Sabouraud-Leclerc D, Mariotte D, Bradatan E, Divaret-Chauveau A, Metz-Favre C, et al.
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology •
The European Regulation list on mandatory labelling of foods includes 14 allergenic foods; however, other foods are also frequently implicated in food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA). We analysed FIA cases reported to the Allergy Vigilance Network from 2002 to 2023. Allergenic foods involved in ≥ 1% of cases and not included in the list were assessed as emerging food allergens (EFA). We assessed their frequency, severity (Ring classification), recurrence, and potential presence in hidden form to determine which allergens might warrant inclusion on the list. Among 2999 FIA cases (Ring grades 2-4), 413 cases (13.8%) met the selection criteria, divided into eight allergenic foods or food groups: goat's and sheep's milk (GSM, n = 84; 2.8% of the cases), buckwheat (n = 71; 2.4%), peas and lentil (n = 55; 1.8%), alpha-gal (n = 50; 1.7%), pine nut (n = 49; 1.6%), kiwi (n = 44; 1.5%), beehive products (n = 30; 1.0%), and apple (n = 30; 1.0%). Severe reactions (Ring grades 3 and 4) were reported with GSM (46.8% and 4.8%, respectively, including two fatalities), buckwheat (46.5% and1.4%), peas-lentil (20% and 1.8%), alpha-gal (54% and 8%), and Grade 3 reactions were reported with pine nut in 49%, kiwi 54.5%, beehive products 33.3% and apple 46.7%. Recurrent reactions and hidden exposures were reported with GSM (56% and 15.5%), buckwheat (49.3% and 16.9%), peas-lentil (7.3% and 9.0%) and pine nut (12.2% and 4.1%). We identified eight foods frequently involved in FIA and not currently listed in the European regulation. Given their frequency, severity, recurrence, and potential for hidden exposure, we propose that four-goat's and sheep's milk, buckwheat, peas-lentil, and pine nut-be considered for inclusion in the list.
Dupont M, Carlier C, Gower-Rousseau C, Barbier-Lider P, Botsen D, et al.
BMC cancer •
Previous studies have observed an increased incidence of Cetuximab-induced hypersensitivity infusion reactions (CI-IRs) in the southeastern states of the USA. Tick's bites were suspected of generating cross-reactions between cetuximab and alpha-gal. This study aims was to describe the incidence and associated risk factors of CI-IRs, in the French areas chosen according to their Lyme disease incidence. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients that received cetuximab infusion from January 2010 to June 2019 in 4 French areas with different Lyme disease incidence rates. Of 1392 patients, 117 (8.4%) experienced a CI-IR, including 68 severe (grade 3 or 4) reactions (4.9%). This CI-IR incidence was significantly higher in the Lyme disease high-risk area than in the other areas (13.2% versus 7.1%, 8.1% and 6.4%; P = 0.016). Sex (P = 0.53), premedication (P = 0.91), primary cancer location (P = 0.46) and chemotherapy regimen type (P = 0.78) had no impact on CI-IR incidence in the overall population. In the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient subgroup, CI-IRs were significantly more frequent in the high-risk area (16.4% versus 6.7%, 7.1% and 7.0%; P = 0.0015). This study suggests that patients treated in the French area with the highest incidence of Lyme disease are at a higher risk of CI-IRs.
Kuehn A, Codreanu-Morel F, Lehners-Weber C, Doyen V, Gomez-André SA, et al.
Allergy •
Fish is one of the most allergenic foods. While clinical cross-reactivity among different fishes is a widely accepted feature of fish allergy, associations with other food allergies are not well understood. This study aims at analyzing the relevance of clinical cross-reactivity between fish and chicken meat in patients with allergy to chicken meat without sensitization to hen's eggs. Patients with food allergy to fish and chicken meat (n = 29) or chicken meat only (n = 7) were recruited. IgE-reactive chicken proteins were identified (Edman, MS analysis) and quantified (ELISA). Allergens were used in IgE ELISA and skin testing. Chicken parvalbumin and two new allergens, aldolase and enolase, were identified at 12, 40, and 50 kDa, respectively. They were recognized by sIgE of 61%, 75%, and 83% of all patient sera which were in the majority of the cases positive for the fish homologues as well. Fish and chicken meat allergens were highly cross-reactive while high inhibition rates with fish or chicken allergens correlated with the patients' primary sensitization to fish or chicken. In cooked or roasted foods, enolase and aldolase were detectable in chicken breast while parvalbumin was detectable in chicken legs and wings. Fish and chicken meat are cross-reactive foods; both fish-allergic and chicken meat-allergic patients might be at risk of developing a food allergy to chicken meat or to fish, respectively. This clinical phenomenon is proposed to be termed 'fish-chicken syndrome' with cross-reactive allergens involved being parvalbumins, enolases, and aldolases.
Christiane Y, Aghayan M, Emonard H, Lallemand A, Mahieu P, et al.
Placenta •
The galactose alpha 1-3 galactose (Gal alpha 1-3 Gal) residue is a carbohydrate widely distributed in many non-human mammals. Since Gal alpha 1-3 Gal residues are described on the cell surface of tumor cells, we have examined the possibility of their expression on human trophoblastic cells at different stages of placental implantation and in various pregnancy-associated conditions. Using immunohistochemical methods, Gal alpha 1-3 Gal was demonstrated on interstitial and vascular trophoblast during pregnancy. For villous trophoblast, the staining disappeared in second trimester pregnancies. The density of staining for Gal alpha 1-3 Gal was increased in highly invasive trophoblast (mole and choriocarcinoma) and decreased in poorly invasive specimens (spontaneous abortion, XO monosomia). No cells displaying Gal alpha 1-3 Gal at their surface were identified in some segments of spiral arteries from pre-eclamptic women. The anti-Gal antibody titer increased in the first trimester of pregnancy and in the sera of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients. These findings suggest that Gal alpha 1-3 Gal residues could be considered as markers for trophoblast invasive capacity and that the binding of maternal anti-Gal antibodies to the trophoblast could contribute to limit trophoblastic invasion and thus participate to the immunological control of implantation.