Development of gliadin-specific immune responses in children with HLA-associated genetic risk for celiac disease.

Objective: The development of gliadin-specific antibody and T-cell responses were longitudinally monitored in young children with genetic risk for celiac disease (CD).

Material And Methods: 291 newborn children positive for HLA-DQB1*02 and -DQA1*05 alleles were followed until 3-4 years of age by screening for tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (tTGA) by using a commercial ELISA-based kit and antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptide (anti-DGP) by an immunofluorometric assay. Eighty-five of the children were also followed for peripheral blood gliadin-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses by using a carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-based in vitro proliferation assay.

Very low birth weight and respiratory outcome: association between airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.

Background: The respiratory outcomes after preterm birth have changed, and it is unclear whether increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) later in childhood is associated with airway inflammation.

Objective: To investigate the association between AHR and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), including the alveolar concentration of nitric oxide, in school-age children with very low birth weight (VLBW).

Methods: Twenty-nine children with VLBW, 33 children with a history of early wheeze, and 60 healthy controls underwent a FeNO measurement and bronchial challenge test with histamine.

Eosinophil cationic protein in human milk is associated with development of cow's milk allergy and atopic eczema in breast-fed infants.

The precise role of leukocytes and mediators in human milk is still unresolved. Eosinophils are uncommonly detected in human milk and their presence has previously been associated with maternal atopy and development of cow's milk allergy (CMA) in the breast-fed infant. The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in human milk and to compare the levels with development of allergic diseases in breast-fed infants.