Top news of October: Probiotics, COVID-19 vaccines, Epstein-Barr virus, more
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Healio compiled the most-read news in allergy, asthma and immunology posted in October.
Highlights include how probiotic supplements may improve life for patients with asthma, intersections between COVID-19 vaccination and allergic reactions, the role of Epstein-Barr virus in long COVID and a nasal spray that may replace autoinjectors for emergency anaphylaxis treatment, among other breakthroughs.
Probiotic supplements may improve asthma control, lung function
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 could reduce the need for rescue inhalers by decreasing dysfunctional T regulatory cells, as reported by researchers from Mahidol University in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Read more.
Split dosing of COVID-19 vaccines provides antibody responses
Patients with allergic reactions to previous doses of COVID-19 vaccines tolerated split doses without any significant adverse effects, according to a letter by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Read more.
Epstein-Barr virus reactivation may contribute to long COVID fatigue
Epstein-Barr virus replication may be a cofactor in a subgroup of patients with long COVID fatigue, although other potential contributors need to be evaluated as well, according to a letter by researchers from the Medical University of Vienna published in Allergy. Read more.
FDA accepts new drug application for epinephrine nasal spray
Neffy is designed to treat type I allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis without an injection in adults and children who weigh 30 kg or more, according to its manufacturer, ARS Pharmaceuticals. Read more.
Q&A: Allergists can help families prepare for a safe Halloween
By communicating with patients and the community at large, allergists can provide helpful tips for avoiding allergens and preparing food allergy action plans to ensure that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween or any holiday, explained Kevin P. McGrath, MD, of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Read more.
Grandchildren of women who consume milk, egg in pregnancy experience fewer reactions
Children whose maternal grandmothers had lots of egg and milk in their third trimesters experienced the lowest prevalence of reactions compared with other groups, researchers from the Karolinska Institute reported in a letter published in Allergy. Read more.
Biologics for asthma, atopic dermatitis associated with reduced COVID-19 vaccine responses
After receiving the second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, patients who also used biologic therapies had lower pseudovirus neutralization 6 months later, researchers from Emory University School of Medicine said in a study presented at CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more.
Combination of allergen immunotherapy, tezepelumab relieves nasal symptoms of cat allergy
By using the monoclonal antibody tezepelumab (Tezspire, Amgen, AstraZeneca) and subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, patients continued to experience persistent reductions in allergen responsiveness a full year after the end of treatment, researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA reported in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Read more.
Remibrutinib ‘very effective’ in treating moderate to severe chronic spontaneous urticaria
With rapid onset of action and a favorable safety profile, remibrutinib (LOU064, Novartis) has potential as a preferred oral treatment option, according to researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in a study published in The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. Read more.
Noninvasive tool identifies children aged as young as 3 years at high risk for asthma
Designed by researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the CHILDhood Asthma Risk Tool uses the timing and number of wheeze or cough episodes, use of asthma medications, and ED visits or hospitalizations at age 3 years to predict asthma outcomes, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.