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Food allergens have appeared in the last two decades as a concealed form of threat which significantly endangers public health, and their labelling on food products, drinks, and non pre-packed gastro-products is clearly defined by legal regulations. Food allergy is a life-threatening chronic condition that substantially impairs quality of life. Food allergies constitute a significant public health problem that affects children and adults and is a considerable burden on health, medical systems and emerging economies. Appropriately managing food allergies has become an issue for the food industry because of the rising number of individuals with food allergies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact sensitivity is a latent state that lasts a lifetime with a clinically manifesting response in the form of allergic contact dermatitis that often has an unfavorable prognosis. In contact urticaria syndrome, can cause anaphylactic reactions. Exposure to irritants or sensitizing factors represents a major risk. Age and gender are not risk factors for contact sensitivity in themselves. A recent meta-analysis has shown that the prevalence of contact sensitivity in the general population is 20.1% and that 4 allergens from cosmetic products are among the top 6 allergens that cause contact sensitivity in the general population. Cosmetics products are responsible for more than half of all allergic contact dermatitis which mainly affects adults of middle and older age, who generally do not have atopy and whose occupations have low academic requirements. It is possible for a cosmetic allergy to develop even after years of using a cosmetic product without previous problems. Beauty products to watch for. Just because a label says that something is “dermatologist tested”, that is no guarantee that the product will be kind to your skin. There are no rules about these terms and criteria how to use them on a label. Ingredients that may cause allergy. Preservatives and fragrances are the most frequently detected allergens in those with an allergy to a cosmetic product. The future of allergen labeling. Allergens identified by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety need to be present on a label. Every cosmetic product placed on the European Union market must have a compliant product information and an International Fragrance Association certificate if contains fragrances. Conclusion. Because so-called “hypoallergenic” products are not necessarily less sensitizing, allergy departments should distribute lists of cosmetic products not containing the respective allergen(s) that consumers can use as safe alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies point to the importance of interleukin-33 in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. The relationship of interleukin-33 and certain allergic respiratory diseases as well as their characteristics is not fully elucidated. The basic aim of this research was to determine interleukin-33 serum levels in children with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as to examine the relationship between obtained interleukin-33 levels and individual clinical characteristics of these patients. Material and Methods. Serum interleukin- 33 levels were measured in a total of 91 children. The study group included 39 children with both allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, and also 22 children with allergic asthma without allergic rhinitis. The control group included 30 healthy children. Results. Serum levels of interleukin-33 in children with both allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis were significantly higher compared to those in children with allergic asthma only (χ2 = 7.01; p = 0.008; p < 0.01). Both groups of patients had significantly higher interleukin-33 serum levels compared to healthy children (χ2 = 7.01; p = 0.008; p < 0.01). The correlation between serum interleukin-33 levels and allergic asthma severity was statistically significant (rs = 0.289; p = 0.024; p < 0.05). Conclusion. Serum levels of interleukin-33 were significantly higher in children with allergic respiratory diseases compared to healthy examinees. Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-33 levels were found in children with both allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, compared to children with allergic asthma only. Patients with higher interleukin- 33 serum levels also had a more severe type of allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgound/Aim. Allergic rhinitis is the most frequent type of rhinitis affecting more than 600 million people worldwide. As incidence increases, it is important to know about the characteristics, the allergens that exacerbate it as well as effects of allergic rhinitis on population. The aim of this study was to determine among patients with chronic rhinitis the number of patients positive to standard inhaled allergens, their distribution by sex, age and to determine the type and frequency of allergic sensitization to specific inhalatory allergens. Methods. Data was collected from 514 patients tested for standard inhalatory allergens via the skin prick test from 01.01.2016 to 31.12. 2016. Age, sex and concomitant diseases as well an analysis of type and frequency of hypersensitivity to different allergens were assessed and recorded. Results. Of 514 patients, 307 patients, with an average age of 29.6 ± 8.88 years had a positive skin prick test. The sex ratio was 1.2 : 1 in favor of the females. Outdoor allergens affected 81.2% of all patients while indoor allergens 66.4% of them. Weed pollen (71%), grass pollen (61%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (46%) were the most common allergens. Most patients were sensitized to 1 (22%) or 2 (22%) allergens, while 20% of patients were simultaneously sensitized to 3 allergens. Conclusion. Most patients with the symptoms of chronic rhinitis had a positive allergic reaction. Those in their third decade of life were the most commonly affected. Outdoor allergens were the most prevalent allergen group, and weed pollen was the most frequent type of allergen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Bronchial asthma is a disease that is characterized by the variability of the clinical picture, physical and functional status and the existence of bronchial hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity with varying degrees. Bronchial responsiveness and sensitivity are tested in patients with clinically suspected existence of asthma and normal spirometry test. The aim of the study was to analyze the patients with atopic asthma and study test results of skin sensitization to inhaled allergens, nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity and specific hyperreactivity estimated by bronchial provocation tests with inhalant allergens. Methods. The prospective study at the Pulmonology Clinic of the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade Serbia, during 2014, included 70 male subjects aged 18-30 years, who had perennial asthma symptoms. All subjects were nonsmokers, with normal spirometry findings, with normal radiological chest findings and with no symptoms of respiratory infection over the past two months. All respondents were tested with skin prick tests with inhalant allergens and nonspecific bronchial provocation test with histamine. On the basis of histamine test, subjects were divided into two groups: the group I, in which there was a slight degree of hypersensitivity [provocation concentration of histamine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume -PC20 = 6.09 ± 1.1 mg/mL] and the group II with negative histamine test (PC20 = 14.58 ± 6.34 mg/mL). Specific bronchial provocation test was performed in all patients, and the selection of the allergens was carried out based on the results of testing of skin hypersensitivity. Results. Results of skin sensitization show the highest incidence of mites Dermatophagoides pterronissinus (83.3% group I and 85.0% group II) followed by grass pollen (53.3% group I and 52.0% group II) and house dust (33.3% group I and 50.0% group II). There were no statistically significant differences in allergens between groups (p > 0.05). In both groups, spirometry findings were within normal values [forced vital capacity - FVC and forced expiratory volume 1 - FEV1 > 80% predictive value], but statistically significant difference was found in FEV1 between groups (p < 0.05). Specific bronchial provocation tests with solutions of inhaled allergens in both groups caused a significant decline in FEV1 (⩾ 20%) in all patients individually. No statistically significant differences were found neither between groups, nor between individual allergens (average decline in FEV1: Group I 32.9 ± 2.4% and group II 31.5 ± 2.2%). Conclusion. There is no relationship between the degree of specific and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the presence of peanut allergens were analyzed by ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method in chocolates and chocolate cream samples from retail chains and cake samples containing cocoa parts from the retail chain, confectionery shop and public catering facility, and the results were compared with food information about the presence of peanut allergens. In fifteen of the sixteen analyzed samples of pre-packed food (chocolate with hazelnuts and chocolate cream products) peanut allergens were detected, and six of them contained the claim about the peanut content in food information. Peanut allergens were also detected in fourteen out of sixteen analyzed samples of non pre-packed food, respectively cakes containing cocoa from the commercial chain, confectionery shop and public catering facility, with food information pointing to peanut content in three such products. The results indicate the importance of the detection of peanut allergens as a hidden ingredient in food, since indication of any ingredient that causes allergies or intolerances including peanuts and peanut products, should be included in the mandatory food information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soya is an important worldwide agricultural product widely shipped and imported in bulk. It contains a number of recognised allergens and the use of soya products and its dockside unloading have been associated with occupational asthma and community episodes of asthma. Two recognised inhalation soya allergens, soya trypsin inhibitor (STI) and hydrophobic soya protein (HSP), were measured in personal and static air samples collected at a United Kingdom (UK) dock during 3 days of unloading three bulks of processed soya beans and soya pelletised husk. Static samples included task-related and those taken at the workplace perimeter and neighbouring sites. Soluble total protein (STP) and gravimetric dust analyses were also undertaken. While gravimetric dust results in personal air samples were below half of the current UK exposure limit of 10 mg m-3 for grain dust, and generally less than 0.5 mg m-3 for the static samples, airborne concentrations for STI and HSP ranged between 0-3,071 and 11-12,629 ng m-3, respectively, while the correlation between the two specific allergen measurements was generally good (Rank Spearman coefficient 0.74). The data from this investigation suggest that HSP is a more sensitive indicator of soya exposure than STI, but only for soya husk, while STI may be equipotent in detecting exposure to both hull and bean derived soya products. Both assays appear sensitive techniques for investigating the control of exposure to allergenic soy material. The endotoxin level in the husk bulk was 15-60-fold that found in the two chipped bean bulks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammation produced by the action of IgE antibodies which fight against allergens inside the mucosal nazale. It is characterized by symptoms such as nasal obstruction and/or watery rhinorrhea, sneezing and itching. Pregnancy is a temporary testing contraindication. During the pregnancy to detect the allergens involved in the symptoms we advise you to only take in vitro tests. The best approach in the management of rhinitis is to avoid allergens. Patients with mild to moderate rhinitis can only control the symptoms using nasal saline solution administered topically. Antihistamines can be useful during the pregnancy. Immunotherapy has not been found to be teratogenic and is clinically useful in relieving symptoms. The usage of oral decongestans and/or topical is controversial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local allergic rhinitis is a localized allergic response of the nasal mucosa to aeroallergens in the absence of atopy with characteristic production of specific local immunoglobulin E antibodies in the nasal mucosa, T helper type 2 cellular infiltration response during the exposure to aeroallergens and positive results via the nasal allergic provocation test with the release of inflammatory mediators (triptase and eosinophil cationic proteins). Even though the prevalence of local allergic rhinitis has been and is still being investigated, a large number of patients with diagnosed non-allergic rhinitis or idiopathic rhinitis are currently classified as having local allergic rhinitis. The causes of local allergic rhinitis are most commonly house dust, dust mites, pollens and many others. Diagnosis of local allergic rhinitis is made using nasal allergen provocation tests when the prick test for standard inhalation allergens and the serum specific immunoglobulin analysis for aeroallergens are negative. The increasing amount of data on localized allergic response in non-atopic patients asks for many answers regarding local allergic rhinitis. These answers can be obtained by a study on the prevalence and incidence in children and adults, the impact of positive family atopy in the development of disease, the impact of associated diseases of the lower respiratory tract and conjunctiva, the effectiveness of drug treatment and the issue of administration of specific immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]