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1.
World Allergy Organ J ; 17(9): 100947, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39310372

ABSTRACT

Background: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is the most complex and common food allergy in infants. Elimination of cow's milk from the diet and replacement with a specialized formula for infants with cow's milk allergy who cannot be breastfed is an established approach to minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions while avoiding nutritional deficiencies. Given the availability of multiple options, such as extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk-based formula (eHF-CM), aminoacid formula (AAF), hydrolyzed rice formula (HRF), and soy formula (SF), there is some uncertainty regarding which formula might represent the most suitable choice with respect to health outcomes. The addition of probiotics to a specialized formula has also been proposed as a potential approach to possibly increase the benefit. We systematically reviewed specialized formulas for infants with CMA to inform the updated World Allergy Organization (WAO) DRACMA guidelines. Objective: To systematically review and synthesize the available evidence about the use of specialized formulas for the management of individuals with CMA. Methods: We searched from inception PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the websites of selected allergy organizations, for randomized and non-randomized trials of any language investigating specialized formulas with or without probiotics. We included all studies irrespective of the language of the original publication. The last search was conducted in January 2024. We synthesized the identified evidence quantitatively or narratively as appropriate and summarized it in the evidence profiles. We conducted this review following the PRISMA, Cochrane methods, and the GRADE approach. Results: We identified 3558 records including 14 randomized trials and 7 observational studies. Very low certainty evidence suggested that in infants with IgE-mediated CMA, eHF-CM, compared with AAF, might have higher probability of outgrowing CMA (risk ratio (RR) 2.32; risk difference (RD) 25 more per 100), while showing potentially lower probability of severe vomiting (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.88; RD 23 fewer per 100, 95% CI 3 to 26) and developing food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.82; RD 34 fewer per 100, 95% CI 7 to 39). We also found, however, that eHF-CM might be inferior to AAF in supporting a physiological growth, with respect to both weight (-5.5% from baseline, 95%CI -9.5% to -1.5%) and length (-0.7 z-score change, 95%CI -1.15 to -0.25) (very low certainty). We found similar effects for eHF-CM, compared with AAF, also in non-IgE CMA. When compared with SF, eHF-CM might favor weight gain for IgE CMA infants (0.23 z-score change, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.45), and tolerance acquisition (RR 1.86, 95%CI 1.03 to 3.37; RD 27%, 95%CI 1%-74%) for non-IgE CMA (both at very low certainty of the evidence (CoE)). The comparison of eHF-CM vs. HRF, and HRF vs. SF, showed no difference in effect (very low certainty). For IgE CMA patients, low certainty evidence suggested that adding probiotics (L. rhamnosus GG, L. casei CRL431 and B. lactis Bb-12) might increase the probability of developing CMA tolerance (RR 2.47, 95%CI 1.03 to 5.93; RD 27%, 95%CI 1%-91%), and reduce the risk of severe wheezing (RR 0.12, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.95; RD -23%, 95%CI -8% to -0.4%). However, in non-IgE CMA infants, the addition of probiotics (L. rhamnosus GG) showed no significant effect, as supported by low to very low CoE. Conclusions: Currently available studies comparing eHF-CM, AAF, HRF, and SF provide very low certainty evidence about their effects in infants with IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA. Our review revealed several limitations in the current body of evidence, primarily arising from concerns related to the quality of studies, the limited size of the participant populations and most importantly the lack of diversity and standardization in the compared interventions. It is therefore imperative for future studies to be methodologically rigorous and investigate a broader spectrum of available interventions. We encourage clinicians and researchers to review current World Allergy Organization (WAO) Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow's Milk Allergy (DRACMA) Guidelines for suggestions on how to use milk replacement formulas in clinical practice and what additional research would be the most beneficial.

2.
World Allergy Organ J ; 17(8): 100931, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39228431

ABSTRACT

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common presentations of food allergy in early childhood. Management of CMA involves individualized avoidance of cow's milk and other mammalian milk and foods containing these. Optimal elimination of cow's milk avoidance includes: label reading; information about safe and nutritious substitute foods; appropriate choice of infant formula or a plant-based food; establishing tolerance to baked milk and monitoring nutritional intake and growth. Substitute formulas are divided into soy formula (not hydrolyzed), milk-based extensively hydrolyzed formulas, rice based extensive, and partially hydrolyzed formulas and amino acid-based formulas. The use of other mammalian milks is not recommended for the management of cow's milk allergy due to a high level of cross-reactivity and nutritional concerns. For toddlers who are eating well, children, and adults, a suitable plant-based beverage may be a suitable alternative to a specialized formula, following careful nutritional considerations. Families need to be instructed on finding suitable nutritious foods and how to prepare suitable meals at home. Individuals with CMA also need to know how to identify and treat acute severe reactions.

3.
World Allergy Organ J ; 17(8): 100921, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39253619

ABSTRACT

In 2010, the United States Human and Health Services (US HHS) and the European Union's (EU) Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding to stimulate cooperation surrounding health-related information communications technology. The key project that emerged from this agreement is the International Patient Summary (IPS), intended to provide succinct clinically relevant patient summaries, which are generalizable and condition-independent, that can be readily used by all clinicians for the care of patients. Although allergies are included in the main information required by the IPS library and framework, it is misrepresented which leads to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of patients suffering from allergic and hypersensitivity conditions (A/H). The French and Montpellier World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres have provided arguments for supporting representation of A/H in the IPS. These are based on the relevance of the new classification of A/H in the WHO International Classification of Diseases 11th version (ICD-11), and the need for alignment of eHealth tools with harmonized health information. We first present the A/H in the IPS initiative with the mission of producing an international information system that can be used globally in electronic health records to standardize clinical diagnoses and facilitate communication between clinicians caring for patients with A/H diseases. It is believed this initiative will provide a strong voice for the allergy community and an effective process for improving the quality of health data that will optimize medical care for our patients worldwide.

4.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 12(8)2024 Aug 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39204035

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) affects patients after recovering from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study investigates the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on PASC symptoms in children in Taiwan during the Omicron pandemic. METHODS: We enrolled children under 18 years with PASC symptoms persisting for more than 4 weeks. Data collected included demographics, clinical information, vaccination status, and symptom persistence. We used logistic regression models to compare symptoms in the acute and post-COVID-19 phases and to assess the association between vaccination and these symptoms. RESULTS: Among 500 PASC children, 292 (58.4%) were vaccinated, 282 (52.8%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 7.6 (4.6) years. Vaccinated individuals exhibited higher odds of experiencing symptoms in the previous acute phase, such as cough (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.42), rhinorrhea/nasal congestion (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.13-2.67), sneezing (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.02-2.76), sputum production (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.15-3.19), headache/dizziness (AOR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.04-2.87), and muscle soreness (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.13-4.80). In contrast, there were lower odds of experiencing abdominal pain (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.25-0.94) and diarrhea (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.78) in children who had received vaccination during the post-COVID-19 phase. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed clinical features and vaccination effects in PASC children in Taiwan. Vaccination may reduce some gastrointestinal symptoms in the post-COVID-19 phase.

5.
World Allergy Organ J ; 17(4): 100888, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38706757

ABSTRACT

Background: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is the most common food allergy in infants. The replacement with specialized formulas is an established clinical approach to ensure adequate growth and minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions when breastfeeding is not possible. Still, given the availability of multiple options, such as extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk protein formula (eHF-CM), amino acid formula (AAF), hydrolyzed rice formula (HRF) and soy formulas (SF), there is some uncertainty as to the most suitable choice with respect to health outcomes. Furthermore, the addition of probiotics to a formula has been proposed as a potential approach to maximize benefit. Objective: These evidence-based guidelines from the World Allergy Organization (WAO) intend to support patients, clinicians, and others in decisions about the use of milk specialized formulas, with and without probiotics, for individuals with CMA. Methods: WAO formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel balanced to include the views of all stakeholders and to minimize potential biases from competing interests. The McMaster University GRADE Centre supported the guideline-development process, including updating or performing systematic evidence reviews. The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks, which were subject to review by stakeholders. Results: After reviewing the summarized evidence and thoroughly discussing the different management options, the WAO guideline panel suggests: a) using an extensively hydrolyzed (cow's milk) formula or a hydrolyzed rice formula as the first option for managing infants with immunoglobulin E (IgE) and non-IgE-mediated CMA who are not being breastfed. An amino-acid formula or a soy formula could be regarded as second and third options respectively; b) using either a formula without a probiotic or a casein-based extensively hydrolyzed formula containing Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for infants with either IgE or non-IgE-mediated CMA.The issued recommendations are labeled as "conditional" following the GRADE approach due to the very low certainty about the health effects based on the available evidence. Conclusions: If breastfeeding is not available, clinicians, patients, and their family members might want to discuss all the potential desirable and undesirable consequences of each formula in infants with CMA, integrating them with the patients' and caregivers' values and preferences, local availability, and cost, before deciding on a treatment option. We also suggest what research is needed to determine with greater certainty which formulas are likely to be the most beneficial, cost-effective, and equitable.

6.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 14(1): 32-38, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38482456

ABSTRACT

Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are 2 of the most common chronic inflammatory disorders and they appear to be on the rise. Current pharmacotherapy effectively controls symptoms but does not alter the underlying pathophysiology. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an evidence-based therapy for asthma and AR and has been recognized as the only therapeutic method that actually modifies the allergic disease process. There is a lack of objective markers that accurately and reliably reflect the therapeutic benefits of AIT. A biomarker indicating patients that would benefit most from AIT would be invaluable. Eosinophilic inflammation is a cardinal feature of many allergic diseases. Biomarkers that accurately reflect this inflammation are needed to better diagnose, treat, and monitor patients with allergic disorders. This review examines the current literature regarding AIT's effects on eosinophilic inflammation and biomarkers that may be used to determine the extent of these effects.

7.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob ; 3(2): 100202, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38283085

ABSTRACT

Background: Food allergy (FA), which is a condition that has no effective cure and can result in severe life-threatening allergic reactions, remains a global public health concern; however, little is known about how FAs are currently managed in the Asia-Pacific region. Objective: The main objective of this survey was to evaluate the epidemiology of FA, as well as the availability of resources and practices for management of FA and anaphylaxis by health care providers across Asia. Methods: From June 2022 to September 2022, a questionnaire-based survey comprising 66 questions was electronically sent to member societies of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology by using Survey Monkey. Results: A total of 20 responses were received from 15 member countries and territories. Compared with the pediatric data, there was a lack of prevalence data for FA in adults. Except for Australia and Japan, most regions had between 0.1 and 0.5 allergists per 100,000 population and some had fewer than 0.1 allergists per 100,000 population. The perceived rate of FA in regions with a short supply of allergists was high. Although specific IgE tests and oral food challenges were available in all regions, the median wait time for oral food challenges at government facilities was 37 days (interquartile range = 10.5-60 days). Seven regions still relied on prescriptions of ampules and syringes of injectable adrenaline, and adrenaline autoinjectors were not accessible in 4 regions. Oral immunotherapy as FA treatment was available in half of the surveyed countries and territories. Conclusions: Our study offers a cross-sectional evaluation of the management practices for FA in each Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology member country or territory. Urgent actions are required to enhance allergy services, improve the accessibility and affordability of adrenaline autoinjectors, and conduct robust epidemiologic studies.

8.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(4): 142-147, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38094092

ABSTRACT

Background: Allergy to penicillin is commonly reported in many countries and is an overwhelming global public health concern. Penicillin allergy labels can lead to the use of less effective antibiotics and can be associated with antimicrobial resistance. Appropriate assessment of suspected penicillin allergy (often including skin testing, followed by drug provocation testing [DPT] performed by allergists) can prevent the unnecessary restriction of penicillin or delabelling. Many countries in the Asia Pacific (AP) have very limited access to allergy services, and there are significant disparities in the methods of evaluating penicillin allergy. Therefore, a clinical pathway for the management of penicillin allergy is essential. Objectives: To develop a risk-stratified clinical pathway for delabeling penicillin allergy, taking into account the distinct epidemiology, patient/sensitization profiles, and disparities of allergy services or facilities within the AP. Methods: A risk-stratified penicillin allergy delabeling clinical pathway was formulated by the Drug Allergy Committee of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology. and members of the Penicillin Allergy Disparities survey in AP each representing one country/region of the AP. The clinical pathway was tested based on a database of anonymized patients who were sequentially referred for and completed penicillin allergy evaluation in Hong Kong. Results: The clinical pathway was piloted employing a "hub-and-spoke" approach to foster multidisciplinary collaboration between allergists and nonallergists. A simulation run of the algorithm on a retrospective Hong Kong cohort of 439 patients was performed. Overall, 367 (84%) of patients were suitable for direct DPT and reduced the need for skin testing or specialist's care for 357 (97%) skin test-negative individuals. Out of the skin test-negative patients, 345 (94%) patients had a negative DPT. Conclusions: This risk-stratification strategy for direct oral DPT can reduce the need for unnecessary skin testing in patients with low-risk penicillin allergy histories. The hub and spoke model of care may be considered for further piloting and validation in other AP populations that lack adequately trained allergists.

10.
Allergy ; 78(11): 2851-2874, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37814905

ABSTRACT

The exponential growth of precision diagnostic tools, including omic technologies, molecular diagnostics, sophisticated genetic and epigenetic editing, imaging and nano-technologies and patient access to extensive health care, has resulted in vast amounts of unbiased data enabling in-depth disease characterization. New disease endotypes have been identified for various allergic diseases and triggered the gradual transition from a disease description focused on symptoms to identifying biomarkers and intricate pathogenetic and metabolic pathways. Consequently, the current disease taxonomy has to be revised for better categorization. This European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Position Paper responds to this challenge and provides a modern nomenclature for allergic diseases, which respects the earlier classifications back to the early 20th century. Hypersensitivity reactions originally described by Gell and Coombs have been extended into nine different types comprising antibody- (I-III), cell-mediated (IVa-c), tissue-driven mechanisms (V-VI) and direct response to chemicals (VII). Types I-III are linked to classical and newly described clinical conditions. Type IVa-c are specified and detailed according to the current understanding of T1, T2 and T3 responses. Types V-VI involve epithelial barrier defects and metabolic-induced immune dysregulation, while direct cellular and inflammatory responses to chemicals are covered in type VII. It is notable that several combinations of mixed types may appear in the clinical setting. The clinical relevance of the current approach for allergy practice will be conferred in another article that will follow this year, aiming at showing the relevance in clinical practice where various endotypes can overlap and evolve over the lifetime.


Subject(s)
Hypersensitivity , Humans , Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Biomarkers
12.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(3): 127-131, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37744960

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a significant cause of bacterial infections ranging from mild infections affecting the respiratory tract such as otitis media and sinusitis to severe diseases including bacteremia, pneumonia, and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (eg, meningitis, septic arthritis, and endocarditis). Pneumococcal vaccines were first developed in the 1970s as capsular pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines, which were T-cell independent and hence lacked immunologic memory. Subsequently in the year 2000, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) conjugated to a protein to increase immunogenicity were developed and made commercially available. The increasing number of pneumococcal serotypes identified and the expanding pipeline of PCV vaccines with improved immunogenicity have significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with IPD in high-risk patients. Pneumococcal vaccines also play an important role in the diagnosis and immunophenotyping of children and adults with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) given the increasing diversity/heterogeneity of IEI presenting with primary and/or specific antibody deficiency. Other than the quantitation of serotype levels in routine clinical care, other measurements of immune response including the functional activity of antibodies, antibody avidity, cell-mediated immunity, and immunological memory remain limited to clinical trials during vaccine development.

13.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(3): 135-138, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37744962

ABSTRACT

The most common cause of erythema multiforme (EM) in children is infectious diseases which account for approximately 90% of cases. Drug eruptions are another common cause. Here we are reporting about a male patient aged 14 years with lymphadenitis who developed severe diffuse erythema during the course of treatment with medications including several antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Based on the pathological findings of the skin biopsy, the skin rash was due to EM. Upon investigating the underlying cause of EM, viral antibody was positive for Coxsackie A6, lymphocyte transformation testing (LTT) was positive for one of the NSAIDs, and the patch test (PT) was positive for amoxicillin. Based on the pattern of distribution of the skin rash, the cause of EM was considered to be drug-induced eruption due to amoxicillin. In this case, we did not derive a diagnosis of drug eruption without investigating the possibility of drug induction, because most cases of EM in children are induced by infection and the antibody against Coxsackie A6 was elevated. To diagnose the possibility of amoxicillin-induced EM, it was important to distinguish between the distribution patterns of infectious versus drug-induced EM and to evaluate the possibility of drug induction by both LTT and PT. If the diagnosis of amoxicillin-induced EM, had not been made, the potential recurrence of EM with amoxicillin could have occurred.

14.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract ; 11(12): 3742-3751.e9, 2023 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37572753

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: EQ-5D-5L (EuroQOL, 5 Domains, 5 Levels) is a widely used health-related quality-of-life instrument, comprising 5 domains. However, it is not known how each domain is impacted by rhinitis or asthma control. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between rhinitis or asthma control and the different EQ-5D-5L domains using data from the MASK-air mHealth app. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed data from all MASK-air users (2015-2021; 24 countries). For the levels of each EQ-5D-5L domain, we assessed rhinitis and asthma visual analog scales (VASs) and the combined symptom-medication score (CSMS). We built ordinal multivariable models assessing the adjusted association between VAS/CSMS values and the levels of each EQ-5D-5L domain. Finally, we compared EQ-5D-5L data from users with rhinitis and self-reported asthma with data from users with rhinitis alone. RESULTS: We assessed 5354 days from 3092 users. We observed an association between worse control of rhinitis or asthma (higher VASs and CSMS) and worse EQ-5D-5L levels. In multivariable models, all VASs and the CSMS were associated with higher levels of pain/discomfort and daily activities. For anxiety/depression, the association was mostly observed for rhinitis-related tools (VAS nose, VAS global, and CSMS), although the presence of self-reported asthma was also associated with worse anxiety/depression. Worse mobility ("walking around") was particularly associated with VAS asthma and with the presence of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: A worse rhinitis control and a worse asthma control are associated with higher EQ-5D-5L levels, particularly regarding pain/discomfort and activity impairment. Worse rhinitis control is associated with worse anxiety/depression, and poor asthma control with worse mobility.


Subject(s)
Asthma , Rhinitis, Allergic , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Quality of Life , Asthma/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Pain , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Status
16.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(2): 60-65, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37388810

ABSTRACT

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an uncommon disorder characterized clinically by recurrent episodes of nonitchy subcutaneous and/or submucosal swellings. The estimated prevalence of HAE is ~ 1: 10,000 to 1: 50,000. There are no prevalence data from India, however, estimates suggest that there are 27,000 to 135,000 patients with HAE in India at present. The majority of these, however, remain undiagnosed. Replacement of plasma-derived or recombinant C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) protein, administered intravenously, is the treatment of choice during the management of acute episodes of angioedema (i.e., "on-demand treatment") and is also useful for short-term prophylaxis (STP) and long-term prophylaxis (LTP). This has been found to be effective and safe even in young children and during pregnancy. Until recently, none of the first-line treatment options were available for "on-demand treatment," STP or LTP in India. As a result, physicians had to use fresh frozen plasma for both "on-demand treatment" and STP. For LTP, attenuated androgens (danazol or stanozolol) and/or tranexamic acid were commonly used. These drugs have been reported to be useful for LTP but are associated with a significant risk of adverse effects. Intravenous pd-C1-INH, the first-line treatment option, is now available in India. However, because there is no universal health insurance, access to pd-C1-INH is a significant challenge. HAE Society of India has developed these consensus guidelines for India and other resource-constrained settings where plasma-derived C1-INH therapy is the only available first-line treatment option for the management of HAE and diagnostic facilities are limited. These guidelines have been developed because it may not be possible for all patients to access the recommended therapy and at the recommended doses as suggested by the international guidelines. Moreover, it may not be feasible to follow the evaluation algorithm suggested by the international guidelines.

17.
18.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(2): 66-71, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37388815

ABSTRACT

In the past few decades, biomarkers have been successfully used for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease. Taking together clinical, genetic, lifestyle, and information on relevant biomarkers, the therapy of diseases can be personalized to an individual. Several novel biomarkers have been recently reported for allergic diseases. However, to interpret the validity of biomarker data, the validation of their reliability, precision, and reproducibility is imperative. Once validated, they can be used in therapeutic product development and in clinical practice. Eosinophils are multifunctional leukocytes and major effector cells that play a crucial role in the immunological mechanisms of allergic disease. Measuring eosinophils has been the gold standard for treating and monitoring eosinophil-related diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. However, eosinophil numbers/percentages yield little information about eosinophil activity. Eosinophil activation leads to the extracellular release of 4 granule proteins, with the most promising biomarker of the 4 being eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN). EDN is more easily recovered from measuring instruments and cell surfaces than other eosinophil biomarkers because of its weaker electrical charge. EDN is known to be released from eosinophils at a greater efficiency, adding to its recoverability. It also has antiviral activity in respiratory infections associated with allergic disease development in early life (eg, respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus infections in early childhood). EDN can be measured in several body fluids, including blood, urine, sputum, nasal secretions, and bronchoalveolar lavage. EDN is a stable biomarker utilized to precisely diagnose, treat, and monitor many eosinophil-related allergic diseases. This eosinophil granule protein may prove useful in precision medicine approaches and should always be considered as a useful tool for the clinician to give the best patient care possible.

19.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(1): 1-2, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37389099
20.
Asia Pac Allergy ; 13(1): 44-49, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37389098

ABSTRACT

Climate change and environmental factors such as air pollution and loss of biodiversity are known to have a major impact not only on allergic diseases but also on many noncommunicable diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in many environmental changes during the different phases of the pandemic. The use of face masks, enhanced hand hygiene with hand rubs and sanitizers, use of personal protective equipment (gowns and gloves), and safe-distancing measures, reduced the overall incidence of respiratory infections and other communicable diseases. Lockdowns and border closures resulted in a significant reduction in vehicular traffic and hence environmental air pollution. Paradoxically, the use of personal protective equipment and disposables contributed to an increase in environmental waste disposal and new problems such as occupational dermatoses, especially among healthcare workers. Environmental changes and climate change over time may impact the exposome, genome, and microbiome, with the potential for short- and long-term effects on the incidence and prevalence of the allergic disease. The constant use and access to mobile digital devices and technology disrupt work-life harmony and mental well-being. The complex interactions between the environment, genetics, immune, and neuroendocrine systems may have short- and long-term impact on the risk and development of allergic and immunologic diseases in the future.

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