Top news of June: Peanut sensitization, wildfires, asthma and fast food, alpha-gal, more
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Healio compiled the most-read news in allergy, asthma and immunology posted in June.
Highlights included the impact of maternal peanut consumption, wildfires and their impact on asthma and other diseases, the effect of fast-food restaurants on children with asthma, alpha-gal syndrome reactions and testing, and more.
Maternal peanut consumption affects infant sensitization, allergy
Infants whose mothers consumed less than 5 g a week of peanuts while breastfeeding experienced a significant protective effect against sensitization and a noticeable but not statistically significant effect against allergy, Michael Brandwein, PhD, of MYOR Diagnostics Ltd., told Healio. Also, Theresa Bingemann, MD, FACAAAI, FAAAAI, shares her Perspective. Read more.
Wildfires have broad impacts on respiratory and other health conditions
As smoke from wildfires in Canada impact air quality in the Midwest and on the East Coast, Healio presents a roundup of articles pertaining to the effects that this increase in air pollution may have on asthma as well as on allergy, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, tuberculosis, preterm birth and more. Read more.
Children with asthma who live near fast food restaurants have lower lung function changes
Children with asthma who lived within 500 meters of a fast-food restaurant had smaller changes in lung function during an intervention, even after researchers controlled for nearby roadways and BMI, Franziska Rosser, MD, MPH, ATSF, said during the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more.
Alpha-gal in health products triggers anaphylaxis in half of alpha-gal syndrome patients
According to a survey, 49.6% of patients had anaphylaxis after using a product with alpha-gal in it, 91.8% have had to modify their medication use, and 96.8% said pharmaceutical companies should obtain independent certification that they offer animal-free products, Jasmine Uchi, PharmD, told Healio. Read more.
Alpha-gal syndrome testing increases but positive test proportions remain stable
The number of sent tests in Nashville increased from eight in 2013 to 185 in 2021, but the mean proportion of confirmed cases remained stable at 0.59 cases per test sent, according to a study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Also, Jay A. Lieberman, MD, shares his Perspective. Read more.
FDA extends target action date for epinephrine nasal spray to September
The neffy nasal spray from ARS Pharmaceuticals is designed to treat type 1 allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in adults and children who weigh 30 kg or more without any injection necessary, the company reported in a press release. Read more.
NASA program seeks collaborators for research, public health projects
NASA Health and Air Quality explores the connections between the environment and human and animal health while fostering interdisciplinary approaches to addressing environmental challenges in public health, Helena Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD, told Healio. Read more.
Direct challenges recommended for most antibiotic allergy evaluations
Physicians should perform graded direct challenges when patients at low risk for a reaction report an antibiotic allergy, potentially saving time and costs compared with skin testing, Allison C. Ramsey, MD, told Healio. Also, Mariana C. Castells, MD, PhD, shares her Perspective. Read more.
Experts debate use of dual biologics to treat severe asthma
Whereas Monica Kraft, MD, said that individual biologics have specific targets that may complement each other in treatment, Praveen Akuthota, MD, ATSF, said safety data on the use of multiple biologics was lacking while cost may be a factor as well during the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more.
Physicians encouraged to be proactive with patients with asthma during wildfire season
As wildfire season gets underway, experts including Paul V. Williams, MD, Tania Elliott, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, and Brandon J. Hooks, DO, discussed with Healio how particulate matter exacerbates asthma, potential impacts on allergies, and what physicians need to do to help their patients mitigate these effects. Read more.