Combined Integrative RNA-Seq and Serological sIgE Analysis Enhances Understanding of Fish Allergen Profiles and Diagnostic Strategy for Fish Allergy.

Fish allergy is a significant health concern, with diagnosis and management complicated by diverse fish species and allergens. We conducted a comprehensive RNA-seq analysis of eight fish species to identify allergen profiles, integrating ImmunoCAP sIgE data to explore associations with allergen expression and diagnostic performance. Over 30 putative fish allergens were identified, with varying sequence similarities and expression levels, roughly classifying fish into two groups based on parvalbumin (PV) expression.

Differential patterns of fish sensitization in Asian populations: Implication for precision diagnosis.

Background: The current diagnostics of fish allergy lack sufficient accuracy such that more reliable tests such as component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) are urgently needed. This study aimed at identifying fish allergens of salmon and grass carp and evaluating the sensitization pattern in fish allergic subjects from two distinct populations in Asia.

Methods: One hundred and three fish allergic subjects were recruited from Hong Kong (67 subjects) and Japan (46 subjects).

SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins reveal distinct serological signatures in children.

The antibody response magnitude and kinetics may impact clinical severity, serological diagnosis and long-term protection of COVID-19, which may play a role in why children experience lower morbidity. We therefore tested samples from 122 children in Hong Kong with symptomatic (n = 78) and asymptomatic (n = 44) SARS-CoV-2 infections up to 200 days post infection, relative to 71 infected adults (symptomatic n = 61, and asymptomatic n = 10), and negative controls (n = 48). We assessed serum IgG antibodies to a 14-wide antigen panel of structural and accessory proteins by Luciferase Immuno-Precipitation System (LIPS) assay and circulating cytokines.

Comprehending the allergen repertoire of shrimp for precision molecular diagnosis of shrimp allergy.

Background: Clinical management of shrimp allergy is hampered by the lack of accurate tests. Molecular diagnosis has been shown to more accurately reflect the clinical reactivity but the full spectrum of shrimp allergens and their clinical relevance are yet to be established. We therefore sought to comprehend the allergen repertoire of shrimp, investigate and compare the sensitization pattern and diagnostic value of the allergens in allergic subjects of two distinct populations.

Changing pattern of pediatric anaphylaxis in Hong Kong, 2010-2019.

Background: Anaphylaxis is a significant health burden in most Western countries, but there are little published data on the incidence and pattern of anaphylaxis in Asia. We aim to determine the incidence rate and pattern of anaphylaxis over the past decade among the pediatric population in Hong Kong.

Methods: Medical records of patients presenting with allergy-related symptoms during the period 2010 to 2019 were examined.

SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses are lower in children and increase with age and time after infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of children leads to a mild illness and the immunological differences with adults are unclear. Here, we report SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses in infected adults and children and find that the acute and memory CD4 T cell responses to structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins increase with age, whereas CD8 T cell responses increase with time post-infection. Infected children have lower CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 structural and ORF1ab proteins when compared with infected adults, comparable T cell polyfunctionality and reduced CD4 T cell effector memory.

The SARS-CoV-2 antibody landscape is lower in magnitude for structural proteins, diversified for accessory proteins and stable long-term in children.

Background: Children are less clinically affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults with the majority of cases being mild or asymptomatic and the differences in infection outcomes are poorly understood. The kinetics, magnitude and landscape of the antibody response may impact the clinical severity and serological diagnosis of COVID-19. Thus, a comprehensive investigation of the antibody landscape in children and adults is needed.

SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses are lower in children and increase with age and time after infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of children leads to a mild illness and the immunological differences with adults remains unclear. We quantified the SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses in adults and children (<13 years of age) with RT-PCR confirmed asymptomatic and symptomatic infection for long-term memory, phenotype and polyfunctional cytokines. Acute and memory CD4 T cell responses to structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins significantly increased with age, whilst CD8 T cell responses increased with time post infection.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in hospitalised Hong Kong children: Feasibility of estimates from routine surveillance data.

Background: Hong Kong has a high burden of influenza hospitalisation. This study estimated influenza vaccine effectiveness in hospitalised Hong Kong children aged 6 months to below 6 years using data potentially obtainable from routine surveillance sources.

Methods: This 'test-negative' case-control study was conducted over two summer and one winter influenza seasons in five public Hong Kong hospitals during 2015 and 2016.

Follow up of aerobic capacity in children affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the aerobic capacity of children 3 years after they were diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients who completed both pulmonary function and maximal aerobic capacity tests at 6 and 15 months after the acute illness were invited to return for reassessment.

Results: Twenty-one patients (median age 18.