Obesity and allergic diseases are among the most frequently discussed public health challenges in highly industrialized countries. At the same time, clinical observations and epidemiological data do not allow for a clear conclusion as to whether patients with allergic diseases more commonly present with underweight as a consequence of elimination diets, or with excess body weight associated with chronic inflammation, metabolic disturbances, and lifestyle factors. The aim of this review is to analyze the relationship between excess body weight and allergic diseases, with particular emphasis on clinical data regarding the influence of food allergy and elimination diets on nutritional status and body weight in children and adults. Particular attention is given to the dual nature of elimination diets, which, although remaining the cornerstone of food allergy management, may act both as an effective therapeutic tool and as a risk factor for impaired diet quality, reduced dietary diversity, and secondary nutritional disturbances, depending on how they are implemented. In light of the available evidence, body weight should be regarded as a clinically relevant and potentially modifiable component of comprehensive care for patients with allergic diseases.
IL-35 is a heterodimeric cytokine belonging to the IL-12 group. It consists of two chains alpha and beta and has mainly immunosuppressive effects. IL-35 is produced, among others, by regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. IL-35 is responsible for modulating the innate and adaptive immune response, having both a protective effect and contributing to the development of diseases. IL-35 seems to be a promising parameter in the diagnosis of many diseases, e.g. autoimmune diseases, cancer, but also bacterial and viral infections.
Rhinitis is a chronic pathology of the nasal mucosa that affects 1-63% of the general population. This disease can develop on both allergic and non-allergic grounds. It has been shown that the occurrence of rhinitis can significantly negatively affect the athletic performance of swimmers. Recent studies show that the symptoms of rhinitis intensify during periods of intense training and subside after training ceases. It has been shown that limiting the contact of the nasal mucosa with pool water by using nose clips led to a significant reduction in cellular infiltration and a decrease in clinical symptoms in these individuals. However, the incidence of allergic rhinitis among swimmers and nonswimmers is the same, and changes in the nasal mucosa indicate a non-allergic basis for this condition in people who regularly swim in indoor pools. The compounds most likely responsible for this relationship are the so-called disinfection by-products, i.e., chloramines. They can enter the human body through inhalation in gaseous or aerosol form, ingestion with pool water, or absorption through the skin, which may cause an exacerbation of rhinitis and skin symptoms.
Biological drugs are substances produced by living organisms with the use of genetic engineering. These include for instance monoclonal antibodies, growth factors and gene and cell therapies which are widely used in various fields of medicine-from preventive aspects such as mass vaccination to the treatment of malignant tumours. Monoclonal antibodies are a type of biologics engineered to bind specifically to an allergen, cell, or other antibody. This connection triggers activation of the immunological system through mechanisms such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Monoclonal antibodies are commonly used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, in allergology and immunology. Unfortunately, due to their immunogenic character, they can induce a specific immunological reaction. Approximately, one sixth of drug-related adverse events are related to hypersensitivity reactions, which are classified as immediate and delayed. The aim of this article is to summarize the current knowledge about the hypersensitive reaction to biological drugs used in pulmonology and allergology, providing known pathomechanisms, phenotypes, and diagnostic pathways, as well as therapeutic recommendations for desensitization proposed by scientists'organisations.
Introduction: Allergic diseases represent a significant and growing health problem. Accurate diagnosis requires the integration of a detailed clinical history with appropriately selected in vivo and in vitro diagnostic methods. In recent years, classical diagnostic approaches have been complemented by modern molecular allergy diagnostics. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare conventional and modern diagnostic methods for IgE-mediated allergy and to assess their clinical usefulness. Material and Methods: A review of the literature on allergy diagnostics was conducted, including skin tests, determination of allergen-specific IgE using allergen extracts, component-resolved diagnostics, and multiplex and point-of-care assays. Publications from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, as well as specialist literature, were analyzed. Results: Skin prick tests remain a valuable first-line diagnostic tool and show high concordance with measurements of allergen-specific IgE. In vitro methods based on allergen extracts are widely available but are limited by cross-reactivity and the risk of false-positive results, including those related to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD). Molecular diagnostics enable precise differentiation between primary sensitization and cross-reactivity, assessment of anaphylaxis risk, and appropriate qualification for allergen immunotherapy. Conclusions: Allergy diagnostics should follow a stepwise and integrated approach. Conventional and molecular methods are complementary and should be used together, always interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical presentation.
