Anaphylaxis caused by lipid transfer proteins: an unpredictable clinical syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are panallergens found in many plant foods. They are a common cause of food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA) in adults living in the Mediterranean area. LTPs have also been proposed as a main cause of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA). OBJECTIVES: Describe clinical characteristics and allergen sensitization profiles in patients with FIA related to LTP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients were included, aged 3-52 years with a clinical history of FIA and proven sensitization to LTP. Patients were tested with a multiple plant food and pollen panel and specific IgE to LTP allergens. LTP sensitization was assessed by in vivo (Pru p 3, LTP extract) and/or by in vitro tests (specific IgE, ImmunoCAP/ISAC(R)). RESULTS: Median age of first anaphylactic episode was 24 years (range 2-51), 44% had asthma, 74% were atopic and 42% had pollinosis (olive, mugwort, plane tree, wall pellitory and cypress). Co-sensitization to profilins was found in 22%. Overall in our center, LTP-induced anaphylaxis represents 17% of all causes of FIA. Foods implicated in anaphylactic reactions were: fresh fruits 51%, tree nuts 42%, vegetables (including peanut) 40% and seeds 14%. Seven patients had FDEIA. CONCLUSIONS: LTPs are important allergens of FIA in Portugal. Clinical reactivity to several taxonomically unrelated plant foods may raise suspicion toward LTP sensitization. The association of LTP-induced anaphylaxis with pollinosis is relevant in our country. The unpredictable clinical expression depends on the effect of cofactors such as exercise. The management of avoidance plans can be challenging due to LTP being a widely cross-reacting allergen in plant foods

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Cow's milk oral immunotherapy in real life: 8-year long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been recognized as a promising treatment for severe and long-lasting cow's milk (CM) allergy. Once maintenance has been achieved, patients should maintain daily intake of CM to ensure desensitization. Clinical experience concerning long-term follow-up is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess long-term efficacy and safety of a maintenance phase of OIT in real life. METHODS: Prospective study of all children and adolescents, who underwent CM-OIT and were subsequently followed at our allergy center on maintenance dose (200 mL daily) for at least 36 months after reaching the maintenance phase (from 2009 to 2016). RESULTS: Forty-two patients were enrolled: 60% male, 36% with history of anaphylaxis and 57% with asthma. The median time of follow-up was 69 months (range, 39-105 months) and the median age at the last clinical evaluation was 13 years (range, 6-23 years). Regarding adherence to the protocol: 92% are on free diet (at least 200 mL of CM daily; 7-g protein); 14% had transient interruptions and 7% definitely withdrawn with loss of tolerance. During maintenance, 45% developed mild to severe allergic reactions, and 7% had more than 3 episodes. A positive correlation between the occurrence of allergic reactions and history of anaphylaxis (p < 0.001) was found. The coexistence of asthma was risk factor for the occurrence of allergic reactions during maintenance. CONCLUSION: This real-life study supports long-term efficacy and safety of CM-OIT. Despite daily intake, 41% had symptoms at some moment during the complete follow-up period; a total of 33 symptomatic days in patients with mean follow-up time of 67.5 months. Clinical tolerance depends on daily intake. The protective effect reached can be lost after CM withdrawal. History of anaphylaxis was a risk factor for the occurrence of allergic reactions during the maintenance phase.

Anaphylaxis caused by lipid transfer proteins: an unpredictable clinical syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are panallergens found in many plant foods. They are a common cause of food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA) in adults living in the Mediterranean area. LTPs have also been proposed as a main cause of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA). OBJECTIVES: Describe clinical characteristics and allergen sensitization profiles in patients with FIA related to LTP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients were included, aged 3-52 years with a clinical history of FIA and proven sensitization to LTP. Patients were tested with a multiple plant food and pollen panel and specific IgE to LTP allergens. LTP sensitization was assessed by in vivo (Pru p 3, LTP extract) and/or by in vitro tests (specific IgE, ImmunoCAP/ISAC®). RESULTS: Median age of first anaphylactic episode was 24 years (range 2-51), 44% had asthma, 74% were atopic and 42% had pollinosis (olive, mugwort, plane tree, wall pellitory and cypress). Co-sensitization to profilins was found in 22%. Overall in our center, LTP-induced anaphylaxis represents 17% of all causes of FIA. Foods implicated in anaphylactic reactions were: fresh fruits 51%, tree nuts 42%, vegetables (including peanut) 40% and seeds 14%. Seven patients had FDEIA. CONCLUSIONS: LTPs are important allergens of FIA in Portugal. Clinical reactivity to several taxonomically unrelated plant foods may raise suspicion toward LTP sensitization. The association of LTP-induced anaphylaxis with pollinosis is relevant in our country. The unpredictable clinical expression depends on the effect of cofactors such as exercise. The management of avoidance plans can be challenging due to LTP being a widely cross-reacting allergen in plant foods.

[Eosinophilic esophagitis]. / Esofagite eosinofílica.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by significant and isolated infiltration of the esophageal mucosa by eosinophils, associated with clinical symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, affecting children and adults. It is an increasingly frequent cause of symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease but refractory to anti-acid therapeutic. It is commonly associated with food allergies or other atopic diseases. Since there are no symptoms, signs, serological biomarkers or endoscopic findings pathognomonic of EE, the diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion; moreover, due to its chronic relapsing nature the potential to cause major esophageal structural changes, its early recognition and close cooperation between gastroenterologists and immunoallergologists is essential for the timely institution of appropriate therapy. The treatment is based on two main strategies: diet and / or pharmacotherapy, depending on the co-existence of sensitization to food allergens. It is our aim to review this issue, considering recent guidelines, as well as propose a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.