BackgroundAllergic reactions to insects are a global problem. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of immunotherapy with allergenic extract of Aedes aegypti for the treatment of large local reactions (LLR) to mosquito bites in children.MethodsExperimental, comparative, prospective, longitudinal and randomized none blinded study was conducted. We included 2 to 15 year old children with a history of large local reactions to mosquito bites. Sensitization was confirmed by a positive prick test. One group was treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy with extract of Aedes aegypti during 5 months and a second group received only antihistamine as needed. Diary symptoms and medication use were recorded in each case. The presence of adverse reactions to immunotherapy was also documented.ResultsA total of 35 patients from August 2009 to September 2010. Twenty-eight patients completed the study (16 male were included, with mean 7 ± 2.5 years) 15 in the immunotherapy group and 13 in the control group. The immunotherapy group showed a decrease in the diameter of the wheal and flare as well as the duration of the reaction and the use of drugs, from the third month of treatment, compared with the control group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that immunotherapy with extract of Aedes aegypti, could modify the natural history of LLR to mosquito bites in children. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal length treatment of the scheme and its long-term effects.

Pine is one of the important coniferous genera in America. In Honduras, Pinus oocarpa is the most critical conifer species since it plays an essential role for the country's economy and represents a symbol of national identity. Endophytic fungi are defined as microorganisms that reside in the internal tissues of plants without causing any obvious immediate negative effects and are an integral part of their associated microbial communities. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the endophytic fungi present in the pines of Honduras through the amplification and sequencing of the ribosomal RNA gene's internal transcribed spacer (ITS). A total of 7 pines from the department of El Paraíso in eastern Honduras were analyzed. A total of 14 fungi grouped into 6 genera and 7 species were isolated: Fusarium lateritium, F. pseudocircinatum, Pestalotiopsis pini, P. microspora, Xylaria grammica, Trichoderma atroviride, y Nigrospora oryzae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endophytic fungal species in pines in Honduras. Although some endophytic fungi may be mutualistic or saprophytic, the present study shows the presence of several genera of endophytic fungi that have been reported as pine pathogens. The presence of these fungi in the pines of Honduras represents a potential threat to the health of the forest. Further research is needed to increase knowledge about the importance of these fungi and the potential impact they could have on pine forests in Honduras. Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Pinus oocarpa, Honduras

BackgroundRhinitis is characterized clinical by chronic runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching, congestion and postnasal discharge, among other symptoms. It´s classified as allergic and non allergic. Skin prick testing is the principal diagnosis method for allergic rhinits. However, there is a group of patients with chronic rhinopathy that have negative skin tests, the objective of this study was to determine the cutaneous response to patch tests with Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with chronic rhinitis.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study. We included patients over 18 years old. They were divided into 3 groups; Group A patients who came for the first time with a history of chronic rhinopathy over 18 months of evolution and positive skin tests for aeroallergens; group B patients with chronic rhinitis with at least one year of evolution and negative skin tests; group C healthy volunteers. Patch test with farinae and pteronisyinnus were done in the subjects of all 3 groups, with readings at 48 and 72 hours.ResultsA total of 37 patients were studied, mean age 26.1 years. Twenty two were male subjects (60%). The mean lenghtof chronic rhinophaty was 10.8 years. Six patients had positive patch test to any of the mites tested; 2 (33%) in group A, 2 (33%) in group B and 2 (33%) of the control group, but it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionsAlthough the results were not statistically significant, there were patients with chronic rhinitis wich had positive patch test for mites. This sensitization could be clinically significant for those patients.

BackgroundFood allergy occurs between 2 and 8% of the population and sensitization to food allergens be detected by skin prick test (SPT). To assess the frequency of sensitization to food allergens in patients attended in an allergy service of Northeast of Mexico.MethodsWe reviewed the records of patients in whom SPT were performed with food allergens extracts, from January 2008 to December 2010. The extracts were applied on the back surface with multitest in patients under 8 years old and with duotip in those over 8 years. According to age, patients were divided into 4 groups: I ≤ 2 years, II 3 to 5 years, III 6 to 18 years, IV > 18.Results565 records were reviewed 56.8% of patients were female. 73.3% had at least one positive SPT. The most common diagnoses were allergic rhinitis (74.4%) and urticaria (10.4%). The most common positive SPTs in total group were: shrimp 61 (10.8%), cheese 58 (10.2%), beans 58 (10.3%), almond 57 (10.1%), Chile 53 (9.2%). According to the age groups, the most common positive SPTs were: I egg yolk in 12 patients (12.1%) and tuna 11 patients (11.1%), II peach 9 patients (11.4%) and tomatoes 8 patients (10.1%), III cheese 16 patients (13.4%), shrimp 15 patients (12.6%), almond 15 patients (12.6%), and IV shrimp 40 patients (14.9%), almond 34 patients (12.7%), beans 33 patients (12.3%).ConclusionsSensitization to food allergens were very common in our allergic patients. The most common sensitizing foods were shrimp, cheese, beans, and oats, although food sensitization varies among the different age groups.

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