The epidemiology of milk allergy in US children.

Background: Milk is one of the most common food allergies in US children, yet little is known about its distribution and diagnosis.

Objective: To better understand current pediatric milk allergy distribution and diagnosis trends in the United States.

Methods: A randomized, cross-sectional survey was administered to parents belonging to a representative sample of US households with children from June 2009 to February 2010.

Parent report of physician diagnosis in pediatric food allergy.

Background: Childhood food allergy is a serious health problem. However, little is known about the frequency and manner in which it is currently diagnosed.

Objective: To describe parent report of physician practices in the diagnosis of pediatric food allergy.

A brief intervention to improve food allergy knowledge among US pediatricians: lessons learned.

Objective: To evaluate a brief educational tool for pediatricians developed to address known gaps in food allergy knowledge.

Study Design: Pre- and post-assessments were administered to a convenience sample of 61 US pediatricians completing the Food Allergy Comprehension Tool between February and March of 2010. McNemar's and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine whether clinical knowledge of food allergy and level of comfort in caring for food-allergic children increased significantly after reviewing the tool.

Geographic variability of childhood food allergy in the United States.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of childhood food allergy in the United States.

Methods: A randomized survey was administered electronically from June 2009 to February 2010 to adults in US households with at least 1 child younger than 18 years. Data were analyzed as weighted proportions to estimate prevalence and severity of food allergy by geographic location.

The prevalence, severity, and distribution of childhood food allergy in the United States.

Objective: The goal of this study was to better estimate the prevalence and severity of childhood food allergy in the United States.

Methods: A randomized, cross-sectional survey was administered electronically to a representative sample of US households with children from June 2009 to February 2010. Eligible participants included adults (aged 18 years or older) able to complete the survey in Spanish or English who resided in a household with at least 1 child younger than 18 years.

IL-13Rα2 has a protective role in a mouse model of cutaneous inflammation.

IL-13 is expressed in lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) and has been associated with increased disease severity. IL-13 has two cognate receptors: IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2. Although IL-13Rα2 expression is known to be induced in response to IL-13 in keratinocytes, its function in AD has never been evaluated.

Matrix metalloproteinase 8 contributes to solubilization of IL-13 receptor alpha2 in vivo.

Background: IL-13 receptor alpha2 (IL-13R alpha 2) is a high-affinity receptor for IL-13, a central mediator of allergic asthma. It acts predominantly as a decoy receptor but can also contribute to IL-13 responses under certain conditions. IL-13R alpha 2 exists in soluble and membrane forms, which can both bind IL-13 and modulate its activity.

Asthma genetics: personalizing medicine.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that leads to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. The clinical symptoms, which are a result of airway inflammation and reversible airway obstruction, have led to the mainstay of therapies for asthma: anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators. However, the efficacies of the various classes of medications are not equal among all patients and may be affected by asthma phenotypes, environmental exposures, and genetic differences.

Allergen-dependent solubilization of IL-13 receptor alpha2 reveals a novel mechanism to regulate allergy.

Background: Allergic sensitization affects half of western populations and often precedes the development of allergic disorders including asthma. Despite the critical role of allergens in the pathogenesis of these disorders, little is known about how allergens modulate the immune response. IL-13 receptor alpha2 (IL-13Ralpha2) is a decoy receptor for IL-13.

Allergy-driven alternative splicing of IL-13 receptor alpha2 yields distinct membrane and soluble forms.

IL-13 is a key mediator of allergic inflammation. Its diverse functions are mediated by a complex receptor system including IL-4Ralpha, IL-13Ralpha1, and IL-13Ralpha2. IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1 form a high-affinity signaling heterodimer.

Epicutaneous aeroallergen exposure induces systemic TH2 immunity that predisposes to allergic nasal responses.

Background: Atopic individuals are predisposed to mounting vigorous T(H)2-type immune responses to environmental allergens. The skin is often the first organ that manifests allergic disease and may provide an early entry point for antigen sensitization.

Objective: We sought to determine whether epicutaneous exposure to the aeroallergen Aspergillus fumigatus induces nasal allergic responses.

Level of expression of IL-13R alpha 2 impacts receptor distribution and IL-13 signaling.

IL-13, a critical cytokine for allergic inflammation, exerts its effects through a complex receptor system including IL-4Ralpha, IL-13Ralpha1, and IL-13Ralpha2. IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1 form a heterodimeric signaling receptor for IL-13. In contrast, IL-13Ralpha2 binds IL-13 with high affinity but does not signal.

IL-4 alpha chain receptor (IL-4Ralpha) polymorphisms in allergic bronchopulmonary sspergillosis.

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis occurs in 7-10% of cystic fibrosis (CF) and 1-2% of asthmatic patients. HLA-DR restriction and increased sensitivity to IL-4 stimulation have been proposed as risk factors in these populations.

Objective: We examined for the presence of IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Ralpha) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABPA and whether these accounted for increased sensitivity to IL-4 stimulation.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with cystic fibrosis: diagnostic criteria when the IgE level is less than 500 IU/mL.

Background: Recently, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation developed a consensus report recommending diagnostic criteria for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis that includes a serum IgE level greater than 500 IU/mL as the "minimal diagnostic criterion."

Objective: To describe a 7-year-old girl with ABPA whose serum IgE level increased to only 398 IU/mL.

Methods: Total IgE and anti-Aspergillus serologic measurements were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and standard laboratory techniques; HLA analysis was performed; interleukin 4 receptor alpha single nucleotide polymorphisms were performed using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing; CD23+ B cells were measured using flow cytometry; and cytokine synthesis to Aspergillus purified antigens was assessed using flow cytometry.

Fresh frozen plasma in the treatment of resistant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor angioedema.

Background: Angioedema, particularly of the head and neck, is a well-recognized adverse effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Most cases respond to conventional therapy, including antihistamines and corticosteroids. Severe episodes may require epinephrine and intubation.