Background Genome‐wide association studies have identified associations of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1837253 in the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene with asthma, allergic disease and eosinophilia. The TSLP gene encodes two isoforms, long and short, and previous studies have indicated functional differences between these two isoforms. Objective We investigated the expression of these TSLP isoforms in response to a pro‐inflammatory signal, and the role of the rs1837253 genotype in gene isoform regulation. Methods We cultured nasal epithelial cells of asthmatic and non‐asthmatic subjects and evaluated poly(I:C)‐induced TSLP protein secretion using multiplex protein assays and gene expression profiles of the TSLP isoforms, and related genes using real‐time qPCR. We correlated these profiles with rs1837253 genotype. Results Asthmatic nasal epithelial cells exhibited increased TSLP protein secretion compared with nasal epithelial cells from healthy controls. The long TSLP isoform was more responsive to poly(I:C) stimulation. Additionally, the minor T allele of rs1837253 was less inducible than the major C allele, suggesting differential regulation; this may explain the “protective” effects of the T allele in asthma. Conclusion Our results provide important insights into the differential regulation and function of TSLP isoforms, including the role of TSLP rs1837253 polymorphisms in allergic inflammatory processes. Clinical relevance The key finding on the influence of TSLP genetic variation on disease expression/endotype could provide basis for investigation into targeted biologics for anti‐TSLP therapies.

Background: Multiple animal antigens, spores and pollens were collected and identified from the Kuwaiti atmosphere. The role for these antigens in mediating allergic rhinitis for Kuwaiti residents needs to be evaluated. Objective: To investigate the causes (both indoors and outdoors) of allergic rhinitis for Kuwaiti residents. Method: This is a retrospective study of all positive skin tests that we obtained in our Allergy clinic in Mubarak Alkabeer Hospital in Kuwait, during the period between May 2013 and December 2015, from patients who presented with allergic rhinitis symptoms and/or signs. They underwent skin prick tests to a battery of common allergens (german cockroach, cat dander, dog dander, house dustmites mix, cladosporium, aspergillus mix, penicillium mix, alternaria, grass pollens mix, Russian thistle pollens, mugwort pollens, rough pigweed pollens, sorrel pollens, compositae pollens, olive pollens, and date palm pollens). A wheal of ≥3 mm was considered a positive skin test. Results: A total of 177 patients with rhinitis (90 females and 87 males) had positive test results to at least one allergen and were considered allergic. 77.9% of the patients had positive results to Russian thistle pollens, 39.9% to cat dander, 29.9% to grass pollens mix, 22.6% to compositae pollens, 22.6% to mugwort pollens, 22% to house dust mites mix, 21.4% to olive pollens, 20.9% to German cockroach, 20.3% to dog dander, 18.1% to rough pigweed pollens, 15.8% to date palm pollens, and 12.4% to sorrel pollens, 14.7% to penicillium, 10.7% to cladosporium, 10.7% to aspergillus mix, and 4% to alternaria. Conclusion: Russian Thistle pollen is the commonest sensitization for Kuwaiti residents with allergic rhinitis. Background: Environmental allergies affect many individuals of all ages. There are several aeroallergens that can trigger allergic reactions, namely allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of various environmental allergies in the Kingston, Ontario region. Methods: A chart review of skin prick test (SPT) results was completed on all patients in the practice of an academic Allergist affiliated with Queen's University. Patients who demonstrated positive SPT (defined as ≥3 mm than the negative control) to one or more allergens were included, and their age, gender and specific positive tests were recorded. Allergens evaluated included dust mites (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae), dog dander, cat epithelium, tree mixes, birch pollen, other trees, grass mixes, ragweed mixes, short ragweed, other weeds, cockroach and numerous moulds. Of all patients reviewed, 1161 had positive SPT results to one or more allergens. Data analysis was completed with SPSS. Results: Dust mite was the most prevalent allergen (62.6%). The second and third most common were ragweed (52.6%) and cats (51.6%), respectively. The prevalence of other allergens, in order of decreasing frequency, were grass (49.7%), trees (43.1%), birch (34.8%), short ragweed (30.8%), molds (29.7%), other trees (25.6%), dog (...