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 and calculated odds ratios (ORs) for severe FIA.

Validation of a commercial allergen microarray platform for specific immunoglobulin E detection of respiratory and plant food allergens.

Background: As the use of multiplex-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) detection methods becomes increasingly widespread, proper comparative validation assessments of emerging new platforms are vital.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and technical performance of a newly introduced microarray platform, Allergy Explorer (ALEX) (MacroArray Diagnostics), in the diagnosis of pollen (cypress, grass, olive), dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), mold (Alternaria alternata), fruit (apple, peach), and nut (walnut, hazelnut and peanut) allergies and to compare it with those of the ImmunoCAP Immuno Solid-phase Allergen Chip (ISAC) 112 microarray and the ImmunoCAP singleplex method (ThermoFisher Scientific).

Methods: We enrolled 153 patients with allergy and 16 controls without atopy.

Validation of novel recipes for masking peanuts in double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges.

Background: Double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges are the gold standard in food allergy diagnosis. Nevertheless, proper masking of peanuts is particularly complex owing to their intense flavor and odor. Thus, it is important to use validated recipes to ensure their adequate masking during oral food challenges.

Wheat Anaphylaxis in Adults Differs from Reactions to Other Types of Food.

Background: Wheat is one of the most commonly consumed foods and a known elicitor of anaphylaxis in children and adults. Reactions in adults are often cofactor dependent and characterized by a prolonged time between food intake and the onset of symptoms making the diagnosis of wheat anaphylaxis challenging.

Objective: To characterize a cohort of patients with the history of wheat anaphylaxis to better understand this atypical phenotype of anaphylaxis.

Risk Factors and Characteristics of Biphasic Anaphylaxis.

Background: Anaphylaxis is an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. However, a biphasic course with the second onset of symptoms can occur hours after the initial phase. Little is known about the causes of biphasic anaphylaxis making the identification of patients at risk difficult.

Refractory Anaphylaxis: Data From the European Anaphylaxis Registry.

Refractory anaphylaxis (unresponsive to treatment with at least two doses of minimum 300 μg adrenaline) is a rare and often fatal hypersensitivity reaction. Comprehensive data on its definition, prevalence, and risk factors are missing. Using the data from the European Anaphylaxis Registry (11,596 cases in total) we identified refractory anaphylaxis cases ( = 42) and analyzed these in comparison to a control group of severe anaphylaxis cases ( = 4,820).

Secondary prevention measures in anaphylaxis patients: Data from the anaphylaxis registry.

Background: Patients with a history of anaphylaxis are at risk of future anaphylactic reactions. Thus, secondary prevention measures are recommended for these patients to prevent or attenuate the next reaction.

Methods: Data from the Anaphylaxis Registry were analyzed to identify secondary prevention measures offered to patients who experienced anaphylaxis.

Efficacy and Safety of Omalizumab (Xolair) for Cholinergic Urticaria in Patients Unresponsive to a Double Dose of Antihistamines: A Randomized Mixed Double-Blind and Open-Label Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Cholinergic urticaria (UCOL) is a highly disabling inducible urticaria triggered by an increase in core body temperature.

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of omalizumab in controlling UCOL.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter randomized mixed double-blind and open-label (first 4 months blinded followed by 8 months open-label) placebo-controlled clinical trial in 22 patients suffering from UCOL who were unresponsive to a double dose of antihistamines.

Molecular sensitization patterns and influence of molecular diagnosis in immunotherapy prescription in children sensitized to both grass and olive pollen.

Background: The overlapping grass and olive pollen seasons in Spain and the phenomenon of cross-reactivity can make it difficult to determine the true causative agent of seasonal allergic rhinitis when only skin prick tests with whole extracts are used. The aim of the GRAMOLE study was to determine sensitization patterns to the major grass and olive pollen allergens detected using specific recombinant IgE and to explore how this knowledge affected physicians' choice of allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Methods: Epidemiological, observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Lipid Transfer Protein Syndrome in a Non-Mediterranean Area.

Background: Plant food allergies associated with lipid transfer protein (LTP) have been widely described in the Mediterranean Basin.

Objective: The aim of this work was to describe the clinical profile and pollen sensitization of plant food- allergic patients sensitized to LTP in a non-Mediterranean area.

Methods: Patients with clear IgE-mediated symptoms associated with plant foods and a positive skin prick test (SPT) to Pru p 3 were included in a prospective study in the north of Spain.

Optimal duration of allergen immunotherapy in children with dust mite respiratory allergy.

Background: Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) discontinuation data in children remain scarce.

Objective: We sought for differences in the clinical efficacy of 3 vs. 5 yr of SCIT in children with dust mite respiratory allergy.

Is the determination of specific IgE against components using ISAC 112 a reproducible technique?

Background: The ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 is a fluoro-immunoassay that allows detection of specific IgE to 112 molecular components from 51 allergenic sources. We studied the reliability of this technique intra- and inter- assay, as well as inter-batch- and inter-laboratory-assay.

Methods: Twenty samples were studied, nineteen sera from polysensitized allergic patients, and the technique calibrator provided by the manufacturer (CTR02).

Comparison of conventional and component-resolved diagnostics by two different methods (Advia-Centaur/Microarray-ISAC) in pollen allergy.

Background: Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) has recently been introduced into clinical allergology.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the contribution that this new diagnostic technique makes to conventional diagnosis in patients with pollen allergy, comparing CRD with conventional technologies, and to compare 2 CRD methods, Advia-Centaur and Microarray-ISAC.

Methods: Serum samples from 120 pollen-allergic patients were obtained.

Microarray of allergenic component-based diagnosis in food allergy.

Purpose Of Review: The determination of specific IgE (sIgE) against allergenic components fixed in a solid support that is provided as a microarray of high capacity and allows a more precise evaluation in the food allergy diagnosis. In this review, we will analyze the results obtained to date with this technology applied to the component-based diagnosis of food allergy.

Recent Findings: Microarrays of proteins or glycoproteins allow us to know the profile of sensitization of a patient with food allergy.

Three years of specific immunotherapy may be sufficient in house dust mite respiratory allergy.

Background: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) duration for respiratory allergy is currently based on individual decisions.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in clinical efficacy of SIT as a result of the duration between the current recommended limits (3-5 years).

Methods: A 5-year prospective, controlled clinical trial of SIT blind until the first year and randomization to a 3-year (IT3) or 5-year (IT5) course was conducted.

Differences among pollen-allergic patients with and without plant food allergy.

Background: A considerable number of pollen-allergic patients develops allergy to plant foods, which has been attributed to cross-reactivity between food and pollen allergens. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences among pollen-allergic patients with and without plant food allergy.

Methods: Eight hundred and six patients were recruited from 8 different hospitals.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled Alternaria alternata immunotherapy: in vivo and in vitro parameters.

Few studies have been published on the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with fungal extracts, possibly because of difficulties arising from antigenic variability among different strains of fungus. The aim of the study was to analyze changes in the in vivo and in vitro parameters in response to immunotherapy with an Alternaria alternata extract. We studied 28 patients with rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or both caused by Alternaria.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Alternaria alternata immunotherapy: clinical efficacy and safety.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with fungal extracts has been beset by safety and efficacy problems, which result mainly from qualitative and quantitative variations. Little has been published on the safety and efficacy of these extracts. The objective was to analyze the safety and efficacy of ASIT with an Alternaria alternata extract.

Double-blind comparative study of cluster and conventional immunotherapy schedules with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Background: The conventional schedule for subcutaneous immunotherapy with allergen extracts, although efficacious and safe, is slow during the dose-increase phase.

Objective: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus standardized extract given in a 6-week cluster period and a conventional 12-week schedule during the incremental-dose phase.

Methods: Of 239 patients with rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma, or both caused by D pteronyssinus , 120 were randomly assigned to the cluster schedule, and 119 were randomly assigned to the conventional schedule.

Characterization of asparagus allergens: a relevant role of lipid transfer proteins.

Background: No asparagus allergen has been characterized to date. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) have an ubiquitous distribution in plant foods and have been identified as relevant allergens in some fruits, seeds, and pollens.

Objective: We sought to identify asparagus allergens and to evaluate the potential involvement of the panallergen LTP family in asparagus allergy.

Allergen vaccination with a liposome-encapsulated extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in asthmatic patients.

Background: Liposomes are potent immunologic adjuvants and have been proposed as allergen carriers in allergy vaccination.

Objective: We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of vaccination with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus encapsulated in liposomes.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Immunological Parameters in the Immunotherapy Follow-Up.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of immunotherapy on the levels of antigen-specific IgG4. We studied a group of 35 asthmatic patients with sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and a group of 226 pollinic patients with sensitization to gramineous pollen (Phleum pratense) with and without immunotherapy. Regarding the results obtained, the following are the most outstanding: (1) Patients treated with immunotherapy showed higher concentrations than the group of untreated patients (206.