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Background Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) can exhibit variant clinical manifestations beyond the classic presentation of recurrent infections. Allergic diseases represent an important subset that can arise as the primary feature or coexist with IEIs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the burden of the most frequent allergic diseases among individuals with primary immune deficiency. Methods Over 70 registered patients with a definite diagnosis of IEI were enrolled in our study. Patients and their records were evaluated, and data were collected via a questionnaire. Additionally, laboratory investigations, including spirometry, skin prick tests, and specific IgE, were used to confirm the diagnosis of allergic diseases. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS software. Results The most frequent IEIs in our study comprise agammaglobulinemia, hyper-IgE syndrome, and common variable immune deficiency. The overall prevalence of allergic diseases among IEI patients was 77.8%. Allergic rhinitis, with a prevalence of 47.2%, atopic dermatitis 40.3% and asthma 37.5% were the most frequent allergic diseases among these patients. The highest prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was detected among patients with agammaglobulinemia (23.5% and 33.5%). Also, Atopic dermatitis and food allergy had the highest prevalence in hyper IgE syndrome (27.6% and 75%). Agammaglobulinemia was accounted for as the most frequent IEI accompanying allergic disorders in our study. Conclusion The interplay between atopy and IEIs is complex, highlighting the role of immune dysregulation in allergic diseases. Our study investigated the prevalence of allergic diseases among individuals with inborn errors of immunity. According to the coexistence of allergic diseases and IEIs, in patients with unusual, early onset, and severe allergic manifestations, underlying IEI may be suspected.

Biomedical investigations in nanotherapeutics and nanomedicine have recently intensified in pursuit of new therapies with improved efficacy. Quantum dots (QDs) are promising nanomaterials that possess a wide array of advantageous properties, including electronic properties, optical properties, and engineered biocompatibility under physiological conditions. Due to these characteristics, QDs are mainly used for biomedical labeling and theranostic (therapeutic-diagnostic) agents. QDs can be functionalized with ligands to facilitate their interaction with the immune system, specific IgE, and effector cell receptors. However, undesirable side effects such as hypersensitivity and toxicity may occur, requiring further assessment. This review systematically summarizes the potential uses of QDs in the allergy field. An overview of the definition and development of QDs is provided, along with the applications of QDs in allergy studies, including the detection of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE), food allergens, and sIgE in cellular tests. The potential treatment of allergies with QDs is also described, highlighting the toxicity and biocompatibility of these nanodevices. Finally, we discuss the current findings on the immunotoxicity of QDs. Several favorable points regarding the use of QDs for allergy diagnosis and treatment are noted.

Objective Asthma is one of the most common diseases amongst children. Blood eosinophil count and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are known as markers for phenotyping asthma. This study was performed to investigate blood eosinophil count and NLR as predictors of hospitalization in pediatric asthma exacerbations. Data sources and study selections In this cross-sectional study, children admitted to hospital ward for more severe asthma exacerbation were compared with non-hospitalized children with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation whose asthma exacerbation was managed in emergency department or outpatient clinic. We investigated patients’ characteristic and factors associated with hospitalization. Results A total of 211 children with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation (mean age 5.76 ± 3.28 years old) were enrolled in the study including 91 hospitalized patients and 120 non-hospitalized patients. For the prediction of hospitalization, an ROC Curve analysis was performed and revealed a cut-off of 298 cells/µL and 2.52 of blood eosinophil count and NLR, respectively. In multivariate analysis, not using an asthma action plan (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.09–4.49; P  = 0.027), a blood eosinophil count  ≥  298 (OR 8.79, 95% CI 4.44–17.4; P  < 0.001) and an NLR  ≥  2.52 (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09–4.14; P  = 0.027) were associated with hospitalization. Conclusion Blood eosinophil count and NLR were found to be higher in hospitalized children with more severe asthma exacerbation compared to non-hospitalized patients. These markers can be indicators for asthma exacerbation severity.

Bacillus spp. probiotics have been shown to be promising due to their resilience in the gut. This study evaluated the in vitro probiotic potential of Alkalihalobacillus wakoensis PTCC 1596, using Bacillus clausii ATCC 700160 as a control. In vitro probiotic characteristic assays were conducted to compare A. wakoensis and B. clausii (control) in terms of acid and bile tolerance, enzymatic activity, antimicrobial potential, antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation, hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, enterotoxin gene presence, and cytotoxicity. A. wakoensis spores demonstrated high survival (95.6% ± 0.9%) at pH 2.5 for 3 h and tolerance to 0.5% oxgall bile salts. The strain produced catalase, protease, and nattokinase, and exhibited moderate cell surface hydrophobicity (47.1% ± 3.12% to xylene) and autoaggregation (7.0% ± 1.2% after 1 h). It showed sensitivity to several antibiotics (e.g., chloramphenicol, gentamicin) and lacked detectable plasmids and tested enterotoxin genes (hblA/hblC/hblD, nheA/nheB, bceT, and cytK). Cytotoxicity assays using HepG‐2 cells indicated non‐toxicity, with supernatants potentially enhancing cell viability. While exhibiting lower biofilm formation than B. clausii, A. wakoensis displayed promising traits. These findings suggest A. wakoensis PTCC 1596 is a potential probiotic candidate warranting further investigation, particularly given its alkaliphilic nature. Alkalihalobacillus wakoensis ATCC 21832 demonstrated excellent acid (95.6% survival at pH 2.5) and bile tolerance, produced catalase, protease, and nattokinase, and exhibited broad antimicrobial activity. The strain was sensitive to several antibiotics, formed moderate biofilm, showed high hydrophobicity, adhered to epithelial cells, and enhanced HepG‐2 viability without toxin genes or hemolysis. These results highlight its potential as a safe, alkaliphilic probiotic candidate with multifunctional health‐promoting properties.

Background: Ataxia-telangiectasia is a multi-system disorder in which neurologic impairment and immune deficiency are observed. In the present study, patients with ataxia-telangiectasia were followed to provide information regarding clinical and immunological features. Methods: We report a case series of 18 patients diagnosed with ataxia-telangiectasia, who were referred to a tertiary center of clinical immunology from 2008–2018. Clinical presentations, medical records and lab data were observed during this period with a mean follow-up time of 4.57 ± 2.66 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.92 ± 3.24 years (11 females and 7 males). Thirteen patients (72.22%) were from families with consanguinity. Ataxia was the most common clinical feature, observed in 18 (100%) patients. The predominant clinical presentations were tremor and oculocutaneous telangiectasia, observed in 14 (77.8%) patients; dysarthria and oculomotor apraxia, observed in 13 (72.2%) patients. Infections were recorded in 12 (70.6%) patients. Decreased IgG level and IgA levels were observed in 5 (33.3%) and 6 (40.0%) patients, respectively. Decreased B-cell number and T-cell number were noted in 7 (46.67%) and 11 (73.33%) patients, respectively. Three (16.7%) patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and two of them expired subsequently. Conclusion: Ataxia-telangiectasia is a progressive disease with no established therapy; so, it necessitates early diagnosis and follow-up of the patients. The presented clinical and immunological data in this study may help with diagnosis and management of the disease complications.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has emerged as a potential biomarker for differentiating between various causes of non-chronic cough, particularly in conditions associated with airway inflammation, such as asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of FeNO in pediatric patients with non-chronic cough and its ability to differentiate between asthma exacerbations and respiratory tract infections. Seventy-five pediatric patients aged 10-18 years with non-chronic cough were categorized into three groups: good control asthma (GCA, n=28), acute asthma exacerbation (AAE, n=26), and respiratory tract infection (RTI, n=21). Clinical assessments included FeNO measurement, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (HB), platelet count (PLT), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictive value of these variables. FeNO levels were significantly higher in the AAE group (46.58±22.66 ppb) compared to the GCA and RTI groups, indicating elevated eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma exacerbations. CRP was a significant predictor of both AAE and RTI, with a one-unit increase in CRP increasing the odds of exacerbation or infection by 2.6-fold. Body max index (BMI) was inversely associated with the risk of RTI. Hemoglobin, platelet count, and IgE levels were significantly higher in the AAE group compared to the other groups, while WBC counts, though elevated, were not statistically significant. FeNO associated with other inflammatory markers, including CRP and BMI, could enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform clinical decision-making in managing pediatric respiratory conditions. To confirm these results, future studies with larger sample sizes should be performed.