Risma Lab
Projects

Improving the Understanding of Adverse Drug Reactions

Our lab conducts clinical and translational research to improve the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of adverse drug reactions, including classical and idiosyncratic reactions to antibiotics, biologics, chemotherapy agents, vaccines and more.

Research Interests

Our current focus is a clinical study aiming to learn more about why some people have and develop allergic symptoms while taking a medication. Most adverse drug reactions (ADR) are mild, but some are severe. Through this study, we are collecting patient-reported outcome and genetic data and developing a biorepository. We hope that the information and samples collected could help researchers better understand the reasons behind these adverse drug reactions. The following projects are research areas within this study.

 

Lab Projects (3)

Acute Urticarial Syndrome Disorders in Children Taking Antibiotics

Acute urticarial syndrome disorders in children taking antibiotics present with hives that occur unpredictably after many days of illness caused by an infection. Additional symptoms may include swelling of the face, hands, feet or joints (knees, wrists, ankles). We are doing research to understand why children get allergic symptoms: is it the illness itself or an antibiotic taken for the illness? We might predict the latter, but most of the time, allergy testing shows the medication is safe to use. 

Our research hopes to address: 

  • Can we develop better treatments for hives when we understand mechanisms?
  • Can we uncover biomarkers that tell us at the time of hives which children are truly allergic?

Project Collaborators

Cheryl Bayart MD, MPH
Timothy Dribin MD
Thomas Hagan PhD
Patricia Vega Fernandez MD, MSc, RhMSUS

Grants / Funding Information

Pictogram of a Coin Stack
$500,000
National Institutes of Health
Acute Infusion/Injection Reactions to Medications

Children with complex illnesses often require life-saving medications delivered by injection. Reactions to injected medications are more frequent and potentially life threatening. Idealized diagnosis and management is lacking; this leads to unnecessary ADR labels and avoidance. There is a dearth of research, so the mechanisms for most reactions are unknown.

Medications we’re studying include IV and injectable antibiotics, anesthesia medications, biologics, blood products, chemotherapy, iron, radiocontrast agents, vaccines and more.

Our research hopes to address:

  • Can we develop better treatments for infusion reactions when we understand mechanisms?
  • Can we uncover biomarkers that tell us ahead of time which children are at risk?
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Children taking medications for infections, seizures or depression/anxiety may be at risk. Reactions are rare, under-recognized, and high morbidity/mortality. Idealized diagnosis and management are lacking. There is a dearth of research. 

Our research hopes to address: 

  • Can we develop better treatments for infusion reactions when we understand mechanisms?
  • Can we uncover biomarkers that tell us ahead of time which children are at risk?
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