Minerva

Most oral desensitisation regimens to tackle cow’s milk allergy are impractical. A weekly up-dosing regimen was tested in 30 children with IgE mediated cow’s milk allergy. They were randomised to desensitisation with cow’s milk or soy milk as a control. At the end of the 18 week regimen, full tolerance was achieved in ten patients in the cow’s milk group and partial tolerance in one. Two patients dropped out due to severe reactions, but overall the regimen was effective and safe and induced consistent immunological changes (Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 2010;105:376-81, doi:10.1016/j.anai.2010.03.015).

Five independent and experienced dermatologists from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States were sent images from 979 skin lesions to diagnose using software designed in New Zealand. An analysis of inter-observer variability showed excellent agreement between four of the dermatologists for lesions diagnosed as melanomas and benign naevi. The fifth diagnosed melanoma far more frequently than the others. Rather politely the authors say the difference could be due to …