June 26, 2025

Estimated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness in Adults

Link-Gelles R, Rowley EAK, Irving SA, et al.. JAMA Netw Open - Published Online: June 25, 2025;8;(6):e2517402. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.17402

Key Points

Question  What is the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines against medically attended COVID-19, including during Omicron XBB and JN.1 sublineage predominance?

Findings  This test-negative case-control study included 345 955 emergency department and urgent care encounters and 111 931 hospitalizations among adults with COVID-19–like illness. During 7 to 299 days after 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination, VE was 29% against COVID-19–associated emergency department and urgent care encounters, 30% against COVID-19–associated hospitalization, and 48% against COVID-19–associated critical illness, with VE being the highest 7 to 59 days after vaccination and waning against all outcomes.

June 21, 2025

Clinical significance of very high IgE levels (≥1000 IU/mL): Population-based study of 118,211 adults

Nemet, Shay et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, Volume 4, Issue 2, 100403

Abstract

Background
Very high serum IgE (≥1000 IU/mL) is reported in atopic disorders. However, data on its significance in nonallergic disorders are limited.

Objective
We aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of very high IgE in adults.

Methods
A retrospective nationwide study was conducted using the electronic database of Clalit Health Services, covering adults (≥18 years) treated between 2002 and 2022. Subjects with IgE ≥ 1000 IU/mL were compared to the controls with IgE < 100 IU/mL across 3 age groups (18-30, 31-64, and ≥65 years).

June 13, 2025

Phenotypes of Atopic Dermatitis and Development of Allergic Diseases

Sitarik AR, Eapen AA, Biagini JM, et al.  JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2515094. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.15094

Key Points

Question  Is the phenotypic expression of atopic dermatitis (AD) associated with the development of other allergic diseases, and what factors are associated with each phenotype?

Findings  This cohort study of 5314 children from 12 US birth cohorts found that AD in children was common and identified 5 distinct AD phenotypes with different associations with comorbidities. Phenotypes with early AD expression were associated with food allergy, phenotypes with later AD expression with allergic rhinitis, and any AD phenotype with asthma.

A real-life multicenter experience for the post-pandemic management of hypersensitivity reactions to Covid-19 vaccines

Alessandra Arcolaci, Lucia Guidolin, Elisa Olivieriet al. Vaccine Volume 61 2025,127337, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127337.

Abstract

The management of patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IHSR) to COVID-19 vaccines and their components, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 and polisorbate 80 (PS80), has evolved since the beginning of the vaccination campaign. Despite the end of the pandemics, ensuring safe access to COVID-19 vaccination remains critical, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions.

In this retrospective study, we evaluated 333 patients who underwent a standardized allergy work-up, including skin testing (ST) with vaccine components, to assess their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination. 155 patients had a history of IHSRs to PEG-containing drugs, and 178 reported a IHSR following a prior vaccine dose.

June 12, 2025

Cow milk allergy: Its clinical aspects, mechanisms, and innovative mitigation strategies beyond enzymatic hydrolysis



Highlights
• The current understanding of cow milk allergy is presented.
• The role of enzymatic hydrolysis against allergenicity and its limitations are described.
• More effective innovative strategies that can degrade cow milk allergens are discussed.

Abstract: 

Graphical abstract

Cow milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies. Traditional methods for reducing milk allergenicity, such as enzymatic hydrolysis, have limitations, including incomplete allergen degradation and the potential for residual allergenicity. This review aims to provide the current understanding of CMA, including its risk factors, allergen profile, immune mechanisms, and management strategies. It then examines the role of enzymatic hydrolysis in mitigating allergenicity, its applications, and its inherent limitations.

June 10, 2025

Exploring the Association Between Vitamin D and IL-10 in Allergic Parthenium Contact Dermatitis Patients

Xavier A, Selvarajan S, Das S, et al. (June 07, 2025) Cureus 17(6): e85515. doi:10.7759/cureus.85515

Abstract

Introduction

The imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators was suggested to be a contributory factor to the manifestations of allergic parthenium dermatitis. Inadequate circulating vitamin D and IL-10 levels can significantly influence the course of this allergic dermatitis.

Objective

The objective was to study the association between circulating IL-10 levels and vitamin D status in patients with parthenium dermatitis.

Materials and methods

Patients attending the dermatitis clinic were screened for eligibility, and 88 individuals were recruited.

June 6, 2025

Prevalence, Change and Burden of Systemic Corticosteroid Use in Type 2 Inflammation Associated Diseases Over 25 Years – A Nationwide Danish Study

Håkansson KEJ, Skov IR, Andersen SAW et al. J Asthma Allergy. 2025;18:967-981

https://doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S525508

Background: Systemic corticosteroid use in type 2 inflammation-associated diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis has been associated with adverse outcomes, and corticosteroid-sparing treatments are available.

Objective: Assess temporal changes in systemic corticosteroid use and the impact of type 2 inflammation multimorbidity (eg multiple concurrent type 2 inflammation-associated diseases) and specialist assessment on systemic corticosteroid exposure.
Methods: Using nationwide databases, all Danish adults with asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or chronic rhinosinusitis, based on hospital diagnoses or redeemed prescriptions between 1997 and 2021 were included in an open, serial cross-sectional cohort.
Changes of (A) prevalence of systemic corticosteroid (SCS) use and
(
B) absolute number of systemic corticosteroid users in a cohort of
1,616,609 Danish adults with monomorbid type 2
inflammation-associated disease
Results:
 Over 25 years, a total of 2,151,209 Danish adults were included. Of those with a single diagnosis (type 2 inflammation monomorbidity),13.9% had asthma, 19.2% allergic rhinitis, 52.9% atopic dermatitis, and 14.0% chronic rhinosinusitis. In terms of type 2 inflammation multimorbidity, 75.1% of included individuals had one, 21.3% two and 3.5% three diagnoses, respectively.

Practical Algorithm on Topical Treatment of Flaring Atopic Dermatitis (AD) With or Without Secondary Infection

Schachner LA, Hebert AA, Sidbury R, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(6):621-630. doi:10.36849/JDD.8967

Abstract

Acute exacerbations or flares are a key characteristic of atopic dermatitis (AD), often associated with sleep deprivation, as well as experiences of stigmatization, social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. Local skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a key contributor to AD, particularly to AD flares. Treating SA-driven active AD, especially in cases where skin that is secondarily infected complicates management, calls for a carefully balanced approach that serves to calm AD activity and clear local infection and SA related colonization.

The methodological approach included a systematic literature review to inform an expert panel before a face-to-face meeting to develop a practice-based algorithm for managing AD flares with or without secondary infection. A panel of nine experts in dermatology, including both Board-certified dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists, engaged in a discussion followed by an online review to refine the algorithm and to provide clear guidance on the topical treatment of flaring AD with or without AD skin that is secondarily infected.