Food Allergies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Greenhawt

Food allergy represents a rapidly growing public health problem in the United States and other westernized nations. Adverse reactions to foods are categorized as either immunologic or nonimmunologic reactions. This distinction is highly important but often confusing to patients and physicians unfamiliar with allergy, who may simply describe any adverse reaction to a food as an “allergy.” A food allergy is an immune-mediated, adverse reaction to one or more protein allergens in a particular food item involving recognition of that protein by specifically targeted IgE or allergen-specific T cells. This chapter discusses the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, testing, management, prognosis, and natural history of food allergy. Clinical manifestations are systematically covered, including cutaneous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal reactions, as well as eosinophilic esophagitis, food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome, and oral allergy syndrome. Emerging treatments such as food oral immunotherapy are also reviewed. Tables outline signs and symptoms of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to food, the prevalence of major food allergens in the United States, common patterns of cross-reactivity among foods, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, and clinical studies involving treatment for food allergies. Figures illustrate the classification of adverse reactions to food, esophageal histology, visual and radiographic features of eosinophilic esophagitis, and a food allergy action plan. This review contains 4 figures, 8 tables, and 64 references. KeyWords: Food allergy, Hypersensitivity, IgE-mediated allergy, Eosinophilic esophagitis, Anaphylaxis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Greenhawt

Food allergy represents a rapidly growing public health problem in the United States and other westernized nations. Adverse reactions to foods are categorized as either immunologic or nonimmunologic reactions. This distinction is highly important but often confusing to patients and physicians unfamiliar with allergy, who may simply describe any adverse reaction to a food as an “allergy.” A food allergy is an immune-mediated, adverse reaction to one or more protein allergens in a particular food item involving recognition of that protein by specifically targeted IgE or allergen-specific T cells. This chapter discusses the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, testing, management, prognosis, and natural history of food allergy. Clinical manifestations are systematically covered, including cutaneous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal reactions, as well as eosinophilic esophagitis, food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome, and oral allergy syndrome. Emerging treatments such as food oral immunotherapy are also reviewed. Tables outline signs and symptoms of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to food, the prevalence of major food allergens in the United States, common patterns of cross-reactivity among foods, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, and clinical studies involving treatment for food allergies. Figures illustrate the classification of adverse reactions to food, esophageal histology, visual and radiographic features of eosinophilic esophagitis, and a food allergy action plan. This review contains 4 figures, 8 tables, and 64 references. KeyWords: Food allergy, Hypersensitivity, IgE-mediated allergy, Eosinophilic esophagitis, Anaphylaxis


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmond A. Hooker ◽  
Charles Kircher

Food allergies are responsible for a considerable number of emergency department visits. Food allergy can be divided into classic (i.e., IgE-mediated) reactions to specific allergens after exposure via skin or mucosal membrane and non–IgE-mediated food allergies, which include T cell–mediated immunity, enteropathies to specific proteins, and mixed disorders (e.g., eosinophilic esophagitis). Food-induced anaphylaxis can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, even if the causative agent has not been identified. This review describes the pathophysiology, stabilization and assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and disposition and outcomes for patients with food allergies. Figures show IgE-mediated allergic reactions to food and other allergens, classification of adverse reactions to foods, commercially available epinephrine autoinjectors, a sample anaphylaxis action plan, and a map showing school access to epinephrine in the United States as of September 4, 2014. Tables list potential food allergies with estimated self-reported prevalence, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease clinical criteria of anaphylaxis, non–IgE-mediated food intolerance disorders, Rome III diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome, food allergy mimickers, and potential criteria for prolonged observation. This review contains 5 highly rendered figures, 6 tables, and 54 references.


2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN M. GENDEL ◽  
NAZLEEN KHAN ◽  
MONALI YAJNIK

Despite awareness of the importance of food allergy as a public health issue, recalls and adverse reactions linked to undeclared allergens in foods continue to occur with high frequency. To reduce the overall incidence of such problems and to ensure that food-allergic consumers have the information they need to prevent adverse reactions, it is important to understand which allergen control practices are currently used by the food industry. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration carried out directed inspections of registered food facilities in 2010 to obtain a broader understanding of industry allergen control practices in the United States. The results of these inspections show that allergen awareness and the use of allergen controls have increased greatly in the last decade, but that small facilities lag in implementing allergen controls.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore Kim ◽  
Richard L. Wasserman ◽  
Oral Alpan ◽  
Atul Shah ◽  
Douglas Jones

As research in the field of food allergy is gaining momentum with new and emerging therapies there is need for both researchers and clinicians to have a better understanding on how to put all this new information into context in clinical care. We are continuously learning from other fields, such as oncology, that a one-shoe-fits all type approaches are becoming the practice of the past and there is need to incorporate markers of disease activity as well as drug selection into clinical care. In the United States, this can happen in two ways; laboratory developed testing and companion diagnostics, generally former leading the path to the later. The findings in this letter is a collaboration between four CLIA/CAP accredited in-office flow cytometry laboratories in Utah, New York and Virginia that are part of very busy food allergy clinics directed by board certified Allergist/Immunologists. The identification of changes in basophils and B cells during oral food immunotherapy are proving to be potentially useful markers in monitoring these patients. We show a high ratio of CD63 to CD203c and CD73 expression on B-cells, compared to healthy non-allergic controls and patients who have outgrown their food allergies. This ratio of basophil surface markers as well as B cell CD73 expression drops as patients are undergoing food-OIT. Quite interestingly, we see a similar low pattern in patients who have non-releaser basophils. Altogether these biomarkers are providing useful and important information monitoring patients and we have validated these assays for clinical use as laboratory developed tests. The Basophil Activation Test is used much more routinely outside the United States, and the powerful correlation it provides to oral food challenge outcomes is making it a very attractive tool. We have just submitted two manuscripts on the validation of the BAT as well as sample stability which is under review elsewhere. We expect more utility of the BAT in the United States in the future. Incorporating biomarkers to clinical care of patients with food allergies will provide to be important in assessing efficacy as well as complications of various therapies as well as monitoring the natural resolution of the food allergies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-166
Author(s):  
Puspa Zuleika

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an immune-allergic pathology of multifactorial etiology(genetic and environmental) characterized by major symptoms of esophagealdysphagia and eosinophil-predominant inflammation of the esophageal mucosathat affects both pediatric and adult patients. EoE is an immune-mediated diseaseby which environmental and food antigens stimulate the Th2 inflammatorycascade. It is correlated with food allergy and atopy condition such as asthma, atopydermatitis, rhinitis allergic and often in conjunction with Gastroesophageal RefluxDisease (GERD). Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) was first described in the 1990s,showing an increasing incidence and prevalence since then, in the United States isestimated to be approximately 57 per 100,000 persons being the leading cause offood impaction and the major cause of dysphagia. Its symptoms, which includeheartburn, regurgitation, and esophageal stenosis. This symptomps similar to thoseof gastroesophageal reflux disease, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment. Theendoscopic findings such as furrows, esophageal mucosa trachealization, andwhitish exudates, this diagnosis should be confirmed histologically confirmed bybiopsy on the presence of more than 15 eosinophils per high-power field and theexclusion of other causes of eosinophilia. Management includes medications, diet,and surgical dilatation.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-160
Author(s):  
Richard D. Krugman

We are on a collision course in many areas of the United States. A number of states have passed compulsory immunization laws for school children, yet the majority of the vaccines required in fulfillment of these laws have a specific incidence of adverse reactions. These range from mild fever or irritability to encephalitis or paralysis. True, the incidence is small, but it is real. For live oral trivalent poliovirus vaccine, for example, the package insert cautions that "the possible low level of risk to the vaccinated subject or to close contacts [should] be considered at all times." Yet what recourse does the one person in tens of thousands suffering an adverse reaction have?


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Antonella Cianferoni

Food allergies, defined as an immune response to food proteins, affect as many as 8% of young children and 2% of adults in western countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising like all allergic diseases. In addition to well-recognized urticaria and anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibody– mediated immune responses, there is an increasing recognition of cell-mediated disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis. Non-IgE-Mediated gastrointestinal food allergies are a heterogeneous group of food allergies in which there is an immune reaction against food but the primary pathogenesis is not a production of IgE and activation of mast cells and basophils. Those diseases tend to affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract and can present as acute (FPIES) or chronic reaction, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP). The role of food allergy in Non-EoE gastrointestinal Eosinophilic disorders (Non- EoE EGID) is poorly understood. In some diseases like EoE, T cell seems to play a major role in initiating the immunological reaction against food, however, in FPIES and FPIAP, the mechanism of sensitization is not clear. Diagnosis requires food challenges and/or endoscopies in most of the patients, as there are no validated biomarkers that can be used for monitoring or diagnosis of Non-IgE mediated food allergies. The treatment of Non-IgE food allergy is dependent on diet (FPIES, and EoE) and/or use of drugs (i.e. steroids, PPI) in EoE and Non-EoE EGID. Non-IgE mediated food allergies are being being investigated.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3725
Author(s):  
Dóra Solymosi ◽  
Miklós Sárdy ◽  
Györgyi Pónyai

Background: Adults frequently interpret food-associated adverse reactions as indicators of a food allergy. However, the public perception of food allergy may differ from a clinician’s point of view. The prevalence of patient-reported food allergy tends to be higher than physician-confirmed cases. Dermatological manifestations (urticaria, pruritus, dermatitis, and edema) are frequently reported by patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe patient-reported symptoms related to suspected food allergies and particularly to characterize and highlight the volume of patients who visit Budapest allergy clinics with suspected food allergies. Methods: In this prospective study, adult (≥18 years) patients were examined at the Allergology Outpatient Unit of the Dept. of Dermatology, Venereology, and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest. The examination included a detailed medical history; physical examination; and when necessary the measurement of allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Results: Data from 501 patients (393 women, 108 men) were analyzed. Intolerance to dietary biogenic amines occurred in 250 cases (250/501, 50%). Oral allergy syndrome was confirmed in 71 patients (71/501, 14%). Allergy to food preservatives was diagnosed in 14 (14/501, 3%) cases by a dermatologist-allergist specialist. Five individuals (5/501, 1%) were diagnosed with IgE-mediated food allergy. In some cases (28/501, 6%), edema-inducing/enhancing side effects of drugs were observed which patients had misattributed to various foods. Among the food groups considered to be provoking factors, the most frequently mentioned were fruits (198/501, 40%), milk/dairy products (174/501, 35%), and nuts/oilseeds (144/501, 29%). Overwhelmingly, urticaria (47%) was the most common dermatological diagnosis, followed by dermatitis (20%) and allergic contact dermatitis (8%). Conclusion: Improvement is needed in food allergy, food intolerance, and general nutritional knowledge among the general public. According to our data, perceived/self-reported food allergies were overestimated by adults when compared against physician-confirmed food allergies; however, other diseases potentially responsible for food-related problems were underestimated. The prevalence of oral allergy syndrome was high in the cohort. Intolerance to dietary biogenic amines was common, and although the role of dietary histamine and biogenic amine is not entirely understood in eliciting patients’ symptoms, improvements in complaints were reported during the control visits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Tonny Tanus ◽  
Sunny Wangko

Abstrak: Prevalensi alergi makanan makin meningkat di seluruh dunia dan mengenai semua usia. Keparahan dan kompleksitas penyakit juga meningkat terlebih pada populasi anak. Terdapat beberapa jenis reaksi alergi yang dibahas: immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergies and anaphylaxis, food triggered atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, dan non IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergic disorders seperti food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIEs). Tes alergi, baik melalui kulit maupun IgE yang telah dikerjakan sekian lama masih dibebani dengan hasil positif palsu dan negatif palsu yang bermakna dengan manfaat terbatas pada beberapa alergi makanan. Selain menghindari, tidak terdapat terapi yang ampuh untuk alergi makanan. Berbagai imunoterapi telah dipelajari melalui jalur, subkutan, epikutan, oral dan sublingual yang hanya menghasilkan desensitisasi sementara dan dibebani dengan berbagai isu mengenai keamanannya. Agen biologik yang menghambat sitokin/interleukin (IL) dan molekul pada reaksi alergi makanan tampaknya merupakan pilihan yang menjanjikan. Anti IgE telah dipergunakan pada asma dan urtikaria kronis. Anti IL-4 dan IL-13 yang menghambat produksi IgE diindikasikan untuk dermatitis atopik. Anti eosinofil anti IL-5 berhasil menurunkan eksaserbasi asma. Berbagai agen biologik telah dipelajari untuk berbagai kondisi alergik dan imunologik, tetapi efektivitas dan kepraktisan terapi yang mahal ini untuk alergi makanan masih menjadi tanda tanya.Kata kunci: alergi makanan, reaksi alergi, terapi alergi makananAbstract: Food allergies have been increasing in prevalence for years affecting all ages. Disease severity and complexity have also increased, especially in the pediatric population. There are several types of reactions including: immunoglobulin-E (IgE) mediated allergies and anaphylaxis, food-triggered atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and non IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergic disorders such as FPIEs. Though allergy testing has been around for years, both skin and IgE testing are burdened by significant false positives and negatives, and are only useful in some food allergies. Avoidance is the sole therapy for food allergy. A variety of immunotherapies have been studied; subcutaneous, epicutaneous, oral, and sublingual. At best they only produce a temporary state of desensitization and have many safety issues. Examples of biologicals which block critical cytokines/interleukins (IL) in allergic conditions are Anti IgE, anti IL-4 and IL-13, and Anti eosinophils, Anti IL-5. Other biologicals are being studied for allergic conditions, but whether these expensive future treatments will be proven effective and practical in food allergy is unknown.Keywords: food allergy, allergic reaction, food allergy therapy


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Antonella Cianferoni

: Food allergies, defined as an immune response to food proteins, affect as many as 8% of young children and 2% of adults in western countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising like all allergic diseases. In addition to well-recognized urticaria and anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibody– mediated immune responses, there is an increasing recognition of cell-mediated disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis. Non-IgE-Mediated gastrointestinal food allergies are a heterogeneous group of food allergies in which there is an immune reaction against food but the primary pathogenesis is not a production of IgE and activation of mast cells and basophils. : Those diseases tend to affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract and can present as acute (FPIES) or chronic reaction, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP). The role of food allergy in Non-EoE gastrointestinal Eosinophilic disorders (Non- EoE EGID) is poorly understood. : In some diseases like EoE, T cell seems to play a major role in initiating the immunological reaction against food, however, in FPIES and FPIAP, the mechanism of sensitization is not clear. : Diagnosis requires food challenges and/or endoscopies in most of the patients, as there are no validated biomarkers that can be used for monitoring or diagnosis of Non-IgE mediated food allergies. : The treatment of Non-IgE food allergy is dependent on diet (FPIES, and EoE) and/or use of drugs (i.e. steroids, PPI) in EoE and Non-EoE EGID. : Non-IgE mediated food allergies are being being investigated.


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