Focus on Basic and Clinical Research (selected publications ... for a complete listing, see Curriculum Vitae)

Bauer CS, Kampitak T, Messieh ML, Kelly KJ, Vadas P. Heterogeneity in

presentation and treatment of catamenial anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.

2013 Aug;111(2):107-11.

Bauer CS, Kampitak T, Messieh ML, Kelly KJ, Vadas P. Heterogeneity in

presentation and treatment of catamenial anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.

2013 Aug;111(2):107-11.

• Vadas P, Perelman B, Liss G.  Platelet-activating factor, histamine, and tryptase levels in human anaphylaxis.  J. Allergy Clin Immunol.  2013 Jan 131(1):144-149.  [This study examines serum PAF, histamine and tryptase levels as a function of severity of anaphylaxis.

• Bauer C, Vadas P, Kelly K.  Methylene blue for the treatment of refractory anaphylaxis without hypotension.  Am J Emerg Med 2013 Jan 31(1):264.e.3-5. [ A patient with anaphylaxis refractory to epinephrine had rapid reversal of her anaphylactic reaction with an infusion of methylene blue.]

• Vadas P, Perelman B.  Effect of epinephrine on platelet-activating factor-stmulated human vascular smooth muscle cells.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 May 129(5):1329-1333. [The timing of epinephrine addition to PAF-treated human vascular smooth muscle cells was examined.  Early treatment with epinephrine was effective  at disrupting  PAF signalling, whereas later addition of epinephrine was ineffective.]

• Lee JK, Vadas P.  Anaphylaxis: mechanisms and management.  Clin Exp Allergy 2011 Jul 41(7):923-938.  [A comprehensive review of the basic mechanisms and mediators of anaphylaxis and their relevance to treatment.]

§  Vadas P, Gold M, Perelman B, Liss GM, Lack G, Blyth T, Simons FE, Simons KJ, Cass D, Yeung J.  Platelet-activating factor, PAF acetylhydrolase, and severe anaphylaxis.  New England Journal of Medicine 2008 Jan 3;358(1):28-35.  [This study described platelet activating factor as a major chemical mediator of the life-threatening manifestations of anaphylaxis in humans and noted that patients deficient in platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) were at high risk of severe or fatal anaphylaxis]

§  Arias K, Baig M, Colangelo M, Chu D, Walker T, Goncharova S, Coyle A, Vadas P, Waserman S, Jordana M.  Concurrent blockade of platelet-activating factor and histamine prevents life-threatening peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Aug;124(2):307-14 [Mice treated with a platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor blocker were protected against severe or fatal anaphylaxis, pointing to a central role for PAF in mediating the life-threatening manifestations of anaphylaxis]

§  Vadas P, Perelman B.  Presence of undeclared peanut protein in chocolate bars imported from Europe.  J Food Prot. 2003 Oct; 66(10):1932-4. [Approximately 30% of all chocolates imported from Europe had significant levels of undeclared peanut protein, potentially posing a hazard to peanut allergic consumers]

§  Vadas P, Perelman B.  Activated charcoal forms non-IgE binding complexes with peanut proteins.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Jul;112(1):175-9.  [Activated charcoal is often used in emergency management of poisoning to prevent toxins from being absorbed through the stomach into the bloodstream.  We demonstrate that activated charcoal also forms inactive complexes with peanut protein, preventing peanut bound to activating charcoal from triggering allergic reactions]

§  Vadas P, Wai Y, Burks W, Perelman B.  Detection of peanut allergens in breast milk of lactating women.  JAMA. 2001 Apr 4;285(13):1746-8.  [We investigated whether peanut protein could be absorbed from the stomach and pass into the breast milk of lactating women.  Significant levels of peanut protein were detectable in breast milk 4 - 6 hours after eating a snack-size portion of peanut.  Secretion of peanut protein in breast milk of lactating women represents an occult source of peanut exposure, which can potentially lead to sensitization]