Exploration of Asthma & Allergy

Special Issue Topic

Environment, Infectious Diseases, and Allergy

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024

Guest Editor

Prof. Vincenzo Patella E-Mail

Professor at the School of Specialization in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Federico II University of Naples, Italy; Director of the Complex Operating Unit of Internal Medicine with an Immunological and Respiratory, Civil Hospital of S. Maria della Speranza in Battipaglia, Level I DEA, ASL Salerno, Italy

Research Keywords: Rhinitis, asthma, climate change, atopic dermatitis, skin immunopathology, COVID vaccines reaction, allergen immunotherapy, hymenoptera allergy

About the Special Issue

Environmental factors play an important role in the development of infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. In particular, climate change affects, directly and indirectly, the occurrence, the frequency and severity of allergies. The last decades have seen a rise in the concentrations of pollen and pollutants in the air and an increase in the number of people manifesting allergic symptoms, who often require emergency medical care. There is evidence that increased concentrations of air pollutants and pollen can activate inflammatory mediators in the airways. Moreover, environmental characteristics, genetic factors and health determinants, such as the socio-economic-cultural context, health habits and psycho-social stress, influence the immune system and regulate the adaptive immune response, because they are involved in the predisposition of the organism to the disease, and contribute to diversifying clinical manifestations. Therefore, most recent research on precision medicine is focusing on the individual aspects of the disease by studying the bidirectional relationship between the environment and subjective characteristics of the person, through a multidisciplinary approach. It is also important to consider environmental risk factors and protective factors to promote health, and their relation with quality of life.
This issue will assess the impact of the environment on the onset of allergic, immunologic and infectious diseases, and will report the evidence of new therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Allergy, climate change, environment, health, immunology, infectious giseases, quality of life, psychosocial stress

Call for Papers

Published Articles

Open Access

Review

The impact of occupational exposures on chronic rhinosinusitis: a scoping review
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent and burdensome condition worldwide, characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Ideally, instead of treating CRS, we would identify ways to pr [...] Read more.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent and burdensome condition worldwide, characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Ideally, instead of treating CRS, we would identify ways to prevent the development of this chronic condition. Occupational exposures may be an excellent target for prevention. Occupational exposures have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple lower airway diseases, such as asthma, silicosis, asbestosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, evidence for the association between occupational exposures and the development of upper airway disease, like CRS, is less well-defined. This manuscript examines the association between occupational exposures and CRS. A scoping review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines identified 19 relevant studies. The populations examined and the methods and criteria used for defining CRS diagnosis and occupational variables significantly varied between the studies. Diagnosis of CRS was most often determined by self-reported symptoms or medical record review. Occupational variables ranged from employment status to occupation type to specific exogenous compounds encountered. Overall, substantial evidence demonstrates a general association between occupational exposures and CRS diagnosis; however, limitations in study methodologies, including variations in CRS diagnostic criteria, occupational exposures, assessment methods, and populations, hinder drawing more specific conclusions. Moving forward, rigorous research methodologies and standardized criteria are essential to draw conclusions supported by multiple studies. Critical components of future studies should include large, diverse populations, use of consensus CRS diagnostic criteria, and inclusion of many specific and quantitatively defined exposures. Ultimately, such efforts can help inform preventative measures and interventions for CRS, thus mitigating the burden of CRS on individuals and populations worldwide.

Aurelia S. Monk ... Adam J. Kimple

Published: July 19, 2024 Explor Asthma Allergy. 2024;2:301–318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/eaa.2024.00046

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Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent and burdensome condition worldwide, characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Ideally, instead of treating CRS, we would identify ways to prevent the development of this chronic condition. Occupational exposures may be an excellent target for prevention. Occupational exposures have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple lower airway diseases, such as asthma, silicosis, asbestosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, evidence for the association between occupational exposures and the development of upper airway disease, like CRS, is less well-defined. This manuscript examines the association between occupational exposures and CRS. A scoping review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines identified 19 relevant studies. The populations examined and the methods and criteria used for defining CRS diagnosis and occupational variables significantly varied between the studies. Diagnosis of CRS was most often determined by self-reported symptoms or medical record review. Occupational variables ranged from employment status to occupation type to specific exogenous compounds encountered. Overall, substantial evidence demonstrates a general association between occupational exposures and CRS diagnosis; however, limitations in study methodologies, including variations in CRS diagnostic criteria, occupational exposures, assessment methods, and populations, hinder drawing more specific conclusions. Moving forward, rigorous research methodologies and standardized criteria are essential to draw conclusions supported by multiple studies. Critical components of future studies should include large, diverse populations, use of consensus CRS diagnostic criteria, and inclusion of many specific and quantitatively defined exposures. Ultimately, such efforts can help inform preventative measures and interventions for CRS, thus mitigating the burden of CRS on individuals and populations worldwide.

Guest Editor

About the Special Issue

Call for Papers

Published Articles