Advances in precise diagnosis and treatment of food allergy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The incidence of food allergy is annually increasing that brings a heavy burden to patients, their families and the society.In recent years, precise treatment of food allergy by clarifying the clinical phenotype, endotype and biomarkers of the disease has become an emerging approach.This review summarizes advances in precise diagnosis and treatment of food allergy.

Study of adverse drug events related to tacrolimus in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients based on FAERS database / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the characteristics of adverse drug event (ADE) related to tacrolimus (Tac) in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. Methods The data were retrieved from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2023. The ADE data of pediatric organ transplant recipients with Tac as the primary suspected drug were extracted. The relationship between Tac and ADE was quantitatively analyzed by proportional imbalance method. Basic characteristics and signal strength of ADE related to Tac were analyzed. ADE related to Tac in children of different ages and different types of organ transplantation were analyzed. Results A total of 1 443 children's ADE reports involving Tac were screened, including 188 cases (13.0%) of heart transplantation, 668 cases (46.3%) of liver transplantation, 531 cases (36.8%) of kidney transplantation and 56 cases (3.9%) of lung transplantation. The median age of children was 10 years old. The top three countries with ADE reporting were the United States, France and the United Kingdom. China reported 26 cases, accounting for 1.8%. Infection and infectious diseases accounted for the highest proportion (20.96%) in ADE related to Tac, including EB virus and cytomegalovirus infection, etc. Infection and infectious diseases occupied the largest proportion of ADE related to Tac in children of different ages, whereas the pathogen types were different. Rejection, unstable immunosuppression level and renal function damage were also common ADE related to Tac in children of all ages. Nervous system disease was the main ADE in heart transplant recipients, while infection and infectious diseases were more common in liver and kidney transplant recipients. Rejection was the most common ADE in lung transplant recipients. Conclusions ADE related to Tac possess different distribution characteristics in different types of organ transplantation. Extensive attention should be paid to individualized drug monitoring and risk assessment in pediatric organ transplant recipients, thereby optimizing Tac treatment and reducing the risk of ADE.

Outcomes and factors associated with tolerance in infants with non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy with gastrointestinal manifestations

Abstract Objectives To evaluate outcomes of oral food challenge (OFC) test to assess tolerance in infants with non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) with gastrointestinal manifestations and explore clinical data predictive of these outcomes. Methods Single-center retrospective study including infants (age < 12 months) who were referred for CMA between 2000 and 2018 and underwent OFC on follow-up. A univariate logistic regression test was performed to evaluate variables associated with the outcomes of the follow-up OFC test. Results Eighty-two patients were included, 50% were male. Eighteen patients had a positive OFC test (22%). Most patients had presented with hematochezia (77%). The median age of symptom onset was 30 days. Two-thirds of the patients were on appropriate infant formula (extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula), exclusively or in association with breastfeeding. The median time on an elimination diet before the OFC test was 8 months (Q1 6 - Q3 11 months). All cases with positive follow-up OFC tests (n= 18) had been exposed to cow's milk-based formula before the first clinical manifestation of CMA. Five out of eight cases with Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) had positive OFC tests. Exposure to cow's milk-based formula before diagnosis, a history of other food allergies, hematochezia and diarrhea were predictors of a positive OFC test. Conclusions In infants with non-IgE-mediated CMPA with gastrointestinal manifestations, the use of cow's milk-based formula, a history of other food allergies, and hematochezia and diarrhea upon initial presentation were associated factors for the later achievement of tolerance.

Análise sobre o conhecimento do pediatra brasileiro sobre a alergia à proteína do leite de vaca / Analysis of brazilian pediatricians' knowledge of cow's milk protein allergy

Analisar o conhecimento de pediatras brasileiros sobre alergia à proteína do leite de vaca (APLV) por meio de um questionário validado. Estudo quantitativo com delineamento transversal no qual foi aplicado um questionário online sobre conhecimentos de APLV. O cálculo amostral foi de 294. O formulário online foi dividido em dois blocos, sendo o primeiro composto por questões de identificação dos pediatras e o segundo composto pelo questionário validado, construído a partir do Consenso Brasileiro de Alergia Alimentar (2018). A avaliação geral do questionário mostrou um percentual de concordância de 91% e Índice de Validade de Conteúdo de 0,95. Os resultados dos questionários aplicados foram apresentados em frequências absolutas e relativas, média, mediana, desvio padrão e percentis. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 5% (p < 0,05). O questionário validado foi respondido por 1.316 médicos brasileiros, dos quais 1.017 (77,3%) eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade observada foi de 45,50 ± 13,20 anos. Ao analisar o número total de acertos, notou-se que a média de acertos foi de 80,66 ± 10,42%. Os pediatras responderam principalmente a perguntas sobre o conceito e o tratamento da APLV. A questão com menor índice de acertos foi relacionada à investigação clínica e laboratorial. A maioria dos médicos que respondeu ao questionário demonstrou compreender o conceito e as principais recomendações terapêuticas da APLV.

To analyze the knowledge of Brazilian pediatricians about cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) using a validated questionnaire. Quantitative study with a cross-sectional design in which an online questionnaire on CMPA knowledge was applied. The sample calculation indicated 1024 participants. The online form was divided into two blocks, the first comprising questions on the identification of pediatricians, and the second comprising the validated questionnaire, built from the Brazilian Consensus on Food Allergy (2018). The general evaluation of the questionnaire showed a percentage of agreement of 91% and a Content Validity Index of 0.95. The results of the applied questionnaires were presented in absolute and relative frequencies, mean, median, standard deviation, and percentiles. The level of significance was set at 5% (p <0.05). The validated questionnaire was answered by 1316 Brazilian doctors, of whom 1017 (77.3%) were females, and their mean age was 45.50 ± 13.20 years. The mean total number of correct answers was 80.66 ± 10.42%. Pediatricians mostly answered questions about the concept and treatment of CMPA. The question with the lowest rate of correct answers was related to clinical and laboratory investigation. Most physicians who answered the questionnaire demonstrated they understood the concept and the main CMPA therapeutic recommendations.

Dupilumab for Treatment of Food-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis: Report of One Case / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a potentially life-threatening disorder that often occurs with exercise, and patients typically have eaten a specific food within hours before disease onset. This disease is exceedingly rare, with a prevalence of 0.02%. No well-recognized prevention or treatment strategy has been available for FDEIA except avoiding triggers strictly. Here we report an 11-year-old boy with a history of recurrent anaphylaxis of unknown etiology more than 10 times within two years. As the anaphylactic symptoms had not been controlled after traditional treatments, the patient was given subcutaneous injection of dupilumab seven times within 33 weeks. During dupilumab treatments, the patient was exposed to culprit mushrooms plus exercises at least twice a month but without notable anaphylaxis. Thus, Dupilumab may improve the allergic reactions in FDEIA patients.

Buckwheat allergy in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Buckwheat is one of the most common source of food allergen in children.The clinical manifestations of buckwheat allergy are varied, which mainly affects the skin, and sometimes the respiratory and digestive system.Buckwheat allergy leads to a high incidence of anaphylaxis, which can even be life-threatening.In recent years, the prevalence of buckwheat allergy in Chinese children and adolescents is on the rise, although it is rarely reported in relevant literatures.This review summarized the prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of buckwheat allergy in children, aiming to provide some suggestions.

Interpretation of managing food allergy: Global Allergy and Asthma European Network guideline (2022) / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Food allergy is one of the most common chronic non-infectious diseases in many countries and regions, which affects 2%-4% of children and adults.Its prevalence is on the rise worldwide.In 2022, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA 2LEN) proposed recommendations on managing food allergy to people at different age groups.This review aims to interpret the recommendations, clinical practice, precautions, evidence gaps and research priorities of food allergy management based on the GA 2LEN guideline 2022, thus providing reference for clinical management of food allergy.

Advances of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in food allergy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Food allergy is a common allergic disease threatening the growth and development of infants and children.n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are common nutrients in the diet, which have important structural functions and immunomodulatory effects.Their protective effect in food allergy has gradually become a potential research hotspot.This review highlights the function and immune regulation of PUFAs, the regulation of n-3 PUFAs on immunological indexes, the mechanism of food allergy, and the relationship between food allergy, and the impact of n-3 PUFAs on other allergic diseases.

Research progress on the correlation between autism spectrum disorder and food allergy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The incidences of both autism spectrum disorder and food allergy have been on the rise in the past few decades, which have become global public health problems.Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder commonly associated with gastrointestinal problems.The exact etiology and pathogenesis are unclear, and immune dysfunction has been shown associated with autism spectrum disorder.Food allergy is an immune-mediated disease that often causes gastrointestinal symptoms.Some studies have reported a possible link between food allergy and autism spectrum disorder.This reviews describes the correlation between food allergy and autism spectrum disorder, aiming to provide information for the study of etiology and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

Biomarkers associated with persistence and severity of IgE-mediated food allergies: a systematic review

Abstract Objective The prevalence of food allergies (FA) has increased worldwide over the last few decades. Milk, eggs, and peanuts are among the most common allergens and can cause anaphylaxis. Therefore, we aimed to identify biomarkers that could predict the persistence and/or severity of IgE-mediated allergies to milk, eggs, and peanuts via a systematic review. Methods This systematic review proceeded according to a protocol registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Two independent authors extracted studies of interest from PubMed, SciELO, EMBASE, Scopus, and Ebsco databases and assessed their quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results We selected 14 articles describing 1,398 patients. Among eight identified biomarkers, total IgE, specific IgE (sIgE), and IgG4 were the most often cited biomarkers of persistent allergies to milk, eggs, and peanuts. Skin prick tests, endpoint tests, and sIgE cutoff levels may predict positive responses to challenges with these foods. The basophil activation test is a biomarker for the severity and/or threshold of allergic reactions to milk and peanuts. Conclusion Only a few publications identified possible prognostic indicators of the persistence or severity of FA and outcomes of oral food challenges, indicating that more accessible biomarkers are needed to determine the likelihood of having a severe food allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis to sunflower seed / Anafilaxia à semente de girassol

Sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) is an uncommon allergenic source frequently consumed in snacks, as component of some types of bread, as condiment in some dishes, and also used in animal feeding. Occasional cases of anaphylaxis to this seed have been reported in the current literature, mainly in workers occupationally exposed to sunflower allergens and bird breeders. The allergenic nature of the storage protein albumin 2S and the non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) of this seed has been described. The authors report the case and diagnostic approach of a seed anaphylaxis.

A semente de girassol (Helianthus annuus) é uma fonte alergênica incomum frequentemente consumida em lanches, como componente de alguns tipos de pães, como condimento em alguns pratos, e também utilizada na alimentação animal. Casos eventuais de anafilaxia a esta semente têm sido relatados na literatura atual, principalmente em trabalhadores com exposição ocupacional a alérgenos de girassol e criadores de aves. A natureza alergênica da proteína de armazenamento albumina 2S e da proteína não específica de transferência de lipídios (nsLTP) dessa semente foi descrita. Os autores relatam o caso e a abordagem diagnóstica de uma anafilaxia por sementes.

Applications of Bioinformatics in Food Allergy: A Brief Review

This literature review mainly deals with the concepts of food science, food allergy, allergenomics, bioinformatics and its application in solving challenges pertaining to food allergy. When an after eating a certain food, the immune system gives out a reaction, it is defined as Food Allergy. It is a complex disease that has many challenging area related to its cure and is a worldwide problem. Bioinformatics help in providing solutions to these challenges. As allergens are mainly proteins. There are many allergy databases and tools available in the market that can be used to identify the differences between novel proteins and food allergens that could be the epicentre of multiple allergy syndromes. This review article talks about food allergenicity, allergy and computational approaches employed to solves issues related to it.

Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy in Children - A Case Study

Now days due to lactation failure cow milk is the first choice for an infant and accordingly is one of the first and most common causes of food allergy in early childhood. Cow milk allergy is the allergy to the protein (casein and whey protein) in cow milk. It is the leading cause of food allergy in infants and early childhood (less than 3 years). This review summarizes current evidence and recommendations regarding cow milk protein allergy (CMPA), the most common food allergy in young children, for the parents with incidence estimated as 2% to 7.5% in the first year of life. In classics, it has been mentioned that cow milk should always processed with Laghupanchmoola before it is consumed. There is no treatment for this disease in modern science as well as in Ayurveda, so there is a need to find a safe and effective remedy in the management of CMPA. A 1-year old male patient was brought to Out Patient Department of Kaumarabhritya, Rishikul campus UAU Haridwar Uttrakhand, with complaints of loose motion and vomiting after cow’s milk intake. These complaints were persisting for the past 20 days. After that he gradually developed abdominal pain for 10 days. This condition can be understood as CMPA treatments including Laghupanchmoola granules with cow milk, course of 2 months. There were significant improvements in the condition of the patient.

Significance of fecal calprotectin and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin in non-IgE-mediated food allergy / 国际儿科学杂志

Non-IgE-mediated food allergy most often presents with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, mucus stools, bloody stools, reflux and vomiting a few hours to days after exposure to the allergenic food.The pathogenesis may be related to the activation of intestinal T lymphocytes to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-4 by food allergens, leading to migration of neutrophils and eosinophils into the intestinal lumen, causing an intestinal inflammatory response and increased intestinal permeability.There is no rapid and specific diagnostic method.The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical manifestations combined with food avoidance and oral food challenge.In recent years, fecal biomarkers have been widely used as specific indicators for determining intestinal inflammation as an aid to diagnosis and condition assessment of intestinal infections and inflammatory bowel diseases, but their application in gastrointestinal allergic diseases is rarely reported.In this paper, we will focus on the significance of fecal calprotectin, fecal eosinophil-derived neurotoxin in non-IgE-mediated food allergy.

"Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in Children with Atopic Dermatitis" : explanation and elaboration of clinical manifestations and diagnosis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

In order to standardize the diagnosis and management of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis, experts from the Subspecialty Group of Child Health Care, Chinese Society of Dermatology, Chinese Medical Association; the Subspecialty Group of Dermatology, Chinese Society of Pediatrics, Chinese Medical Association; and Professional Committee of Pediatric Dermatology, China Dermatology Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, have established "Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in Children with Atopic Dermatitis" . The consensus discussed the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis.In this paper, the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis were elaborated in detail.The study results can facilitate the accurate identification of the food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis and the selection of appropriate diagnostic methods in clinical practice.Hence, excessive food avoidance beha-viors due to misdiagnosis and delays in children′s conditions caused by missed diagnosis can be prevented.

Progress in abnormal liver function related to food allergy / 国际儿科学杂志

The etiology of abnormal liver function in children is complex.Food allergy can cause liver immunity injury, which is one of the causes of abnormal liver function in children.The common clinical manifestation is hypertransaminasemia, mostly without cholestasis and hepatomegaly.After the exclusion of common causes of abnormal liver function, food challenge test to observe the changes of transaminase is used to diagnose abnormal liver function related to food allergy.This article reviews the research status, potential mechanism and clinical characteristic of abnormal liver function related to food allergy, aiming to improve the understanding of the phenomenon of clinicians, and better diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Mechanism of mixed probiotics relieves food allergy in infant mice through the programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 pathway / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of mixed probiotics on food allergy and the underlying mechanism.Methods:BALB/c mice on the 15 th day of pregnancy were randomly (random number table method) classified into the control group, food allergy model group and mixed probiotics group.Mice in the food allergy model and mixed pro-biotics group were subjected to ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization after birth, and those in the mixed probiotics group were then given probiotic solution by gavage from day 21 to day 35.Mice in control group were similarly given 9 g/L saline.Twenty-four hours after the last OVA sensitization, intestinal histopathological sections were prepared to observe intestinal pathological changes.Blood smears were prepared to detect eosinophil count.In addition, serum samples were collected to measure cytokine levels and OVA specific antibodies.The number of dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mouse mesenteric lymph nodes was calculated.Differences among 3 groups were compared by the One- Way ANOVA or Kruskal- Wallis H test. Results:Compared with those of food allergy model group, diarrhea score, the ratio of eosinophils and serum levels of interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, mast cell protease 1 (MCPT-1), and OVA specific antibodies IgE and IgG were significantly lower in mixed probiotics group[(2.00±0.71) points vs.(3.22±0.97) points, (2.28±1.61)% vs.(10.99±2.26)%, (413.68±22.81) ng/L vs.(708.78±27.66) ng/L, (36.64±3.74) ng/L vs.(46.05±4.95) ng/L, (201.37±65.61) ng/L vs.(495.22±96.66) ng/L, (31 924.15±1 177.77) ng/L vs.(36 175.77±618.29) ng/L, (9.10±8.08) ng/L vs.(19.69±0.84) ng/L, (30.50±8.81) ng/L vs.(190.32±6.40) ng/L], while IL-10 level was significantly higher[(164.12±3.88) ng/L vs.(123.90±7.31) ng/L] ( t=3.37, 8.72, 16.07, 3.90, 7.40, 7.95, 3.91, 44.00 and 7.76, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with those of food allergy model group, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) level on the surface of CD 103+ DCs and CD 103+ CD 80-CD 40-DCs, the proportion of Tregs in CD4 + T cells, and the level of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) on the surface of Tregs were significantly higher in mixed probiotics group[(75.59±0.45)% vs.(45.60±4.73)%, (67.56±1.87)% vs.(37.12±6.07)%, (8.24±0.69)% vs.(6.20±0.66)%, (11.25±3.12)% vs.(4.08±2.33)%]( t=7.88, 4.48, 3.63 and 3.71, all P<0.01). Conclusions:Mixed probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of food allergy and inflammatory response of young rats through mediating Tregs via the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

Evidence-based guidelines for food allergy of children in China / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The diagnosis of food allergy in children is one hotspot attracting people′s attention in recent years.The incidence of it shows an increasing trend which exposes problems in the understanding of children′s food allergy in China, especially in the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.To further standardize the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy in children, based on the current domestic, foreign guidelines and relevant research evidence, the guideline recommends 16 clinical hot-button issues in the 4 aspects of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.Finally, a diagnosis flowchart has been formulated.The guideline aims to improve the standard diagnosis and treatment of food allergies in children in China.

Interpretation of the Japanese Guidelines for Food Allergy 2020 / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The prevalence of food allergy among children has significantly increased, which seriously affects the quality of life of children and increases the burden of society and family.The understanding of food allergy in Chinese pediatric clinicians is lacked, and oral food challenge test and oral immunotherapy have not been widely carried out, which need to be further improved and standardized.In the present review, the author summarized the clinical classification, auxiliary examination, prevention and management of food allergy based on the current situation in China and the Japanese Guidelines for Food Allergy 2020, aiming to provide references for clinicians.

The immune mechanism and potential biomarkers of non-IgE-mediated food allergy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The immune mechanism of non-IgE-mediated food allergy is quite complex.Due to the lack of specific laboratory indicators and limited diagnosis and treatment methods, non-IgE-mediated food allergy is usually misdiagnosed.Therefore, it is urgent to clarify the pathogenesis of the disease and search for specific biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.This review aims to summarize current research results on the immune mechanism of non-IgE-mediated food allergy from two aspects, including the specific immunity and innate immunity, and to explore the potential diagnostic markers.The results may provide novel ideas for effective therapeutic strategies of non-IgE-mediated food allergy.