Complement Deficiencies
Key Points • SLE and neisserial infections are the common complement deficiency phenotypes seen in Allergy Immunology practices. • CH50 and AH50 assays represent logical initial studies to diagnose many…
T Cell Immunodeficiencies
Key Points • Defects of T cell development and/or function cause increased susceptibility to infections of bacterial, viral and fungal origin, and are often associated with autoimmune manifestations and malignancies….
Antibody Deficiency
Key Points • A clinician must maintain an index of suspicion for immunodeficiency when confronted with patients with infections considered unusual with respect to frequency, severity, response to treatment, or…
Approach to the Child with Recurrent Infections Including Molecular Diagnostics
Key Points • Chronic/recurrent respiratory tract infections are common problems for children with allergy but may also be the presenting symptoms of an underlying defect in host defense such as…
The Genetics of Allergic Disease and Asthma
Key Points • Asthma and atopy are examples of complex genetic diseases that, despite a strong genetic component, do not exhibit simple Mendelian inheritance. • The many genes involved have…
The Developing Immune System and Allergy
Key Points • The fetal immune system develops at least partial functional competence prior to birth, but whether this includes capacity to prime for subsequent postnatal production of the allergen-specific…
Natural History of Allergic Diseases and Asthma
Key Points • The atopic disorders – atopic dermatitis, food and inhalant allergies, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma – tend to cluster in individuals, families and locales • A developmental ‘allergic…
Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases
Key Points • Large geographical variations in the prevalence of allergic diseases exist worldwide among children and adults. • Lower prevalences have been reported from developing countries, eastern European areas,…
