Respiratory complications of blood transfusion have several possible causes. Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO) is often the first mentioned. Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI), better defined since the consensus conference of Toronto in 2004, is rarely mentioned. French incidence is low. Non-hemolytic febrile reactions, allergies, infections and pulmonary embolism are also reported.

The objective of this work was to determine the statistical importance of the different respiratory complications of blood transfusion. This work was conducted retrospectively on transfusion accidents in six health centers in Champagne-Ardenne, reported to Hemovigilance between 2000 and 2009 and having respiratory symptoms. The analysis of data was conducted by an expert committee.

Eighty-three cases of respiratory complications are found (316,864 blood products). We have counted 26 TACO, 12 TRALI (only 6 cases were identified in the original investigation of Hemovigilance), 18 non-hemolytic febrile reactions, 16 cases of allergies, 5 transfusions transmitted bacterial infections and 2 pulmonary embolisms. Six new TRALI were diagnosed previously labeled TACO for 2 of them, allergy and infection in 2 other cases and diagnosis considered unknown for the last 2. Our study found an incidence of TRALI 2 times higher than that reported previously. Interpretation of the data by a multidisciplinary committee amended 20 % of diagnoses.

This study shows the imperfections of our system for reporting accidents of blood transfusion when a single observer analyses the medical records.

Age at onset of asthma and allergen sensitization early in life.

Allergol Int. 2014 May;63 Suppl 1:23-8

Authors: Kato M, Yamada Y, Maruyama K, Hayashi Y

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological evidence indicates that the age at onset of asthma and allergen sensitization in early life is decreasing in people from Western countries. To explore latent trends, we conducted a retrospective examination of the age at onset of asthma and specific IgE antibodies against inhalant allergens in Japanese asthmatic children. Methods: We conducted a case series study of 103 consecutive children with atopic type of asthma (aged 2 years to 16 years, mean age 9.4 ± 3.4 years). Diagnoses of asthma and allergic rhinitis were defined according to Japanese guidelines. The onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis was also defined as any report of asthma and allergic rhinitis confirmed by a physician. Allergen sensitization was evaluated as specific serum IgE levels for 9 common inhalant allergens in peripheral blood. Atopic type of asthma was defined as a being positive for at least one aeroallergen. Results: Mean age at asthma onset was 2.3 ± 1.9 years, which is slightly lower than that of previous reports, including those published in Japan. A high prevalence rate of up to 80% was found for perennial antigens including Dermatophagoides spp. and house dust, as reported previously. Notably, some of the children aged at 1 year tested positive for these allergens. Conclusions: The age at onset of asthma seems to be decreasing in comparison with previous reports. Furthermore, the age at onset of allergen sensitization against inhalant allergens appears to follow this trend.

PMID: 24809372 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles

Comparing the Asthma APGAR System and the Asthma Control Test™ in a Multicenter Primary Care Sample.

Mayo Clin Proc. 2014 May 5;

Authors: Rank MA, Bertram S, Wollan P, Yawn RA, Yawn BP

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare asthma control assessment using the Asthma APGAR system, a tool developed by primary care clinicians, in a multicenter primary care sample with the Asthma Control Test (ACT™)/Childhood Asthma Control Test (CACT™), a tool developed by asthma specialists.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a substudy of a multicenter, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial that tests the effectiveness of the Asthma APGAR system in primary care practices. As part of the study, enrolled patients completed both the ACT™/CACT™ and the Asthma APGAR system between March 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. Kappa and McNemar statistics were used to compare the results of questionnaires.
RESULTS: Of the 468 patients in our sample, 306 (65%) were classified as not controlled by the ACT™/CACT™ or the Asthma APGAR system. The overall agreement was 84.4%, with a kappa value of .68 (substantial agreement) and a McNemar test P value of .35 (suggesting no significant difference in the direction of disagreement). Of those with poor control as defined by the Asthma APGAR system, 23.8% (73) had no controller medications and 76.5% (234) were seldom or sometimes able to avoid identified triggers for their asthma. Of those who stated that they had been prescribed controller medications, 116 of 332 (35%) stated that they did not use the controller medication on a daily basis.
CONCLUSION: The Asthma APGAR system and the ACT™/CACT™ similarly assess asthma control in a multicenter primary care-based sample. The Asthma APGAR system identified an "actionable item" in more than 75% (234) of the individuals with poor asthma control, thus linking an assessment of poor asthma control with a management strategy.

PMID: 24809759 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Antifungal treatment in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with and without cystic fibrosis: a systematic review.

Clin Exp Allergy. 2014 May 8;

Authors: Moreira AS, Silva D, Ferreira AR, Delgado L

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a rare disease that affects patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Its debilitating course has led to the search for new treatments, including antifungals and monoclonal antibodies.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antifungal treatments in patients with ABPA and asthma or cystic fibrosis.
METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature on the effects of antifungal agents in ABPA using three biomedical databases. Quality assessment was performed using the GRADE methodology and, where appropriate, studies with comparable outcomes were pooled for meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies - 4 randomized controlled trials and 34 observational studies -met the eligibility criteria. The antifungal interventions described were itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ketoconazole, natamycin, nystatin, and amphotericin B. An improvement in symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, and lung function was reported in most of the studies and was more common with oral azoles. Antifungals also had a positive impact on biomarkers and radiological pulmonary infiltrates, but adverse effects were also common. The quality of the evidence supporting these results was low or very low due to a shortage of controlled studies, heterogeneity between studies, and potential bias.
CONCLUSIONS: Antifungal interventions in ABPA improved patient and disease outcomes in both asthma and cystic fibrosis. However, the recommendation for their use is weak and clinicians should therefore weigh up desirable and undesirable effects on a case-by-case basis. More studies with a better methodology are needed, especially in cystic fibrosis, to increase confidence in the effects of antifungal treatments in ABPA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 24809846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]