Small percentage of anaphylactic reactions treated with epinephrine during food challenges in Dutch children.
BACKGROUND: Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, occur during oral food challenges (OFCs) and the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis is epinephrine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percentage of anaphylactic reactions treated with epinephrine during OFCs and to identify associated factors for the administration of epinephrine. METHODS: Children who underwent an OFC with peanut, hazelnut, cow's milk, hen's egg, or cashew nut from 2005 through 2015 in the Netherlands were evaluated. Children with reactions meeting the criteria for anaphylaxis according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology guidelines for food allergy and anaphylaxis were included. Children with an anaphylactic reaction treated with vs without epinephrine were compared. Possible factors associated with the administration of epinephrine, such as age, sex, symptoms consistent with asthma, history of an allergic reaction to the tested allergen, and symptom types during the anaphylactic reaction, were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-three children in clinical and research settings (43% boys; median age, 7 years; range, 1-17) who met the criteria for anaphylaxis were included in this study. Thirty-two of 83 children (39%) with anaphylaxis were treated with epinephrine. Respiratory symptoms during the OFC were treated significantly more often with epinephrine than gastrointestinal symptoms (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Only 39% of children with anaphylaxis, according to the guideline criteria, were treated with epinephrine during the OFC and most of these children had respiratory symptoms. There is need for an easy-to-use international guideline for the treatment of allergic symptoms during OFCs.
Oral food challenge outcomes in a pediatric tertiary care center
BACKGROUND: Oral food challenges are the clinical standard for diagnosis of food allergy. Little data exist on predictors of oral challenge failure and reaction severity. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done on all pediatric patients who had oral food challenges in a tertiary care pediatric allergy clinic from 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: 313 oral challenges were performed, of which the majority were to peanut (105), egg (71), milk (41) and tree nuts (29). There were 104 (33%) oral challenge failures. Children were more likely to fail an oral challenge if they were older (P = .04), had asthma (P = .001) or had atopic dermatitis (P = .03). Risk of challenge failure was significantly different between food allergens, with more failures noted for peanut than for tree nuts, milk or egg (P = .001). Among challenge failures, 19% met criteria for anaphylaxis. Significantly more tree nut and peanut challenges met criteria for anaphylaxis than milk or egg (P < .001). Skin test size and specific IgE level were significantly higher in those who failed oral challenges (P < .001). The highest rate of challenge failure and severity of failure was to cashew, with 63% of cashew challenges reacting, of which 80% met clinical criteria for anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: The risk of challenge failure differed with type of food studied, with peanut and tree nut having a higher risk of challenge failure and anaphylaxis. Cashew in particular carried a high risk and caution must be exercised when performing these types of oral challenges in children.
Pistachio nut allergy: an updated overview.
Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera) is highly appreciated for its organoleptic characteristics and potential health benefits. However, this tree nut is also responsible for triggering moderate to severe IgE-mediated reactions in allergic individuals. Currently, pistachio nut allergy has gained some special attention, mainly due to its intrinsic relation with cashew nut allergy. Like for other nuts, the prevalence of pistachio nut allergy seems to be increasing at a global scale. Until now, there are five allergenic proteins officially listed for pistachio nut (Pis v 1, Pis v 2, Pis v 3, Pis v 4 and Pis v 5). Relevant data on their biochemical classification has become available, enabling establishing a correlation with the respective clinical symptoms. The establishment of an effective allergen risk assessment is a key issue for the food industry, policy makers and regulatory agencies. Thus, the availability of fast, specific and sensitive methods to detect trace amounts of allergens in processed foods is crucial. In the specific case of pistachio nut, there are some protein- and DNA-based methods for its detection/quantification in foods, which can aid to verify label information. Accordingly, all relevant research advances on this topic were summarised, updated and critically discussed in this review.
Highlights of the 21st International Congress of Nutrition
On the other hand, the INC sponsored the symposium “Nuts and dried fruit consumption and health: New insights”, which featured leading nutrition experts Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Chairman of the INC World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination, Dr. Emilio Ros from University of Barcelona (Spain), Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi from Florida State University (USA) and Dr. Cyril Kendall from University of Toronto (Canada). Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, the symposium highlighted the latest findings in nut consumption and cognitive function and diabetes control, and dried fruit consumption and osteoporosis.
Guest speaker Dr. Emilio Ros spoke on the relation between nut consumption and cognitive function; Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi gave an overview of the efficacy of dried plum for preventing and reversing bone loss in postmenopausal women; Dr. Cyril Kendall gave an update on the effects of nut consumption on diabetes and cardiometabolic health.
Highlights of the 21st International Congress of Nutrition
On the other hand, the INC sponsored the symposium “Nuts and dried fruit consumption and health: New insights”, which featured leading nutrition experts Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Chairman of the INC World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination, Dr. Emilio Ros from University of Barcelona (Spain), Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi from Florida State University (USA) and Dr. Cyril Kendall from University of Toronto (Canada). Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, the symposium highlighted the latest findings in nut consumption and cognitive function and diabetes control, and dried fruit consumption and osteoporosis.
Guest speaker Dr. Emilio Ros spoke on the relation between nut consumption and cognitive function; Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi gave an overview of the efficacy of dried plum for preventing and reversing bone loss in postmenopausal women; Dr. Cyril Kendall gave an update on the effects of nut consumption on diabetes and cardiometabolic health.
World Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Map, Now Available Online
This issue features the main export flows around the world for each nut and dried fruit in two big central maps: one for tree nuts and another for dried fruits. World peanut exports and main tree nut trade flows among European countries are also illustrated in satellite maps.
Complementarily, historical production series, supply value at production stage and top importing countries are included in satellite graphs.
World Nut and Dried Fruit Trade Map, Now Available Online
This issue features the main export flows around the world for each nut and dried fruit in two big central maps: one for tree nuts and another for dried fruits. World peanut exports and main tree nut trade flows among European countries are also illustrated in satellite maps.
Complementarily, historical production series, supply value at production stage and top importing countries are included in satellite graphs.
The INC Pavilion Promotes Nuts and Dried Fruits at Anuga
This was the sixth edition of the Pavilion in Europe: the 320-square-meter structure was placed at a premium location in the Fine Foods Hall, hosting a total of 20 companies. Exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their products and services in front of thousands of industry leaders, buyers, traders, importers and exporters.
As in previous editions, not only at Anuga but also at Sial-Paris and GulFood-Dubai, the INC Pavilion was a huge draw for attendees. Thanks to its enviable location, it welcomed a heavy and continuous flow of visitors, making it into a vivid and lively space to do business and network with top industry leaders. The hospitality area played host to a succession of meetings, delegates coming and going and industry representatives dealing with prospective customers. Hundreds of coffees were served at the bar and dozens of meetings took place at the 2 dedicated meeting rooms.
Particularly successful and well-attended was the Welcome Cocktail, held on Sunday October 8 and sponsored by Minerva Commodities, which allowed attendees to interact in a different and relaxed atmosphere.
Moreover, the Pavilion’s internationality is also worth stressing: 14 different countries (Australia, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, UK and USA) were represented among its co-exhibitors. Several languages, cultures and religions coexisted for 5 days, reinforcing the global umbrella which INC represents to the entire nut and dried fruit industry across the globe.
Relax and Networking During the Welcome Cocktail
The activity, liveliness and flow of visitors at the INC Pavilion was intense and constant throughout the 5 days of Anuga. However, the Welcome Cocktail stood out as a remarkable moment: sponsored by Minerva Commodities, the event gathered dozens of attendees who enjoyed a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere accompanied by champagne, canapés and a premium selection of nuts and dried fruits. The cocktail reception drew significant traffic to the Pavilion, where lots of informal meetings and reunions with old friends and business partners took place.
The INC Pavilion Promotes Nuts and Dried Fruits at Anuga
This was the sixth edition of the Pavilion in Europe: the 320-square-meter structure was placed at a premium location in the Fine Foods Hall, hosting a total of 20 companies. Exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their products and services in front of thousands of industry leaders, buyers, traders, importers and exporters.
As in previous editions, not only at Anuga but also at Sial-Paris and GulFood-Dubai, the INC Pavilion was a huge draw for attendees. Thanks to its enviable location, it welcomed a heavy and continuous flow of visitors, making it into a vivid and lively space to do business and network with top industry leaders. The hospitality area played host to a succession of meetings, delegates coming and going and industry representatives dealing with prospective customers. Hundreds of coffees were served at the bar and dozens of meetings took place at the 2 dedicated meeting rooms.
Particularly successful and well-attended was the Welcome Cocktail, held on Sunday October 8 and sponsored by Minerva Commodities, which allowed attendees to interact in a different and relaxed atmosphere.
Moreover, the Pavilion’s internationality is also worth stressing: 14 different countries (Australia, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, UK and USA) were represented among its co-exhibitors. Several languages, cultures and religions coexisted for 5 days, reinforcing the global umbrella which INC represents to the entire nut and dried fruit industry across the globe.
Relax and Networking During the Welcome Cocktail
The activity, liveliness and flow of visitors at the INC Pavilion was intense and constant throughout the 5 days of Anuga. However, the Welcome Cocktail stood out as a remarkable moment: sponsored by Minerva Commodities, the event gathered dozens of attendees who enjoyed a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere accompanied by champagne, canapés and a premium selection of nuts and dried fruits. The cocktail reception drew significant traffic to the Pavilion, where lots of informal meetings and reunions with old friends and business partners took place.