Incidence Of Food Allergy Research Articles

Can early life interventions prevent food allergies?

The incidence of food allergies is increasing all over the world. Prevention strategies intend to reduce food sensitization risk and subsequent allergies. In this review, we will discuss the recent data concerning different geographic regions for the prevention of food allergies in children. This review provides recommendations for the prevention of food allergies based on the recent data available in the PUBMED database in English (up to December 2022). The best strategy to prevent food allergies is regarded as the early introduction of allergenic foods to an infant`s diet. A healthy and diverse diet is recommended for infants and their mothers, in accordance with the family`s eating habits and regional food culture, rather than avoiding certain foods or using supplements. Avoiding common food allergens in the maternal diet during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding is not recommended. Exclusive breastfeeding is generally recommended for all mothers for at least 6 months. There is no specific association between exclusive breastfeeding and the primary prevention of any specific food allergy. Where a breastmilk substitute is needed, the best alternative should be chosen according to the infant`s nutritional needs. There is no substantial evidence to support the use of hydrolyzed or soy formula in infancy against food allergies or sensitization. Feeding patterns in infancy play an important role in the risk of developing food allergies. Existing strategies to prevent allergies are relatively ineffective and further research is needed to figure out strategies for food allergy prevention, particularly in high-risk infants.

Treatment of peanut allergy and colitis in mice via the intestinal release of butyrate from polymeric micelles

The microbiome modulates host immunity and aids the maintenance of tolerance in the gut, where microbial and food-derived antigens are abundant. Yet modern dietary factors and the excessive use of antibiotics have contributed to the rising incidence of food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and other non-communicable chronic diseases associated with the depletion of beneficial taxa, including butyrate-producing Clostridia. Here we show that intragastrically delivered neutral and negatively charged polymeric micelles releasing butyrate in different regions of the intestinal tract restore barrier-protective responses in mouse models of colitis and of peanut allergy. Treatment with the butyrate-releasing micelles increased the abundance of butyrate-producing taxa in Clostridium cluster XIVa, protected mice from an anaphylactic reaction to a peanut challenge and reduced disease severity in a T-cell-transfer model of colitis. By restoring microbial and mucosal homoeostasis, butyrate-releasing micelles may function as an antigen-agnostic approach for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases.

Study on the relationship between intrapartum group B streptococcus prophylaxis and food allergy in children.

To investigate the associations between intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis of group B streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women and the risk of food allergy in Chinese children. Retrospective cohort study of 2,909 mother-child pairs. Taixing People's Hospital in Eastern China. Term infants born 2018-2019, followed longitudinally from birth to 3 years. The GBS-IAP was defined as therapy with intravenous penicillin G or ampicillin or cefazolin ≥4 h prior to delivery to the mother. Reference infants were defined as born without or with other intrapartum antibiotic exposure. To investigate the incidence information of food allergy in children aged 18 months and three years old. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were used to evaluate the cumulative incidence in the group with GBS-IAP and the group without GBS-IAP. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to determine the univariate and multivariate association between maternal GBS-IAP and incident food allergy after various covariates were adjusted. The cumulative incidence of food allergy in the group with GBS-IAP was higher than that in the group without GBS-IAP in children under 18 months old (8.1% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.005, log-rank test), but no significant differences were observed in children under three years old (9.2% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.146, log-rank test). The univariate cox proportional hazards model in children under 18 months old revealed that children in the GBS-IAP group had faster food allergy development when compared with children in the group without GBS-IAP (HR.: 1.887,95% CI: 1.207-2.950, P = 0.005), so was the multivariate model (HR.: 1.906,95% CI: 1.158-3.137, P = 0.011). However, both univariate (HR: 1.343, 95% CI: 0.891∼2.026, P = 0.159) and multivariate (HR: 1.253, 95%CI: 0.796∼1.972, P = 0.329) cox proportional hazards model in children under three years old showed no significant differences between children in the group with GBS-IAP and group without GBS-IAP. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis of group B streptococcus may increase the cumulative incidence and risk of food allergy in children under 18 months old, but it had no significant effect on children under three years old.

The Multidimension of Malnutrition among School Children in a Rural Area, South Africa: A Mixed Methods Approach

To address childhood malnutrition, the use of multifaceted methodologies, such as mixed methods research, is required to inform effective and contextual interventions. However, this remains limited in studying malnutrition among school children in a South African context, notwithstanding its persistence. We adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods design to best understand the magnitude of malnutrition through multilevel influences in a rural area. A quantitative survey determined the magnitude of malnutrition and associated factors among school children and their mothers (n = 508), parallel to a qualitative study, which explored mothers' insights into the influences of child growth and nutrition in interviews using seven focus group discussions. Mixed methods integration was achieved through convergence of the quantitative constructs developed from measured variables for malnutrition and related factors with ten emergent qualitative themes using a joint display analysis to compare the findings and generate meta-inferences. Qualitative themes on food unavailability and affordability, poor feeding beliefs and practices, and decision to purchase foods were consistent with the quantified poor socio-demographic status of mothers. Furthermore, the qualitative data explained the high prevalence of undernutrition among children but did not corroborate the high estimated households' food security in the quantitative survey. The misperceptions of mothers on child growth agreed with limited food knowledge as well as lack of knowledge on child growth gathered during the survey. Moreover, mothers believed that their children were growing well despite the high presence of childhood undernutrition. Mothers further overrated the effectiveness of school feeding programmes in providing healthy food to children as compared to their household food. They reported high incidence of food allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by food consumed at school which resulted in children not eating certain foods. This might have impacted on the nutritional status of children since mothers depended on the school feeding program to provide food for their children. The ambiguity of cultural influences in relation to child growth was evident and substantiated during qualitative interview. Mixed methods integration offered a better understanding of malnutrition from empirical findings on interrelated factors at child, maternal, household, and school levels. This study points to a need for multilevel, informed, and contextual multidimensional interventions to contribute towards addressing childhood malnutrition in South Africa.

Dietary Emulsifiers Exacerbate Food Allergy and Colonic Type 2 Immune Response through Microbiota Modulation

The significant increase in food allergy incidence is correlated with dietary changes in modernized countries. Here, we investigated the impact of dietary emulsifiers on food allergy by employing an experimental murine model. Mice were exposed to drinking water containing 1.0% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or Polysorbate-80 (P80) for 12 weeks, a treatment that was previously demonstrated to induce significant alterations in microbiota composition and function leading to chronic intestinal inflammation and metabolic abnormalities. Subsequently, the ovalbumin food allergy model was applied and characterized. As a result, we observed that dietary emulsifiers, especially P80, significantly exacerbated food allergy symptoms, with increased OVA-specific IgE induction and accelerated type 2 cytokine expressions, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, in the colon. Administration of an antibiotic regimen completely reversed the emulsifier-induced exacerbated susceptibility to food allergy, suggesting a critical role played by the intestinal microbiota in food allergy and type 2 immune responses.

THE LEARN EARLY PROJECT: LEARNING EDUCATORS ANAPHYLAXIS RESPONSE NEEDS

<h3>Introduction</h3> With the Incidence of food allergies on the rise, and more studies demonstrating the disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic children, it is crucial that allergists investigate and begin to address these disparities. A significant gap in this area is the role that daycares and preschools may play in helping to prevent anaphylaxis and death. <h3>Method</h3> The LEARN Early Project partnered with 17 Head-Start centers to investigate barriers they face in managing food allergies. Individual needs assessments were performed as well as food allergy knowledge tests. The results of these were then discussed in focus groups to identify potential areas for improvement as well as solutions. <h3>Results</h3> Significant variability exists in the structure of each Head Start center which presents implementation dilemmas. Additionally, there is no standardization of epinephrine training or food allergy training. In general, educators tended to over-estimate their food allergy knowledge as well as their capability of managing food allergy emergencies in comparison to that of center directors. Finally, despite some legislation appearing to support policies surrounding food allergy, such as stock epinephrine, early childcare centers are sometimes considered exceptions to these policies. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Identifying barriers that early learning centers face in providing for children with food allergies is critical in ensuring equitable, and safe care. These barriers are likely distinct for each center, but general themes were identified. It is likely that these needs will continue to evolve, and it is important to continue to reassess these needs to ensure we are implementing appropriate solutions.

Research Progress on the Correlation between the Intestinal Microbiota and Food Allergy

The increasing incidence of food allergy is becoming a substantial public health concern. Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota play a part in the development of food allergy. Additionally, the application of probiotics to correct gut microbiota imbalances and regulate food allergy has become a research hotspot. However, the mechanism by which the gut microbiota regulates food allergy and the efficacy of probiotics are still in the preliminary exploration stage, and there are no clear and specific conclusions. The aim of this review is to provide information regarding the immune mechanism underlying food allergy, the correlation between the intestinal microbiota and food allergy, a detailed description of causation, and mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota regulates food allergy. Subsequently, we highlight how probiotics modulate the gut microbiome–immune axis to alleviate food allergy. This study will contribute to the dovetailing of bacterial therapeutics with immune system in allergic individuals to prevent food allergy and ameliorate food allergy symptoms.

Benefit of educational intervention on Autoinjector Technique for caregivers and paediatric patients with food allergies: A literature review.

The incidence of food allergy among children is on the rise. Children who are diagnosed with a food allergy receive long-term treatment for allergy management from allergy specialists, nurses and dieticians. This management may include the prescription of an adrenaline autoinjector (AAI) if the child is at risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Therefore, it is important that parents of children with allergies are trained in the recognition of anaphylaxis and in the correct administration of an AAI. However, many parents are unable to correctly administer an AAI when assessed. The aim of this study is to review the current literature on caregiver's and paediatric patients' ability to use an AAI. An electronic search to evaluate AAI technique in caregivers and children with food allergy was conducted. A total of 323 articles were screened in which 10 studies were reviewed. Seventy-eight percent of parents who had never been trained in the use of an AAI were unable to trigger it. In studies where paediatric patients' ability to use an AAI was assessed, a mean score of 7.78/9 was derived for AAI knowledge among adolescents. Caregivers and patient's ability to use an AAI was inconclusive, and further research should address the validation of an assessment tool for AAI use. A significant improvement in AAI use was found after an educational intervention. This highlights the need for improved education for allergic individuals and their caregivers, and further study should explore what are the best educational methods to meet these needs.

A microfluidic diagnostic device with air plug-in valves for the simultaneous genetic detection of various food allergens

The identification of accidental allergen contamination in processed foods is crucial for risk management strategies in the food processing industry to effectively prevent food allergy incidents. Here, we propose a newly designed passive stop valve with high pressure resistance performance termed an “air plug-in valve” to further improve microfluidic devices for the detection of target nucleic acids. By implementing the air plug-in valve as a permanent stop valve, a maximal allowable flow rate of 70 µL/min could be achieved for sequential liquid dispensing into an array of 10 microchambers, which is 14 times higher than that achieved with the previous valve arrangement using single-faced stop valves. Additionally, we demonstrate the simultaneous detection of multiple food allergens (wheat, buckwheat, and peanut) based on the colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay using our diagnostic device with 10 microchambers compactly arranged in a 20-mm-diameter circle. After running the assays at 60 °C for 60 min, any combination of the three types of food allergens and tea plant, which were used as positive and negative control samples, respectively, yielded correct test results, without any cross-contamination among the microchambers. Thus, our diagnostic device will provide a rapid and easy sample-to-answer platform for ensuring food safety and security.

Food allergy, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment: Innovation through a multi-targeted approach.

The incidence of food allergy (FA) has continued to rise over the last several decades, posing significant burdens on health and quality of life. Significant strides into the advancement of FA diagnosis, prevention, and treatment have been made in recent years. In an effort to lower reliance on resource-intensive food challenges, the field has continued work toward the development of highly sensitive and specific assays capable of high-throughput analysis to assist in the diagnosis FA. In looking toward early infancy as a critical period in the development of allergy or acquisition of tolerance, evidence has increasingly suggested that early intervention via the early introduction of food allergens and maintenance of skin barrier function may decrease the risk of FA. As such, large-scale investigations are underway evaluating infant feeding and the impact of emollient and steroid use in infants with dry skin for the prevention of allergy. On the other end of the spectrum, the past few years have been witness to an explosive increase in clinical trials of novel and innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at the treatment of FA in those whom the disease has already manifested. A milestone in the field, 2020 marked the approval of the first drug, oral peanut allergen, for the indication of peanut allergy. With a foundation of promising data supporting the safety and efficacy of single- and multi-allergen oral immunotherapy, current efforts have turned toward the use of probiotics, biologic agents, and modified allergens to optimize and improve upon existing paradigms. Through these advancements, the field hopes to gain footing in the ongoing battle against FA.

Infant feeding patterns before and after changes to food allergy prevention guidelines in Australia

Food allergy is an important public health problem in Australia. Randomised controlled trials have provided evidence that introducing infants to peanut and egg early reduces the risk of developing allergies to these foods.1 The Australian Infant Feeding Summit was therefore held in 2015 to review infant feeding recommendations.2 Based on a consensus among expert stakeholders (state and federal health care agencies, consumers, and experts in allergy, infant feeding, and population health), and with the aim of providing clear guideline advice to the public while balancing the need for food allergy prevention and other nutritional priorities, including the known benefits of breastfeeding, three recommendations were made: to introduce solid foods at about six months (but not before four months) of age; to introduce peanut and egg during the first twelve months of life; and to no longer use hydrolysed infant formula for preventing allergy.2 These recommendations were incorporated into the infant feeding guidelines of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy in 2016.3 We have previously reported that introducing peanut during the first year of life increased in Melbourne after the new guidelines were introduced, from 28% of infants during 2007–11 to more than 88% during 2017–19.4 In this article, we report our assessment of breastfeeding rates, the introduction of solid foods, and the use of partially hydrolysed formula before and after the new Australian guidelines were published. We analysed data from two population-based studies we had undertaken using the same recruitment methods and sampling frame.4 Twelve-month-old infants were recruited at local council vaccination sessions in Melbourne, for the HealthNuts study during 2007–11, and for EarlyNuts during 2017–19. Their parents completed questionnaires including items on infant feeding practices (Box 1), with similar response rates (HealthNuts, 74%; EarlyNuts, 76%). The Royal Children’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee approved each study (HealthNuts, #27047; EarlyNuts, #36160). The proportion of infants breastfed for at least twelve months was larger during 2017–2019 than 2007–2011 (52.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 50.3–55.0% v 35.9%; 95% CI, 34.5–37.2%), and the proportion of those who received formula slightly smaller (76.0%; 95% CI, 74.0–77.9% v 80.1%; 95% CI, 79.0–81.2%); changes in the proportions of infants ever breastfed or who received partially hydrolysed formula were not statistically significant. The proportion of infants introduced to solid foods at four months increased (31.9%; 95% CI, 29.7–34.1% v 19.2%; 95% CI, 18.2–20.4%), but not that of those introduced very early (before four months) (Box 2). Breastfeeding rates were higher in the Melbourne EarlyNuts study than in the 2017–18 National Health Survey5 — breastfeeding ever, 95% v 93%; at least twelve months, 53% v 41% — but a smaller proportion had been introduced to solid food at six months or later (39% v 48%). As EarlyNuts was a food allergy study, rates of breastfeeding and the adoption of guideline recommendations among its participants may have been higher than for the general population. Our findings suggest that introducing common food allergens early is not associated with a decline in breastfeeding. They do not establish a causal relationship between the new allergy guidelines and changes in infant feeding outcomes, but it is reassuring that the proportion of breastfed infants did not decline after their publication. Timely introduction of allergens can be recommended without concern that it might curtail breastfeeding or increase extremely early introduction to solid foods. We recommend ongoing monitoring of breastfeeding, timing of the introduction of solid and allergenic foods, and the incidence of food allergy in Australia. The EarlyNuts study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; GNT1146769) and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Research at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is supported by the Victorian Government Operational Infrastructure Program. Victoria Soriano is supported by a PhD scholarship from the NHMRC-funded Centre for Food and Allergy Research (GNT1134812). Jennifer Koplin (GNT1158699), Merryn Netting (GNT1156518), and Rachel Peters (GNT1160779) are supported by NHMRC fellowships. Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Melbourne, as part of the Wiley - The University of Melbourne agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. No relevant disclosures.

Relevance of Early Introduction of Cow's Milk Proteins for Prevention of Cow's Milk Allergy.

Food allergy incidence has increased worldwide over the last 20 years. For prevention of food allergy, current guidelines do not recommend delaying the introduction of allergenic foods. Several groundbreaking studies, such as the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study, showed that the relatively early introduction of this allergenic food between 4–6 months of age reduces the risk of peanut allergy. However, less is known about the introduction of cow’s milk, as many children already receive cow’s-milk-based formula much earlier in life. This can be regular cow’s milk formula with intact milk proteins or hydrolyzed formulas. Several recent studies have investigated the effects of early introduction of cow’s-milk-based formulas with intact milk proteins on the development of cow’s milk allergy while breastfeeding. These studies suggest that depending on the time of introduction and the duration of administration of cow’s milk, the risk of cow’s milk allergy can be reduced (early introduction) or increased (very early introduction followed by discontinuation). The aim of this narrative review is to summarize these studies and to discuss the impact of early introduction of intact cow’s milk protein—as well as hydrolyzed milk protein formulas—and the development of tolerance versus allergy towards cow’s milk proteins.

Mycophenolate mofetil use is associated with reduced incidence of food allergy in liver transplanted children.

The incidence of food allergy in children following liver transplantation is high and the pathogenesis is still not known. We aimed to identify risk factors for development of food allergies in liver transplant children. 107 children and adolescents who underwent liver transplantation from 1999 to 2019 were included. Data were retrospectively collected from medical records included total and specific IgE, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil count 12 months after transplantation and at yearly follow up (median follow-up). 24/107 (22%) patients reported clinical food reactions. Median time from transplantation to debut of food allergy was 1.6 (IQR 0.6-3.3) years. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was discontinued in 24/78 patients (31%) due to side effects. Children treated with MMF in addition to tacrolimus one year after transplantation reported less food allergy (12.5% vs. 37.8%, p=0.003) and sensitization to food allergens one year after transplantation (8.9% vs. 17.8%, p=0.02) than those not receiving MMF. Tacrolimus trough levels did not differ between the patients treated with MMF and those who were not. Treatment with MMF two years after transplantation was associated with less food allergy (p=0.001) and food sensitization (p=0.002), also when adjusted for age at transplantation (p=0.006 and p=0.03, respectively) or for use of basilixmab (p=0.015 and p=0.018, respectively). Basiliximab was also associated with less food allergy. Use of MMF one and two years after transplantation was associated with less food allergy and sensitization against food allergens. The effect of MMF was not due to reduced trough levels of of tacrolimus. An infographic is available for this article at: https://links.lww.com/MPG/C821.

Food allergy in children-the current status and the way forward.

Food allergy in children is a major health concern, and its prevalence is rising. It is often over-diagnosed by parents, resulting occasionally in unnecessary exclusion of some important food. It also causes stress, anxiety, and even depression in parents and affects the family’s quality of life. Current diagnostic tests are useful when interpreted in the context of the clinical history, although cross-sensitivity and inability to predict the severity of the allergic reactions remain major limitations. Although the oral food challenge is the current gold standard for making the diagnosis, it is only available to a small number of patients because of its requirement in time and medical personnel. New diagnostic methods have recently emerged, such as the Component Resolved Diagnostics and the Basophil Activation Test, but their use is still limited, and the latter lacks standardisation. Currently, there is no definite treatment available to induce life-long natural tolerance and cure for food allergy. Presently available treatments only aim to decrease the occurrence of anaphylaxis by enabling the child to tolerate small amounts of the offending food, usually taken by accident. New evidence supports the early introduction of the allergenic food to infants to decrease the incidence of food allergy. If standardised and widely implemented, this may result in decreasing the prevalence of food allergy.

Paneth cells regulate allergic sensitization in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract The gut immune homeostasis plays a major role in controlling sensitization to food allergens and the development of allergic responses in the gastrointestinal tract, but also to skin or lung. Epithelial cells sensing of commensal microbes is crucial for the maturation of the gut immune system and antibiotic treatment during early life is believed to have contributed to the increased incidence of food allergy. Paneth cells secrete antimicrobial products and cytokines in the crypts of the small intestine, but their role in food allergy remains elusive. We found that SOX9ΔIEC mice, which lack Paneth cells, display dysbiosis with increased microbial diversity. Interestingly, Paneth cell deficiency increased the of numbers of ILC2 in intestinal lymphoid tissues. Upon oral sensitization with a model food antigen in the presence of cholera toxin, SOX9ΔIEC mice developed significantly higher allergen-specific serum IgE responses, and enhanced signs of allergic responses (i.e., swelling, hypothermia, impairment of lung functions) after nasal allergen challenge. Transplantation of fecal materials from SOX9ΔIEC mice was able to transfer the hyper-allergenic phenotype to control wild-type mice. In addition, bacteria-free fecal extract from SOX9ΔIEC mice increased the number of IgE producing B cells than fecal extract from control mice with treatment of anti-CD40 and IL-4 in vitro. Ongoing studies are assessing the metabolites present in the intestinal lumen of SOX9ΔIEC mice and their effect of intestinal epithelial cells and myeloid cells to elucidate the mechanisms by which impaired or defective anti-microbial functions of Paneth cells regulate allergic sensitization of the GI tract. Supported by Ohio State Univerisity NIH

Early peanut introduction wins over the HLA-DQA1*01:02 allele in the interplay between environment and genetics.

The rising incidence of food allergy in children underscores the importance of environmental exposures; however, genetic factors play a major role. How the environment and genetics interact to cause food allergy remains unclear. The landmark Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) clinical trial established that early peanut introduction protects high-risk infants, consistent with the tolerizing effects of gut exposure. In this issue of the JCI, Kanchan et al. leveraged the LEAP trial data to examine molecular genetic mechanisms of early sensitization. A previously identified HLA risk allele for peanut allergy (DQA1*01:02) was associated with peanut-specific IgG4 levels in consumers. Notably, IgG4 antibodies likely provide protection by reducing the binding of allergen to IgE. The association of the same allele with peanut allergy in avoiders while potentially conferring protection in consumers reinforces the need to integrate genetic information toward a personalized therapeutic strategy for the best outcome in addressing food allergies.

Population-based incidence of food allergies in Olmsted County over 17 years.

Background: There is growing concern about the rising incidence and prevalence of food allergy globally. We previously reported the incidence of food allergy in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 2002 and 2011. We sought to update the incidence and temporal trends of food allergies in our region through 2018. Methods: By using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, all Olmsted County residents, with an incident diagnosis of food allergy between January 2, 2012, and December 31, 2018, were identified and their medical records were reviewed. These cases were combined with the previously collected incidence cases from January 2, 2002, and December 31, 2011, to understand longitudinal trends in food allergy incidence rates. Results: Over the 17-year study period, 1076 patients (58.0% male patients, 72.1% white) were diagnosed with an incident food allergy. The median (interquartile range) age at first diagnosis was 2.0 years (1.1-8.4 years). The overall annual incidence rate for all ages was 3.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-4.1) per 10,000 person-years and was significantly higher in male than in female patients (4.4 [95% CI, 4.0-4.7] and 3.3 [95% CI, 3.0-3.6], respectively; p < 0.001). The most common food allergen was egg in infancy (57.7%), peanuts in ages 1-4 years (58.3%), tree nuts in ages 5-18 years (57.4%), and seafood in adults (≥19 years) (45.3%). Conclusion: The incidence of food allergy in Olmsted County steadily increased from 2002 to 2008, then remained relatively stable between the years 2008 and 2013, and again presented a rising trend over the next 5 years until 2018. This warrants further investigations into the effects of changes in guidelines for early introductions of allergenic foods and other factors that affect causality.

Probiotic Interventions Alleviate Food Allergy Symptoms Correlated With Cesarean Section: A Murine Model.

Delivery by cesarean section (CS) is linked to an increased incidence of food allergies in children and affects early gut microbiota colonization. Furthermore, emerging evidence has connected disordered intestinal microbiota to food allergies. Here, we investigated the impact of CS on a rat model for food allergy to ovalbumin (OVA). Rats delivered by CS were found to be more responsive to OVA sensitization than vaginally born ones, displaying a greater reduction in rectal temperature upon challenge, worse diarrhea, and higher levels of OVA-specific antibodies and histamine. 16S rRNA sequencing of feces revealed reduced levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the CS rats. Preventative supplementation with a probiotic combination containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium could protect CS rats against an allergic response to OVA, indicating that the microbiota dysbiosis contributes to CS-related response. Additionally, probiotic intervention early in life might help to rebuild aberrant Th2 responses and tight junction proteins, both of which have been linked to CS-related high allergic reactions. Taken together, this study shows that disordered intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of food allergy mediated by CS. More importantly, interventions that modulate the microbiota composition in early life are therapeutically relevant for CS-related food allergies.

Food Allergies and Homoeopathy- A Narrative Review

Abstract &#x0D; Allergy, formally called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity is one of four or more forms of hypersensitivity manifesting in various forms like, Atopic eczema, Allergic urticaria, Allergic rhinitis, Allergic asthma, , Food allergy, etc. The growing incidence of Food allergy needs attention since its burden is mainly on children and adolescents. Various factors has been attributed to the growing incidence of food allergy such as food habits, cooking habits, cultural differences, various developmental parameters and exchange of food products. The World Allergy Organization has estimated 220 to 550 million people suffering from food allergy with a large chunk of population from the developed countries. No concrete data is available on status of food allergy in India though some sporadic research has been published. In spite of diligent research worldwide, an effective mechanism to cure this condition has not been evolved till today. Since effectiveness of homeopathy has been proved in various allergy conditions, the modality of using the same has been explored in this article.&#x0D; &#x0D; Key words: Food allergy, Homoeopathy, Type I hypersensitivity

Delivery mode and the incidence of atopic sensitization and food allergy in a Finnish child population.

Caesarean section (CS) has been associated with an increased risk of subsequent atopic diseases, particularly asthma and respiratory allergies, but controversial findings have also been reported. Our aim was to clarify the association between the delivery mode and longitudinal (atopic) outcomes. The target population was identified from the population register and comprised all children born between 2001 and 2006 and living in the province of South Karelia, Finland (N=5564). The information on the delivery mode was available for 5552 children from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Results of allergy tests (skin prick tests, specific IgE and open food challenges, OFCs) were collected from patient records of all healthcare units in the area. By 12years of age, the cumulative incidence of atopic sensitization was 15% for those born by normal vaginal delivery (VD), 20% (adjusted RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.65) by assisted VD, 20% (adjusted RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02-1.61) by elective CS and 20% (adjusted RR 1.24; 95% CI 0.99-1.56) by others, for example emergency CS. Among the offspring of mothers without atopic diseases, the incidence of food allergy (positive OFC) was 6% for those born by elective CS and 2% for those born by normal VD (adjusted RR 2.41; 95% CI 1.19-4.88), while the respective incidences were 5% and 6% (adjusted RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.33-2.06) among the offspring of mothers with atopic diseases. By adolescence, the cumulative incidences of atopic sensitization was highest among those born by assisted VD or CS. The incidence of food allergy was highest among those born by elective CS among the offspring of mothers without atopic diseases.