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Background: Allergy diagnosis in patients exposed to multiple pollen species is complex and misdiagnosis is often a cause for unsuccessful specific immunotherapy. Objective: We studied the sensitization profile of individual allergens (major, minor and pan-allergens) in pollen-sensitized patients in a region with high exposure to olive pollen by investigating the influence of minor allergens on allergic disease and the association between pan- and minor allergen sensitizations. Methods: A panel of 13 purified allergens, which included the most relevant allergens in the area, as well as minor olive allergens and pan-allergens, were screened using a high-capacity technology (ADVIA-Centaur®) in 891 patients. Results: Olive allergy as measured by specific IgE to Ole e 1 was the leading pollinosis in the area. The minor olive allergens Ole e 7 and Ole e 9 were markers of more severe allergic illness. Profilin sensitization was associated mainly with grass allergy, the second most prevalent pollinosis. Salsola kali pollen allergy was the third most common cause of pollinosis in the area. The prevalence of sensitization to the peach allergen Pru p 3, a nonspecific lipid-transfer protein, was notable. Conclusion: Epidemiological analysis by component-resolved diagnosis is a new method, which elucidates the interaction between allergen exposure gradient and patient sensitization. High exposure leads to differential sensitization profiles some of which are associated with more severe allergic conditions. Profilin sensitization, related mainly to grass pollinosis, was a marker of more severe grass pollen sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe eight patients suffering from Mercurochrome allergy. Patch and prick tests were carried out with the following organic and inorganic mercury compounds: thinerosakl, Mercurochrome, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, metallic mercury, and mercuric chloride, and with sodium fluorescein. Two patients had an anaphylactic reaction ai few minutes after application of Mercurochrome. The prick tests with Mercurochrome were positive and they were negative with the other tested products. All patch tests were negative. In the other six patients, the clinical picture was local eczema, and the patch tests were all positive with Mercurchrome and the inorganic mercuric derivatives. Positive patch tests with thimerosal were found only in two patients, and only one had a positive patch test with salts of phenylmercury, in four patients, the prick test with Mercurochrome, negative in immediate reading, gave a late eczematous reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents three cases of adverse skin reactions to systemic administration of the pyrazolone derivative metamizol, a commonly prescribed analgesic. Classification of severe and unpredictable reactions to metamizol; Results of allergic tests; Possible mechanism for the adverse reactions.

Presents a case of maculopapular exanthema from diacetyl-midecamycin involving a female patient. Treatment received by the patient in November 1996, for an upper airways infection; Adverse drug effects experienced by the patient; Information on maculopapular exanthema from diacetyl-midecamycin.

The article presents information on the delayed allergic reactions to amoxycillin and clindamycin. A 24-year-old woman, with a previous history of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, developed generalized erethema and pruritus, facial oedema and dyspnea, while receiving amoxycillin by the 7th day of therapy. Symptoms persisted for 15 days in spite of stopping the drug. The patient also developed allergic contact dermatitis due to clindamycin, an antibiotic that seldom induces sensitization in spite of its wide use in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Reports a case of urticaria/angioedema reactions to methyprednisolone sodium hemisuccinate taken for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Reactions caused by corticosteroid allergy; Skin prick tests conducted on the patient to diagnose the cause of the reactions; Findings of the tests.

This article focuses on a study regarding contact urticaria from chironomids, which was conducted as of April 1996. A 35-year-old man, with a previous history of propifenazone allergy, worked in a chemist's shop, but as a hobby kept fish in an aquarium at home. He fed these fish with dried and frozen red midge larvae. He gave a 6-year history of contact urticaria 15 minutes after handling such fish food. The authors say that such fish food could also cause conjunctivitis from either airborne exposure of finger contamination.