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PubMed2003

[The national survey of immediate type of food allergy].

BACKGROUND: The actual conditions regarding immediate type food allergy have not been fully understood. Appropriate countermeasures have not been taken so far. The objective of our research is to identify the actual conditions of immediate type food allergy in Japan for the purpose of contributing to future practices. SUBJECT: We conducted a survey on the patients in collaboration with 2689 domestic hospitals which have pediatrics and more than 100 beds. We focused on these cases who presented with symptoms of allergy within 60 minutes of the intake of any offending food. RESULT: 60.4% of collaborators returned the questionnaire. We investigated 1420 cases in 498 hospitals. Average age of cases was 6.7+/-13.1 (Mean+/-SD). Ages not more than 8 years-old comprised 80.1% of the whole population. The most common offending foods were eggs, milk products, wheat, buckwheat, fish and fruits. In addition, offending foods varied depending on age. The clinical symptoms appeared at 24.2 minutes+/-19.4 minutes (Mean+/-SD) after the intake of offending foods. The most common clinical symptom was observed on the skin and respiratory organs. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare amended the ministerial ordinance concerning the allergy food labeling system. Five major offending foods (eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, and peanuts) were designated as ingredients to be specified on the label.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in blood eosinophils and nonspecific bronchial reactivity after exposure tests to wheat flour and TDI].

We studied non-specific bronchial responsiveness (NSBR) and blood eosinophils before and 24 hours after a bronchoprovocation test (SBPT) with wheat flour (22 cases) and TDI (32 cases). Twelve patients developed asthma after exposure to wheat flour (7 early and 5 dual/late asthma), and 12 after exposure to TDI (6 early and 6 late/dual asthma). Responders and non responders to wheat flour exposure were similar for all general characteristics except IgE levels (p = 0.036) and NSBR (p = 0.047). A higher degree of airway responsiveness to methacholine was the only characteristic which differentiated responders from non responders to TDI exposure (p = 0.043). Airway responsiveness, assessed 24 hours after the SBPT (44 cases), did not show any change compared to pretest values; the data were similar both among non responders to wheat flour (Wilcoxon p = 0.1) or to TDI (p = 0.2) and responders to TDI (p = 0.6) or wheat flour (p = 0.3); also no significant changes were observed among early and dual/late asthma caused by wheat flour and TDI. Twenty-four hours after the SBPT, blood eosinophils were higher than pretest, but only among the 24 patients with asthma (Wilcoxon p = 0.002); the blood eosinophil increase was statistically significant among patients with early and late/dual asthma caused by wheat flour, and among those with early and late/dual TDI asthma. In our study, NSBR was confirmed as a common feature of occupational asthma, either IgE mediated (wheat flour) or non-IgE mediated (TDI). Twenty four hours after the specific exposure, among patients with asthma induced by wheat flour and TDI, there was an increase in blood eosinophils while in the same time interval no variation in non-specific bronchial responsiveness was observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Arabidopsis-rice-wheat gene orthologues for Na+ transport and transcript analysis in wheat-L. elongatum aneuploids under salt stress.

Lophopyrum elongatum is a wild relative of wheat that provides a source of novel genes for improvement of the salt tolerance of bread wheat. Improved Na(+) 'exclusion' is associated with salt tolerance in a wheat-L. elongatum amphiploid, in which a large proportion (ca. 50%) of the improved regulation of leaf Na(+) concentrations is controlled by chromosome 3E. In this study, genes that might control Na(+) accumulation, such as for transporters responsible for Na(+) entry (HKT1) and exit (SOS1) from cells, or compartmentalisation within vacuoles (NHX1, NHX5, AVP1, AVP2) in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, were targeted for comparative analyses in wheat. Putative rice orthologues were identified and characterised as a means to bridge the large evolutionary distance between genomes from the model dicot and the more complex grass species. Wheat orthologues were identified through BLAST searching to identify either FL-cDNAs or ESTs and were subsequently used to design primers to amplify genomic DNA. The probable orthologous status of the wheat genes was confirmed through demonstration of similar intron-exon structure with their counterparts in Arabidopsis and rice. The majority of exons for Arabidopsis, rice and wheat orthologues of NHX1, NHX5 and SOS1 were conserved except for those at the amino and carboxy terminal ends. However, additional exons were identified in the predicted NHX1 and SOS1 genes of rice and wheat, as compared with Arabidopsis, indicating gene rearrangement events during evolution from a common ancestor. Nullisomic-tetrasomic, deletion and addition lines in wheat were used to assign gene sequences to chromosome regions in wheat and L. elongatum. Most sequences were assigned to homoeologous chromosomes, however, in some instances, such as for SOS1, genes were mapped to other unpredicted locations. Differential transcript abundance under salt stress indicated a complex pattern of expression for wheat orthologues that may regulate Na(+) accumulation in wheat lines containing chromosomes from L. elongatum. The identification of wheat orthologues to well characterized Arabidopsis genes, map locations and gene expression profiles increases our knowledge on the complex mechanisms regulating Na(+) transport in wheat and wheat-L. elongatum lines under salt stress.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1982

Baker's asthma (grain-dust-induced asthma).

A 48-year-old black male with no underlying atopy developed asthma after working nine years at a bakery. The attacks of wheezing were preceded by nasal symptoms and usually occurred after several hours of work. Skin testing revealed reactivity to dust, molds, and wheat extracts; serum level of IgE was normal, and a RAST screen to common allergens was negative. A bronchial provocation test using commercial wheat extract was negative, but the same test using the patient's own bakery flour resulted in an immediate positive reaction. The pathogenesis and management of grain-dust-induced asthma are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

cDNA cloning, biochemical characterization and inhibition by plant inhibitors of the alpha-amylases of the Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.

We report the characterization and cDNA cloning of two alpha-amylase isozymes from larvae of the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). Larvae raised on artificial media have very low levels of amylase activity, and much higher levels are found in larvae raised on maize seedlings. At pH 5.7, the optimum pH for enzyme activity, the alpha-amylases are substantially but not completely inhibited by amylase inhibitors from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and from wheat (Triticum aestivum). Using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we cloned two cDNAs with 83% amino acid identity that encode alpha-amylase-like polypeptides. Expression of one of the two cDNAs in insect cells with a baculovirus vector shows that this cDNA encodes an active amylase with a mobility that corresponds to that of one of the two isozymes present in larval extracts. The expressed enzyme is substantially inhibited by the same two inhibitors. We also show that expression in Arabidopsis of the cDNA that encodes the amylase inhibitor AI-1 of the common bean results in the accumulation of active inhibitor in the roots, and the results are discussed with reference to the possibility of using amylase inhibitors as a strategy to genetically engineer maize plants that are resistant to Western corn rootworm larvae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Comparative analysis of a recombining-repeat-sequence family in the mitochondrial genomes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.).

The mitochondrial genomes of wheat and rye each contain a three-member family of recombining repeat sequences (the "18S/5S repeat") that encode genes for 18S and 5S rRNAs (rrn18 and rrn5) and tRNA(fMet) (trnfM). Here we present, for wheat and rye, the sequence and boundaries of the "common sequence unit" (CSU) that is shared between all three repeat copies in each species. The wheat CSU is 4,429 base-pairs long and contains (in addition to trnfM, rrn18 and rrn5) a putative promoter, three tRNA-like elements ("t-elements"), and part of a pseudogene ("psi atpAc") that is homologous to chloroplast atpA, which encodes the alpha subunit of chloroplast F1 ATPase. The rye CSU is somewhat smaller (2,855 base pairs) but contains much the same genic and other sequence elements as its wheat counterpart, except that two of the three t-elements as well as psi atpAc are found in only one of the three downstream flanks of the 18S/5S repeat, outside the CSU boundaries. In interpreting the sequence data in terms of the evolutionary history of the 18S/5S-repeat family of wheat and rye, we conclude that: (1) the wheat-rye form of the 18S/5S repeat most likely originated between 3 and 14 million years ago, in a lineage that gave rise to wheat and rye but not to barley, oats, rice or maize; (2) the close linkage (1-bp apart) between trnfM and rrn18 is similarly limited in its taxonomic distribution to the wheat/rye lineage; (3) the trnfM-rrn18 pair arose via a single mutation that inserted a sequence block containing trnfM immediately upstream of rrn18; and (4) the presence of a putative promoter upstream of rrn18 in all wheat and rye repeats is consistent with all three repeat copies being transcriptionally active. We discuss these conclusions in the light of the possible functional significance of recombining-repeats in plant mitochondrial genomes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Skin prick testing to food allergens in breast-fed young infants with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

SUMMARY The role of food allergy in atopic dermatitis is controversial. This study presents results of skin prick tests to 31 different food allergens in a selected population of predominantly breast-fed young infants who had moderate to severe generalized atopic dermatitis. Of the 59 infants (22 female, mean age 26.5 weeks) tested, 54 infants (91.5%) had positive responses to one or more foods, 53 infants (90%) were positive to one or more of the five common food allergens (egg white, cow's milk, peanuts, wheat or soy) and 80% were positive to egg white, which was by far the most common positive test. A total of 37 infants had strongly positive responses to one or more foods, with 33 of these 37 having strongly positive responses to egg white. The significance of these responses is discussed. It is concluded that positive skin prick tests to foods, particularly to egg white, are very common in this selected population of breast-fed infants with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Nasal air sampling for measuring inhaled wheat allergen in bakeries with and without facemask use.

OBJECTIVE: Occupational asthma caused by flour is common in bakers. We applied novel intranasal air samplers (INAS) to assess wheat allergen exposure and evaluate respiratory protection in bakeries. METHODS: Two models of INAS (INAS-M1 and INAS-M2) were compared with simultaneous personal air sampling of inhalable dust, both with and without facemasks. Wheat allergen levels were measured using a sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Allergenic particles were immunostained for microscopic visualization. RESULTS: Personal air sampling correlated well with INAS-M1 (r = 0.89) and INAS-M2 (r = 0.75). INAS-M2 collected particles more effectively than INAS-M1. Facemasks reduced inhalation of wheat allergen by 96% and 93% measured using INAS-M1 and INAS-M2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal air sampling can complement personal air sampling to measure short-term exposure and evaluate respiratory protection. To prevent baker's asthma, facemasks may be an effective solution in addition to improving workplaces.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Lectin binding to common epithelial tumors of the ovaries.

Binding sites of peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ulex europaeus (UEA-1), wheat germ agglutinin, concanavalin A, and Ricinus communis were localized in 46 common epithelial ovarian tumors. Binding pattern of serous cystadenomas showed significant similarity with the pattern seen in the epithelium of fallopian tubes. Lectin affinity of endometriosis and endometrioid tumors was similar to normal endometrium in secretory phase. Binding pattern of clear cell carcinomas was similar to gestational endometrium, with PNA and UEA-1 showing strong affinity. This pattern is in contrast to clear cell carcinomas of the kidney, that do not bind PNA and UEA-1. Mucinous cystadenomas exhibited binding patterns identical with cervical epithelium. Malignant counterparts of the described tumors were characterized by the partial loss of lectin binding and uneven distribution of the binding reaction.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Effects of dietary wheat germ deprivation on the immune system in Wistar rats: a pilot study.

Bioactive molecules that can gain access to body tissues through the gastrointestinal tract may interact with immune regulatory circuits and effector functions. Among these are plant lectins, such as wheat germ (WG) agglutinin, which constitute common components of the human diet and target the immune system on a daily basis. Dietary bioactive molecules might be considered as immunomodulatory signals. To investigate the possible effects on the immune system of the long-term absence of such signals, two groups of rats were fed on a diet containing or deprived of WG. The WG-deprived diet induced a state of functional unresponsiveness in lymphocytes from primary and secondary lymphoid organs, as evaluated by in vitro stimulation with T cell mitogen phytohemoagglutinin (PHA) and B cell mitogen lypopolysaccarides (LPS). The unresponsive state of the immune cells could be reversed by injection of antigen emulsified in oil with inactivated mycobacteria (complete Freund's adjuvant, CFA) Dietary signals can thus interact with the immune system possibly influencing its shaping during ontogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evolution of the multidomain protein wheat germ agglutinin.

We compared the homologous amino acid sequences of hevein and each of the four domains (A, B, C, and D) of wheat germ agglutinin and used them to construct a pseudophylogenetic tree relating these sequences to a hypothetical common ancestor sequence. In the crystal structure of the wheat germ agglutinin dimer, six pseudo-two-fold rotational symmetry axes have previously been located in addition to the true twofold axis. Four of these relate two nonidentical domains to each other in each of the four possible pairs constituting the sugar-binding sites (A1D2, A2D1, B1C2, and B2C1). The remaining two relate contiguous unique pairs of sugar-binding sites to each other (A1D2 to B1C2, and A2D1 to B2C1). These latter two sets of pairs are related to each other by the true twofold axis. Side chains that mediate sugar binding in the interfaces of each of the four pairs were found to be largely conserved. The sequence homology, taken together with these pseudo-symmetry elements in the dimer structure, suggests a pathway for the evolution of the four-domain molecule from a single-domain dimer that can be correlated with simultaneous development of the saccharide-binding sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Effects of wheat bran and Olestra on objective measures of stool and subjective reports of GI symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two nondigested, nonabsorbed dietary components on objective and subjective measures of gastrointestinal (GI) function. METHODS: A placebo-controlled parallel study compared the effects of wheat bran (20 g/day or 40 g/day in cereal), a well-known dietary fiber, with those of olestra (20 g or 40 g/day in potato chips), a nonabsorbed fat, on stool output, stool apparent viscosity (log peak force for extrusion [PF]), stool water content, and GI symptoms. Sixty subjects resided on a metabolic ward for 9 days: 3 days baseline and 6 days treatment. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, consumption of 20 g/day wheat bran for 6 days resulted in a rapid (within 38 h) increase in mean (+/-SE) stool output (placebo, 150 +/- 29 g/day; bran, 246 +/- 35 g/day, p < 0.05), a directional increase in mean stool water content (placebo, 81.2 +/- 0.8%; bran, 83.9 +/- 0.8%), stool water output (placebo, 159 +/- 54 g/day; bran, 238 +/- 30 g/day), and bowel movement frequency (BM/day) (placebo, 2.2 +/- 0.4; bran, 2.6 +/- 0.4), and no stool-softening effect (placebo log PF, 2.9 +/- 0.1 g; bran log PF, 2.9 +/- 0.1 g). Wheat bran 40 g/day results were not significantly different from wheat bran 20 g/day. Compared with placebo, consumption of olestra 20 g/day and 40 g/day for 6 days showed no significant difference in mean stool output (151 +/- 18 g/day and 204 +/- 28 g/day, respectively), mean BM frequency (1.8 +/- 0.2 BM/day and 2.1 +/- 0.3 BM/day, respectively), and stool water output (138 +/- 13 g/day and 184 +/- 31 g/day, respectively), a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in stool water content (75.5 +/- 1.7% and 72.6 +/- 2.2%, respectively), and either no effect on stool apparent viscosity (olestra 20 g/day, mean log PF, 3.0 +/- 0.1 g) or a gradual stool-softening effect beginning study day 6 (olestra 40 g/day, log PF, 2.7 +/- 0.1 g). None of the treatment groups showed a significant increase in GI symptoms compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of wheat bran in excess of levels in a typical Western diet significantly increased stool output, but did not soften normal-viscosity stool nor result in an increase in common GI symptoms. The observed plateau effect for wheat bran at 40 g/day suggests a maximal mechanical stimulatory effect. Consumption of olestra in excess of usual snacking conditions did not result in a significant increase in stool output or common GI symptoms. At the highest level tested, olestra resulted in a gradual stool-softening effect after several days of consumption.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Structure and promoter analysis of an ABA- and stress-regulated barley gene, HVA1.

A single-copy barley gene, HVA1, encoding a class 3 late embryogenesis-abundant protein, can be induced by either treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) or by stress conditions such as drought, cold, heat and salinity. We have isolated an HVA1 genomic clone containing about 400 bp of 5'-upstream sequence, a single 109 bp intron, and the full coding sequence. Linker scan mutagenesis and transient expression studies were used to test the function of four HVA1 promoter elements conserved in ABA-responsive genes. Mutations in two of these elements, the C box and the putative ABRE 1 (ABA-responsive element) containing an ACGT core, resulted in no significant change in transcription level or ABA induction. In contrast, mutations of the other two elements, putative ABRE 2 & 3 cause the level of transcription to drop to 10-20% of that obtained with the wild-type promoter indicating that the high level of expression of HVA1 is dependent on both pABRE 2 & 3. Interestingly, despite their low level of expression, the mutated promoters still gave more than 20-fold induction in response to ABA treatment. We suggest that the ABA induction of barley HVA1 gene is governed by a complex consisting of pABRE 2 & 3 working together to regulate the absolute level of expression, and either of these elements or a possible third element may regulate ABA inducibility. Phylogenetic analysis by parsimony indicates that the barley HVA1 and wheat pMA2005 sequences share a recent common ancester. These two genes are closely related to the carrot Dc3 and cotton D-7 genes with which they share a similar structural gene organization.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed1985

The cell specificity and biosynthesis of mouse glycophorins studied with monoclonal antibodies.

Murine erythropoiesis represents a favourable system in which to investigate the coordinate regulation of gene expression due to the availability of erythroid precursor cells at various stages of differentiation. In this report, we investigate the biosynthesis and cell specificity of two characteristic murine RBC membrane glycoproteins that resemble the human RBC glycophorins: a major component of apparent molecular mass 31 kD (glycophorin MA) and a minor 46 kD component (glycophorin MB). Both glycophorins bind to wheat germ lectin and share a common protein antigenic determinant recognised by a monoclonal antibody (GP 29.4), but they differ significantly in their carbohydrate components: whilst both glycophorins contain mainly O-linked sugars, glycophorin MA contains in addition at least one N-linked carbohydrate residue and terminal sialic acid residues. Pulse-chase in vivo labelling experiments combined with in vitro translations of glycophorin mRNAs show that the initial precursor to glycophorin MA is a 24.5 kD polypeptide which is subsequently processed and glycosylated to give the mature 31 kD molecule via a 21.5 kD polypeptide intermediate. Both glycophorins MA and MB are synthesized most actively in early to mid erythroblasts (e.g., Friend cells induced for 3 days with DMSO) but their synthesis is considerably reduced by the reticulocyte stage. However, of the other cell types tested (neuroblastoma, myeloma, fibroblasts, epithelial cells and T-lymphoma cells), none synthesizes glycophorin with the possible exception of a low level in thymus tissue. Thus murine glycophorins, in contrast to the RBC cytoskeletal proteins (spectrin, ankyrin, band 4.1) seem to be restricted to the erythroid cell lineage like human glycophorin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of air filtration on spring wheat grown in open-top field chambers at a rural site. II. Effects on mineral partitioning, sulphur and nitrogen metabolism and on grain quality.

In 1988 the effect of ambient levels of air pollutants on the nutrients status and grain quality of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Pelican) was investigated by comparing plants grown in open-top chambers (OTC) ventilated with ambient air (NF treatments) and charcoal-filtered air (CF treatments) at a rural site (Tervuren, Belgium). Spring wheat cultivated in NF OTC showed only minor differences in the P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Na concentrations of the different plant parts at final harvest, as well as organic and inorganic S fractions, compared to those of the plants grown in CF air. The plants' total P content was reduced, as well as the P and K concentration of the flour. The total S concentration of the flour was increased by 4%. Effects on N concentrations and grain quality were much more pronounced. At final harvest the N concentrations of straw and flour of the NF air treated plants were much higher compared to CF air. However, the N content of the aerial biomass and the grain N yield were not significantly affected, implying a reduction of other structual compounds. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and the ratio of NHI over grain harvest index (GHI), indicated a significant reduction of N translocation from the above-ground biomass to the grain. Changes in the N status and partitioning of spring wheat had an effect on the baking quality of wheat flour. Several parameters that are commonly used as an indication of baking quality have been significantly increased in the NF treatment: total protein concentration, Zeleny value, dry and wet gluten concentration. A slightly increased Hagberg value indicated a reduced alpha-amylase activity. The possibility of foliar N uptake as an additional N source, especially after anthesis and implications of increased protein production instead of carbohydrate synthesis are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Antifungal activity of Artemisia annua endophyte cultures against phytopathogenic fungi.

Artemisia annua, well recognized for its production of antimalarial drug artemisinin, is seldom attacked by any of phytopathogenic fungi, which could be partially associated with the presence of endophytes. Present investigation is aiming at disclosing whether the endophytes inside A. annua produce antifungal substances. A total of 39 endophytes were isolated and fermented, and the ferment broth was evaluated in vitro for the antifungal activity against crop-threatening fungi Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Rhizoctonia cerealis, Helminthosporium sativum, Fusarium graminearum, Gerlachia nivalis and Phytophthora capsici. These plant pathogens are still causing wheat take-all, sharp eyespot, common rot, scab, snow mould, and pepper phytophthora blight, respectively. Out of 39 endophytes investigated, 21 can produce in vitro substances that are inhibitory to all or a few of the tested phytopathogens whereas the rest yielded nothing active. Moreover, the most active broth of endophyte IV403 was extracted with EtOAc and n-butanol, and comparisons of the antifungal activity of the extracts indicated that the major active metabolites were EtOAc-extractable.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2006

New herbicide models from benzoxazinones: aromatic ring functionalization effects.

The utility of benzoxazinones and some of their synthetic derivatives in the search for new leads for herbicide model development has been widely discussed. As the benzoxazinone skeleton contains three different potential areas for functionalization (C-2, N-4, and aromatic protons H-5, H-6, H-7, and H-8), and the first two have already been optimized, the main objective of this work was the substitution of aromatic protons for different substituent types and the study of the effects of the prepared chemicals on selected standard target species (STS) and weeds. Thus, different combinations of aromatic substituents, including methoxy, methoxycarbonyl, fluorine, chlorine, and trifluoromethyl, were introduced at different positions. Phytotoxicity results were successfully correlated with steric and electronic molecular parameters, the resulting molecular volume (V) and dipole moment (mu) being the most influential ones. Halogenations at C-6 and fluorination at C-7 were the most successful modifications. Compounds 6-fluoro-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (6F-D-DIBOA), 7-fluoro-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (7F-D-DIBOA), and 6-chloro-(2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (6Cl-D-DIBOA) had the highest phytotoxic activities. The dose-response profiles on wheat and two of its most common weeds (Lolium rigidum Gaud. and Avena fatua L.) were compared by means of a proposed selectivity index, which displayed 7F-D-DIBOA as the most selective of the tested benzoxazinones.

Benzoxazines↗
PubMed2000

Diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy among Swiss children with atopic dermatitis.

Diagnosis of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) relies on a good knowledge of the prevalence of the disease and of the foods most frequently involved. Our objective was to define these characteristics in a population-of Swiss children with AD. Patients referred to a pediatric allergist or a dermatologist for AD were routinely tested by skin-prick test (SPT) to seven common food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, wheat, soy, fish, and nuts), and to all other foods suspected by history. Patients with positive SPTs were further evaluated for specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies (by using the CAP System FEIA ). CAP values were interpreted following previously published predictive values for clinical reactivity. Patients with inconclusive results (between the 95% negative predictive value [NPV] and the 95% positive predictive value [PPV]) were challenged with the suspected food. A total of 74 children with AD were screened for food allergies. Negative SPTs excluded the diagnosis in 30 subjects. Nineteen patients were diagnosed by histories suggestive of recent anaphylactic reactions to foods and/or CAP values above the 95% PPV. Forty-three food challenges (35 open challenges and eight double-blind, placebo-controlled in children with persistent lesions of AD despite aggressive topical skin treatment) were performed in patients with positive SPTs but with inconclusive CAP values. Six patients were diagnosed as positive to 15 foods. Challenges were not performed to high-allergenic foods in young children (under 12 months of age for egg and fish, and under 3 years of age for peanuts and nuts). Altogether, 33.8% (25 of 74) of the AD patients were diagnosed with food allergy. The prevalence of food allergy was 27% (seven of 25) in the group referred to the dermatologist for primary care of AD. The foods most frequently incriminated were egg, milk, and peanuts. The prevalence of food allergy in our population was comparable to that in other westernized countries, suggesting an incidence of food allergy in approximately one-third of children with persistent lesions of AD. Together with milk and eggs, peanuts were most frequently involved in allergic reactions.

Adolescent↗