Accidental allergic reactions to immediate-type food allergens in Japanese children: A single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the nature of accidental allergic reactions (AAR). We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for AAR in Japanese children. METHODS: This study included children with immediate-type hen's egg (HE), cow's milk (CM), wheat, or peanut allergy who developed allergic reactions within at least 2 years and were followed up regularly at a single national allergy center in Japan. From January to December 2020, low-dose reactivity was defined as allergic reactions to ≤250, ≤102, ≤53, or ≤ 133 mg of HE, CM, wheat, or peanut protein, respectively. The annualized AAR rate showed the number of reactions per patient per year (95% confidence interval). AAR risk factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 1096 participants, 609, 457, 138, and 90 had HE, CM, wheat, and peanut allergies, respectively. The median (interquartile range) age was 5.0 (2.3-8.6) years, 39% had completely eliminated allergenic food, and 24% had low-dose reactivity. The annualized AAR rate was 0.130 (0.109-0.153) in all sub-cohorts. Moderate and severe symptoms occurred in 50% and 0.7%, respectively, of children who experienced AAR. Multiple logistic regression revealed that low-dose reactivity was a significant risk factor for AAR in the overall and CM cohorts, respectively (p < .001 and p = .036). CONCLUSION: In this single-center study in Japan, the annualized AAR rate was relatively low during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, half of the participants with AAR had moderate to severe symptoms. Especially in the case of low-dose reactivity, children would require careful AAR risk management.

Patients with polyethylene glycol allergy can experience immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions after exposure to analog substances.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) allergy has been recently observed after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. We present a case of a patient with a history of two hospitalisations for unexplained recurrence of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis who was diagnosed with PEG allergy in early childhood. Subsequently, he was instructed to avoid using PEG-containing daily necessities and drugs. However, in middle childhood, he presented with immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions after taking PEG-free antibiotics. The prick test was positive for the whole drug but negative for its active ingredient. PEG can cross-react with compounds with a C-C-O skeleton as analogue substances; accordingly, the presence of a substance with a similar skeleton in the additive may have been the causative factor. Our findings indicate that patients with PEG allergy may experience immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions to analogue substances.

Organ-specific allergen challenges in airway allergy: Current utilities and future directions.

Atopy has been long used as the screening method for airway allergy. Nevertheless, aeroallergens can trigger respiratory symptoms not only in atopic patients (atopic respiratory allergy, ARA), but also in non-atopic subjects (local respiratory allergy, LRA). Moreover, ARA and LRA can coexist in the same patient, and this clinical scenario has been called dual respiratory allergy (DRA). When the clinical history cannot determine the relevance of sensitizations in ARA patients, nasal, conjunctival or bronchial allergen challenges (NAC, CAC, and BAC, respectively) should be conducted. Moreover, these tests are required to identify patients with LRA and DRA. The clarification of the allergic triggers of airway diseases has a profound impact on the management strategies the patients can be offered. Importantly, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) remains as the only disease-modifying intervention for ARA. Recent data indicate that AIT might have a similar effect on LRA patients. Nevertheless, AIT success relies largely on the correct phenotyping of allergic individuals, and NAC, CAC, and BAC are very helpful tools in this regard. In this review, we will summarize the main indications and methodology of CAC, NAC, and BAC. Importantly, the clinical implementation of these tests might translate into precision medicine approaches and better health outcomes for patients with airway allergy.

Atopy and allergy following solid organ transplantation: A 15-year experience.

AIM: There are increasing reports of atopy/allergy following solid organ transplantation, especially paediatric liver transplantation (LT) with minimal New Zealand (NZ) data. We describe the prevalence of transplant-acquired atopy and allergy (TAA) in NZ paediatric liver transplant recipients, compared to paediatric kidney and adult liver transplants. METHODS: TAA focussed health questionnaires were sent to patients selected from the NZ transplant registry (transplanted between January 2003 and December 2017). Demographic and clinical data were also obtained from electronic health records and follow-up phone calls. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients (62% male) participated (111 adult liver, 82 paediatric liver, 39 paediatric kidney transplant recipients). Tacrolimus was primary immunosuppression for all LT patients; with combined tacrolimus, mycophenolate and corticosteroids for kidney transplants. The number of patients who developed TAA was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the paediatric LT group (36/82, 44%) compared to adult liver (12/111, 11%) and paediatric kidney transplants (4/39, 10%). Eczema was most common (73%), then IgE-mediated food allergy (FA, 33%), allergic rhinitis (19%) and asthma (17%). Six paediatric LT recipients developed eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). Egg was the most common allergen in the IgE-mediated FA group. TAAs were severe enough to warrant a switch from tacrolimus to another agent in seven paediatric LT patients. For paediatric LT patients, female gender and younger age at transplant were risk factors for developing TAA. CONCLUSIONS: TAA is common in paediatric liver transplant recipients, with female gender and younger age at transplant being risk factors identified. This highlights the need for detailed atopic and allergy history to be incorporated in all pre-transplant assessments.

Advances in the Understanding of Drug Hypersensitivity: 2012 Through 2022.

Over the last decade there have been key advances in understanding mechanisms, risk, and consequences of both true immunological drug hypersensitivity and unverified drug allergy labels that have changed clinical practice. This has been facilitated by the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). The vast majority of EHR drug allergy labels are unverified and cause significant morbidity from unnecessary avoidance of optimal drug therapy. There has also been significant movement in our understanding of mechanisms of drug hypersensitivity that, in addition to advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of immediate and delayed reactions, have guided preventive efforts, diagnostic procedures, and clinical management. More widespread adoption, including scale-up of "allergy" delabeling and appropriate management, specifically for antibiotics, opiates, radiocontrast, chemotherapeutics, biologics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, will be necessary to improve patient outcomes over the next decade. This will require further engagement and collaboration between primary care health care providers, allergists, and other specialists.

The Association of Prenatal C-Reactive Protein Levels With Childhood Asthma and Atopy.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of childhood asthma is complex, and determinants of risk may begin in utero. OBJECTIVE: To describe the association of systemic prenatal inflammation, measured by plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), with childhood asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 522 maternal-offspring pairs from the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial were included. Prenatal plasma CRP level was measured between 10 and 18 weeks of gestation and between 32 and 38 weeks of gestation. Offspring asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis were assessed quarterly between birth and age 6 years. We performed mediation analyses of prenatal CRP on the association between several maternal characteristics and offspring asthma. RESULTS: Elevated early and late prenatal CRP and an increase in CRP from early to late pregnancy were associated with asthma by age 6 years (early: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.76, 95% CI, 1.12-2.82, P = .02; late: aOR, 2.45, 95% CI, 1.47-4.18, P < .001; CRP increase: aOR, 2.06, 95% CI, 1.26-3.39, P < .004). Prenatal CRP and childhood asthma associations were strengthened among offspring with atopic asthma (early: aOR, 3.78, 95% CI, 1.49-10.64, P = .008; late: aOR, 4.84, 95% CI, 1.68-15.50, P = .005; CRP increase: aOR, 3.01, 95% CI, 1.06-9.16, P = .04). Early and late prenatal CRP mediated 96% and 86% of the association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index and offspring asthma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Higher prenatal CRP and an increase in CRP from early to late pregnancy are associated with childhood asthma. Systemic inflammation during pregnancy associated with modifiable maternal characteristics may be an important determinant of childhood asthma risk.

Non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions to iomeprol: Diagnostic value of skin tests and cross-reactivity with other iodinated contrast media.

BACKGROUND: Iodinated contrast media produce non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions (NIHR). The goal of this prospective study was to determine the utility of skin tests and the subsequent tolerance to negative skin-tested iodinated contrasts in patients with NIHR caused by iomeprol. METHODS: Prick and intradermal tests with iomeprol, iopamidol, iopromide, and iobitridol were performed in all patients. IV challenge with the causative contrast (iomeprol in 90%) was made if skin tests were negative. In case of a positive skin test with the causal contrast, or a positive challenge test with it, IV challenge test with an alternative, negative skin-tested contrast was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Skin tests were positive in 47.6% (20/42) of patients with NIHR induced by iomeprol. Of the 66 challenge tests performed with negative skin-tested iodinated contrasts, tolerance was confirmed in 35 (53%): 32 iomeron, 2 iobitridol, 1 iopamidol. Cross-reactivity between iomeprol and iopamidol was 22% (4/20 in patients with positive skin tests and 5/21 in patients with negative skin tests). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity of the skin tests was less than 50% NIHRs due to iomeprol, while the negative predictive value of skin tests in patients who tolerated challenges with alternative contrasts (mainly iopamidol) was 53% (35 tolerated out of 66 performed). The cross-reactivity between iomeprol and iopamidol is high.

Prenatal antibiotic exposure, asthma, and the atopic march: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Antibiotic use during pregnancy may increase the risk for asthma in children. We performed a meta-analysis assessing prenatal antibiotic exposure and the risk for childhood wheeze or asthma, as well as for diseases associated with the atopic march. A systematic literature search protocol (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42020191940) was registered and searches were completed using Medline, Proquest, Embase, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials. Screening for inclusion criteria: published in English, German, French, Dutch, or Arabic, intervention (use of any antibiotic at any time point during pregnancy), and disease (reporting atopic disease incidence in children with a primary outcome of asthma or wheeze), and exclusion criteria: reviews, preclinical data, and descriptive studies, yielded 27 studies. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale. Quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that antibiotic use during pregnancy is associated with an increased relative risk (RR) of developing wheeze RR 1.51 (95% CI: 1.17-1.94) or asthma RR 1.28 (95% CI 1.22-1.34) during childhood. Assessment of the atopic march in association with asthma or wheeze revealed that antibiotic use during pregnancy also increases the risk for eczema/dermatitis RR 1.28 (95% CI: 1.06-1.53) and allergic rhinitis RR 1.13 (95% CI: 1.02-1.25). One study found an increase in food allergy RR 1.81 (95% CI: 1.11-2.95). Maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for wheeze or asthma development in children, as well as for diseases involved in the atopic march. There was high heterogeneity in the data, and the certainty of the evidence was determined to be low quality, highlighting the need for more high-quality studies on this topic. These results have importance for antibiotic stewardship throughout the prenatal period. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Mediterranean-Type Diets as a Protective Factor for Asthma and Atopy.

We are currently riding the second wave of the allergy epidemic, which is ongoing in affluent societies, but now also affecting developing countries. This increase in the prevalence of atopy/asthma in the Western world has coincided with a rapid improvement in living conditions and radical changes in lifestyle, suggesting that this upward trend in allergic manifestations may be associated with cultural and environmental factors. Diet is a prominent environmental exposure that has undergone major changes, with a substantial increase in the consumption of processed foods, all across the globe. On this basis, the potential effects of dietary habits on atopy and asthma have been researched rigorously, but even with a considerable body of evidence, clear associations are far from established. Many factors converge to obscure the potential relationship, including methodological, pathophysiological and cultural differences. To date, the most commonly researched, and highly promising, candidate for exerting a protective effect is the so-called Mediterranean diet (MedDi). This dietary pattern has been the subject of investigation since the mid twentieth century, and the evidence regarding its beneficial health effects is overwhelming, although data on a correlation between MedDi and the incidence and severity of asthma and atopy are inconclusive. As the prevalence of asthma appears to be lower in some Mediterranean populations, it can be speculated that the MedDi dietary pattern could indeed have a place in a preventive strategy for asthma/atopy. This is a review of the current evidence of the associations between the constituents of the MedDi and asthma/atopy, with emphasis on the pathophysiological links between MedDi and disease outcomes and the research pitfalls and methodological caveats which may hinder identification of causality. MedDi, as a dietary pattern, rather than short-term supplementation or excessive focus on single nutrient effects, may be a rational option for preventive intervention against atopy and asthma.

Skin Testing Approaches for Immediate and Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions.

In evaluating adverse drug reactions (ADRs), patch tests (PTs), skin prick tests (SPTs), and intradermal tests (IDTs) are useful tools for identifying responsible drugs and finding safe alternatives. Their diagnostic value depends on the clinical features of the ADR and on the drug tested. PTs have a good sensitivity in assessing acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. SPTs done with all drugs except opiates are used for immediate hypersensitivity reactions. IDTs seem sensitive for immediate hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactam antibiotics, iodinated contrast media, heparins, general anesthetics, and platinum salts.

Allergy to Radiocontrast Dye.

Radiocontrast media (RCM) are common elicitors of immediate and nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions, manifesting predominantly as urticaria/anaphylaxis or exanthems, respectively. In the minority of patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions to RCM allergy is demonstrated by positive skin tests. However, data show that assessment by an allergist/immunologist is beneficial for managing patients with previous immediate and nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions. For future RCM-enhanced examinations in patients with previous reactions, structurally different, skin test-negative preparations should be applied. The efficacy of this strategy is confirmed by drug provocation tests or exposures confirming or excluding RCM hypersensitivity and demonstrating tolerability of alternative RCM.

Atopy manifestations in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: correlation assessment with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IgE level.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of cancer in the age range of under 15 years old and accounts for 25-30% of all childhood cancers. Although conventional chemotherapy regimens are used to improve the overall survival rate, it has been associated with some complications, amongst which allergic manifestations with unknown mechanisms are more common. METHODS: Our study compared serum IgE and IL-4 concentration, as a hallmark of allergic responses in pediatric ALL patients before and after 6 months of intensive (high-dose) chemotherapy, to show whether changes in the level of these markers may be associated with atopy. Serum level of IL-4 and IgE was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The results showed that the level of IgE and IL-4 increased following chemotherapy in both ALL patients with and without atopy. In addition, post-chemotherapy treatment IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly elevated in patients with atopy compared to those without it. The difference between baseline and post-chemotherapy level of IgE and IL-4 was significantly higher in patients with atopy compared to those without it. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that showed a connection between post-chemotherapy allergic manifestations in pediatric ALL patients and IL-4 and IgE level. Flow cytometry analysis of the T-helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes and other allergy-related T cell subsets like Tc2 and Th9 as well as the study of the genetic variations in atopy-related genes like IL-4/IL-4R, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, and high affinity FcεRI IgE receptor and also HLA genes is necessary to clearly define the underlying mechanism responsible for post-chemotherapy hypersensitivity reaction in pediatric ALL patients.

p-Phenylenediamine induces immediate contact allergy and non-histaminergic itch via MRGPRX2.

p-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a common component of hair dye known to induce immediate allergy, even acute dermatitis and contact dermatitis. MAS-related G protein coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) in mast cells (MCs) mediates small molecular substances-induced pseudo-allergic reactions. However, the role of MRGPRX2 in PPD-induced immediate contact allergy needs further exploration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PPD activates MCs via MRGPRX2 and induces immediate allergies that contribute to contact dermatitis. Wild-type (WT) and kitw-sh/w-sh mice (MUT) were treated with PPD to observe local inflammation and MC degranulation in vivo. The release of inflammatory mediators was measured in vitro. Histamine 1 receptor (H1R)-/- mice were used to analyze itch type. PPD caused immediate contact allergy in WT mice, induced scratching, and local inflammatory reactions, while exhibiting minimal effects on MUT mice. PPD did not induce histamine release, but induced significant tryptase release in vivo and in vitro. PPD activated MRGPRX2 to induce MC degranulation in vitro. PPD caused immediate contact allergy in WT mice, induced scratching and local inflammatory reactions, while exhibited minimal effect on MUT mice. PPD did not induce histamine release, while induced significant tryptase release in vivo and in vitro. PPD induced immediate contact allergy by MCs activation via MRGPRX2 and lead to tryptase release. The scratching times showed no significant difference in WT mice or H1R-/- mice, which indicated PPD caused non-histaminergic itch. The results showed that PPD activated MCs via MRGPRX2 and induced immediate contact allergy, leading to the release of tryptase without monoamine release, which might induce non-histaminergic itch.

Delivery mode and the incidence of atopic sensitization and food allergy in a Finnish child population.

BACKGROUND: Caesarean section (CS) has been associated with an increased risk of subsequent atopic diseases, particularly asthma and respiratory allergies, but controversial findings have also been reported. Our aim was to clarify the association between the delivery mode and longitudinal (atopic) outcomes. METHODS: The target population was identified from the population register and comprised all children born between 2001 and 2006 and living in the province of South Karelia, Finland (N = 5564). The information on the delivery mode was available for 5552 children from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Results of allergy tests (skin prick tests, specific IgE and open food challenges, OFCs) were collected from patient records of all healthcare units in the area. RESULTS: By 12 years of age, the cumulative incidence of atopic sensitization was 15% for those born by normal vaginal delivery (VD), 20% (adjusted RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.65) by assisted VD, 20% (adjusted RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02-1.61) by elective CS and 20% (adjusted RR 1.24; 95% CI 0.99-1.56) by others, for example emergency CS. Among the offspring of mothers without atopic diseases, the incidence of food allergy (positive OFC) was 6% for those born by elective CS and 2% for those born by normal VD (adjusted RR 2.41; 95% CI 1.19-4.88), while the respective incidences were 5% and 6% (adjusted RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.33-2.06) among the offspring of mothers with atopic diseases. CONCLUSION: By adolescence, the cumulative incidences of atopic sensitization was highest among those born by assisted VD or CS. The incidence of food allergy was highest among those born by elective CS among the offspring of mothers without atopic diseases.

Leguminosas como causa infrecuente de alergia alimentaria en Colombia: reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Legumes as an infrequent cause of food allergy in Colombia: report of two cases and review of the literature

La alergia alimentaria se ha venido incrementando a nivel mundial, afectando alrededor del 1,5 % a 2,5 % de los adultos y 6 % de los niños, y tiene un gran impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus cuidadores, debido a las dietas de restricción. Los alérgenos más prevalentes son la leche, el huevo, el trigo, la soja, los frutos secos, el maní, el pescado y los mariscos. Las leguminosas mejor estudiadas son el maní y la soja; otras leguminosas como las lentejas, garbanzos y arvejas representan la quinta causa de alergia alimentaria en el área mediterránea, en Turquía y en la India, siendo menos prevalentes en otras áreas geográficas. La alergia a las leguminosas es una entidad infrecuente en Colombia, se desconoce la prevalencia en el país. Describimos los primeros dos casos de anafilaxia por lentejas reportados en el país. Ambos pacientes menores de 18 años, con reacciones adversas tras la ingesta de leguminosas, en las cuales se demuestra alergia mediada por IgE a las lentejas y además sensibilización en el primer caso a las arvejas y garbanzos, y en el segundo caso a los frijoles. Diferentes datos sobre la prevalencia se han descrito en varias áreas geográficas, siendo mayor en países con dietas mediterráneas. Las reacciones mediadas por IgE suelen aparecer incluso con el alimento altamente cocido, debido a la termo-estabilidad de las proteínas. La reactividad cruzada más frecuente se relaciona con los garbanzos y las arvejas

Food allergy has been increasing worldwide. Affects around 1.5% to 2.5% of adults and 6% of children, and has a great impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, due to restricted diets. The most prevalent allergens are milk, egg, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish. The best studied legumes are peanuts and soybeans; other legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and peas represent the fifth cause of food allergy in the Mediterranean area, Turkey and India, being less prevalent in other geographical areas. Allergy to legumes is not common in Colombia, the prevalence in the country is unknown. We describe the first two cases of legumes anaphylaxis reported in the country. Both patients were under 18 years of age, with adverse reactions after ingesting legumes, in which IgE-mediated allergy was demonstrated; in the first case to lentils, peas and chickpeas, and in the second case, to lentils and beans. Different data on prevalence have been described in various geographical areas, being higher in countries with Mediterranean diets. IgE-mediated reactions usually appear even with highly cooked food, due to the thermo-stability of proteins. The most frequent cross-reactivity is related to chickpeas and peas