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Fish allergy is common in countries where consumption is high. Asian nations are amongst the world’s largest consumers of fish but the allergen profiles of tropical fish are unknown. This study sought to evaluate the allergenicity of four commonly consumed tropical fish, the threadfin ( Polynemus indicus), Indian anchovy ( Stolephorus indicus), pomfret ( Pampus chinensis) and tengirri ( Scomberomorus guttatus). Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity with parvalbumin of cod fish (Gad c 1), the major fish allergen, was also studied. Detection of tropical fish and cod specific-IgE was performed by UniCap assay, and skin prick tests were also carried out. The IgE-binding components of tropical fish were identified using IgE immunoblot techniques, and cross-reactivity with Gad c 1 was assessed by ELISA inhibition and IgE immunoblot inhibition. Clinically, nine of 10 patients studied were allergic to multiple fish. All patients exhibited detectable specific-IgE to cod fish (10 of 10 skin prick test positive, eight of 10 UniCap assay positive) despite lack of previous exposure. The major allergen of the four tropical fish was the 12-kDa parvalbumin. IgE cross-reactivity of these allergens to Gad c 1 was observed to be moderate to high in the tropical fish studied. Parvalbumins are the major allergens in commonly consumed tropical fish. They are cross-reactive with each other as well as with Gad c 1. Commercial tests for cod fish appear to be sufficient for the detection of tropical fish specific-IgE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no exact explanation for the increase in allergic diseases that occurred since the last two decades. An increased allergen exposure and/or a decreased bacterial load cannot explain the phenomenon completely. Other causal factors that rose at the beginning of the 1980s must be taken into consideration. Important changes at that time in our management of children were the worldwide switch from aspirin to paracetamol, the introduction of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as cephalosporins and the advice to avoid dust and pets in newborns from allergic families. General application of these new approaches, in itself or in combination, might be responsible, at least in part, for the increase of allergic diseases in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Johar A, Lim D, Mad Arif SA, Hawarden D, Du Toit G, Weinberg E, Motala C, Fieggen G, Yeang HY, Potter PC. Low prevalence of latex sensitivity in South African spina bifida children in Cape Town.Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005.© 2005 Blackwell MunksgaardSpina bifida children have a high prevalence of latex allergy in studies reported from Europe and the USA. This study investigated the prevalence of latex allergy in a cohort of 24 spina bifida children at the Red Cross Children's Hospital from Cape Town, South Africa. The children were investigated using a detailed questionnaire, skin prick tests (ALK-Abello), ImmunoCap RASTs, Western blotting and ELISA, using the purified latex proteins Hev b1 and Hev b3 and whole latex preparation. A low overall prevalence of latex sensitization of 16.7% was found in the children. Children who were sensitive reacted to water insoluble to Hev b1 and Hev b3 proteins. The low prevalence of latex sensitization in the South African children may not be entirely explained by stringent latex avoidance. The children were from a low socioeconomic social status and‘hygiene’ and other factors should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan TN, Lim DL, Lee BW, Van Bever HP. Prevalence of allergy-related symptoms in Singaporean children in the second year of life.Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005.© 2005 Blackwell MunksgaardThis study describes the cross-sectional prevalence of symptoms associated with eczema (chronic itchy rash), asthma (wheeze), and allergic rhinitis (rhinoconjunctivitis) in 1026 subjects between 18.5 and 23 months old (median age is 21 months) in Singapore. The first 2 yr cumulative prevalence of chronic itchy rash, wheeze, and rhinoconjunctivitis were 22.1% (n = 227), 22.9% (n = 235), and 8.4% (n = 86) respectively. In total, 42.2% (414 of 979) reported ever having any of these symptoms. Eczema, although prevalent, was diagnosed only in 34.4% (n = 78) of children with chronic itchy rash. Children with this eczematous rash were also more prone to wheeze (cOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.0) and rhinoconjunctivitis (cOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.8). Similarly, subjects who reported rhinoconjunctivitis and chronic itchy rash were 2.4 times (95% CI: 1.6–3.6) and 1.4 times (95% CI: 1.0–2.0) more at risk of wheezing respectively. Family history of allergy was a significant risk factor for chronic itchy rash (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3–2.4) and wheeze (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–2.4). Thus, symptoms related to allergy were already prevalent during the second year of life. Significant proportions of these symptoms are likely to be due to true atopy as strong relationship with familial history and comorbidity with other potential allergic symptoms were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]