ARIA 2024-2025 guideline panel. Efficacy and safety of oral antihistamines for allergic rhinitis: Network meta-analysis.

Vieira RJ, Gil-Mata S, Ferreira A et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2026 Feb 16:S2213-2198(26)00140-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.12.034. 

Highlights

• What is already known about this topic? Oral antihistamines are one of the mainstays of the pharmacological management of allergic rhinitis, being widely available and affordable.

• What does this article add to our knowledge? Oral antihistamines are effective in improving rhinitis symptoms and quality-of-life. Cetirizine, ebastine, bilastine and rupatadine were among the individual medications associated with the highest efficacy for improving nasal symptoms.

• How does this study impact current management guidelines? This systematic review will inform the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (2024-2025) guidelines. In particular, it will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of individual oral antihistamines.

Abstract

Background

Oral H1-antihistamines (OAH) are among the most frequently used medications for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Perceived Acquired Resistance to Omalizumab in Obese Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Martins F, Trave I, Pereira S, Gonçalo M.  Clin Exp Allergy. 2026 Feb 8. doi: 10.1111/cea.70236. 

Summary

• Obese patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria often require progressively increasing omalizumab doses to maintain previous disease control.

Frey’s syndrome in an infant misdiagnosed as food allergy

Semaan, M., Alkhuder, S. & Jeimy, S. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01015-3

Abstract

Background

Frey’s syndrome (auriculotemporal syndrome) is characterized by gustatory flushing and sweating in the distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve. Although classically described after parotid surgery in adults, congenital and idiopathic forms are increasingly recognized in infants. Because symptoms occur during feeding, the condition can closely mimic IgE-mediated food allergy, leading to unnecessary dietary restrictions and anxiety.

Case presentation

We report an 8-month-old boy referred for evaluation of suspected multiple food allergies after several emergency department visits for feeding-associated facial redness, interpreted by caregivers as “hives”, and accompanied by significant parental anxiety and progressive dietary avoidance.

Evaluating the concordance of pollen forecasting apps against automated pollen monitoring: A single-site experience

Gonzalez F, Ciaccio CE, Nyenhuis SM. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2026 Jan 12;5(2):100639. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2026.100639.

Abstract

Background

Individuals with allergic rhinitis and asthma rely on accurate pollen forecasts to avoid allergen exposure and manage symptoms. However, many widely used weather and health applications (apps) use manual pollen counting methods, which may vary in accuracy.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the concordance between popular pollen forecasting apps and real-time data collected from an automated pollen monitoring device at a single site in the Chicago area.

Methods

We compared daily pollen forecasts from 2 commonly used consumer apps (The Weather Channel app and the AccuWeather app) with pollen data recorded by the PollenSense automated monitoring device over 2 months. To assess daily concordance, forecasted pollen levels and automated counts were categorized as being in the low, moderate, or high ranges. Descriptive and inferential assessment of accuracy and reliability of consumer-facing pollen forecasts were performed.

Results

Concordance between the AccuWeather app and PollenSense.

Across the study period, concordance between the consumer apps and the PollenSense counts was low

Early-life antibiotics and childhood allergy: a multi-center cohort.

Hattab, M., Sarrees, Y., Sous, M. et al.  Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01013-5

Abstract

Background

Antibiotic use in infants is hypothesized to alter the gut microbiota, influencing immune system dysregulation and increasing allergy risk. We aim to assess the prevalence of allergic diseases in children treated with different classes of antibiotics in early life.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from April 2024 to January 2025 in three main hospitals in the West Bank in Palestine. Records of pediatric admissions of children who received antibiotic treatment within their first six months of life were reviewed, followed by parents’ interview regarding the development of allergies.

Effects of sublingual immunotherapy for dust mite on Th 17 / Treg cells in children with asthma

Li, F., Wang, X., Yin, L. et al.  Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01010-8

Abstract

Objective

Observing the clinical effects of dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on children with asthma, changes of Th17 / Treg cells and related cytokines in order to investigate the possible pathological mechanism of immune tolerance induced by SLIT.

Safety and immunogenicity of a 25-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in pneumococcal vaccine-naive healthy adults: Results from 2 randomised, controlled clinical trials

Langley JM, Sadarangani M, Ockenhouse C et al.  Vaccine. 2026 Jan 22;75:128236. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128236.

Abstract

Background

Pneumococcus causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide in children under 5. IVT PCV-25 is a 25-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV25) designed to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease from the serotypes predominant in children, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Pneumococcal serotypes in IVT PCV25 and PCVs licensed in children.

We completed 2 randomised, parallel-group, double-blind clinical trials in Canada to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a single IM dose of PCV25 in healthy adults who had no history of pneumococcal vaccination or microbiologically confirmed IPD. PCV20 (Prevnar 20) was the control. In CVIA 096, 30 participants per group were randomised to PCV25 at a dose similar to PCV 20 (2.2 μg for each serotype polysaccharide (except 4.4 μg for serotype 6B) with 125 μg aluminium as aluminium phosphate (2.2/125)) or PCV20.

Attack rate reductions following berotralstat initiation among US patients with hereditary angioedema in the real-world

Davis-Lorton, M., Tachdjian, R., Lopez-Gonzalez, L. et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-025-01005-x

Abstract

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) causes recurring swelling attacks, leading to substantial disease burden. This real-world, retrospective study aimed to evaluate HAE attack rates before and after berotralstat initiation stratified by patients’ baseline attack frequency.

Methods

Specialty Pharmacy data from Optime Care, Inc. (12/2020–01/2024), the sole berotralstat dispenser in the United States, were analyzed. Eligible patients had  ≥ 2 berotralstat dispensings (first =  index) and ≥ 1 self-assessment of attacks at baseline (90-days pre-index) and follow-up (first-to-last dispensing). Patients were classified by HAE type (based on laboratory measurements) and baseline attacks (≥ 5, 2–4, 1, and 0 attacks/month). Follow-up attack rates were compared with baseline using mean differences, confidence intervals, and P-values. Among those with 0 baseline attacks/month, proportions with 0 follow-up attacks/month were assessed.

Results

Of 390 eligible patients with HAE with C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency (HAE-C1INH) and 311 with HAE with normal C1INH (HAE-nC1INH), most were female (64.1% and 77.5%) with mean ages of 39.3 and 48.1 years, respectively.