Immune mechanisms of food allergy and its prevention by early intervention.

The environmental factors driving the increase in food allergies are unclear and possibly involve dual exposure to allergens, microbiome-driven effects or other mechanisms. Until they can be better understood, early intervention aiming at establishing oral tolerance provides an effective way to decrease the window-of-risk when children may develop allergic sensitisation to foods due to the […]

Reduced risk of peanut sensitization following exposure through breast-feeding and early peanut introduction.

BACKGROUND: Recent trials have shown that avoiding peanuts during infancy increases the risk of peanut allergy; however, these studies did not address maternal peanut consumption. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the relationship between maternal peanut consumption while breast-feeding, timing of direct peanut introduction, and peanut sensitization at age 7 years. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a […]

Identification and characterization of the proteins bound by specific phage‐displayed recombinant antibodies (scFv) obtained against Brazil nut and almond extracts.

BACKGROUND: Almonds and Brazil nuts are widely consumed allergenic nuts whose presence must be declared according to food labelling regulations. Their detection in food products has been recently achieved by ELISA methods with recombinant antibodies (scFv) isolated against complete Brazil nut and almond protein extracts. The screening of phage-scFv libraries against complete protein extracts confers […]

BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of peanut and tree nut allergy.

Peanut nut and tree nut allergy are characterised by IgE mediated reactions to nut proteins. Nut allergy is a global disease. Limited epidemiological data suggest varying prevalence in different geographical areas. Primary nut allergy affects over 2% of children and 0.5% of adults in the UK. Infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy have a […]

A protocol for a systematic review to identify allergenic tree nuts and the molecules responsible for their allergenic properties.

Food regulations require that tree nuts and derived ingredients are included on food labels in order to help individuals with IgE-mediated allergies to avoid them. However, there is no consensus regarding which tree nut species should be included in this definition and specified on food labels. Allergen detection methods used for monitoring foods target allergen […]

Prevalence of food allergies and intolerances documented in electronic health records.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy prevalence is reported to be increasing, but epidemiological data using patients' electronic health records (EHRs) remain sparse. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of food allergy and intolerance documented in the EHR allergy module. METHODS: Using allergy data from a large health care organization's EHR between 2000 and 2013, we determined […]

An update on the impact of food allergy on anxiety and quality of life.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Food allergies have become more common, and management involves dietary avoidance that can impair quality of life. Patients and families must manage the daily risk of anaphylaxis at each meal. The purpose of this review is to describe the impact of food allergies on quality of life and to provide an update […]