Allergy/Immunology

Indiscriminate testing can lead to misinterpretation of results, unnecessary escalation of therapy, and increased cost without clinical benefit.

The author explores how IgE was discovered, the challenges researchers faced when isolating the antibody, and the connection among IgE, mast cells, and histamine.

A systematic evaluation is essential to differentiate among these conditions and guide appropriate care across clinical settings.

Patients with celiac disease or other gluten-sensitivity disorders have a documented increase in objective findings of systemic autoimmune disease and autoantibodies.

As these medications enter the mainstream, understanding the complement system and the benefits and risks of therapeutic blockade has become crucial for optimal patient care.

Now that our understanding of complement has evolved to therapeutic targeting of components of the cascade in a wide range of diseases, it is time to give the complement system another look.

It is widely accepted that corticosteroids can partially prevent infusion reactions to intravenous diagnostic and therapeutic agents, but evidence to support this concept is scant.

The data and recommendations about corticosteroid pretreatment vary by medication class and the individual medication, necessitating a medication- and patient-specific approach.

Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging allergic condition in which immunoglobulin E–mediated symptoms are triggered a few hours after an affected person consumes mammalian meat.

Misinformation about “sulfa allergy” can result in unnecessary avoidance of useful medications and the prescription of less effective alternatives.