Ellagic acid and polyphenolics present in walnut kernels inhibit in vitro human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and alter cytokine production
Tree nuts; including walnuts; are important elicitors of food allergy. We examined the ability of walnut kernel polyphenolics and purified ellagic acid (EA) to modulate cytokine production and cellular proliferation from stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IL-13 and TNF-alpha production decreased while no change was observed in IL-4 production. Paradoxically; EA and the […]
Management of nut allergy influences quality of life and anxiety in children and their mothers
Nut allergy is known to impact on the quality of life (QoL) and anxiety of both the allergic child and their parents; but little is known about how the management of food allergy is associated with these variables. To investigate the impact of nut allergy on QoL and anxiety in mothers and children with nut […]
Food Allergy Among Children in the United States
Objectives: The goals were to estimate the prevalence of food allergy and to describe trends in food allergy prevalence and health care use among US children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of data on food allergy among children
Clinical features of four cases with cashew nut allergy and cross-reactivity between cashew nut and pistachio
BACKGROUND: Few cases of cashew nut (CN) allergy have been reported in Japan. We evaluated the clinical features of 4 cases with CN allergy and investigated the allergens involved. METHODS: In order to investigate the cross-reactivity between CN and pistachios; we performed ImmunoCAP inhibition tests using sera of 4 cases with positive histories of CN […]
Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2 silences peanut-induced anaphylaxis for a prolonged posttreatment period via IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells
BACKGROUND: Food allergy is a serious and sometimes fatal condition for which there is no cure. We previously reported that Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-2) protected peanut-allergic mice against anaphylactic reactions as long as 4 weeks posttherapy. This formula is now in clinical trials in the United States. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether FAHF-2-mediated […]
Food allergy knowledge; attitudes; and beliefs in the United States
BACKGROUND: Members of the general public play a significant role in the well-being of food-allergic children; although little is known about the knowledge; attitudes; and beliefs of food allergy among the public. OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into food allergy knowledge and perceptions among the general US population. METHODS: A national sample of adults was recruited […]
Identification of two pistachio allergens; Pis v 1 and Pis v 2; belonging to the 2S albumin and 11S globulin family
BACKGROUND: IgE-mediated allergic reactions to pistachio appear to be occurring more frequently; however; little is known about its allergenic proteins. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to identify pistachio allergens and to clone the encoding genes. METHODS: Pistachio proteins were extracted and separated by SDS-PAGE. Immunolabelling was performed with sera from 28 pistachio-allergic individuals. Proteins of interest were […]
Component-resolved in vitro diagnosis of hazelnut allergy in Europe
BACKGROUND: Food allergy to hazelnut occurs both with and without concomitant pollen allergy. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate a panel of hazelnut allergens for diagnosis of hazelnut allergy in Spain; Switzerland; and Denmark. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with a positive double-blind; placebo-controlled food challenge result with hazelnuts; 5 patients with a history of anaphylaxis; 62 patients […]
This allergies hysteria is just nuts
Early consumption of peanuts in infancy is associated with a low prevalence of peanut allergy
BACKGROUND: Despite guidelines recommending avoidance of peanuts during infancy in the United Kingdom (UK); Australia; and; until recently; North America; peanut allergy (PA) continues to increase in these countries. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of PA among Israeli and UK Jewish children and evaluate the relationship of PA to infant and maternal peanut […]