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There is a growing interest in the use of information technologies to promote asthma control and improve outcomes. This article reviews published studies, identified by a search of PubMed and CINAHL, utilizing interactive Internet and mobile device platforms to improve asthma knowledge and/or asthma outcomes. Although these studies show creativity and promise, this field is still in its infancy, characterized by small pilot studies showing mixed results. Rigorous randomized, controlled trials with large sample sizes and objective assessments are in the pipeline but more are needed. This review also describes some promising ongoing studies using information technology to improve asthma management, as well as currently available mobile applications and the use of social networking for asthma. To our knowledge, there are no published studies using interactive mobile applications or social networking platforms to improve asthma self-management.

Background:The short stability window of several hours from blood collection to measuring basophil activation has limited the use of flow cytometry-based basophil activation assays in clinical settings. We examine if it is possible to extend this

Background: Allergic reactions to the influenza vaccine are uncommon and usually associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin. The aim of this study was to report the case of anaphylaxis to the influenza vaccine. Methods: Allergy percutaneous skin testing, serum specific IgE testing and IgE immunoblotting were performed to the influenza vaccine, egg, and gelatin. Results: Percutaneous skin testing to the influenza vaccine and gelatin were positive and egg (white, whole, and yolk) was negative. Immunocap® serum-specific IgE testing to egg (white, whole, and yolk) and gelatin were negative (<0.35 kU/l). IgE immunoblots were performed with 2 cord blood serums and the patient’s serum at a 1:20 dilution against 10 µg of the Fluzone influenza vaccine. The patient’s IgE immunoblot showed a protein band at 100 kDa which is similar to the molecular weight of gelatin protein, a 68-kDa protein which is similar to the molecular weight of hemagglutinin protein from the influenza vaccine, and a 45-kDa protein band that is similar to the molecular weight of ovalbumin protein from chicken embryo/egg. Conclusion: Based on clinical symptoms, skin testing, Immunocap testing and immunoblot evaluation, we feel that our patient is allergic to the infectious agent in the influenza vaccine as well as gelatin and ovalbumin in egg.