Global assessment of the knowledge and confidence in managing allergic disorders among primary care pediatricians across Europe: An EAACI task force report.

BACKGROUND: Pediatricians are often the first point of contact for children in Primary Care (PC), but still perceive gaps in their allergy knowledge. We investigated self-perceived knowledge gaps and educational needs in pediatricians across healthcare systems in Europe so that future educational initiatives may better support the delivery of allergy services in PC. METHOD: A multinational survey was circulated to pediatricians who care for children and adolescents with allergy problems in PC by the EAACI Allergy Educational Needs in Primary Care Pediatricians Task Force from February to March 2023. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the level of agreement with questionnaire statements. Thirty surveys per country were the cut-off for inclusion and statistical analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 1991 respondents were obtained from 56 countries across Europe and 210 responses were from countries with a cut-off below 30 participants per country. Primary care pediatricians (PCPs) comprised 74.4% of the respondents. The majority (65.3%) were contracted to state or district health services. 61.7% had awareness of guidelines for onward allergy referral in their countries but only 22.3% were aware of the EAACI competencies document for allied health professionals for allergy. Total sample respondents versus PCPs showed 52% and 47% of them have access to allergy investigations in their PC facility (mainly specific IgE and skin prick tests); 67.6% and 58.9% have access to immunotherapy, respectively. The main barrier to referral to a specialist was a consideration that the patient's condition could be diagnosed and treated in this PC facility, (57.8% and 63.6% respectively). The main reasons for referral were the need for hospital assessment, and partial response to first-line treatment (55.4% and 59.2%, 47% and 50.7%, respectively). Learning and assessment methods preference was fairly equally divided between Traditional methods (45.7% and 50.1% respectively) and e-learning 45.5% and 44.9%, respectively. Generalist physicians (GPs) have the poorest access to allergy investigations (32.7%, p = .000). The majority of the total sample (91.9%) assess patients with allergic pathology. 868 (43.6%) and 1117 (46.1%), received allergy training as undergraduates and postgraduates respectively [these proportions in PCPs were higher (45% and 59%), respectively]. PCPs with a special interest in allergology experienced greater exposure to allergy teaching as postgraduates. GPs received the largest amount of allergy teaching as undergraduates. Identifying allergic disease based on clinical presentation, respondents felt most confident in the management of eczema/atopic dermatitis (87.4%) and rhinitis/asthma (86.2%), and least confident in allergen immunotherapy (36.9%) and latex allergy (30.8%). CONCLUSION: This study exploring the confidence of PCPs to diagnose, manage, and refer patients with allergies, demonstrated knowledge gaps and educational needs for allergy clinical practice. It detects areas in need of urgent improvement especially in latex and allergen immunotherapy. It is important to ensure the dissemination of allergy guidelines and supporting EAACI documents since the majority of PCPs lack awareness of them. This survey has enabled us to identify what the educational priorities of PCPs are and how they would like to have them met.

Evidence in immunotherapy for paediatric respiratory allergy: Advances and recommendations. Document of the Immunotherapy Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergology (SEICAP)

Allergic respiratory diseases are major health problems in paediatric population due their high level of prevalence and chronicity, and to their relevance in the costs and quality of life. One of the most important risk factors for the development of airway diseases in children and adolescents is atopy. The mainstays for the treatment of these diseases are avoiding allergens, controlling symptoms, and preventing them through sustained desensitization by allergen immunotherapy (AIT). AIT is a treatment option that consists in the administration of increasing amounts of allergens to modify the biological response to them, inducing long-term tolerance even after treatment has ended. This treatment approach has shown to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life, becoming cost effective for a large number of patients. In addition, it is considered the only treatment that can influence the natural course of the disease by targeting the cause of the allergic inflammatory response. The aim of this publication is to reflect the advances of AIT in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic respiratory diseases in children and adolescents reviewing articles published since 2000, establishing evidence categories to support the strength of the recommendations based on evidence. The first part of the article covers the prerequisite issues to understand how AIT is effective, such as the correct etiologic and clinical diagnosis of allergic respiratory diseases. Following this, the article outlines the advancements in understanding the mechanisms by which AIT achieve immune tolerance to allergens. Administration routes, treatment regimens, dose and duration, efficacy, safety, and factors associated with adherence are also reviewed. Finally, the article reviews future advances in the research of AIT

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Evidence in immunotherapy for paediatric respiratory allergy: Advances and recommendations.

Allergic respiratory diseases are major health problems in paediatric population due their high level of prevalence and chronicity, and to their relevance in the costs and quality of life. One of the most important risk factors for the development of airway diseases in children and adolescents is atopy. The mainstays for the treatment of these diseases are avoiding allergens, controlling symptoms, and preventing them through sustained desensitization by allergen immunotherapy (AIT). AIT is a treatment option that consists in the administration of increasing amounts of allergens to modify the biological response to them, inducing long-term tolerance even after treatment has ended. This treatment approach has shown to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life, becoming cost effective for a large number of patients. In addition, it is considered the only treatment that can influence the natural course of the disease by targeting the cause of the allergic inflammatory response. The aim of this publication is to reflect the advances of AIT in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic respiratory diseases in children and adolescents reviewing articles published since 2000, establishing evidence categories to support the strength of the recommendations based on evidence. The first part of the article covers the prerequisite issues to understand how AIT is effective, such as the correct etiologic and clinical diagnosis of allergic respiratory diseases. Following this, the article outlines the advancements in understanding the mechanisms by which AIT achieve immune tolerance to allergens. Administration routes, treatment regimens, dose and duration, efficacy, safety, and factors associated with adherence are also reviewed. Finally, the article reviews future advances in the research of AIT.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy: Update on immunological mechanisms

Immunotherapy selectively modulates the allergen-specific immune response. It involves the gradual administration of increasing amounts of allergen for the purpose of inducing protective immunological changes and it is the only curative approach for specific type I allergy (AU)

Changes in IL-10 and specific antibodies associated to successful Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy in children during the first year of treatment

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a long-term treatment of respiratory allergy. Objective: To look for early predictors of the effectiveness of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus SIT. Methods: A prospective multi-centre study was carried out in Spain. Children with D. pteronyssinus rhinitis or asthma were invited to participate. The study was divided into times: T0 (recruitment); T1 (inclusion); T2 a-f (immunotherapy times) and T3 (the end of study). Efficacy of SIT was assessed by clinical scores, visual analogue scales (VAS) and lung function tests. We performed D. pteronyssinus skin tests at T1 and T3, and determined specific serum IgE, IgG4 and IL-10 at T1, T2f and T3.Data were analysed using Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, compared using Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests, and correlated to Spearman test. All tests had a significance level of 0.05. Results: Thirty-eight children completed the study. At T1 all had rhinitis and 34 also had asthma. At T3, 30 patients had improved, six experienced no changes and two worsened. Improvement was associated to FEV1/FVC and VAS improvement; to a reduction in D. pteronyssinus skin prick test; to a progressive increase in serum levels of D. pteronyssinus IgE, and D. pteronyssinus, Der p1 and Der p2 IgG4. IL-10 levels showed an early increase at T2f (the end of initial build-up immunotherapy phase), and then a reduction at T3 (the end of a year of immunotherapy).Improvement associated to an early increase in IL-10 and was correlated with VAS and specific IgG4 evolution(AU)

Allergen-specific immunotherapy: update on immunological mechanisms.

UNLABELLED: Immunotherapy selectively modulates the allergen-specific immune response. It involves the gradual administration of increasing amounts of allergen for the purpose of inducing protective immunological changes and it is the only curative approach for specific type I allergy. AIM: Description of the allergic inflammation.- Comprehension of the early cellular changes after specific immunotherapy has been initiated. Exposure of the mechanisms involved in tolerance induction by regulatory T cells (Treg) with the inhibition of the Th2 responses. Comprehension of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF- ) roles. Explanation of specific IgE, IgG and IgA changes. Description of the suppression of inflammatory responses during immunotherapy.

Changes in IL-10 and specific antibodies associated to successful Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy in children during the first year of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a long-term treatment of respiratory allergy. OBJECTIVE: To look for early predictors of the effectiveness of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus SIT. METHODS: A prospective multi-centre study was carried out in Spain. Children with D. pteronyssinus rhinitis or asthma were invited to participate. The study was divided into times: T0 (recruitment); T1 (inclusion); T2 a-f (immunotherapy times) and T3 (the end of study). Efficacy of SIT was assessed by clinical scores, visual analogue scales (VAS) and lung function tests. We performed D. pteronyssinus skin tests at T1 and T3, and determined specific serum IgE, IgG4 and IL-10 at T1, T2f and T3. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, compared using Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests, and correlated to Spearman test. All tests had a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children completed the study. At T1 all had rhinitis and 34 also had asthma. At T3, 30 patients had improved, six experienced no changes and two worsened. Improvement was associated to FEV1/FVC and VAS improvement; to a reduction in D. pteronyssinus skin prick test; to a progressive increase in serum levels of D. pteronyssinus IgE, and D. pteronyssinus, Der p1 and Der p2 IgG4. IL-10 levels showed an early increase at T2f (the end of initial build-up immunotherapy phase), and then a reduction at T3 (the end of a year of immunotherapy). Improvement associated to an early increase in IL-10 and was correlated with VAS and specific IgG4 evolution.

Clinical evolution of patients with respiratory allergic disease due to sensitisation to Alternaria alternata being treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy

Introduction: Sensitisation to Alternaria is a cause of respiratory disease in Spain, particularly in childhood, but it is also a significant marker of the severity of this disease. Therefore, the use of an aetiological treatment (allergen specific immunotherapy) is essential, and both subjective and objective clinical parameters should be used to follow up this treatment. Objective: This open-label, uncontrolled, observational, prospective study was designed inorder to study the evolution of these patients on allergen specific immunotherapy therapy in daily clinical practice and to assess the use of different monitoring tools. Material and Methods: A total of 99 patients were included. They were monosensitised to this perennial allergen and treated with subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy. Afterone year of follow-up, these patients were assessed for the presence of symptoms, use of medication, clinical incidents, quality of life and asthma control. Results: After one year of treatment a significant fall was observed in the use of concomitant medication ( 2-agonists: p = 0.0278, inhaled corticosteroids: p = 0.0007, anti-leukotrienes:p = 0.0495), nasal symptoms (p = 0.0081), quality of life (PAQLQ, p < 0.0001) and asthma control (ACQ, p < 0.0001). Twenty-one patients had to attend emergency department due to exacerbation of their allergic disease, and only one of them had to be admitted to hospital. Conclusion: respiratory allergic disease due to Alternaria alternata is a disease which is hard to control, and in our daily practice, the use of specific subcutaneous immunotherapy can be of significant benefit in our paediatric patients (AU)

Clinical evolution of patients with respiratory allergic disease due to sensitisation to Alternaria alternata being treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Sensitisation to Alternaria is a cause of respiratory disease in Spain, particularly in childhood, but it is also a significant marker of the severity of this disease. Therefore, the use of an aetiological treatment (allergen specific immunotherapy) is essential, and both subjective and objective clinical parameters should be used to follow up this treatment. OBJECTIVE: This open-label, uncontrolled, observational, prospective study was designed in order to study the evolution of these patients on allergen specific immunotherapy therapy in daily clinical practice and to assess the use of different monitoring tools. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 99 patients were included. They were monosensitised to this perennial allergen and treated with subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy. After one year of follow-up, these patients were assessed for the presence of symptoms, use of medication, clinical incidents, quality of life and asthma control. RESULTS: After one year of treatment a significant fall was observed in the use of concomitant medication (ß2-agonists: p=0.0278, inhaled corticosteroids: p=0.0007, anti-leukotrienes: p=0.0495), nasal symptoms (p=0.0081), quality of life (PAQLQ, p<0.0001) and asthma control (ACQ, p<0.0001). Twenty-one patients had to attend emergency department due to exacerbation of their allergic disease, and only one of them had to be admitted to hospital. CONCLUSION: respiratory allergic disease due to Alternaria alternata is a disease which is hard to control, and in our daily practice, the use of specific subcutaneous immunotherapy can be of significant benefit in our paediatric patients.

An epidemiological survey of hymenoptera venom allergy in the Spanish paediatric population

Hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venom are infrequent in paediatric patients. A study was made to determine the incidence of this pathology in children, based on an epidemiological survey targeted to all members of the SEICAP (Sociedad Española de Inmunología Clínica y Alergia Pediátrica/Spanish Society of Paediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergy), and designed to collect the data on patients under 17 years of age diagnosed with hymenoptera venom allergy. Results: The data corresponding to 175 patients (135 males) were collected. The mean age was 9.9±3.6 years. Seventeen percent (32 patients) were the offspring of beekeepers, and 68.9% had experienced previous stings. The causal insect was Apis melifera, implicated in 55 cases, followed by Polistes dominulus (33 cases). In 151 patients (83.9%) the condition consisted of a local reaction. The most frequent systemic response was urticaria and angio-oedema. Fourteen patients suffered anaphylactic shock. The diagnosis was based on skin test (intradermal and prick) and/or specific IgE testing. Three treatment categories were established: (a) prevention and educational measures; (b) symptomatic treatment with oral antihistamines as well as self-injectable adrenalin; and (c) immunotherapy. In this context, 135 patients underwent immunotherapy with a mean duration of 3.5±1.7 years (range 2–5 years) – with excellent tolerance. The starting regimen was predominantly conventional (92 patients). Conclusions: The results of this survey show hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venom to be infrequent in paediatrics, though with a strong impact upon patient quality of life

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An epidemiological survey of hymenoptera venom allergy in the Spanish paediatric population.

UNLABELLED: Hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venom are infrequent in paediatric patients. A study was made to determine the incidence of this pathology in children, based on an epidemiological survey targeted to all members of the SEICAP (Sociedad Española de Inmunología Clínica y Alergia Pediátrica/Spanish Society of Paediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergy), and designed to collect the data on patients under 17 years of age diagnosed with hymenoptera venom allergy. RESULTS: The data corresponding to 175 patients (135 males) were collected. The mean age was 9.9 ± 3.6 years. Seventeen percent (32 patients) were the offspring of beekeepers, and 68.9% had experienced previous stings. The causal insect was Apis melifera, implicated in 55 cases, followed by Polistes dominulus (33 cases). In 151 patients (83.9%) the condition consisted of a local reaction. The most frequent systemic response was urticaria and angio-oedema. Fourteen patients suffered anaphylactic shock. The diagnosis was based on skin test (intradermal and prick) and/or specific IgE testing. Three treatment categories were established: (a) prevention and educational measures; (b) symptomatic treatment with oral antihistamines as well as self-injectable adrenalin; and (c) immunotherapy. In this context, 135 patients underwent immunotherapy with a mean duration of 3.5 ± 1.7 years (range 2-5 years) - with excellent tolerance. The starting regimen was predominantly conventional (92 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey show hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venom to be infrequent in paediatrics, though with a strong impact upon patient quality of life.

Immediate and dual response to nasal challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in local allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is characterized by in situ production of specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies and a positive response to a nasal allergen provocation test (NAPT) in the absence of atopy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological mechanisms involved in the immediate and late responses after nasal exposure to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) in patients with LAR. METHODS: A total of 40 subjects with LAR to DP were studied and compared with 50 healthy controls. Immediate and late responses to NAPT-DP were assessed using a visual analogue scale of nasal symptoms and acoustic rhinometry. Tryptase, ECP, total and sIgE-DP were measured in the nasal lavage by immunoassay at baseline, 15 min, 1, 6 and 24 h after nasal challenge. RESULTS: NAPT-DP was positive in all patients, with significant increases in tryptase (45%), ECP (65%) and sIgE-DP (25%) (P<0.05). Sixty percent of the LAR patients presented an immediate response to NAPT-DP and 40% a dual response. Immediate responders showed a fast release of tryptase with a peak at 15 min after NAPT-DP, and a progressive increase in nasal ECP and sIgE-DP from 1 to 24 h after challenge, with a peak at 24 h. Dual responders presented persistently higher levels of tryptase from 15 min to 6 h after challenge, and a similar pattern of nasal release of ECP and sIgE-DP to immediate responders. There were no isolated late responders. NAPT-DP was negative in all healthy controls, with no increases in tryptase, ECP, or total and sIgE-DP in nasal secretions. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated the existence of immediate and dual responses to a NAPT with DP in LAR patients, with the local presence of sIgE and mast cell/eosinophil activation.

Evaluation of paediatric tolerance to an extract of Alternaria alternata under two treatment regimes. A multicentre study.

In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an extract of Alternaria alternata in a paediatric population, a two phase study plan has been elaborated that in the first place consists of a retrospective analysis of tolerance under the standard treatment regimes used by the clinical groups involved. This was achieved by analysing the records of 94 patients that have been treated with this extract, these being consecutive patients included at 7 clinics over a period of 6 months. Two regimes were used: a conventional short regime of 7 doses and a cluster regime. Under neither of these two regimes were any serious reactions registered. The percentage of local reactions was significantly greater using the short conventional regime than with the cluster regime (1.9% and 0.4% respectively, p = .035). In contrast, no significant differences were observed with respect to the systemic reactions (0.5% and 1.2%), these percentages also being similar to those registered with other extracts in which identical regimes have been used. In conclusion, we can confirm that a very satisfactory tolerance profile was observed, with the advantage that through using shorter regimes than the conventional regime of 13 doses, a considerable saving is made both in the number of visits and the doses necessary to reach the maintenance dose.

Evaluation of paediatric tolerance to an extract of Alternaria alternata under two treatment regimes. A multicentre study

In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an extract of Alternaria alternata in a paediatric population, a two phase study plan has been elaborated that in the first place consists of a retrospective analysis of tolerance under the standard treatment regimes used by the clinical groups involved. This was achieved by analysing the records of 94 patients that have been treated with this extract, these being consecutive patients included at 7 clinics over a period of 6 months. Two regimes were used: a conventional short regime of 7 doses and a cluster regime. Under neither of these two regimes were any serious reactions registered. The percentage of local reactions was significantly greater using the short conventional regime than with the cluster regime (1.9 % and 0.4 % respectively, p = .035). In contrast, no significant differences were observed with respect to the systemic reactions (0.5 % and 1.2 %), these percentages also being similar to those registered with other extracts in which identical regimes have been used. In conclusion, we can confirm that a very satisfactory tolerance profile was observed, with the advantage that through using shorter regimes than the conventional regime of 13 doses, a considerable saving is made both in the number of visits and the doses necessary to reach the maintenance dose

Con el fin de evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad de un extracto de Alternaria alternata en una población pediátrica, se realizó un plan de estudio en dos fases, que consistió en primer lugar en un análisis retrospectivo de la tolerancia bajo las pautas de tratamiento convencionales empleadas por los grupos clínicos estudiados. A este fin se analizaron los historiales de 94 pacientes que habían recibido tratamiento con este extracto. Se trataba de pacientes consecutivos tratados en 7 clínicas durante un período de 6 meses. Se emplearon dos pautas: una pauta breve convencional de 7 dosis y una pauta agrupada o "cluster". No se observaron reacciones de consideración bajo ninguna de las dos pautas. El porcentaje de reacciones locales fue significativamente superior al usar la pauta breve convencional que al usar la pauta agrupada (1,9 % y 0,4 % respectivamente, p = 0,035). En cambio, no se observaron diferencias significativas en lo relativo a reacciones sistémicas (0,5 % y 1,2 %), siendo estos porcentajes similares a los obtenidos con otros extractos y siguiendo pautas idénticas. En conclusión, podemos confirmar la observación de un perfil de tolerancia muy satisfactorio, con la ventaja de que con pautas más breves que la convencional de 13 dosis se obtiene un ahorro considerable tanto en número de visitas como en las dosis necesarias para llegar a la de mantenimiento

[Congenital generalized fibromatosis. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]. / Fibromatosis congénita generalizada. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

We report a case of congenital generalized fibromatosis in a newborn who presented with a solitary subcutaneous tumour, developing subsequently a widespread generalization (soft tissues, bone and lung). The tumours were found to be fibromatosis pathological on study. A review of the literature related to the clinic aspects and to the prognosis is made.