BSACI 2021 guideline for the management of egg allergy.

This guideline advises on the management of patients with egg allergy. Most commonly egg allergy presents in infancy, with a prevalence of approximately 2% in children and 0.1% in adults. A clear clinical history will confirm the diagnosis in most cases. Investigation by measuring egg-specific IgE (by skin prick testing or specific IgE assay) is useful in moderate-severe cases or where there is diagnostic uncertainty. Following an acute allergic reaction, egg avoidance advice should be provided. Egg allergy usually resolves, and reintroduction can be achieved at home if reactions have been mild and there is no asthma. Patients with a history of severe reactions or asthma should have reintroduction guided by a specialist. All children with egg allergy should receive the MMR vaccine. Most adults and children with egg allergy can receive the influenza vaccine in primary care, unless they have had anaphylaxis to egg requiring intensive care support. Yellow Fever vaccines should only be considered in egg-allergic patients under the guidance of an allergy specialist. This guideline was prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and is intended for allergists and others with a special interest in allergy. The recommendations are evidence based. Where evidence was lacking, consensus was reached by the panel of specialists on the committee. The document encompasses epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and co-morbid associations.

A Retrospective Clinical Audit of the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 for Multiplex Allergen Testing.

INTRODUCTION: Complex cases of multiple allergies can be particularly difficult to diagnose using standard methods such as skin prick tests and assessment of a patient's allergic history. Multiplex allergy testing may improve outcomes for allergy patients by avoiding misdiagnosis and providing reassurance. The ImmunoCAP Immuno Solid-Phase Allergen Chip (ISAC) 112 is a CE-marked, molecular, multiplex, allergy test that can test for IgE antibodies to 112 components from 51 allergen sources. However, its clinical utility is unknown and is difficult to estimate due to the complexity of the diagnostic pathway in which it is used. OBJECTIVE: To assess how the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 is currently being used in UK practice. The patient populations in which it may have the most benefit were examined, and the sequence of other tests implemented alongside ISAC was determined. METHODS: A retrospective audit of 100 patient cases from 2 UK tertiary allergy clinics was performed. Fifty paediatric and fifty adult cases were selected for audit. The indications for ordering an ISAC test, the other tests used alongside ISAC, and changes in management actioned by the ISAC test were investigated. RESULTS: 73.6% of paediatric and 78% of adult patients referred for an ISAC test were suspected to have multiple sensitizations. The sequence of testing varied greatly between cases, but 70% of adult and 98% of paediatric patients had at least one other investigation prior to an ISAC test. In most cases, ISAC testing confirmed clinical suspicion. CONCLUSIONS: A prospective research study is necessary to further investigate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of the ISAC. A UK national registry would be of great benefit but will require a large resource base.

How many paediatric referrals to an allergist could be managed by a general practitioner with special interest?

BACKGROUND: The concept of a general practitioner with special interest (GPwSI) was first proposed in the 2000 National Health Service Plan, as a way of providing specialized treatment closer to the patient's home and reducing hospital waiting times. Given the patchy and inadequate provision of paediatric allergy services in the UK, the introduction of GPwSIs might reduce pressure on existing specialist services. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive referrals to a specialist paediatric allergy clinic were reviewed to assess what proportion could be managed by a GPwSI allergy service with a predefined range of facilities and expertise (accurate diagnosis and management of allergy; skin prick testing; provision of allergen avoidance advice; ability to assess suitability for desensitization). Each referral was reviewed independently by three allergy specialists. Cases were initially judged on the referral letter and then, to determine whether appropriate triage decisions could be made prospectively, cases were re-assessed with information summarized in the clinic letter. The proportion of referrals suitable for a GPwSI was calculated and their characteristics identified. RESULTS: At least 42% and up to 75% were suitable for management by a GPwSI in allergy based on unanimous and majority agreement, respectively. The appropriateness of 79% referrals could be identified based on the information in the referral letter. A total of 19% referrals were unsuitable for a GPwSI service because of complex or multisystem disease, need for specialist knowledge or facilities or patient's young age. CONCLUSIONS: At least two-fifths of paediatric allergy referrals to our hospital-based service could be dealt with in a GPwSI clinic, thereby diversifying the patient pathway, allowing specialist services to focus on complex cases and reducing waiting times for appointments.

The RCPCH care pathway for children with urticaria, angio-oedema or mastocytosis: an evidence and consensus based national approach.

AIMS: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Science and Research Department was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national care pathways for children with allergies; the urticaria, angio-oedema or mastocytosis pathway is the fifth pathway. The pathways focus on defining the competences required to improve the equity of care received by children with allergic conditions. METHOD: The urticaria, angio-oedema or mastocytosis pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence. The pathway was reviewed by a broad group of stakeholders including the public and approved by the Allergy Care Pathways Project Board and the RCPCH Clinical Standards Committee. RESULTS: Three pathways are described: urticaria with or without angio-oedema, angio-oedema without weals, and mastocytosis. The results are presented in four parts: evidence review, mapping, external review and core knowledge documents. Acute urticaria has many causes and is often not allergic in origin. It is frequently of relatively short duration and easily managed with antihistamines alone. However, at the other extreme, causes of chronic urticaria and angio-oedema are difficult to diagnose and treatment can be complex. Thus defining the competence required for each extreme is critical to ensure optimal care. The evidence review identified that allergy testing and thyroid function testing were helpful in the investigation of chronic urticaria, that increasing the dose of antihistamine was effective in treating urticaria and that ciclosporin A and prednisolone were effective second line treatments. CONCLUSIONS: From the common presentation of acute (intermittent) urticaria to the uncommon presentations of chronic urticaria, angio-oedema and cutaneous mastocytosis, this pathway is a tool to assist health professionals to differentiate and manage these conditions.

The RCPCH care pathway for children at risk of anaphylaxis: an evidence and consensus based national approach to caring for children with life-threatening allergies.

AIMS: Numerous studies have identified shortcomings in the management of children at risk of severe acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). The Science and Research Department at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop competence based national care pathways for children with allergies. Anaphylaxis is the first completed pathway. METHODS: The anaphylaxis pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group, reviewed by a broad group of stakeholders and approved by the Allergy Care Pathways Project Board and the RCPCH Clinical Standards Committee. RESULTS: Pathway development is described under five headings: evidence review, mapping, external review, core knowledge documents and key recommendations. The full pathway can be downloaded from www.rcpch.ac.uk/allergy/anaphylaxis. This document describes the entry points and the ideal pathway of care from self-care through to follow-up. The five key recommendations focus on: (1) prompt administration of adrenaline by intramuscular injection; (2) referral to specialists with competence in paediatric allergies; (3) risk analysis; (4) provision of a self-management plan; and (5) suggested creation of a national anaphylaxis death register. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first national care pathway for anaphylaxis, which is based on a critique of published evidence, expert consensus and multi-stakeholder input including patient representation via the Anaphylaxis Campaign. The Project Board urges health professionals to work together across networks to improve care for children at risk of anaphylaxis, in particular during the period after an acute reaction. Additionally, the Project Board strongly recommends the funding of a national anaphylaxis register.

Antiretroviral drug resistance among HIV-1 infected children failing treatment.

High levels of HIV-1 replication occur following perinatal infection and antiretroviral drugs may not fully suppress viral load during the early years of childhood. Adherence to treatment may also be difficult among children. These two factors will contribute to development of drug resistance but limited paediatric data are available. This study has, therefore, evaluated the prevalence of drug resistance among children and assessed the contribution of adherence to failing therapy. Samples from 26 children who had experienced virological failure to antiretroviral therapy were tested for drug resistance using the Visible Genetics TRUGENE trade mark HIV-1 genotyping assay. HIV-1 subtype was determined using a peptide-based EIA and drug adherence determined by physician assessment. Twenty-four children were black African, 23 of whom were infected with a non-B subtype. HIV RNA sequence data was obtained for 21 of the 26 children; at treatment failure resistance mutations were detected in the protease gene of 7 (33%) and the reverse transcriptase gene of 19 (90%). A lower proportion of children had evidence of drug resistance at nadir and no resistance mutations were detected prior to treatment. Genotypic resistance was common in those treated with lamivudine (10/11, 91%), nevirapine (6/8, 75%), and zidovudine (7/11, 64%). The prevalence of mutations was lower among those receiving other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. In 50% of children, drug adherence was >90%. Antiretroviral drug resistance was common among this group of children failing therapy, the majority of whom were infected with non-B subtypes of HIV-1. As adherence to treatment was low in 50%, this was likely to be an important contributory factor.