Impact of climate change-related environmental factors on the allergens production and the epidemiology and severity of allergic pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Allergic disease affects up to 40% of the global adult population, a proportion that is increasing with environmental changes related to global warming. METHODS: We undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify and evaluate the current evidence of the impact of climate change-related environmental factors on the allergen production and the epidemiology and severity of allergic pathologies. PECO criteria were established and guided the literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane databases (Jan 1, 2016 to Dec 31, 2021). Study outcomes were categorized and grouped to facilitate data synthesis. Outcomes were classified as significant (statistical significance <0.05), non-significant (p>0.05) or undetermined (p value not reported). Study quality was assessed using MMAT analysis. RESULTS: Of 195 studies, 40 were considered relevant and 9 of them provided data to be included in the data quantitative synthesis. Environmental factors, including the presence of pollutants, temperature, and drought, influenced the type, volume, and timing of exposure to local aeroallergens. The most relevant environmental factor was the presence of environmental pollutants, of which tropospheric ozone was the most frequently associated to changes in allergen production, prevalence, and severity of allergic disease. Also, several publications demonstrated the impact of environmental factors on the healthcare burden. CONCLUSIONS: Climate-change related environmental factors increased allergic disease in terms of prevalence, severity, and healthcare burden due to alterations in allergen exposure (volume and type) with the presence of pollutants such as ozone being the most commonly reported driver of such increase.

Eosinophilic esophagitis as a side-effect of allergen immunotherapy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary: Background. Sensitization to food and airborne allergens is common in the majority of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Although there is not a direct cause-effect relationship of IgE-mediated allergy with the pathogenesis of EoE, there is a growing evidence that oral desensitization to food and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may induce the development of EoE as an adverse effect. As part of the 'EoE and Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT)' Task Force funded by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), a systematic approach will be followed to review the evidence from the published scientific literature on the development of EoE in children and adults under any type of AIT. Methods. This systematic review will be carried out following the PRISMA statement guidelines. Studies will be assessed for inclusion in the review according to the Population-Interventions-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) criteria. Results. Expected outcomes will provide evidence on the AIT-EoE development connection. Conclusions. The findings from this review will be used as a reference to provide useful guidelines for physicians treating patients with EoE and/or are practicing AIT.

Current update on anaphylaxis: anaphylaxis management in recent guidelines.

Summary: Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction but frequently underrecognized. Although its incidence rates vary according to geographical location, it seems clear that there has been a general increase in recent years, either because of greater recognition of this entity or because it is progressing proportionally to the presence of allergic diseases in the world. The development of anaphylaxis management guidelines adapted to local or regional needs seems of utmost importance. Furthermore, it is necessary to assess their implementation and their positive effect regarding diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis. In this review we explore the currently existing definitions of anaphylaxis and its epidemiology, the potential triggers of anaphylaxis and guideline recommendations in terms of diagnosis and management, proposing a novel anaphylaxis calculator and reviewing the current scoring methods for anaphylactic episodes.

Positioning of Tezepelumab in Severe Asthma.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and is estimated to be severe in 3%-10% of affected patients. There is a need for additional biologic treatments that are highly efficacious across the spectrum of severe uncontrolled asthma. Currently available drugs inhibit 1 or 2 specific cytokines or IgE antibodies and thus only partially suppress the complex type 2 (T2) inflammatory cascade. Biologics targeting more upstream molecules in the pathophysiological pathway of asthma could treat asthma more effectively. Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G2λ antibody that targets the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). It is the first marketed biologic against an epithelial cell-derived cytokine, preventing binding of TSLP to its receptor and reducing the immune stimuli that TSLP can trigger in different asthma endotypes. Tezepelumab reduces downstream biomarkers of inflammation, such as blood and airway eosinophils, FeNO, IgE, IL-5, and IL-13. Tezepelumab provides a clinical benefit in severe asthma, reducing the annualized asthma exacerbation rate in patients with either high or low levels of biomarkers of T2 inflammation, although the effect is greater among those with high levels. The drug has been shown to improve asthma control, quality of life, and lung function and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness. Therefore, tezepelumab can be used across the spectrum of patients with severe uncontrolled asthma, especially in T2-high patients. This review includes a positioning statement by the authors, all of whom are members of the SEAIC Asthma Committee.

Influencing factors on the safety and effectiveness of venom immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The safety profile of venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a relevant issue and considerable differences in safety and efficacy of VIT have been reported. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers during VIT, which has already been published. For a second analysis, data concerning premedication and venom preparations in relation to systemic adverse events (AE) during the up-dosing phase and the first year of the maintenance phase were evaluated as well as the outcome of field stings and sting challenges. METHODS: The study was conducted as an open, prospective, observational, multicenter study. In total, 1,425 patients were enrolled and VIT was performed in 1,342 patients. RESULTS: Premedication with oral antihistamines was taken by 52.1% of patients during the up-dosing and 19.7% of patients during the maintenance phase. Taking antihistamines had no effect on the frequency of systemic AE (p=0.11) but large local reactions (LLR) were less frequently seen (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.96; p=0.02). Aqueous preparations were preferentially used for up-dosing (73.0%) and depot preparations for the maintenance phase (64.5%). The type of venom preparation neither had an influence on the frequency of systemic AE nor on the effectiveness of VIT (p=0.26 and p=0.80, respectively), while LLR were less frequently seen when depot preparations were used (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with oral antihistamines during VIT significantly reduces the frequency of LLR but not systemic AE. All venom preparations used were equally effective and did not differ in the frequency of systemic AE.

Impact of Asthma Inhalers on Global Climate: A Systematic Review of Their Carbon Footprint and Clinical Outcomes in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) exert an environmental impact resulting from CO2 emissions. Therapeutic alternatives with less environmental impact are widely used. Nevertheless, the choice of device and appropriate therapy should meet the clinical needs and the characteristics of the patient. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to estimate the impact of pMDIs prescribed for any indication on annual CO2 emissions in Spain.The secondary objective was to evaluate the potential impact of switching pMDIs to dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) in patients with asthma. METHODS: A systematic review of the evidence published during 2010-2021 was carried out. Average annual CO2 emissions of DPIs and pMDIs were calculated in 2 scenarios: the current situation and a hypothetical situation involving a switch from all pMDIs to DPIs. The impact of the switch on clinical outcomes was also evaluated. RESULTS: The total value of CO2-eq/year due to DPIs and pMDIs accounted for 0.0056% and 0.0909%, respectively, of total emissions in Spain. In the event of switching pMDIs to DPIs, except those used for rescue medication, the percentages were 0.0076% and 0.0579%. The evaluation of efficacy, handling, satisfaction, safety, and use of health care resources was not conclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Current CO2 emissions by pMDIs account for a small percentage of the total CO2 footprint in Spain. Nevertheless, there is a need for research into new and more sustainable devices. Suitability and patient clinical criteria such as age and inspiratory flow should be prioritized when prescribing an inhaler.

High Frequency of Smell and Taste Dysfunction in Health Care Professionals With COVID-19 Working in Allergy Departments.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Since the early stages of the novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD) has been reported in 5% to 88% of COVID-19 patients. Objective: We aimed to assess STD in health care professionals (HCPs), mainly allergists, affected by COVID-19. We carried out a survey to evaluate the association between STD and its severity and demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, and hospital admission. METHODS: We designed a 15-item questionnaire comprising various sections, as follows: demographics, diagnostic characteristics, STD patterns, medication use, and comorbidities. The questionnaire was developed using Google forms. It was distributed to members of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) and sent via social media to be completed by HCPs with COVID-19. RESULTS: The survey was completed by HCPs (n=234), of whom 76.5% were aged ≤55 years and 73.5% were female. STD was detected in 74.4% of respondents, of whom 95.6% reported moderate-severe impairment. Mean time until recovery of taste dysfunction was 21.6 (24.0) days in HCPs aged ≤55 years and 33.61±26.2 days in those aged >55 years (P=.019). Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed that more than a half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell. Older age (>55 years) was associated with fever, anorexia, lower frequency of headache, and longer persistence of taste dysfunction. CONCLUSION: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19, even as a unique or preceding symptom. HCPs who reported smell dysfunction were younger than those not affected with STD. Taste dysfunction may imply more systemic involvement in COVID-19-positive HCPs.

SEAIC Specialty Forum: Analysis of the Current Situation of Allergology in Spain and Outlook for the Future.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergology has been a recognized medical specialty in Spain, with fully defined aims and competencies for more than 4 decades. However, in recent years, its visibility seems to have decreased somewhat. Objectives: To identify which specific factors have contributed to the waning of the importance of the specialty and find tangible solutions to consolidate its place as a front-line medical specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online population survey comprising 60 items of interest was prepared. The degree of agreement and the level of satisfaction with each item were assessed, and implementable initiatives in the short, medium, and long terms were defined in order to provide solutions to the issues identified. RESULTS: The survey was completed by a total of 167 specialists with an average of 18 years' experience. Most were from public reference hospitals, and 29.3% were heads of department. The line of action for which a good degree of agreement was achieved was to promote the inclusion of an allergist in multidisciplinary teams. The priority lines of action were to improve undergraduate and graduate training in allergology and specialized nursing, to identify curricula in Spain, and to develop robust teaching projects. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed a high degree of homogeneity between professionals. The basic pillars highlighted were as follows: quality training, knowledge, and research in immunotherapy; an innovative portfolio of services endorsed by clinical practice guidelines; and presence in multidisciplinary teams and relevant hospital committees.

Effectiveness of allergy testing in milk induced eosinophilic esophagitis. Description and follow-up of patients.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, local immune-mediated esophageal disease that has been on the increase lately. There is currently enough evidence to conclude that EoE is an allergic disorder triggered by food allergens, with cow's milk (CM) being the most frequent. Dietary intervention is the first-line approach. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics, the diagnostic method, and the prognosis of patients whose culprit food was CM, as opposed to other triggers. METHODS: Children with EoE evaluated in our pediatric Allergy Department were retrospectively studied from 2004 to 2017. We collected clinical variables, diagnostic protocol, treatment, and follow-up data. We compared patients whose culprit food was CM and patients with EoE due to other causative agents. RESULTS: We analyzed 31 children with EoE and found the causative food to be cow's milk in 14 (45%). Clinical characteristics were similar in patients with EoE due to milk or any other cause. Eight of 14 patients with milk-induced EoE (57.14%) presented positive skin prick test results against cow's milk. All patients had positive IgE against cow's milk. None of the patients had any other food as the trigger. The median follow-up was 2.68 years (6 months to 9 years) with initial remission of 100%. CONCLUSION: Testing-based elimination diets effectively treated all of the patients with milk-induced EoE. The advantage of this diagnostic protocol is that it required a mean of only two foods to be tested, significantly smaller number than in empiric diets.

Impact Of "eHealth" in Allergic Diseases and Allergic Patients.

The emergence of new technology enables allergists and patients to compile data and receive feedback regarding key symptoms, risk behavior, and/or management. The term "eHealth" refers to a diverse group of tools that use computerized technologies to improve both the efficacy and the efficiency of the health care industry. eHealth comprises a variety of technologies, as follows: mobile devices (mHealth) in medical care, including electronic diaries, wearable sensors, and adherence monitoring; health informatics (eg, electronic health records, computerized physician order entry, clinical decision support); telemedicine, which is the use of information and communication technologies for the management of diseases and medical education; social media platforms, and the analysis of information acquired through these platforms using "big data" technologies. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on the use of eHealth technology and the relevance of eHealth to allergic conditions.