Synergistic impacts of heat, pollen, and air pollution on allergic rhinitis and asthma under climate change: A 20-year time-series study

Ali EA, Aerts R, Vaes B et al. Environ Int. 2026 Jul;213:110330. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2026.110330.

Abstract

Background: Climate changes are increasing the frequency of concurrent extremes in temperature, air pollution, and aeroallergens, yet evidence on their joint and synergistic health impacts remains limited. We aimed to quantify the independent, joint, and interactive short-term effects of temperature, air pollutants, and airborne pollen on allergic rhinitis and asthma using long-term general practitioner (GP) data.

 Methods: We conducted a population-based time-series study using 20 years of GP data. Daily maximum temperature, PM2.5, ozone, and pollen concentrations were linked to allergic rhinitis and asthma outcomes. We estimated cumulative relative risks (RR) over lag 0–14 days using distributed lag non-linear models, comparing high (95th percentile) versus median exposure levels. We evaluated effect modification through stratified analyses and quantified additive interaction for joint exposures at extreme levels (90th and 95th percentile) using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and attributable proportion (AP).

Density distributions of environmental exposure values
restricted to days exceeding the 90th percentile of each
exposure-specific study-period distribution.

Findings: Pollen exposure was strongly associated with allergic rhinitis (RR=2.54, 95% CI: 2.40–2.69) and with asthma (RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.38–1.61). In joint-effects analyses, co-exposure to extreme heat and high pollen concentrations was associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis (RR= 2.07, 95% CI: 1.77–2.41), with clear evidence of synergistic interaction on the additive scale (RERI=0.48, 95% CI: 0.32–0.64, AP=0.23, 95% CI: 0.17–0.30).

COVID-19 vaccination induces cross-neutralisation of sarbecoviruses related to SARS-CoV-2

West, G.E., Morse, R.B., Sievers, B.L. et al.  npj Vaccines 11, 125 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-026-01469-x

Abstract

Multi-dose vaccine schedules in a cohort of older individuals
with mixed infection histories induce strong humoral responses
against SARS-CoV-2 Wu-1 and early Omicron lineages.

The combined threats of future sarbecovirus zoonosis and continually emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs highlight the need to assess the breadth of existing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-mediated protection. Here, we investigate a cohort of older individuals who received four COVID-19 vaccine doses, for potential cross-neutralisation against lentiviral particles bearing spikes from either Omicron VOCs or other sarbecoviruses. Despite recent fourth bivalent mRNA vaccine doses (encoding SARS-CoV-2 Wu-1 and Omicron spikes), neutralisation of Omicron lineage VOCs was reduced compared to Wu-1, consistent with an imprinted immune response.

P014 Remibrutinib improves dermatology-related quality of life in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria regardless of baseline disease severity in the phase III REMIX-1 and REMIX-2 studies

Michael R Ardern-Jones, John Reed, Sinisa Savicet al.  British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 195, Issue Supplement_1, June 2026, ljag086.041, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljag086.041

Abstract

Mean change from baseline in DLQI (observed data, full analysis set).

Many patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) experience inadequate disease control and impaired quality of life despite treatment. Remibrutinib, a highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, reduced CSU disease activity and improved quality of life, sleep, and daily activity vs. placebo in the REMIX-1 and REMIX-2 studies. Here, we evaluate the impact of remibrutinib on Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in the REMIX-1 and REMIX-2 data (pooled), stratified by baseline disease severity per weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7; moderate: 16 ≤ UAS7 < 28, severe: 28 ≤ UAS7 ≤ 42). REMIX-1 and REMIX-2 were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of oral remibrutinib 25 mg twice daily in adults with CSU who remained symptomatic with second-generation H₁-antihistamines.

Prevention and Treatment of Peanut Allergy

George Du Toit, M.B., B.Ch., and Gideon Lack, M.B., B.Ch. Published June 24, 2026 N Engl J Med 2026;394:2449-2458 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp2314424

Summary

Modeled Effect of Delayed Peanut Introduction
on the Development of Peanut Allergy

Early introduction of peanut protein reduces allergy prevalence by approximately 80%, with efficacy diminishing as introduction is delayed. Appropriate prevention involves ingestion of approximately 2 g of peanut protein weekly for infants at low risk and 4 to 6 g weekly for infants at high risk. Population-level implementation that targets all infants achieves greater reduction in disease burden than approaches that target only high-risk groups, although disparities exist among some ethnic groups and groups with restricted access to care.

Mepolizumab reduces healthcare resource utilization in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a linked EMR and claims-based pre-post study

Swenson, A., Ahmed, W., Silver, J. et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01038-w

Abstract

Background

Real-world evidence on the effectiveness of mepolizumab at reducing healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is limited.

Methods

This real-world study used linked electronic medical record and claims data from the OM1 Real-World Data Cloud of clinician networks in the US, including an ear, nose and throat physician registry. CRSwNP-related HCRU, procedures, concomitant medications, and sign and symptom outcomes were assessed in adult patients with CRSwNP who initiated mepolizumab on/after July 29, 2021 (index date), with ≥1 mepolizumab record, data available for ≥12 months pre- and ≥6 months post-index (follow-up/post-mepolizumab period).

Results

There was a significant difference in CRSwNP-related HCRU 6-months post- versus pre-mepolizumab initiation (N = 245), mean difference in outpatient visits (95% confidence interval): −0.82(−1.10, −0.53), p < 0.0001; otolaryngologist visits: −0.35(−0.54, −0.16), p = 0.0004; allergist visits: −0.28(−0.43, −0.14), p = 0.0001.

Triggers, clinical spectra and outcomes of pediatric anaphylaxis in a tertiary center: impact of comorbidities and cofactors on severity

Keser-Ozturk, N., Maghdeed, Y., Bozkurt, S. et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-026-01033-1

Abstract

Purpose

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction. While triggers, clinical manifestations, and severity are influenced by age and sociocultural factors, most evidence regarding the impact of comorbidities and cofactors comes from adult studies. This study aimed to characterize the triggers, clinical features, and outcomes of pediatric anaphylaxis in a tertiary care center, with a particular emphasis on risk factors for severity.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records from August 2023–August 2024 at the European Allergy Academy and Clinical Immunology Center of Excellence in Istanbul. Children aged 0–18 years (n = 100) with anaphylaxis as defined by the 2020 World Allergy Organization (WAO) criteria were included.

Estimating work-related indirect costs in allergic rhinitis and asthma using a daily combined symptom-medication score: a MASK-air® study in collaboration with the EAACI Methodology Committee

Vieira RJ, di Bona D, Bognanni A et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2026 Jun 11:S2213-2198(26)00497-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2026.05.035. 

Highlights

• What is already known about this topic? Allergic rhinitis and asthma have a relevant impact on work productivity, particularly in terms of presenteeism. However, this impact is difficult to quantify in daily clinical practice.
• What does this article add to our knowledge? This study demonstrates that a visual analogue scale can evaluate the impact of allergic symptoms on work productivity. In addition, it estimates the costs resulting from work productivity losses due to poor symptom control.
• How does this study impact current management guidelines? Based on the approach described in this study, practitioners can easily estimate work productivity losses of their patients due to poor rhinitis and asthma control. Results of this study can inform cost-effectiveness studies.

Abstract
Background
Allergic rhinitis and asthma can impair work productivity.

Objective
To validate a daily work productivity visual analog scale (VAS work), comparing it with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire plus Classroom Impairment Questions: Allergy Specific (WPAI+CIQ:AS). We also aimed to quantify how allergy control relates to work impairment and indirect costs.

A New Drug Target in Allergic Diseases: Bruton Tyrosine Kinase

Labrador-Horrillo M, Cenni B, Ferrer Puga M.  J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2026 Jun 15;36(3):170-184. doi: 10.18176/jiaci.1183. 

Abstract

BTK signaling transduction pathways and inhibitor binding sites 

Though first recognized as a signaling molecule in B cells, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) has been shown to play a crucial role in signal transduction in innate and adaptive immune cells. BTK is an attractive therapeutic target, given its diverse role in immune regulation. Development of the first-generation BTK inhibitor (BTKi), ibrutinib, revolutionized the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Since its approval, newer-generation BTKis with improved pharmacological properties have been developed, with higher selectivity for BTK and fewer off-target effects than ibrutinib. BTK is essential for IgE-driven allergic responses and may influence IgE antibody production by B cells.