Articles related to Allergy & Immunology

How does the diagnostic performance of home antigen tests change during the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection? Symptomatic individuals with an initial negative home antigen test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection should test again one to two days later because test sensitivity seems to peak several days after illness onset.

A study published in Nature makes the case that even mild COVID-19 can lead to long-term changes in the human brain. Researchers at Oxford University reported that several months after study participants had COVID-19, they had more gray matter loss and tissue abnormalities, mainly in the areas of the brain associated with smell, and more brain size shrinkage than participants who hadn’t been infected with the virus.

The FDA has withdrawn its authorization for use of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab in the treatment of COVID-19 in regions with a high frequency of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant. Data show that the authorized dose of the monoclonal antibody — 500 mg — is unlikely to be effective against the BA.2 COVID-19 subvariant.

At the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting, Carina Venter, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, provided the latest data on the role that maternal diet during pregnancy may have on the infant microbiome and the subsequent development of allergies and asthma. The findings are that eating plenty of vegetables and limited fried, low-fiber, and sugary foods may prevent asthma and allergies in unborn children.

The British Medical Journal reports that people who survive COVID-19 are at increased risk of an array of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and opioid use disorder, cognitive decline, sleep disorders, and more. The authors recommend close monitoring of patients following infection and up-prioritizing managing their mental health disorders.

Can you solve the case? A 40-year-old man presents with intermittent burning on his feet over the past three years, typically in colder months, often after outdoor activities. He has no history of disease, denies drug use, and does not smoke. What’s your diagnosis?