Decreased Basophil Activation against House Dust Mite after Japanese Cedar Pollen Subcutaneous Immunotherapy: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), an established treatment for allergic diseases, prevents the development of other allergic manifestations. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, AIT has been shown to reduce basophil activation (BA) against nontarget allergens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess immunological changes in Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) after Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-based subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) monotherapy. METHOD: The data of 16 patients (age: 6-37 years) with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis who were sensitive to Der f (serum Der f-specific immunoglobulin E [IgE] level >0.34 kUA/L) and received JCP-based SCIT for 5 years were reviewed retrospectively. BA by Der f and JCP extracts and serum-specific IgE and immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels against these allergens were evaluated before and after completing 5 years of JCP-based SCIT monotherapy. RESULTS: The areas under the dose-response curves of BA by Der f and JCP extracts were significantly reduced (p = 0.02 and p = 0.002, respectively). JCP-specific IgE levels decreased and JCP-specific IgG4 levels increased significantly (p < 0.001 for both), whereas Der f-specific IgE and IgG4 levels did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: JCP-based SCIT monotherapy reduced Der f-specific BA. These findings suggest that JCP-based SCIT has the potential to modulate immune response toward nontarget allergens.

[A CHILD CASE OF EGOMA (PERILLA FRUTESCENS) ALLERGY DUE TO SCHOOL LUNCH, PROBABLY CAUSED BY PERCUTANEOUS SENSITIZATION].

Herein, we report the case of a 7-year-old girl with a history of atopic dermatitis because of infancy. Her grandfather grew Egoma (Perilla frutescens), and her family frequently consumed food items prepared using Egoma; however, she never consumed them because she did not enjoy these food items; she experienced vomiting, facial swelling, and oral discomfort upon ingesting Egoma during school lunch for the first time. Her food oral challenge test was positive, as well as a skin-prick test with sesame powder. Egoma antigen protein was extracted and reacted with patient serum by immunoblotting, which detected a positive band of approximately 26kDa. She was brought up in an environment with high exposure to Egoma; hence, she most likely developed an allergy to Egoma because of percutaneous sensitization. This is the first time an Egoma allergen analysis has been conducted in Japan, and we consider it to be a valuable case.

Clinical risk factors at 3 months of age for the development of bronchial asthma at 36 months of age.

BACKGROUND: We examined the associations between factors evident at the routine 3-month well-child visit (WCV) and the risk of developing 36-month parent-reported physician-diagnosed bronchial asthma (BA). METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted in Nagoya City, Japan, and included 40,242 children who qualified for the 3-month WCVs in the city between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2018. In total, 22,052 (54.8%) questionnaires linked to their 36-month WCVs were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of BA was 4.5%. The multivariable Poisson regression model identified male sex (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-1.81), born in autumn (aRR, 1.30; 95% CI: 1.09-1.55), having at least one sibling (aRR, 1.31; 95% CI: 1.15-1.49), wheeze history before 3-month WCVs, with clinic/hospital visit: aRR, 1.99; 95% CI: 1.53-2.56; hospitalization: aRR, 2.99; 95% CI: 2.09-4.12, eczema with itch (aRR, 1.51; 95% CI: 1.27-1.80), paternal history of BA (aRR, 1.98; 95% CI: 1.66-2.34), maternal history of BA (aRR, 2.11; 95% CI: 1.77-2.49), and rearing pets with fur (aRR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.15-1.58) were independent risk factors for BA at 36 months of age. The combination of severe wheeze history (with clinic/hospital visit or hospitalization) and maternal and paternal BA could identify high-risk infants whose prevalence of BA was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The combined assessment of important clinical factors enabled us to identify high-risk infants set to derive optimal benefit from health guidance provided to the parent or caregiver of the child or infant at WCVs.

Investigation of the sensitization rate for gibberellin-regulated protein in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis.

BACKGROUND: Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) usually manifests as an itching sensation in the mouth and throat immediately after eating fresh fruits and vegetables. However, some patients with PFAS experience systemic symptoms including anaphylaxis. In Europe, cypress gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) has been noted to cause allergenicity and exhibit cross-reactivity with peach GRP. Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), classified in the cypress family, is the primary causative substance among all environmental allergens in Japan. However, studies on the prevalence of GRP sensitization in patients with cedar pollinosis are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of GRP sensitization in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. METHODS: We enrolled 52 patients who had requested sublingual immunotherapy treatment with mild-to-severe rhinitis during spring, and had a JCP-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels of >0.7 UA/mL. Peach GRP was purified using affinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody column. Specific IgE levels to peach GRP were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Samples exhibiting absorbance at 450 nm of over mean plus three standard deviations of the negative control value were defined as positive. Sera from three patients with severe peach allergy were used as positive controls. RESULTS: Eleven sera from 52 patients with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis were positive for peach GRP. CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of patients with cedar pollinosis were sensitized to peach GRP. Well-powered studies are needed to clarify whether these patients are at an increased risk for systemic symptoms or whether they primarily demonstrate only localized symptoms.

Comparison of local therapy in patients with lung oligo-recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of local therapy has been reported in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with oligo-recurrence. However, there is still no clear consensus on the choice of local therapy. We aimed to examine the choice of local therapy in NSCLC patients with lung oligo-recurrence. METHODS: Among 1760 consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent complete resection between 1990 and 2008, 535 patients developed recurrence. Lung oligo-recurrence was defined as 1-5 metachronous recurrences limited to the lungs only; such recurrence was found in 97 patients. We examined the differences in the prognosis of each therapy for these patients. RESULTS: The 5-year postrecurrence survival (PRS) rates in patients who underwent local therapy (n = 54) and those who did not (n = 43) were 55.6% and 31.1%, respectively; it was significantly higher in patients who underwent local therapy (p = 0.004). Among 47 patients who underwent resection or radiation therapy, the 5-year PRS rates were 61.5% and 47.6% (p = 0.258), and the 5-year postrecurrence progression-free survival rates were 30.3% and 24.7% (p = 0.665), respectively, without any significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lung oligo-recurrence should consider local therapy individually, depending on their general condition.

Tolerability of partially and extensively hydrolysed milk formulas in children with cow's milk allergy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The safety and tolerability of hydrolysed cow's milk protein-based formulas, particularly partially hydrolysed formulas (pHFs), in children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) remain poorly understood. We evaluated the tolerability of hydrolysed cow's milk-based formulas in children with CMA. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A three-period double-blind crossover evaluation compared the allergic tolerance against three dietary cow's milk-based formulas: extensively hydrolysed cow's milk formula (eHF), pHF, and regular cow's milk formula (rCMF). The primary outcome was the rate of tolerance against a maximum of 20.0 mL of formula. RESULTS: Controlled food challenges were performed in 25 children (18 boys; 7 girls) with a median age of 4.25 years (range: 1-9 years) diagnosed with CMA. The median cow's milk-specific immunoglobulin E level was 31.9 UA/mL (range: 1.16-735 UA/mL). The tolerance rate ratios for rCMF were lower than those for pHF (2 vs 16; p<0.01) and eHF (2 vs 22; p<0.01). The allergic symptom scores induced by intake of pHF and eHF were significantly lower than those of rCMF (p=0.01 and p<0.01, respectively), and the pHF and eHF scores were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to rCMF, the partially and extensively hydrolysed whey and casein formulas evaluated in this study were better tolerated and therefore safer for children with CMA. Although further confirmation from additional centres is needed, our findings suggest the use of pHF in patients with mild CMA. Some children with CMA react to hydrolysed formulas; therefore, food challenge tests in these children should be undertaken with caution.

Oral Immunotherapy Using Partially Hydrolyzed Formula for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Partially hydrolyzed cow's milk protein-based formula (pHF) possesses low allergenicity. Here, we investigate the safety and efficacy of oral immunotherapy using pHF for children with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). OBJECTIVES: A randomized, double-blind, controlled single-center trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pHF oral immunotherapy in children with CMPA. METHODS: Participants were randomized into double-blind pHF-pHF and extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk protein-based formula (eHF)-pHF groups. During this phase, the pHF-pHF group received pHF and the eHF-pHF group received eHF. During the open phase, all participants received pHF. The primary end point was a change in thresholds between baseline and the end of the first phase. Secondary end points were changes in thresholds between baseline and the end of the second phase, and casein-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG4, and basophil activation. RESULTS: Twenty-five children, aged 1-9 years, were randomized into pHF-pHF and eHF-pHF groups. The threshold between baseline and the end of the first phase was significantly elevated in the pHF-pHF group (p = 0.048), but not in the eHF-pHF group. The threshold between other phases did not change significantly in either group. There were significant decreases in casein-specific IgE antibody levels between baseline and the second phase in the eHF-pHF group (p = 0.014). No participants suffered systemic allergic reactions requiring adrenaline or systemic corticosteroids after receiving the formulas. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this trial suggest that, in children with CMPA, tolerance to cow's milk might be safely enhanced by intake of pHF, relative to that of eHF.

Long-term safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy with TO-204 in Japanese patients with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis and allergic bronchial asthma: Multicenter, open label clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy with TO-204, a standardized house dust mite (HDM) allergen extracts, we conducted a multicenter, open label clinical trial. METHODS: Japanese patients aged 5-65 years were eligible for the study, if they had HDM-induced allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic bronchial asthma (BA), or both. TO-204 was administered in a dose titration scheme, and the maintenance dose was determined according to the predefined criteria. The treatment period was 52 weeks, and patients who were willing to continue the treatment received TO-204 beyond 52 weeks. This clinical trial is registered at the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (Japic CTI-121900). RESULTS: Between July 2012 and May 2015, 44 patients (28 with AR and 16 with allergic BA) were enrolled into the study. All patients were included in the analysis. The duration of treatment ranged from 23 to 142 weeks and the median maintenance dose was 200 Japanese allergy units (JAU). Adverse events occurred in 22 patients (50%). The most common adverse event was local reactions related to the injection sites. Four patients experienced anaphylactic reactions when they were treated with the dose of 500 JAU. Two patients experienced anaphylactic shock with the doses of 1000 JAU at onset. These 6 patients could continue the study with dose reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Safety profile of TO-204 was acceptable in Japanese patients with HDM-induced AR or allergic BA. Higher doses should be administered carefully, because the risk of anaphylaxis increased at doses of 500 or 1000 JAU.

[AN EVALUATION OF SPONTANEOUS HISTAMINE RELEASE AND THE LOW RESPONDERS IN A BASOPHIL HISTAMINE RELEASE TEST].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical significance of the spontaneous histamine release ratio (SHR/T) and low responders in the automated basophil histamine release test (AllerportⓇ HRT). METHODS: This study analyzed the outcomes of 101 oral food challenges (OFC) with egg, milk or wheat (challenge-positive: n=79) in relation to the SHR/T. The traditional HRT low responders (n=27) were separated into two groups:"LOW"responders (n=10), who showed a ≥10% concentration-dependent maximum histamine release in response to the anti-human IgE stimulation, and"NON"responders who did not fulfill the criteria (n=17). RESULTS: Among the 34 patients with ≥20% SHR/T, 32 patients (94%) had a positive OFC with a low threshold dose which provoked severe symptoms. Among the"LOW"responders, four cases showed ≥10% allergen-specific maximum histamine release. On the other hand, concentration-dependent histamine release was not seen in the"NON"responders, suggesting the basophil function was not detected in this subgroup. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that SHR/T could be an indicator of basophil activation and hypersensitivity in vivo. We also suggested that significant basophil functions might be detected among the "LOW"responders, but not among the"NON"responders.

Japanese cedar pollen-based subcutaneous immunotherapy decreases tomato fruit-specific basophil activation.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-induced allergic rhinitis develop pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) as a reaction to tomato fruit. Pollen allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is reportedly beneficial for some associated food allergies; however, the reported changes in food allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG4 levels are inconsistent. Here, we investigated immunologic reactivity to tomato fruit after JCP-based SCIT. METHODS: Twenty-three children (aged 6-17 years) with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis and sensitized to tomato (serum tomato fruit-specific IgE level >0.34 UA/ml) received JCP-based SCIT. Basophil activation by tomato and JCP extracts and serum-specific IgE and IgG4 levels against these allergens were determined before and after 4 or 5 months of maintenance SCIT. Basophil activation was assessed by monitoring CD203c upregulation on flow cytometry. RESULTS: JCP-based SCIT significantly reduced the basophil activation caused by tomato fruit (p = 0.03) and JCP (p < 0.001) extracts. JCP-specific IgG4 levels markedly increased after SCIT (p < 0.001), whereas tomato fruit-specific IgG4 levels did not. After SCIT, no significant changes were observed in specific IgE levels for tomato fruit (p = 0.11) or JCP (p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Tomato fruit-specific basophil activation decreases after JCP-based SCIT, suggesting that it is efficacious in relieving and preventing the symptoms of PFAS in patients with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis.

Multicolor flow-cytometric analysis of milk allergen-specific T-helper type 2 cells revealed coexpression of interleukin-4 with Foxp3.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific T-helper type 2 (TH2) cells play an important role in the development of allergic inflammation; however, investigations of the properties of allergen-specific T cells have been challenging in humans. Despite clear evidence that forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) is expressed in conventional effector T cells, its function has remained unknown. OBJECTIVE: To characterize allergen-specific TH2 cells in milk allergy, with particular focus on the expression of Foxp3. METHODS: Twenty-one children with milk allergy and 11 children without milk allergy were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects were stimulated with milk allergen for 6 hours and analyzed using multicolor flow cytometry to identify CD154(+) allergen-specific T-helper cells. Simultaneously, the expression of intracellular cytokines and Foxp3 was analyzed. RESULTS: The milk allergy group had significantly larger numbers of milk allergen-specific interleukin (IL)-4- and IL-5-producing CD4(+) T cells than the control group. Subjects in the milk allergy group had significantly more CD154(+)CD4(+) IL-10-producing cells and CD154(+)Foxp3(+)CD4(+) cells than those in the control group. In addition, the number of milk allergen-specific CD154(+)Foxp3(+)CD4(+) cells strongly correlated with that of CD154(+)IL4(+)CD4(+) cells. Bcl-2 expression in CD154(+)IL-4(+)Foxp3(+) T-helper cells was significantly lower compared with that in total CD4 cells. CONCLUSION: Increased numbers of IL-4-producing allergen-specific T-helper cells were found in patients with milk allergy. In addition, Foxp3 was coexpressed with IL-4 in allergen-specific TH2 cells from patients. This coexpression was associated with lower Bcl-2 levels and could contribute to the phenotype and function of TH2 cells.

[Utility of the allerport® HRT in the diagnosis of hen's egg allergy: a pediatric multicenter challenge study].

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the Allerport® HRT in the diagnosis of hen's egg allergy. Method We enrolled 51 subjects who underwent the Allerport® HRT before an oral food challenge (OFC) consisting of heated egg. Blood samples were collected within three months prior to OFC to measure histamine release (HR) and specific IgE antibody titers. We examined whether the Allerport® HRT was useful as a means of diagnosing hen's egg allergy and predicting severity of induced symptoms. Of 51 subjects, three whose OFC results were not valid**1** and 13 who were classified as "low responders" to the Allerport® HRT (%HR due to anti-IgE below 20%) were excluded. Of the remaining 35 subjects (average age: 4 years), 23 showed positive reactions to the OFC. Quantities of histamine released in spontaneous HR and egg white (EW)- and ovomucoid (OVM)-induced HR were significantly higher in patients with positive reactions. In our receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve for %HR against 6 ng/ml of EW was 0.9601 and that against 3 ng/ml of OVM was 0.9022. The cutoff value was 15.0% for EW and 3.7% for OVM. The sensitivity was 95.7% for EW and 91.3% for OVM, and the specificity was 83.3% for EW and 58.3% for OVM. %HR correlated well with the severity of induced symptoms in the OFC. Conclusion Allerport® HRT is useful for the diagnosis of hen's egg allergy, and may also aid in predicting the severity of induced symptoms.

[A case of anaphylaxis caused by enokitake (Flammulina velutipes) ingestion].

Enokitake (Flammulina velutipes, winter mushroom) is a common edible mushroom in Japan. We experienced a case of anaphylaxis after enokitake ingestion. There are no reports describing anaphylaxis caused by the ingestion of this mushroom. Enokitake allergen has also not been reported. We thus attempted to identify enokitake allergen using the patient's serum. The patient was a seventeen-year-old woman who had had no episodes of food allergy and experienced anaphylaxis after the ingestion of sukiyaki (beef, pork, tofu, vegetables, enokitake, etc.). She had previously eaten sukiyaki (the same ingredients) without any symptoms. The result of enokitake skin prick to prick test was positive. Oral food challenge was positive, inducing anaphylaxis. We performed western blotting with enokitake extract and the patient's serum. Three enokitake protein bands (18 kDa, 39 kDa, 50 kDa) reacted specifically with the patient's IgE.

[A case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis caused by ingestion of orange].

The patient was a 10-year-old girl who presented with a history of anaphylactic episodes on three occasions, that developed in association with exercise after she ate citrus fruit. She underwent tolerance tests, as food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) induced by citrus fruit was suspected. The result of the test for the combination of intake of oranges and exercise was negative. The patient presented with swollen eyelid and wheezing following combined intake of orange and aspirin, based on which she was diagnosed as having FDEIA. Many patients developing an allergic reaction to fruit are diagnosed as having oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and only few cases of FDEIA are reported. Immunoblot tests revealed antigens of 9 kDa, 39 kDa and 53 kDa in this patient, and an inhibition study with oranges revealed that the 39 kDa and 53 kDa antigens were probably antigen-specific allergens. Although the studied patient showed a strongly positive result for IgE antibodies specifically directed at cedar pollen, no common antigenicity with cedar pollen could be recognized. The final diagnosis was a type of FDEIA caused by 39 kDa and 53 kDa proteins, which are different from antigens previously identified in patients with citrus fruits allergy. It should be the first report of such a case.

Allergen analysis of sea urchin roe using sera from five patients.

BACKGROUND: Sea urchin roe can cause anaphylactic reactions the first time they are consumed; therefore, careful clinical attention should be paid to their effects. However, no previous study has examined the allergens in sea urchin roe using sera from more than one patient. We attempted to identify sea urchin allergens using sera from 5 patients with sea urchin allergies. METHODS: We enrolled 5 patients with relevant medical histories, positive results on a skin prick test and/or a food challenge test, and high levels of sea urchin-specific IgE in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We performed SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, immunoblot inhibition, and N-terminal amino acid sequence detection. RESULTS: Ten protein bands ranging from 18 to 170 kDa were detected in more than 2 patients' sera. In immunoblotting, the protein band for the 170-kDa major yolk protein was recognized by 4 of the 5 sera. Furthermore, the reaction between IgE and the protein band for egg cortical vesicle protein (18 kDa) was inhibited by the addition of salmon roe extract. CONCLUSION: Major yolk protein was confirmed to be one of the main allergens in sea urchin roe. In addition, egg cortical vesicle protein (18 kDa) was demonstrated to be an important protein for cross-reactivity with salmon roe.