Publications
Laboratory animal allergy is preventable in modern research facilities
Changing prevalence of current asthma and inhaled corticosteroid treatment in the UK: population-based cohort 2006–2016
Asthma is the most common respiratory disorder in the UK, yet we have incomplete knowledge on the prevalence of current disease, treatment and exacerbations.
We used UK electronic healthcare records, 2006–2016, to estimate the prevalence of current asthma by year, sex and age (<5, 5–11, 12–17, 18–24, 25–54 and ≥55 years), and the proportion prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and additional asthma therapy, treated for exacerbations and other asthma care markers.
Biallelic human ITCH variants causing a multisystem disease with dysmorphic features: a second report
We report a 23 year old female with biallelic truncating variants in the ITCH (Itchy E3 Ubiquitin protein ligase, mouse homolog of; OMIM60649) gene associated with marked short stature, severe early onset chronic lung disease resembling asthma, dysmorphic facial features, and symmetrical camptodactyly of the fingers but normal intellect.
Aromatic solvents: the not so sweet side
In their published article, Alif et al report the findings from a carefully conducted longitudinal study showing the effects of occupational exposures on lung function decline between the ages of 45 and 50 years.
Basophil activation testing in occupational respiratory allergy to low molecular weight compounds
Purpose of review There is an unmet need for better immunological tests in cases of suspected occupational asthma to many workplace chemicals; here we consider the basophil activation test (BAT), a potential alternative to the detection of specific IgE antibodies.
Recent findings BAT is fairly widely used in general allergy services; and there is increasing experience of its use in the diagnosis of occupational allergy to low molecular weight agents and chemicals including wood dusts, persulphates, antibiotics and latex.
Exacerbation patterns in adults with asthma in England. A population-based study
Rationale: Asthma is heterogeneous and knowledge on exacerbation patterns is lacking. Previous studies have had a relatively short follow-up or focused on severe disease.
Objectives: To describe exacerbation patterns over a prolonged follow-up in a population that includes patients of all disease severity.
Continuous laryngoscopy during provocation in the assessment of inducible laryngeal obstruction
Transient paradoxical closure of the larynx, occurring in the absence of any underlying structural or neurological defect, is a recognized cause of paroxysmal breathlessness and wheeze. This phenomenon, most commonly termed vocal cord dysfunction and more recently termed inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO),1 is often misdiagnosed and mistreated as asthma.2, 3 This may be explained by the lack of a robust, accepted diagnostic methodology.4, 5
