A great star in allergy and immunology falls: Dr. Kimishige (Kimi) Ishizaka who, together with his wife Dr. Teruko (Terry) Ishizaka, discovered IgE in 1966 has passed away on 6th July 2018 (1925–2018). The discovery of IgE was a major breakthrough in the field of allergy and immunology. He was also a great mentor for many scientists. Sincere condolences from Asia Pacific Allergy.
In this issue, readers will find a very nice review article on allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) which was first recognized in 1952 as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) [1]. It covers the pathophysiology, the causative fungi of ABPA and non-Aspergillus ABPM, eosinophil mucus and extracellular DNA trap cell death of eosinophil, the clinical manifestations in Asia, the diagnostic criteria, and treatment.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has been proposed as a useful biomarker reflecting respiratory eosinophilic inflammation, especially in asthma [2]. Nitric oxide (NO) is a biologic mediator generated when L-arginine is oxidized by NO synthase. FeNO measurement in asthma have been used for the indications such as detecting eosinophilic inflammation, determining the likelihood of corticosteroid responsiveness, monitoring airway inflammation to determine the potential need for corticosteroid therapy, and unmasking otherwise unsuspected nonadherence to corticosteroid therapy [2]. All subjects must refrain from strenuous physical exercise and avoid eating, drinking or smoking for at least 1 hour before the assessment [2]. Respiratory tract infection, circadian rhythms, respiratory maneuvers during spirometry or bronchial challenge tests may affect NO levels [2]. In this issue, readers will find an interesting report that oral care could affect NO levels [3].
Nasal polyposis that may result in deterioration of quality of life and disturbance of sleep is a common chronic condition in everyday practice for allergists or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors. Ehi and Ozlece [4] reports that nasal obstruction in advanced nasal polyposis may result in substantial cognitive impairment such as concentration and attention using an electrophysiological assessment. Readers will also find an article on aeroallergen sensitization and comorbid diseases of adult Filipinos with allergic rhinitis [5].
This issue contains interesting original articles and case reports on food allergy. Oral immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising treatment for severe and long lasting food allergy including cow's milk and peanut. In this issue, Mota et al. [6] reports 8-year long-term follow-up study of cow's milk oral immunotherapy. Cashew nut is commonly consumed in Asia and is a frequent cause of food allergy. Chitta et al. [7] presents an article on cashew nut allergy in Singaporean children. Readers will find a rare case of multiple food allergy in infancy, where sensitization to cross-reactive components, detected by skin prick test, serum allergen specific IgE, and Immune Solid-phase Allergen Chip, was responsible for most of the children's complaints [8]. Kwak et al. [9] presents a very interesting case which showed enhanced IgE responses after a tick bite from a novel Australian tick, Ixodes australiensis in a known red meat allergy patient.
Asthma patients may show both immediate and nonimmediate type hypersensitivity reactions after the bronchial provocation test with an allergen. Why not in drug allergy patients? Readers will find an unusual case that developed both immediate and nonimmediate type hypersensitivity reactions after oral provocation test with moxifloxacin [10]. She developed anaphylaxis in minutes after oral provocation test and showed macular eruptions on the following day.
The 11th Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology Congress, as the Joint Congress with Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology and Immunology, will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on October 11–14, 2018 (http://www.apaaaci2018.com). Looking forward to seeing you in Bangkok!
References
1. Asano K, Kamei K, Hebisawa A. Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis – pathophysiology, histology, diagnosis, and treatment. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e24.
2. Song WJ, Kwon JW, Kim EJ, Lee SM, Kim SH, Lee SY, Kim SH, Park HW, Chang YS, Kim WK, Shim JY, Seo JH, Kim BJ, Kim HB, Song DJ, Jang GC, Jang AS, Park JW, Yoon HJ, Lee JS, Cho SH, Hong SJ. Clinical application of exhaled nitric oxide measurements in a korean population. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2015; 7:3–13.
3. Kamimura M, Ibe T, Fukusumi M, Mouri A, Hamamoto Y. Influence of oral care on fractional exhaled nitric oxide. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e23.
4. Ehi Y, Ozlece HK. Electrophysiological assessment of the concentration and attention in patient with nasal polyposis. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e27.
5. Navarro-Locsin CG, Lim-Jurado M. Aeroallergen sensitization and associated comorbid diseases of an adult Filipino population with allergic rhinitis. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e25.
6. Mota I, Piedade S, Gaspar Â, Benito-Garcia F, Sampaio G, Borrego LM, Morais-Almeida M. Cow's milk oral immunotherapy in real life: 8-year long-term follow-up study. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e28.
7. Chitta S, Lian BX, Rao R, Loh W, Goh A, Chong KW. Cashew nut allergy in Singaporean children. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e29.
8. Ornelas CI, Cabral Duarte MD, Pereira dos Santos MC, Pereira Barbosa MA. Multiple food allergy – unexpected culprits. Asia Pac Allergy. 2018; 8:e30.