EAACI guidelines on environmental science in allergic diseases and asthma – Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop a causality model in exposomics

Shamji, MH, Ollert, M, Adcock, IM, et al. Allergy. 2023; 00: 1- 16. doi:10.1111/all.15667

Abstract

Allergic diseases and asthma are intrinsically linked to the environment we live in and to patterns of exposure. The integrated approach to understanding the effects of exposures on the immune system includes the ongoing collection of large-scale and complex data. This requires sophisticated methods to take full advantage of what this data can offer. Here we discuss the progress and further promise of applying artificial intelligence and machine-learning approaches to help unlock the power of complex environmental data sets toward providing causality models of exposure and intervention.

Assessment of autoantibodies in paediatric population with primary immunodeficiencies: a pilot study

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Karolina Pieniawska-Śmiech, 
• Aleksandra Lewandowicz-Uszyńska, 
• Magdalena Zemelka-Wiacek & 
• Marek Jutel 

BMC Immunology volume 24, Article number: 8 (2023) 

• details

Abstract

Background

The correlation between primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) and autoimmunity shows ethnic and geographical diversity. The aim of our study was to accumulate more data in paediatric PID population.

Methods

58 children aged 1–17 and with PID (study group) and 14 age-matched immunocompetent individuals (control group) were included in the study.

Extrapolating Evidence-Based Medicine of AIT Into Clinical Practice in the United States

Calderon MA, Casale TB, Nelson HS et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 Apr;11(4):1100-1115. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.10.033.

Executive Summary

This review sought to critically assess evidence-based medicine (EBM) for debated concepts in US allergy immunotherapy (AIT) practice for respiratory allergies in the context and quality of today’s regulatory standards. In addition, EBM for patient-centered AIT issues and the approach to implementation of AIT EBM in future clinical practice were addressed. The EBM for each concept was briefly summarized, and when possible, a practical, concise recommendation was given.

EBM in debated concepts for AIT: Individuals of all ages can have allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) and may have multiple allergen sensitivities or comorbid atopic conditions (eg, asthma).

Immunotherapy with Pru p 3 for food allergy to peach and non-specific lipid transfer protein: a systematic review

• Review
• Open Access

• Carlo Maria Rossi, 
• Marco Vincenzo Lenti, 
• Stefania Merli, 
• Amelia Licari, 
• Gian Luigi Marseglia & 
• Antonio Di Sabatino 

Clinical and Molecular Allergy volume 21, Article number: 3 (2023) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Non-specific lipid-transfer protein (nsLTP) is a pan-allergen in the plant world, and a cause of significant concern as food allergen in the Mediterranean area, due to its general heat- and acid-resistance and hence the risk of severe allergic reactions. Pru p 3, the peach nsLTP, is considered the primary sensitizer to this allergen family and this allergy is usually persistent. Allergen-free diet and acute treatment of manifestations are the main recognized management goals in food allergy.

House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy tablet safety in adolescents with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Worldwide clinical trial results

Horn A, Bernstein DI, Okubo K, Dalgaard T, Hels O, Sørensen HF, Henriksen M, Azuma R, Mikler J, Nolte H. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Mar 15:S1081-1206(23)00171-0. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.03.006. 

Abstract

Background

The house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet is a treatment option for allergic rhinitis with/without conjunctivitis (AR/C) approved in adults worldwide and in adolescents in some countries.

Objective

To supplement existing adolescent HDM SLIT-tablet safety data by conducting the MT-18 trial in adolescents.

Methods

MT-18 (EudraCT:2020-000446-34) was a phase 3, open-label, single-arm, 28-day safety trial of daily HDM SLIT-tablet (12 SQ-HDM dose) in European adolescents (12-17 years) with HDM AR/C, with or without asthma.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome in Europe: Retrospective study of treatment patterns, clinical manifestations, and healthcare resource utilization

Hwee J, Huynh L, Du S, Kwon N, Jakes RW, Alfonso-Cristancho R, Baylis L, Requena G, Khanal A, Rothenberg ME, Sheng Duh M.  Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Mar 1:S1081-1206(23)00129-1. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.02.022. Epub ahead of print. 

Abstract

Background

The burden of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) in Europe is not well characterized.

Objective

To evaluate real-world patient characteristics, treatment patterns, clinical manifestations, and healthcare resource utilization for patients with HES from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Methods

In this retrospective, noninterventional study, data for patients with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of HES were abstracted from medical chart reviews. Patients were aged 6 years or older at the time of HES diagnosis and had 1 or more years of follow-up from the index date (first clinic visit between January 2015 and December 2019).

Ambient fine particulate matter and allergic symptoms in the middle-aged and elderly population: results from the PIFCOPD study

Shanshan Wei, 

Jiping Liao, 

Tao Xue, 

Kunyao Yu, 

Xiuhua Fu, 

Ruiying Wang, 

Xiaomin Dang, 

Cheng Zhang, 

Hua Qiao, 

Shujuan Jiang, 

Jianhong Xiao, 

Lixia Dong, 

Jinzhi Yin, 

Xixin Yan, 

Weihua Jia, 

Guifang Zhang, 

Rui Chen, 

Bo Zhou, 

Beibei Song, 

Jing Li, 

Mengyu Yin, 

Lina Zhang, 

Liping Xie, 

Shaochen Dong, 

…

Guangfa Wang

Respir Res 24, 139 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-023-02433-2

Abstract

Background

The associations between short- and long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and allergic symptoms in middle-aged and elderly populations remain unclear, particularly in China, where most cities have severe air pollution.

Validation of a primary care electronic medical records case definition for eczema: retrospective cross-sectional study

Hannah Stirton, Leanne Kosowan, Elissa M Abrams, Jennifer LP Protudjer, John Queenan & Alexander Singer 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 19, Article number: 46 (2023

Abstract

Background

To validate case definitions for eczema using primary care Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data from the Canadian Primary Care Sentential Surveillance Network (CPCSSN).

Methods

This study used EMR data from 1,574 primary care providers in seven Canadian provinces, representing 689,301 patients. Using a subset of patient records seven medical students or family medicine residents created a reference set of 1,772 patients. A total of 23 clinician-informed case definitions were validated against the reference.

Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells

Daniel Elieh-Ali-Komi, Martin Metz, Pavel Kolkhir, Emek Kocatürk, Jörg Scheffel, Stefan Frischbutter, Dorothea Terhorst-Molawi, Lena Fox, Marcus Maurer. Allergol Int. 2023 May 18:S1323-8930(23)00047-3. doi: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.05.003. 

Abstract

The signs and symptoms of chronic urticaria (CU) are caused by the activation and degranulation of skin mast cells (MCs). Recent studies have added to our understanding of how and why skin MCs are involved and different in CU. 

Accelerated waning of the humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines in obesity

van der Klaauw, A.A., Horner, E.C., Pereyra-Gerber, P. et al. Nat Med 29, 1146–1154 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02343-2

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and mortality. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes; however, their effectiveness in people with obesity is incompletely understood. We studied the relationship among body mass index (BMI), hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 among 3.6 million people in Scotland using the Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of COVID-19 (EAVE II) surveillance platform. 

Sinus inflammation and chronic rhinosinusitis are associated with a diagnosis of new onset asthma in the following year

Schwartz BS, Pollak JS, Bandeen-Roche K, Hirsch AG, Lehmann AE, Kern RC, Tan BK, Kato A, Schleimer RP, Peters AT. Allergy. 2023 May 17. doi: 10.1111/all.15771.

Abstract

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma commonly co-occur. No studies have leveraged large samples needed to formally address whether preexisting CRS is associated with new onset asthma over time.

Methods

We evaluated whether prevalent CRS (identified in two ways: validated text algorithm applied to sinus computerized tomography [CT] scan or two diagnoses) was associated with new onset adult asthma in the following year. We used electronic health record data from Geisinger in from 2008–2019. For each year we removed persons with any evidence of asthma through the end of the year, then identified those with new diagnosis of asthma in the following year.

CD4+ T cell memory. Open Access Review.

Künzli, M., Masopust, D. Nat Immunol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01510-4

Abstract

Specialized subpopulations of CD4+ T cells survey major histocompatibility complex class II–peptide complexes to control phagosomal infections, help B cells, regulate tissue homeostasis and repair or perform immune regulation. Memory CD4+ T cells are positioned throughout the body and not only protect the tissues from reinfection and cancer, but also participate in allergy, autoimmunity, graft rejection and chronic inflammation. 

Food anaphylaxis in older people. Open Access

Boyle RJ, Shamji MH. Food anaphylaxis in older people. Clin Exp Allergy. 2023 May;53(5):488-490. doi: 10.1111/cea.14330.

Food anaphylaxis has received increasing scientific and media attention in recent decades. While anaphylaxis and food allergy are not new conditions, numbers of hospital admissions, diagnoses and related prescriptions have been rising fast in high-income countries. There is a controversy about how much of this rise is increased pathology and how much is due to changing patterns of behaviour in people with food allergy and their caregivers. However, food anaphylaxis certainly presents a significant burden to those affected, largely due to the dietary and social restrictions which accompany food allergen avoidance, and to anxiety associated with the remote possibility of fatal food anaphylaxis. 

EAACI POSITION PAPER: Allergy to stings and bites from rare or locally important arthropods: worldwide distribution, available diagnostics, and treatment. Open Access.

Sturm GJ, Boni E, Antolín-Amérigo D, et al. Allergy. 2023 May 16. doi: 10.1111/all.15769. Epub ahead of print.

Abstract

Insect venom allergy is the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis in Europe and possibly worldwide. The majority of systemic allergic reactions after insect stings are caused by Hymenoptera and among these, vespid genera induce most of the systemic sting reactions (SSR). Honey bees are the second leading cause of SSR.

Evaluation of Plasmapheresis vs Immunoglobulin as First Treatment After Ineffective Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for Patients With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Miyamoto Y, Ohbe H, Kumazawa R et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2023 May 1;159(5):481-487. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.0035.

Key Points

Question  Are the clinical outcomes of administering plasmapheresis therapy first better than those of administering intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy first after ineffective systemic corticosteroid therapy in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN)?

Findings  This retrospective cohort study of 266 inpatients with SJS/TEN found no significant difference in mortality rates between the plasmapheresis-first and the IVIG-first groups. Patients who received plasmapheresis therapy first had longer hospitalization stays and incurred higher expenses.