Search Results (3)

Air pollution (AP) is a critical environmental factor influencing public health, with well-documented associations with upper respiratory tract (URT) diseases. This study investigates the relationship between ENT emergency department (ENT-ED) visits at Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova (AOPD) and daily concentrations of environmental pollutants during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–March 2021), compared to pre-pandemic data from 2017. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with URT inflammatory diseases, excluding those with COVID-19 infection, who sought care at the AOPD ENT-ED. Environmental data, including meteorological variables, air pollutants, and major aeroallergen levels, were collected from regional monitoring stations. A total of 4594 patients were admitted in 2020/2021, marking a 37% reduction from 2017, with URT inflammatory admissions decreasing by 52%. A significant decline in PM10, NO₂ and Alternaria levels was observed, whereas Betullaceae and Corylaceae concentrations significantly increased. Multivariate analyses revealed strong associations between aeroallergen exposure and ENT admissions, particularly for Alternaria, which had a notable impact on total admissions (p < 0.001) and was significantly linked to cases of otitis media and tonsillitis. PM10 concentrations on specific days preceding ED visits were associated with increased incidences of pharyngitis and rhinosinusitis (p < 0.05). These findings reinforce the connection between environmental pollutants and ENT emergency visits, highlighting the adverse effects of AP and climate variables on URT diseases, even during a pandemic when enhanced airway protection measures were in place. This study underscores the necessity of stringent air quality regulations and interdisciplinary strategies to mitigate environmental health risks and inform future public health policies. Full article

Worldwide, cat allergies affect 15% of the population. Cat allergens are ubiquitous and challenging to eliminate from homes, making it difficult to implement effective allergen reduction strategies. Developing strategies to reduce cat allergens in homes could alleviate the burden of allergic diseases, enhance symptom management, lower healthcare expenses, and improve patients’ quality of life. Studies have produced varied results concerning the effectiveness of specific environmental control measures in lowering cat allergen levels and improving clinical outcomes for allergic diseases. This review evaluates the existing evidence on the effectiveness of environmental control measures in reducing cat allergens and their potential clinical impact. Full article

Since Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract reduced specific IgE and ameliorated a skewed Th1/Th2 balance in a mouse allergy model, it was tested in blood donors with self-reported, IgE-positive, birch pollen allergy and/or asthma. Sixty recruited donors were randomized in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study with pre-seasonal, 7-week, oral supplementation with the AbM-based extract Andosan^TM. Before and after the pollen season, questionnaires were answered for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, and medication; serum IgE was measured, and Bet v 1-induced basophil activation was determined by CD63 expression. The reported general allergy and asthma symptoms and medication were significantly reduced in the AbM compared to the placebo group during pollen season. During the season, there was significant reduction in specific IgE anti-Bet v 1 and anti-t3 (birch pollen extract) levels in the AbM compared with the placebo group. While the maximal allergen concentrations needed for eliciting basophil activation before the season, changed significantly in the placebo group to lower concentrations (i.e., enhanced sensitization) after the season, these concentrations remained similar in the Andosan^TM AbM extract group. Hence, the prophylactic effect of oral supplementation before the season with the AbM-based Andosan^TM extract on aeroallergen-induced allergy was associated with reduced specific IgE levels during the season and basophils becoming less sensitive to allergen activation. Full article