Publications by authors named "Diti Machnes Maayan"

Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an increasingly acceptable therapeutic option for peanut-allergic (PA) children, despite significant side effects. Major peanut allergenic proteins are heat-resistant and are not rendered hypoallergenic after baking or cooking. Lyophilized peanut protein-MH (LPP-MH) is a novel composition from developing peanuts, enabling cooking-induced reduction in allergenicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is an immune-mediated skin disease that may require prolonged treatments. Currently, there are no recommendations for treatment discontinuation once CSU symptoms are controlled, particularly among patients primarily diagnosed with severe CSU.

Objective: In this real-life study we aimed to describe our experience of omalizumab (Oma) treatment withdrawal in CSU and define biomarkers related to these outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Late hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to the BNT162b2-vaccine have raised concerns regarding its safety, particularly as further immunizations are required. The yield of skin testing with the BNT162b2v is unclear, as well as the risk factors and outcomes of re-immunization after late HSRs. Objective: We studied a series of patients with late HSRs to BNT162b2v.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Sesame allergy (SA) is a common cause of life-threatening, persistent food allergy, not only in the Middle East and Asia, but increasingly worldwide. Commercially available tests such as extracts for skin testing or specific IgE for sesame or its components in serum, have very limited predictive values. Therefore the diagnosis is dependent on the performance of oral food challenges (OFC), frequently avoided in children, due to time and resource constraints, as well as the risk of anaphylaxis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Allergic reactions to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have raised concerns, particularly as repeated doses are required. Skin tests with the vaccines excipient were found to be of low value, whereas the utility of skin tests with the whole vaccine is yet to be determined.

Objective: To evaluate a panel of skin tests and the outcomes of subsequent doses of immunization among subjects who suffered an immediate allergic reaction to the BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Infants with non-IgE-mediated food allergies are often referred to gastroenterologists or immunologists. We hypothesized that there are practice variations between these disciplines in the diagnosis and management of such infants.

Methods: A computerized questionnaire was distributed between pediatric gastroenterologists and immunologists.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Between 25% and 30% of children with peanut allergies have a high-threshold peanut allergy (HTPA), meaning they can tolerate over 100 mg of peanut protein, but this threshold can change due to various factors.
  • The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a 40-week oral immunotherapy (OIT) for children with HTPA, using two dosage strategies.
  • Out of 28 enrolled children, most successfully completed the OIT protocol, and after 6 months, the average tolerated dosage increased to 8 g, allowing for the safe inclusion of peanuts in their diets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Allergic reactions among some individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine discourage patients with allergic conditions from receiving this vaccine and physicians from recommending the vaccine.

Objective: To describe the assessment and immunization of highly allergic individuals with the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In a prospective cohort study from December 27, 2020, to February 22, 2021, 8102 patients with allergies who applied to the COVID 19 vaccine referral center at the Sheba Medical Center underwent risk assessment using an algorithm that included a detailed questionnaire.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Patients with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk for infections and autoimmune disorders. Although several immunological abnormalities were previously found, differences in T cell receptor repertoire have never been shown. Thus we compared the T cell receptor gamma (TRG) repertoire in DS and non-syndromic pediatric patients by next-generation sequencing, in addition to other immunological markers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Innate immunity is one of two immune defence system arms. It is present at birth and does not require 'learning' through exposure to foreign organisms. It activates various mechanisms collectively to eliminate pathogens and hold an infection until the adaptive response are mounted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Most children with egg allergy (EA) can tolerate extensively heated and baked egg (EHBE). Consumption of EHBE may promote faster resolution of EA; however, no consensus exists as to the required amounts and treatment protocols.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a structured graduated exposure protocol (SGEP) with EHBE in promoting tolerance to eggs in EA children under 2 years of age.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The thymus is crucial for developing functional and self-tolerant T cells, but its function in infants is not well understood, particularly how it can be assessed through peripheral blood markers.
  • This study involved 20 infants undergoing cardiac surgery who had their thymic function markers compared between the thymus and peripheral blood, focusing on TCR excision circles, TCRD gene rearrangements, regulatory T cells, and FOXP3 mRNA levels.
  • Results showed strong correlations between thymic and peripheral blood markers, indicating that assessing these blood parameters can provide insights into thymic activity and T cell function in infants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF