Top 10 headlines of 2014 in Healio Allergy/Immunology

Developments in the spread of enterovirus D68 across the United States and treatments for food allergies were the most popular articles in Healio Allergy/Immunology for 2014.

The FDA approval of Oralair, the first sublingual immunotherapy treatment for grass allergies, also was among the top read articles:

1. CDC confirms enterovirus D68 cases in 16 states

The CDC updated the number of confirmed enterovirus D68 cases to include 140 people in 16 states on Sept. 17.

Clusters of severe respiratory illness were reported across the US. The rash of illnesses primarily affected children and in some cases required hospitalization, particularly among those with a history of asthma and wheezing, the CDC reported. Read more

2. CDC: Enterovirus D68 continues to spread across US

The CDC confirmed that enterovirus D68 had spread to 32 states, including the West Coast, infecting 220 people, on Sept. 19

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia have confirmed enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases, according to the CDC website. With Perspectives. Read more

3. Clinicians urged to treat psychosocial needs surrounding food allergies

SAN DIEGO — Treating the psychosocial needs of patients with food allergies can influence medical outcomes, according to two presenters at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting.

“Do you know what your patients are thinking and feeling?” asked Melissa Korenblat-Hanin, MSW, LCSW. “Are you perhaps not addressing all these limitations they will have?” Read more

4. Modified food challenge for peanut allergy could determine thresholds

A modified oral food challenge in children with peanut allergy showed a median latency of clinical reaction of 55 minutes that could determine real-life threshold levels of peanut allergy, according to study results.

Researchers in Germany conducted a modified challenge regimen in 63 children with peanut allergy (median age, 6.5 years; 62% male) with doses scheduled every 2 hours. Read more

5. Basophil activation tests effectively distinguished peanut allergy from tolerance in children

Basophil activation tests were more accurate than other tests in distinguishing between peanut allergy and tolerance in children, reducing the need for oral food challenges, according to recent study results. Read more

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6. Newborns exposed to certain allergens, bacteria had lower risk for allergy, asthma

Robert A. Wood

Children in urban environments who had the highest exposure to specific allergens and bacteria in their first year had the least likelihood to have recurrent wheeze or allergic sensitization, according to recent study results.

“Our study shows that the timing of initial exposure may be critical,” researcher Robert A. Wood, MD, director of allergy and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, said in a press release. With Perspectives. Read more

7. Peach allergens, childhood asthma highlight EAACI congress research

Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos

The development of food allergy involving peach allergens and early prevention of asthma were among research topics presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology annual congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“… We expect participants to return home with new skills for treating their patients, new ideas and inspiration for research,” Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, MD, PhD, EAACI president, said in a press release. Read more

8. FDA approves Oralair, first SLIT agent for grass allergies

The FDA has approved the first sublingual oral immunotherapy tablet for grass allergies in the United States, according to a press release.

Oralair (sweet vernal, perennial rye, Orchard, Timothy and Kentucky blue grass mixed pollens allergen extract, Greer/Stallergenes) is indicated as immunotherapy for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis confirmed by positive skin test or in vitro testing for grass pollen-specific IgE antibodies for any of the five grass species contained in the product. With Perspective. Read more

9. Component testing for food allergies beneficial when additional specificity required

ATLANTA — Component testing for specific food allergies is most beneficial when current diagnostic testing is not adequately specific, according to a presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

“Our current diagnostic methods in food allergy are lacking … so we’re anxious to have new methods that will help that diagnostic specificity,” Robert A. Wood, MD, professor of pediatrics and international health, and director of pediatric allergy and immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Healio Allergy/Immunology. Read more

10. Dietitians provided support to mothers of children with food allergies

Mothers of children with food allergies had multiple needs met through dietary consultation, according to recent study results.

Researchers in the United Kingdom used three focus groups to study 17 mothers of 19 children with food allergies who attended an allergy center for dietary advice. Read more