Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology •
Sensitization to serum albumins (SAs) in cow's milk allergy (CMA) may contribute to red meat (RM) allergy. This study evaluated the prevalence of SA sensitization, patterns of cross-sensitization, and clinical relevance to RM allergy in children with CMA. Seventy children with CMA (58 current, 12 resolved) who underwent multiplex microarray testing were assessed for allergen sensitization profiles and reported reactions to RM. Bos d 6 sensitization was identified in 61.4% of patients, and 18% had been advised to avoid RM. Among Bos d 6-sensitized patients, 39.5% were monosensitized. Co-sensitization rates were 46.5% for Sus s 1, 25.5% for Equ c 3, 23.2% for Fel d 2, and 16.2% for Can f 3. A strong correlation was observed between Bos d 6 and Sus s 1 (r = .79), with moderate correlations to Equ c 3 and Can f 3. Hierarchical clustering grouped Bos d 6 with Sus s 1, Equ c 3, and Can f 3. While milk allergen sensitization decreased in the resolved-CMA group, Bos d 6 persisted in some patients. Although all children tolerated well-cooked RM, 10% reported allergic reactions via various exposure routes, including one patient with resolved-CMA. All RM-reactive patients were sensitized to Bos d 6. Bos d 6 sensitization is common in children with CMA, yet clinical reactivity to RM is infrequent. Cultural and culinary practices may shape exposure and symptom expression, though avoidance behaviors remain common. Integrating allergen profiles into clinical care may guide risk stratification/avoidance recommendations.
Food allergy (FA) has become an increasing problem throughout the world. Over the last 2 decades, the frequency of FA has increased in both children and adults. The prevalence differs according to the research methodology, age, and geographic regions, ranging between 2.0% and 10.0%. The most common form of FA is immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated FA. In this form, patients may present with life-threatening conditions, such as anaphylaxis, or milder conditions, such as urticaria, angioedema, sneezing, and nausea alone. The gold standard in the diagnosis of FA is oral provocation tests. Epidermal skin prick tests and specific IgE measurements, as well as component-resolved diagnostic techniques are helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients. In this review, the epidemiology, diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of IgE-mediated FA in children and adults were discussed and some specific forms of FA, such as pollen FA syndrome, alpha-gal allergy, and food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis were explained.
Background There is a growing interest in the use of targeted and immunotherapies in oncology. However, the assessment of side effects can be different due to interpretation of patients' health status by healthcare professionals in oncology outpatient clinics. Objective To demonstrate the differences in the assessments of side effects conducted independently by a clinical pharmacist and nurses in patients who receive targeted therapies at an oncology outpatient clinic. Setting The study was conducted at the University Oncology Hospital in an outpatient clinic from October 2015 to March 2016. Method Patients receiving ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, bevacizumab, panitumumab or cetuximab during study period were included. The assessment of side effects was conducted by a pharmacist and nurse independently using the NCI-CTCAE version-2. Main outcome measure To compare the severity assessments of side effects between a clinical pharmacist and nurses in an outpatient clinic. Results During the study, 204 visits for 43 patients with a total of 5508 side effect assessments were recorded where 1137 (20.64%) assessments were graded differently. Out of 1137 assessments, 473 of them were graded higher by a clinical pharmacist whereas 664 were graded higher by nurses. Statistically significant differences were detected in the assessment of vomiting, taste changes, sense changes, alopecia, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety, hearing impairment, and allergic reactions. Conclusion An assessment of side effects by healthcare providers in patients with cancer may be challenging due to an increased workload in clinics and undistinguishable symptoms of side effects and cancer itself. Therefore, a new care model which increases an interprofessional communication may improve pharmaceutical care in oncology outpatient clinics.
Demir AU, Karakaya G, Bozkurt B, Sekerel BE, Kalyoncu AF
Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology •
We investigated prevalence and determinants of asthma and allergic diseases in a cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren aged 6-14 in 2002. This was the third of a series of cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 1992 and 1997, in the same school in Ankara, Turkey. Questionnaire including information on house characteristics, dietary habits, past and current exposures and diseases were distributed to 1064 children (523 boys, 541 girls) and filled by the parents at home. Percentage of children having a pet was significantly higher (1992: 7.9, 1997: 22.9, 2002: 21), but that of passive smoking was significantly lower (1992: 74, 1997: 64, 2002: 64.1) in 1997 and 2002 when compared with 1992. Current prevalence percentage of asthma (1992: 8.3, 1997: 9.8, 2002: 6.4), wheeze (1992: 11.9, 1997: 13.3, 2002: 6.4), hay fever (1992: 15.4, 1997: 14.1, 2002: 7.2), and eczema (1992: 4, 1997: 4.3, 2002: 1.8) were significantly lower in 2002 compared with 1992. Multiple logistic regression analysis model for current wheeze included ingestion of cow's milk (no regular ingestion: reference, ORs and 95% CIs, <1 glass/day: 0.5, 0.3-1.0; at least 1 glass/day: 0.3, 0.2-0.7), ingestion of red meat (2.2, 1.2-3.8), and currently holding a dog (6.1, 1.6-23.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis model for current hay fever included ingestion of red meat (1.8, 1.1-2.9) and father's education (none of the parents finished secondary school: reference, secondary school to university: 0.5, 0.2-1.0). Our findings suggested that current prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases decreased among schoolchildren in Ankara, in the last 10 yr, and ingestion of milk and red meat could have a role in the occurrence of asthma and hay fever. Detailed assessment of dietary habits is required to test this hypothesis.
