Early Food Allergy Research Articles

In vitro digestion and fermentation of lacto‐N‐biose, a core building block of human milk oligosaccharides

SummaryHuman milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) can significantly reduce the occurrence of early food allergy in infants (by up to 50%) by improving intestinal flora. Lacto‐N‐biose (LNB) is a potential factor for the selective growth of Bifidobacteria. Despite these observations, little is known about whether LNB, the core component of HMOs, can alleviate infant milk allergy by improving intestinal flora. Herein, in vitro simulated digestion and fermentation of LNB and its interactions with allergic infant gut microbiota were investigated. The results showed that LNB was stable under the digestion conditions of mouth, stomach and small intestine. It also could obviously modulate the composition of gut microbiota, representing the increases of the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium (65.62%), Enterococcus (6.95%), Lactobacillus (2.01%) and Blautia (2.17%). Especially, Bifidobacterium adolescentis (5.45%) and Bifidobacterium breve (23.18%) were preponderantly existed in the milk‐allergic infant intestinal flora, compared to the normal infant intestinal microbiota (P < 0.5). However, LNB treatment significantly decreased the abundance of B. adolescentis (0.18%), but largely increased the relative abundance of B. bifidum (40.63%), in comparison with the allergic infant group (8.29%) (P < 0.05). In addition, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), either their individuals or total productions were all increased with the treatment of LNB (195.47 mM), compared to the normal control (138.05 mM) and allergic infant groups (56.89 mM) (P < 0.05). These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the protective effects of LNB in allergic diseases and provide new insights into a potential approach to relieve infant food allergy.

RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN FOOD ALLERGY DIAGNOSIS AMONG CHILDREN WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS INDEPENDENT OF SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITION

<h3>Introduction</h3> It is well-known that children with atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of developing food allergy. To deepen this understanding, we explored the possible association of race and socioeconomic condition with diagnosis of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted a large single-center retrospective cohort study of children aged 0-18 years with atopic dermatitis to determine whether each child had a food allergy diagnosis. We performed logistic regression, adjusting for age, race, sex, BMI, and indicators of socioeconomic condition [insurance status and Area Deprivation Index (ADI)]. <h3>Results</h3> Among the 4,322 children analyzed for this study, 16% were Non-Hispanic White, 39% Black, 33% Hispanic, and 6% Asian. Compared with non-Hispanic White children with atopic dermatitis, Hispanic children with atopic dermatitis were significantly less likely to have a food allergy diagnosis (OR=0.774, 95% CI [0.689-0.983], p=0.036). Conversely, both Black children and Asian children with atopic dermatitis were more likely to have been diagnosed with food allergy (OR=1.293, 95% CI [1.109-1.642], p=0.035 and OR=1.493, 95% CI [1.075-2.073], p=0.017 respectively). Age, male gender, non-Medicaid insurance, and lower area deprivation (higher socioeconomic condition) were all statistically significantly associated with increased risk of food allergy diagnosis. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The association between race/ethnicity and risk of food allergy diagnosis among children with atopic dermatitis persisted after thoroughly adjusting for socioeconomic condition using two different markers (insurance status and ADI). Clearly defining which children with atopic dermatitis are at highest risk of developing food allergies can help inform future efforts in early food allergy diagnosis and prevention.

Prospective Analysis of Individual Aeroallergen and Food Sensitization Patterns in the First Three Years of Life in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Preliminary Observations from the Mechanisms of Progression of Atopic Dermatitis to Asthma in Children (MPAACH) Cohort.

Skin prick testing (SPT) better correlates with clinical allergy, however, many atopic dermatitis (AD) cohorts use IgE to detect sensitization. Longitudinal food and aeroallergen sensitization patterns via SPT have not been evaluated in a large pediatric AD cohort. The Mechanisms of Progression of AD to Asthma in Children (MPAACH) cohort followed children with AD annually from age 1-2 years. SPT data for six food and eleven aeroallergens from 203 subjects who completed visits 1 (V1) and 2 (V2) were analyzed. Sensitization patterns were defined as: non-sensitized (no sensitization in V1 or V2), acquired (sensitized in V2 only), transient (sensitized in V1 only) and persistent (sensitized in V1 and V2). At V1 and V2, 51.5% and 49.5% of children were sensitized overall, respectively. Aeroallergen sensitization increased from 37.6% to 43.9% from V1 to V2 while food sensitization decreased from 38.1% to 30.3%. The most common sensitizations at V1 were egg (28.2%), peanut (22.8%), and dog (14.9%). Over one-third (35.0%) of the cohort had persistent sensitization, 12.8% were acquired, 16.3% were transient and 33.0% were non-sensitized. The top persistent allergens were peanut (16.3%), egg (12.8%) and dog (11.3%), the top transient allergens were egg (14.8%), trees (9.4%), and mold (8.4%). The top acquired allergens were trees (13.8%), dog (9.9%), and cat (8.4%). Predominance of aeroallergen sensitization occurred in V2 of MPAACH which was younger than observed in existing AD cohorts. Peanut was one of the most frequent and persistent sensitizations, supporting early food allergy assessment in children with AD.

Food Allergy Is an Important Risk Factor for Childhood Asthma, Irrespective of Whether It Resolves

To determine if food allergy at age 1 year is associated with an increased risk of asthma at age 4 years.The study population was drawn from the HealthNuts study, a population-based cohort study of allergic disease in Melbourne, Australia. The primary analysis in the current study includes 2789 participants (out of 5276 in the HealthNuts population) with complete data on exposure, outcome, and confounders of interest.The primary exposure was food allergy at age 1 year, and the primary outcome was asthma at age 4 years. At enrollment, all participants had skin prick tests to egg, peanut, sesame, and cow’s milk or shrimp. Children with positive skin prick test results (sensitized) were offered an oral food challenge to determine if they had food allergy. Children with food allergy were reassessed at age 4 years for resolution of allergy. The primary outcome of asthma was obtained by parental report of physician diagnosis when the children were 4 years old. Atopic dermatitis was also evaluated at baseline.Children with food allergy at age 1 year had a significantly increased risk of asthma at age 4 years compared with nonsensitized children (relative risk = 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71–2.64). Sensitized children without food allergy also had a less-strong, borderline significant elevated risk of asthma. The authors observed a dose response: children who had 2 or more food allergies had a higher risk of asthma than children with 1 food allergy. There was no difference in asthma risk among children whose food allergy resolved by age 4 years compared with those with persistent food allergy. Although the risk of asthma was similarly elevated in those with either atopic dermatitis or food allergy at age 1 year, comorbid eczema and food allergy were associated with the highest risk of asthma (relative risk = 2.9; 95% CI: 2.22–3.70). Overall, preexisting wheeze and/or asthma did not explain the association between early food allergy and asthma.In this population-based study, children with food allergy in the first year of life had increased risk of asthma. The risk of asthma persisted regardless of whether there was resolution of food allergy. Allergy to multiple foods or comorbid atopic dermatitis at age 1 year were associated with an even higher risk of asthma.This large population-based study of average-risk children demonstrates that food allergy at age 1 year is a risk for subsequent asthma, even if the food allergy resolved. This early observation can be used to identify children at risk for asthma who may benefit from close monitoring and early intervention and may help provide insight into underlying mechanisms of atopy and asthma pathogenesis.

Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Chinese children: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between food allergy and respiratory allergy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is rarely investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms are associated with the prevalence of ADHD in Chinese school-age children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in school-age children using cluster-stratified methods from 9 cities across China between November and December 2005. A family and social environmental questionnaire including the diagnosis history of ADHD and allergic diseases (food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma), as well as general information, was completed by parents. The prevalence of both allergic rhinitis (20.4%) and asthma (11.6%) in the food allergy group was significantly higher than in the non-food allergy group (9.0% and 2.8%, respectively; both P<.001). The multivariable analysis showed that single food allergy (OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.05, P=.005), food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis or asthma (OR=3.36, 95% CI: 2.19-5.14, P<.001), and food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis and asthma simultaneously (OR=4.08, 95% CI: 2.05-8.11, P<.001) were independently associated with the increased risk of ADHD. Early food allergy is associated with ADHD in school-age children. Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms independently and synergistically contributed to higher risk of ADHD. Monitoring food allergy in early life could help in the early prediction and intervention for the consequent allergy march and ADHD in children.

Food Allergy Is an Important Risk Factor for Childhood Asthma, Irrespective of Whether It Resolves

The risk of developing asthma in those with early food allergy is unknown, particularly when early life food allergy has resolved. To understand whether challenge-proven food allergy in infancy increases the risk of asthma at age 4 years, using data from a population-based cohort. A total of 5,276 12-month-old infants were recruited using a population-based sampling frame. Infants underwent skin prick test to egg, peanut, and sesame and those with a detectable skin prick test result had oral food challenges. At age 4 years, food challenges were repeated to determine persistence or resolution of food allergy. The association between food allergy and doctor-diagnosed asthma was examined using binomial regression in 2,789 participants. Children with food allergy at age 1 year had an increased risk of asthma (1 food allergy: relative risk [RR], 1.69; 95% CI, 1.29-2.21; 2 or more food allergies: RR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.94-3.92). The risk of asthma was highest in children with food allergy and coexistent eczema in infancy (RR, 2.87; 95% CI, 2.22-3.70). Transient food allergy and persistent food allergy were both associated with an increased risk of asthma (transient egg allergy: RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.46-2.51; persistent egg allergy: RR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.76-3.85). Asthma at age 4 years is twice as common in those with challenge-proven food allergy at age 1 year, irrespective of whether the food allergy subsequently resolves. Children with 2 or more food allergies and those with coexistent eczema were almost 3 times as likely to develop asthma compared with those with no food allergies.

Risk factors for eczema, in a tropical environment. Presentation of the TECCEMA cohort.

Event Abstract Back to Event Risk factors for eczema, in a tropical environment. Presentation of the TECCEMA cohort. Jorge Sánchez1, 2, 3*, Ricardo Cardona1 and Andres Sánchez2, 3, 4, 5 1 Group of Clinical and Experimental Allergy (GACE), IPS Universitaria, University of Antioquia, Medicine Department, Colombia 2 Group of Experimental Allergy and Immunogenetics, Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Colombia 3 Foundation for the Development of Medical and Biological Sciences (FUNDEMEB), Colombia 4 University of Magdalena, Colombia 5 Medicine Department, Corporación Universitaria Rafael Nuñez, Colombia BACKGROUND: Eczema is a frequent disease especially in children in the worldwide. Different risk factors like allergen sensitization has been identify but the role of this and others factors in populations from tropical region, are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To present the TECCEMA cohort study (Tropical Environmental Control for Chronic Eczema and Molecular Assessment) designed to investigate molecular and environmental risk factors for eczema in a tropical environment. METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of eczema who consulted for public and private health centers from Aburra Valley were screened for eligibility. 433 patients were included at baseline and biological samples were collected during a follow-up for 36 months for immunological testing. Severity (SCORAD), quality of life (DLQI) and other clinical information was collected using different validated questionnaires. RESULTS: 433 patients were included and the mean age was 8 (3-41). 60% had an income under 250 dollars. According to the SCORAD, 40%/37%/23% patients had mild/moderate/severe symptoms. Most of patients with early beginning (before 3 year) of eczema had a reduction in severity during follow-up (70%). However, patients with early beginning and high SCORAD (>40) and polisensitization before 3 years had a lower response to pharmacotherapy and a lower rate of remission [aOR 3.12 (95%CI 1.80-4.75), p = 0.001]. Family history of eczema, (parents) [aOR 2.03 (95%CI 1.64-3.47), p = 0.01] and early food allergy [aOR 1.83 (95%CI 1.21-3.74), p = 0.03] were independent risk factors. We observed a higher frequency of exacerbations with periods of high temperatures (>28°C) and relative humidity (>80%) [aOR 2.83 (95%CI 1.71-5.74), p = 0.002]. CONCLUSIONS: We create a cohort of patients with eczema and we identified some risk factors for severe dermatitis in the tropical region. With the clinical follow-up and the collection of biological samples, we will contribute to understand how particular characteristics of tropical environment could interact in the beginning and development of eczema. Acknowledgements Acknowledgment: In memorial of Elizabeth Lopez who contributed to the study design and recruitment of patients. This proyect was support for the University of Antioquia and the University of Cartagena. There are not conflict of interest. Keywords: Dermatitis, Eczema, allergy, cohort, SCORAD, tropical Conference: IMMUNOCOLOMBIA2015 - 11th Congress of the Latin American Association of Immunology - 10o. Congreso de la Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología, Medellin, Colombia, 13 Oct - 16 Oct, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Allergy Citation: Sánchez J, Cardona R and Sánchez A (2015). Risk factors for eczema, in a tropical environment. Presentation of the TECCEMA cohort.. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: IMMUNOCOLOMBIA2015 - 11th Congress of the Latin American Association of Immunology - 10o. Congreso de la Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología. doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2015.05.00291 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 06 Apr 2015; Published Online: 15 Sep 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Jorge Sánchez, Group of Clinical and Experimental Allergy (GACE), IPS Universitaria, University of Antioquia, Medicine Department, Medellín, antioquia, 05001000, Colombia, jotamsc@yahoo.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jorge Sánchez Ricardo Cardona Andres Sánchez Google Jorge Sánchez Ricardo Cardona Andres Sánchez Google Scholar Jorge Sánchez Ricardo Cardona Andres Sánchez PubMed Jorge Sánchez Ricardo Cardona Andres Sánchez Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.