type of conjunctivitis, p-value =0.000. Perennial variety was more prevalent in females while VKC was common in males. Collateral atopy was present in 52.1% patients. Corneal involvement was seen in 17.8% patients. There was a significant association between corneal involvement and interference with daily visual activities, p-value 0.034. SPT was positive in 79.7% patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Ocular allergies/ conjunctivitis was more prevalent in female population. VKC is the most common type of allergic conjunctivitis, prevalent in males of age <20 yrs. Allergic rhinitis was the most common co-morbidity followed by dermatitis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Cornea; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Quality of Life; Young Adult
PubMed: 35466641
DOI: 10.55519/JAMC-01-9432 -
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2022Allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are so frequently associated that the need to coin a new name to describe the simultaneous manifestations generated the... (Review)
Review
Allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are so frequently associated that the need to coin a new name to describe the simultaneous manifestations generated the term allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The significant impact of rhinoconjunctivitis on the quality of life and the wellbeing of the patients is the reason why the medical community shows a great interest to this disease. Another aspect is the financial burden that is not negligible. The anatomical connection between the organs involved facilitates the propagation of the disease. The allergic pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis also share common features. The diagnosis of rhinoconjunctivitis is based on the concordance between the symptoms, the clinical examination, and the diagnostic tests that should reveal the existence of an allergen specific IgE in vivo or in vitro. Whilst the nasal smear for eosinophils is considered a reliable diagnostic test for allergic rhinitis, the occurrence of eosinophils in the conjunctive is not a trustworthy indicator of allergy. The therapy of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is based on patient education, pharmacotherapy, and allergen-specific immunotherapy. The local treatment for the allergic rhinitis is primarily based on topical corticosteroids that also manage the ocular symptoms. The first line of treatment of the ocular manifestations is represented by topical antihistamines and mast-cell stabilizers or double action drugs.
Topics: Allergens; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Humans; Quality of Life; Rhinitis, Allergic
PubMed: 35531453
DOI: 10.22336/rjo.2022.3 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease and is often associated with multiple comorbidities. The causal relationship between asthma and these comorbidities is still...
BACKGROUND
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease and is often associated with multiple comorbidities. The causal relationship between asthma and these comorbidities is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between genetically predicted asthma and common comorbidities.
METHODS
After searching PubMed and GWAS summary statistics, we identified 26 comorbidities of asthma. The causal relationship between asthma and comorbidities was assessed in two independent GWASs by bidirectional Mendelian randomization, followed by validation of the results using a multivariate Mendelian randomization analysis and several sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
In the bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis, chronic sinusitis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54, = 1.40 × 10], atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.36, = 9.37 × 10), allergic conjunctivitis (OR = 2.07, = 4.32 × 10), and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.53, = 5.20 × 10) were significantly associated with increased asthma risk. Hyperthyroidism (OR = 1.12, = 0.04) had a potential increased risk for asthma. For the reverse direction, asthma showed significant associations with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.24, = 2.25 × 10), chronic sinusitis (OR = 1.61, = 5.25 × 10), atopic dermatitis (OR = 2.11, = 1.24 × 10), allergic conjunctivitis (OR = 1.65, = 6.66 × 10), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.90, = 2.38 × 10), and a potential higher risk of allergic urticaria (OR = 1.25, = 0.003).
CONCLUSION
This study suggested a significant bidirectional association of chronic sinusitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis with asthma. In addition, hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased risk of asthma and asthma increased the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allergic urticaria.
PubMed: 38034531
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1251827 -
Biomedicines Jul 2023Several epidemiological studies have described childhood obesity as a risk factor for atopic disease, particularly asthma. At the same time, this association seems to be... (Review)
Review
Several epidemiological studies have described childhood obesity as a risk factor for atopic disease, particularly asthma. At the same time, this association seems to be more conflicting for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria. This article aims to deepen the possibility of a relationship between childhood obesity and allergic diseases. As regards asthma, the mechanical and inflammatory effects of obesity can lead to its development. In addition, excess adiposity is associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, leading to low-grade systemic inflammation and an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and chronic urticaria also seem to be related to this state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation typical of obese children. Vitamin D deficiency appears to play a role in allergic rhinitis, while dyslipidemia and skin barrier defects could explain the link between obesity and atopic dermatitis. Starting from this evidence, it becomes of fundamental importance to act on body weight control to achieve general and allergic health, disentangling the detrimental link between obesity allergic diseases and childhood obesity. Further studies on the association between adiposity and atopy are needed, confirming the biologically active role of fat tissue in the development of allergic diseases and exploring the possibility of new therapeutic strategies.
PubMed: 37509700
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072061