Although the small airway component of chronic asthma is becoming a more important topic, its impact in the daily assessment of pediatric asthma is limited. The intrinsic airway autonomic control in asthma suggests some potential mechanisms by which more distal obstruction may dominate in some situations. We suggest theoretical possibilities for small airway dominance and present clinical data supporting this possibility ..read more

This study was conducted using data from the SCAALA (Social Change Asthma and Allergy in Latin America) cohort in Brazil from 2005 to 2013. We examined the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxocariasis, a parasitic infection leading to conditions such as visceral larva migrans, utilizing an indirect ELISA with T. canis antigens, alongside with data from questionnaires, eosinophil counts, sIgE to aeroallergens, IL-10 levels, and Skin Prick Test results; the research provided insights into the disease’s dynamics. The prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. IgG increased from 48% to 53% over ..read more

Food allergy, particularly peanut allergy (PA), is a growing health concern affecting millions globally. PA can lead to severe reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis. Despite the availability of FDA-approved therapies like Palforzia, a cure remains elusive. Current immunotherapies show promise but lack a definitive cure. This study applies an established computational biology tool to design aptamers targeting Ara h1 and Ara h2. The in silico design aims to streamline the selection process, enabling cost-effective and rapid identification of aptamer candidates. The developed aptamers (AYA22A, i ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 4, Pages 80-93: Assessing the Knowledge of Anaphylaxis Management and Adrenaline Auto-Injector Administration among Parents of Children with Food Allergies: A Cross-Sectional Study Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies4030007 Authors: Caoimhe Cronin Hannah Keohane Eimear O’Rourke Ciobha O’Kelly Yukta Ramesh Laura Flores Aoife Gallagher Anda Dumitrescu Roberto Velasco Juan Trujillo Background: Despite the importance of caregivers being trained in anaphylaxis management and the use of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), studies have revealed inadequate caregiver knowledge. The caregiver ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 4, Pages 64-79: Structural Insights on Cross-Reactivity of Mite Allergens with Helminth Proteins Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies4020006 Authors: Ayrton B. P. Lisboa Neuza M. Alcantara-Neves Eric R. G. R. Aguiar Carina S. Pinheiro Luis G. C. Pacheco Eduardo S. da Silva Updated notions about the so-called hygiene hypothesis consider now that helminths may have influence in the training of the immune system during childhood. Considering the similar type of immune response between helminth infections and allergic illnesses, the objective of this study was to evaluate how structura ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 4, Pages 42-53: The Indirect Costs of Avoidance in Food Allergy Management: A Scoping Review Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies4020004 Authors: Jennifer L. P. Protudjer Melissa L. Engel Background: Food allergy management requires avoidance of allergenic food. While the direct costs of food allergy management have been described, avoidance may also contribute to time and opportunity costs. We aimed to conduct a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature on the indirect costs of food allergy, and to characterise these costs through a series of fictitious case studies. Methods ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 4, Pages 30-41: Impact of Pharmacist-Driven Penicillin Allergy De-Labeling Pilot Program in Preoperative Cardiothoracic and Spine Surgery Patients at Quaternary Hospital Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies4020003 Authors: Hannah Crum Brandon Gagnon Alexis Thumann Abbey Sidebottom Marc Vacquier Krista Gens Documented penicillin allergies are associated with an increased risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), and first-line antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin) are associated with a lower risk of SSIs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-driven penicillin all ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 4, Pages 17-29: Mechanisms and Comparative Treatments of Allergic Rhinitis including Phototherapy Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies4010002 Authors: Roy Kennedy The treatment of allergic conditions presents a challenge for both seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial rhinitis sufferers. The increasing prevalence of both of these types of allergic responses requires the use of a range of treatments which can provide relief. The treatment of allergic rhinitis has been considered under the ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) guidelines. Current treatment options inclu ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 3, Pages 220-228: Allergic Rhinitis Systematic Review Shows the Trends in Prevalence in Children and Adolescents in Greece since 1990 Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies3040014 Authors: Christos Kogias Aikaterini Drylli Demosthenes Panagiotakos Konstantinos Douros George Antonogeorgos Allergic rhinitis is the most common immune disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 10–40% of the general population. It is characterized by an inflammatory response of the nasal mucosa following exposure to non-infectious, inhaled, and airborne allergens that are defined based on t ..read more

Allergies, Vol. 3, Pages 202-219: Effect of Eriobotrya japonica Leaf Supplements on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms and Skin Conditions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Allergies doi: 10.3390/allergies3040013 Authors: Masumi Nagae Maki Nagata Masako Matsumoto Naomichi Takemoto Yhiya Amen Dongmei Wang Yuri Yoshimitsu Kuniyoshi Shimizu Eriobotrya japonica (E. japonica) leaves have been used as an herbal traditional medicine in China and Japan owing to their anti-inflammatory and protective effects against skin conditions and allergy symptoms. These beneficial ef ..read more