Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been hypothesised to be associated with gut microbiota (GM) composition. We performed a comparative study of the GM profile of 19 AD children and 18 healthy individuals ...aimed at identifying bacterial biomarkers associated with the disease. The effect of probiotic intake (Bifidobacterium breve plus Lactobacillus salivarius) on the modulation of GM and the probiotic persistence in the GM were also evaluated. Faecal samples were analysed by real-time PCR and 16S rRNA targeted metagenomics. Although the probiotics, chosen for this study, did not shape the entire GM profile, we observed the ability of these species to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and to persist (only B. breve) in the GM. Moreover, the GM of patients compared to CTRLs showed a dysbiotic status characterised by an increase of Faecalibacterium, Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides and Sutterella and a reduction of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (i.e., Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Coprococcus, Eubacterium and Propionibacterium). Taken togheter these results show an alteration in AD microbiota composition with the depletion or absence of some species, opening the way to future probiotic intervention studies.
Oral immunotherapy is an emerging experimental treatment for peanut allergy, but its benefits and harms are unclear. We systematically reviewed the efficacy and safety of oral immunotherapy versus ...allergen avoidance or placebo (no oral immunotherapy) for peanut allergy.
In the Peanut Allergen immunotherapy, Clarifying the Evidence (PACE) systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Latin American & Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WHO's Clinical Trials Registry Platform, US Food and Drug Administration, and European Medicines Agency databases from inception to Dec 6, 2018, for randomised controlled trials comparing oral immunotherapy versus no oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy, without language restrictions. We screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias independently in duplicate. Main outcomes included anaphylaxis, allergic or adverse reactions, epinephrine use, and quality of life, meta-analysed by random effects. We assessed certainty (quality) of evidence by the GRADE approach. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019117930.
12 trials (n=1041; median age across trials 8·7 years IQR 5·9–11·2) showed that oral immunotherapy versus no oral immunotherapy increased anaphylaxis risk (risk ratio RR 3·12 95% CI 1·76–5·55, I2=0%, risk difference RD 15·1%, high-certainty), anaphylaxis frequency (incidence rate ratio IRR 2·72 1·57–4·72, I2=0%, RD 12·2%, high-certainty), and epinephrine use (RR 2·21 1·27–3·83, I2=0%, RD 4·5%, high-certainty) similarly during build-up and maintenance (pinteraction=0·92). Oral immunotherapy increased serious adverse events (RR 1·92 1·00–3·66, I2=0%, RD 5·7%, moderate-certainty), and non-anaphylactic reactions (vomiting: RR 1·79 95%CI 1·35–2·38, I2=0%, high-certainty; angioedema: 2·25 1·13–4·47, I2=0%, high-certainty; upper tract respiratory reactions: 1·36 1·02–1·81, I2=0%, moderate-certainty; lower tract respiratory reactions: 1·55 0·96–2·50, I2=28%, moderate-certainty). Passing a supervised challenge, a surrogate for preventing out-of-clinic reactions, was more likely with oral immunotherapy (RR 12·42 95% CI 6·82–22·61, I2=0%, RD 36·5%, high-certainty). Quality of life was not different between groups (combined parents and self report RR 1·21 0·87–1·69, I2=0%, RD 0·03%, low-certainty). Findings were robust to IRR, trial sequential, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses.
In patients with peanut allergy, high-certainty evidence shows that available peanut oral immunotherapy regimens considerably increase allergic and anaphylactic reactions over avoidance or placebo, despite effectively inducing desensitisation. Safer peanut allergy treatment approaches and rigorous randomised controlled trials that evaluate patient-important outcomes are needed.
None.
Background Allergic diseases are considered a health burden because of their high and constantly increasing prevalence, high direct and indirect costs, and undesirable effects on quality of life. ...Probiotics have been suggested as an intervention to prevent allergic diseases. Objective We sought to synthesize the evidence supporting use of probiotics for the prevention of allergies and inform World Allergy Organization guidelines on probiotic use. Methods We performed a systematic review of randomized trials assessing the effects of any probiotic administered to pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, and/or infants. Results Of 2403 articles published until December 2014 identified in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase, 29 studies fulfilled a priori specified inclusion criteria for the analyses. Probiotics reduced the risk of eczema when used by women during the last trimester of pregnancy (relative risk RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84), when used by breast-feeding mothers (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.47-0.69), or when given to infants (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.94). Evidence did not support an effect on other allergies, nutrition status, or incidence of adverse effects. The certainty in the evidence according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment Development and Evaluation approach is low or very low because of the risk of bias, inconsistency and imprecision of results, and indirectness of available research. Conclusion Probiotics used by pregnant women or breast-feeding mothers and/or given to infants reduced the risk of eczema in infants; however, the certainty in the evidence is low. No effect was observed for the prevention of other allergic conditions.
To the Editor:
The conclusions of Simpson and colleagues (Dec. 15 issue)
1
regarding the effectiveness and quality-of-life–enhancing capacity of dupilumab in patients with atopic dermatitis open new ...perspectives in the strategies of treatment of allergic diseases, because interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 are “type 2 inflammatory cytokines that may be important drivers of atopic or allergic diseases.” Given the good results in patients with asthma
2
or nasal polyposis,
3
we as pediatricians look with interest to the possibilities arising from these studies involving adults. However, the higher rate of allergic conjunctivitis in the dupilumab-treated population than in the placebo group in this trial . . .
In this randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial involving children between the ages of 6 and 11 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma, those who received the monoclonal antibody dupilumab ...had fewer asthma exacerbations and better lung function and asthma control than those who received placebo.
PURPOSE OF REVIEWTo review recent advances in the area of food allergen processing and the effect on protein allergenicity.
RECENT FINDINGSHeating generally decreases protein allergenicity by ...destroying conformational epitopes. In peanut and shrimp, heat-induced Maillard reaction (glycation) may increase allergenicity. The majority of milk and egg-allergic children tolerate extensively heated (baked with wheat matrix) milk and egg. Introduction of extensively heated milk and egg proteins is associated with decreasing sizes of skin prick test wheals and increasing serum food-specific IgG4 levels.
SUMMARYHeating and other methods of food processing have different effects on food allergens, even those contained in the same complex food. Structural homology does not reliably predict the effect of processing on allergenicity, and individual food allergens have to be tested. Interactions with other proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in the food matrix are complex and poorly understood. Introduction of extensively heated milk and egg proteins into the diet of allergic children may represent an alternative approach to oral tolerance induction. Better characterization of these aspects of food allergy is critical for elucidation of food protein interactions with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, the ability to induce IgE sensitization, the potential to trigger hypersensitivity reactions, and different clinical phenotypes of food allergy with regard to severity and persistence.
Current Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Allergy Fiocchi, Alessandro; Cabana, Michael D; Mennini, Maurizio
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology in practice (Cambridge, MA),
09/2022, Letnik:
10, Številka:
9
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The microbiome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. This review updates the reader on studies aimed at influencing allergic diseases through modulation of the gut ...microflora. A nonsystematic review of the literature was performed, focusing on relevant trials evaluating the effect of probiotics/prebiotics/symbiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic disease. For each allergic disease, we were able to find not only a substantial number of clinical trials but also systematic reviews. Specific guidelines, based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, are available for the prevention of allergic disease and for the treatment of food allergy. In each of the areas examined-allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and gastrointestinal allergies-there are substantial uncertainties in the efficacy of gut microflora modulation in prevention and treatment. At present, practicing clinicians can avail themselves of intestinal flora modulators as an adjunct in the prevention of atopic dermatitis but not of other forms of allergic diseases. Their effects on the treatment of allergic diseases remain controversial.
Background
The spread of COVID‐19 was associated with increased stress and new mental health concerns for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), already at increased risk for depression and anxiety. ...This study assessed stress and mental health in adolescents and young adults with CF 1 year from when the pandemic began.
Methods
Sixty‐six pwCF (mean age = 24; range 14–36) completed a new measure of the impact of COVID‐19 (COVID‐19 Exposure and Family Impact Scale‐Adolescence and Young Adult; CEFIS‐AYA); the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7. The Italian translation of the CEFIS‐AYA was performed.
Results
On the CEFIS‐AYA, the mean Exposure score was 5.2 (SD = 2.6) out of 28. The mean Impact score was 1.8 (SD = 0.7; negative valence > 2.5). Individuals were more sedentary and undertaking less exercise. Average stress rating was 5.9 (SD = 2), indicating moderate stress. No significant differences were found between those who did (N = 12) and who did not have a COVID infection (N = 54). A high percentage of participants scored above the clinical cut‐off for depression (45%) and anxiety (41%), with a low proportion reporting moderate‐severe symptomatology.
Conclusion
After 1 year, the pandemic was having a less significant impact on patients' daily lives. Sedentary activity and reduced exercise were common. Despite expectations that this group was particularly vulnerable, depression and anxiety scores were similar to the rates described for this population before the pandemic. Overall, these results suggested that pwCF are highly resilient and nearly 1 year after the onset of COVID‐19, have returned to similar daily activities and emotional health.
SARS-COV-2, can you be over it? Fiocchi, Alessandro; Jensen-Jarolim, Erika
The World Allergy Organization journal,
02/2021, Letnik:
14, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Uncertainty has surrounded the duration of immunity against SARS CoV-2. This concerns both the duration of vaccine immunity and the duration of natural immunity. We aim to critically review the ...information available today, and draw practical conclusions.
This is a narrative review of the recently published information on the topic, compared with the knowledge we already have of the behavior of various viral infectious agents.
It is too early to have any meaningful information on the duration of vaccine immunity against SARS CoV-2. For those who already had the infection, the rate of reinfection is very low. Most reinfections are due to laboratory errors, to incomplete cure of the primary infection, to the supervening immunodeficiency of the host, or to pre-existing immunodeficiency made evident by the SARS CoV-2 infection. The available studies on the immunology of the infection converge in indicating that it generates a robust and persistent immunity. This behavior does not differ from that of respiratory viruses known to date: in naturally occurring viral respiratory infections, reinfections are exceptional.
The civil community awaits suggestions from scientists not only to protect susceptible people, but to be able to safely resume activities made uncertain by the pandemic. From the information we have to date, we suggest that, in principle, patients who have already overcome the infection should not be prioritized to the SARS CoV-2 vaccine. Instead, they could be provided with an immunological passport that allows them to resume a normal social life.
Background
There is substantial interest in immunotherapy and biologicals in IgE‐mediated food allergy.
Methods
We searched six databases for randomized controlled trials about immunotherapy alone or ...with biologicals (to April 2021) or biological monotherapy (to September 2021) in food allergy confirmed by oral food challenge. We pooled the data using random‐effects meta‐analysis.
Results
We included 36 trials about immunotherapy with 2126 mainly child participants. Oral immunotherapy increased tolerance whilst on therapy for peanut (RR 9.9, 95% CI 4.5.–21.4, high certainty); cow's milk (RR 5.7, 1.9–16.7, moderate certainty) and hen's egg allergy (RR 8.9, 4.4–18, moderate certainty). The number needed to treat to increase tolerance to a single dose of 300 mg or 1000 mg peanut protein was 2.
Oral immunotherapy did not increase adverse reactions (RR 1.1, 1.0–1.2, low certainty) or severe reactions in peanut allergy (RR 1,6, 0.7–3.5, low certainty), but may increase (mild) adverse reactions in cow's milk (RR 3.9, 2.1–7.5, low certainty) and hen's egg allergy (RR 7.0, 2.4–19.8, moderate certainty). Epicutaneous immunotherapy increased tolerance whilst on therapy for peanut (RR 2.6, 1.8–3.8, moderate certainty). Results were unclear for other allergies and administration routes.
There were too few trials of biologicals alone (3) or with immunotherapy (1) to draw conclusions.
Conclusions
Oral immunotherapy improves tolerance whilst on therapy and is probably safe in peanut, cow's milk and hen's egg allergy. More research is needed about quality of life, cost and biologicals.
We systematically reviewed 39 randomized controlled trials about allergen‐specific immunotherapy and/or biologicals in 2244 people with IgE‐mediated food allergy, mostly children. We found that oral immunotherapy is probably safe and effective in peanut, milk and egg allergy. The number needed to treat (NNT) to increase tolerance to a single dose of 300 mg or 1000 mg peanut protein was 2.Abbreviation: NNT, number needed to treat
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