Manuela Ferraironi studies how people with cow's milk allergies can safely consume milk products through a treatment method called oral desensitization. This treatment gradually exposes patients to small amounts of cow's milk to help their immune systems become accustomed to it. She specifically examines the Basophil Activation Test, a blood test that helps track changes in the immune response as patients undergo this treatment. By observing the levels of different antibodies in the blood, she aims to determine how effectively the treatment works and if patients are developing tolerance to milk proteins.
Key findings
In a pilot study, three male patients undergoing oral desensitization showed a reduction in specific allergy antibodies (IgE) by an unspecified percentage after treatment.
The same study found a significant increase in IgG4 antibodies, which indicates a change in the immune response.
Overall, the Basophil Activation Test indicated a marked reduction in allergic reactions to milk proteins for the treated patients.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Ferraironi study cow's milk allergies?
Yes, she specifically focuses on cow's milk allergies and how to help patients gain tolerance to milk through treatment.
What treatments has Dr. Ferraironi researched?
She has researched oral desensitization as a treatment for cow's milk allergies, which involves gradually introducing small amounts of milk.
Is Dr. Ferraironi's work relevant to children with food allergies?
Yes, her work is particularly relevant for children who have cow's milk allergies and may benefit from tolerance development through desensitization.
How can the Basophil Activation Test help patients?
The Basophil Activation Test can track progress during the desensitization treatment and show whether patients are becoming tolerant to cow's milk.
What does developing tolerance mean for allergy patients?
Developing tolerance means that a patient can consume the allergen (like cow's milk) without experiencing severe allergic reactions.
Publications in plain English
Immediate allergic reaction to thiocolchicoside confirmed by skin testing and basophil activation test: A case report and literature review.
2024
Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology
Nucera E, Inchingolo R, Ferraironi M, Aruanno A, Chini R +1 more
Plain English This study examined how some people can have an immediate allergic reaction to a muscle relaxant called thiocolchicoside. Researchers confirmed one patient's allergy using specific skin tests and a blood test, showing that thiocolchicoside can cause these reactions in rare cases. This finding is important because it highlights the need for better testing methods for such rare drug allergies to ensure patient safety.
Who this helps: This helps patients who may be allergic to thiocolchicoside and doctors who prescribe it.
Perioperative anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine: Crucial role of in-vitro testing.
2024
Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology
Buonomo A, Aruanno A, Perilli V, Rizzi A, Ferraironi M +1 more
Plain English This study looked at a man who had a severe allergic reaction while under general anesthesia due to chlorhexidine, a common antibacterial agent. Despite skin tests giving misleading results, laboratory tests successfully confirmed he was allergic to chlorhexidine by detecting specific antibodies and using a method to assess cell activation. This is important because it helps doctors diagnose allergic reactions to chlorhexidine more accurately, especially when skin tests don't work.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients who may have allergies to chlorhexidine.
A Modified Basophil Activation Test for the Clinical Management of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Paclitaxel: A Proof-of-Concept Study.
2023
Cancers
La Sorda M, Fossati M, Graffeo R, Ferraironi M, De Rosa MC +12 more
Plain English This study looked at allergic reactions in cancer patients who were treated with a drug called paclitaxel, finding that about 6% of gynecologic cancer patients and 4% of breast cancer patients experience immediate hypersensitivity reactions (iHSRs). Researchers developed a new test, called a basophil activation test (BAT), which shows promise in identifying these allergic reactions; it was able to correctly identify 90.91% of patients with reactions to paclitaxel and 78.57% of those with reactions to another drug called carboplatin. This is important because it could help improve how doctors manage drug allergies in cancer patients by offering better diagnostic tools.
Who this helps: Patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Increased CD95 (Fas) and PD-1 expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients.
2020
British journal of haematology
Bellesi S, Metafuni E, Hohaus S, Maiolo E, Marchionni F +12 more
Plain English This study looked at immune cells called T lymphocytes in 42 patients with COVID-19. Researchers found that these patients had higher levels of two specific markers, CD95 and PD-1, on their T cells, which are associated with cell death and exhaustion. This matters because it suggests that COVID-19 might push the immune system into a state where T cells are less able to fight the virus effectively.
Who this helps: This helps patients with COVID-19 by providing insights into how their immune response may be weakened.
Influence of Antihistamines on Basophil Activation Test in Food Allergy to Milk and Egg.
2020
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
Nucera E, Inchingolo R, Nicotra R, Ferraironi M, Ricci AG +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how taking antihistamines for three months affects a test called the basophil activation test (BAT), which helps diagnose food allergies to milk and eggs. Out of 39 patients with known allergies, 29 had positive BAT results, and the test results didn't change after taking antihistamines, meaning these medications do not affect the accuracy of the BAT. This is important because it reassures both patients and doctors that antihistamines can be safely used without compromising allergy testing.
Who this helps: Patients with milk and egg allergies.
Hypersensitivity to major panallergens in a population of 120 patients.
2015
Postepy dermatologii i alergologii
Nucera E, Mezzacappa S, Aruanno A, Pecora V, Rizzi A +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how many patients in central and southern Italy are allergic to three common allergens found in fruits and vegetables: lipid transfer proteins (LTP), profilin, and PR-10. Out of 120 patients tested, 76 were allergic to LTP, 14 to profilin, and 5 to PR-10. Most patients with LTP allergies experienced serious reactions, while those allergic to profilin mostly had mild oral symptoms. This is important because it highlights that LTP should be recognized as a significant food allergen in this region.
Who this helps: This information is beneficial for patients with food allergies and doctors treating them.
Utility of Basophil Activation Test for monitoring the acquisition of clinical tolerance after oral desensitization to cow's milk: Pilot study.
2015
United European gastroenterology journal
Nucera E, Pecora V, Buonomo A, Rizzi A, Aruanno A +8 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a blood test, called the Basophil Activation Test (BAT), can track if people with cow's milk allergies become tolerant to milk after a special treatment called oral desensitization. In three male patients who went through this treatment, the results showed that while their specific allergy antibodies (IgE) went down, a different type of antibody (IgG4) went up, and the blood tests indicated that their allergic reactions to milk proteins were significantly reduced. This matters because it suggests that the BAT can effectively monitor the progress of treatment and the development of tolerance in food allergy patients.
Who this helps: This helps patients with cow's milk allergies and their doctors.
Evaluation of neutrophil CD64 expression and procalcitonin as useful markers in early diagnosis of sepsis.
2008
International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology
Cardelli P, Ferraironi M, Amodeo R, Tabacco F, De Blasi RA +5 more
Plain English This study examined the effectiveness of two blood tests—neutrophil CD64 expression and procalcitonin (PCT) levels—for detecting sepsis in 112 patients in an ICU. Out of those patients, 52 had confirmed sepsis, with 50 of those showing high levels of CD64 and 49 having elevated PCT. The CD64 test was particularly useful because it was more accurate; only 5 patients without sepsis showed high CD64 levels, while more than half of the non-septic patients had elevated PCT levels.
Who this helps: This helps doctors diagnose sepsis earlier and more accurately, improving care for patients at risk.