EAACI guidelines on the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy
This European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology guideline provides recommendations for diagnosing IgE-mediated food allergy and was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Food allergy diagnosis starts with an allergy-focused clinical history followed by tests to determine IgE sensitization, such as serum allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) and skin prick […]
Prevalence of tree nut allergy in Europe: A systematic review and meta-analysis
In 2014, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) published the first systematic review that summarized the prevalence of food allergy (FA) and food sensitization in Europe for studies published 2000-2012. However, only summary estimates for tree nut allergy (TNA) were feasible in that work. In the current update of that systematic review, […]
Revised Swedish infant feeding guidelines are associated with earlier introduction of allergenic foods.
Background: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that early introduction of allergenic foods, such as peanut and egg, can reduce food allergy in high-risk children. Many international guidelines recommend introduction in the first year of life and accordingly, the Swedish National Food agency released updated guidelines in June 2019. Objective: To examine if the age at […]
Contract farming and the adoption of sustainable farm practices: Empirical evidence from cashew farmers in Ghana
Contract farming has been shown to increase agricultural productivity and thus welfare of farmers in developing countries. However, studies that look at the potential environmental effects of contract farming remain quite scanty. This is however crucial, since contract farming may contribute to intensification in cultivation of the contracted crops, in terms of area and the […]
The relevance of oral food challenge in a patient allergic to peanut and tree nuts
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood. In vitro cross-sensitization between peanut and tree nuts (TN) is high, but only a subgroup of patients allergic to peanut will have a concomitant allergy to one or several TN. In this article, the authors report a case of a 12-year-old boy who […]
Citrin: a novel food allergen in citrus seeds and citrus-derived pectin that shows cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio
Background: Patients exquisitely sensitive to cashew/pistachio are at risk for allergic reactions to citrus seeds and pectin. Objective: In this study, we sought to examine whether pectin is contaminated with citrus seeds, to identify a culprit antigen in citrus seeds, and to assess for cross-reactivity among allergens in citrus seeds, citrus pectin, and cashew/pistachio. Methods: […]
Levels and Distribution of Salmonella in Naturally Contaminated Cashews
Raw materials associated with foodborne illness outbreaks are rarely available for evaluation. The levels and distribution of Salmonella were determined in naturally contaminated raw cashews linked to a salmonellosis outbreak associated with a fermented cashew cheese analog. Two unopened 22.7-kg boxes from a single lot of cashew kernel pieces were each divided into seven approximately […]
Dietary Fibers of Tree Nuts Differ in Composition and Distinctly Impact the Fecal Microbiota and Metabolic Outcomes In Vitro
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of dietary fibers (DFs) of commercially important tree nuts (almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio, and walnut) on gut microbiota in vitro. Microbial compositions and short-chain fatty acids were determined using 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. Neutral and acidic monosaccharides were analyzed using GC/MS and […]
Acute effect of a beverage containing Brazil and cashew nuts on oxidative stress, lipemia, and blood pressure of women with cardiometabolic risk (Brazilian Nuts Study): a randomized clinical trial
Nuts are important sources of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and improve lipid profile as well as vascular function. However, the intake of typical Brazilian nuts and its acute effect on cardiovascular health needs to be better understood. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a beverage containing cashew (Anacardium occidentale […]
Food-Induced Anaphylaxis: Data From the European Anaphylaxis Registry
Background: Food is one of the most common elicitors of anaphylaxis, with an increasing incidence over recent years. Objectives: To characterize elicitor-specific phenotypes and identify factors enhancing the risk or severity of food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA). Methods: We analyzed data from the European Anaphylaxis Registry applying an age- and sex-matched analysis of associations (Cramer’s V) for single food triggers […]