{"title":"The role of the environment in allergic skin disease.","authors":"Khushnood Faraz, Mason Seely, Anne L Marano","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01147-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01147-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This paper explores how environmental factors influence allergic skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), contact dermatitis (CD), urticaria, angioedema, and reactions to drugs and insect bites.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Research indicates a significant impact of environmental elements on allergic skin diseases. High air pollution levels exacerbate symptoms, while climate change contributes to increased skin barrier dysfunction, particularly affecting AD. Allergen prevalence is influenced by climate and pollution. Irritants, like those in detergents and cosmetics, play a major role in CD. Plants also contribute, causing various skin reactions. Understanding the interplay between environmental factors and allergic skin diseases is crucial for effective management. Physicians must address these factors to support patient well-being and promote skin health amidst environmental changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"323-330"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140909459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Environmental Interventions for Preventing Atopic Diseases.","authors":"Scott Pfirrman, Ashley Devonshire, Andrew Winslow","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01141-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01141-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this review, we detail the exposome (consisting of environmental factors such as diet, microbial colonization, allergens, pollutants, and stressors), mechanistic and clinical research supporting its influence on atopic disease, and potentiation from climate change. We highlight contemporary environmental interventions and available evidence substantiating their roles in atopic disease prevention, from observational cohorts to randomized controlled trials, when available.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Early introduction to allergenic foods is an effective primary prevention strategy to reduce food allergy. Diverse dietary intake also appears to be a promising strategy for allergic disease prevention, but additional study is necessary. Air pollution and tobacco smoke are highly associated with allergic disease, among other medical comorbidities, paving the way for campaigns and legislation to reduce these exposures. There is no clear evidence that oral vitamin D supplementation, prebiotic or probiotic supplementation, daily emollient application, and antiviral prophylaxis are effective in preventing atopic disease, but these interventions require further study. While some environmental interventions have a well-defined role in the prevention of atopic disease, additional study of many remaining interventions is necessary to enhance our understanding of their role in disease prevention. Alignment of research findings from randomized controlled trials with public policy is essential to develop meaningful public health outcomes and prevent allergic disease on the population level.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"233-251"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140141118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pregnancy and the Autoimmune Patient.","authors":"Brooke S Mills, Bonnie L Bermas","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01143-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01143-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This article will review the current understanding of the immunologic changes that occur during pregnancy. It will discuss the impact of pregnancy on the disease activity of autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD). Lastly, it will highlight the most recent data on pre-conception and pregnancy management practices that can improve pregnancy outcomes in autoimmune patients.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Pregnancy is an immunologically complex and dynamic state that may affect the activity of AIRDs, with more patients having active disease during pregnancy than previously thought. Uncontrolled inflammatory diseases are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, small for gestational age infants, and prematurity. Pre-conception counseling and early pregnancy planning discussions can help ensure optimal disease control and medication management prior to attempting conception. Adequate control of AIRDs on pregnancy-compatible medications during the pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods is required for optimal pregnancy outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"261-267"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140337757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Minimally Invasive Approaches to Diagnose and Monitor Eosinophilic GI Diseases.","authors":"Ellie J M Furuta, Glenn T Furuta, Robin Shandas","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01142-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01142-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review seeks to understand novel avenues for eosinophilic GI disease management. Biomarkers offer a unique and non-invasive approach to tracking EoE disease progression. While no biomarkers have definitively met the diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic GI diseases, some biomarkers have been shown to be associated with disease activity. Here, we examine the potential of recently studied biomarkers.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Current research shows advancements in blood, luminal fluid, and breath testing. Particular areas of interest include mRNA analyses, protein fingerprinting, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), T cells and IgE receptors, eosinophilic cationic proteins, cytokines, and nitric oxide exhalation. Preliminary results showed that mucosal biomarkers, directly captured from the esophagus, may reflect the best representation of biopsy-based results, in contrast to biomarkers obtained from indirect or peripheral (blood, breath) methods. However, this is based on limited clinical studies without sufficient numbers to evaluate true diagnostic accuracy. Large-scale randomized trials are needed to fully ascertain both the optimal sampling technique and the specific biomarkers that reflect diagnostic status of the disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"269-279"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140307822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aikaterini Anagnostou, Andrew Yaworsky, Monica Brova, Nazifa Ibrahim, Siddharth Kakked, Sasha Spite, Linette Duluc, Alan L. Shields, Tricia Lee, Stephanie Leonard, Kathy Przywara, Amelia Smith
{"title":"Evaluation and Modification of a Shared Decision-Making Tool for Peanut Allergy Management","authors":"Aikaterini Anagnostou, Andrew Yaworsky, Monica Brova, Nazifa Ibrahim, Siddharth Kakked, Sasha Spite, Linette Duluc, Alan L. Shields, Tricia Lee, Stephanie Leonard, Kathy Przywara, Amelia Smith","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01146-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-024-01146-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose of Review</h3><p>Based on shared decision-making (SDM) principles, a decision aid was previously developed to help patients, their caregivers, and physicians decide which peanut allergy management approach best suits them. This study refined the decision aid’s content to better reflect patients’ and caregivers’ lived experience.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Recent Findings</h3><p>Current standard of care for peanut allergy is avoidance, although peanut oral immunotherapy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients 4–17 years old.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Summary</h3><p>An advisory board of allergy therapy experts (<i>n</i> = 3) and patient advocates (<i>n</i> = 3) informed modifications to the decision aid. The revised tool underwent cognitive debriefing interviews (CDIs) among adolescents (12–17 years old) with peanut allergy and caregivers of patients 4–17 years old with peanut allergy to evaluate its relevance, understandability, and usefulness. The 20 CDI participants understood the information presented in the SDM tool and reported it was important and relevant. Some revisions were made based on participant feedback. Results support content validity of the Peanut Allergy Treatment SDM Tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":"94 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140629527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of Old and New Systemic Treatments for Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis","authors":"Hyun J. Yim, Tiffany Jean, Peck Y. Ong","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01145-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-024-01145-x","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose of Review</h3><p>Historically, systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) primarily consisted of immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids and Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDS), which provided symptomatic relief but often had long-term adverse effects. Newer treatments have shown significant efficacy with less side effects in clinical trials. This review discusses and compares conventional and newer systemic treatments for AD.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Recent Findings</h3><p>Newer medications for AD including dupilumab, tralokinumab, lebrikizumab, and oral JAK inhibitors have been shown to be safe and efficacious. High dose cyclosporine and dupilumab were more effective than methotrexate and azathioprine in improving clinical signs of AD. High-dose upadacitinib was shown in another meta-analysis to be most effective in the measured outcomes but had the highest frequency of adverse events.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Summary</h3><p>Targeted biologic treatments are increasingly favored over traditional immunosuppressive treatments of AD. Treatment can be individualized based on potency, adverse side effects, mechanism of action, and administration preference. Ongoing research continues to expand treatment options for AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140616426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Scout Treadwell, Maxwell Green, Geetha Gowda, Estelle Levetin, John C Carlson
{"title":"Fungal Sensitization and Human Allergic Disease","authors":"Scout Treadwell, Maxwell Green, Geetha Gowda, Estelle Levetin, John C Carlson","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01144-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-024-01144-y","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose of the Review</h3><p>Fungal sensitizations have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions with variable levels of evidence available to link types of fungi with human disease. We conducted systematic reviews of the literature to identify the strength of evidence linking lesser-studied fungi for which there are commercially available extracts to identify populations in which they were useful in clinical practice.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Recent Findings</h3><p>Excluding five fungi for which hundreds of articles were identified, there are 54 articles on the remaining fungi with clinical data. For 12 of the fungi, the prevalence of fungal sensitization varies in different hypersensitivity disorders due to factors related to geographic areas, age, and other underlying medical conditions. There were no studies linking seven genera to human disease.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Summary</h3><p>Most of the commercially available fungal extracts are uncommonly associated with hypersensitivity reactions in humans. Specific extracts may be useful in particular disease states such as allergic fungal sinusitis or allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, or when routine testing fails to identify a cause of uncontrolled disease, such as in asthma.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":"57 1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140570916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Has Taught Us About Immunosuppression, Vaccinations, and Immune Dysregulation: The Rheumatology Experience","authors":"","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01139-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-024-01139-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Abstract</h3> <span> <h3>Purpose of Review</h3> <p>This review reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the field of rheumatology, emphasizing resulting insights related to the risks of viral infections in immunosuppressed patients, vaccine immunogenicity in immunocompromised patients, and immune dysregulation in the setting of viral infection.</p> </span> <span> <h3>Recent Findings</h3> <p>During the pandemic, global patient registries provided real-time insights into the risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes in rheumatology patients. Updated evidence-based recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guided rheumatology practice during a time of considerable uncertainty. Studies on COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised populations enhanced our understanding of specific immunosuppressive therapies on vaccine efficacy. The immune dysregulation seen in severe COVID-19 underscored a role for immunomodulation in this and other severe infections. Furthermore, novel post-infectious conditions, namely multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Long COVID, reshaped our understanding of post-viral syndromes and revealed novel pathological mechanisms.</p> </span> <span> <h3>Summary</h3> <p>Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate the power of collaborative research. The scientific revelations from this dreadful time will, nonetheless, benefit the practice of rheumatology for years to come.</p> </span>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140570890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Akilah A Jefferson, Lauren Davidson, Amy M Scurlock, Jessica Stern
{"title":"Food Insecurity and Health Inequities in Food Allergy.","authors":"Akilah A Jefferson, Lauren Davidson, Amy M Scurlock, Jessica Stern","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01134-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01134-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The intersection of food insecurity among those with food allergy is a growing public health concern. Both food allergy and food insecurity have profound implications on health, social, and economic outcomes. The interaction of social determinants of health, poverty, racism, housing insecurity, and access to care has direct impact on individuals with food allergy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>There is increasing evidence that universal screening for food insecurity is vital in the routine care of patients with food allergy. Individuals with food allergy who are also burdened by food insecurity face unique challenges related to the need to maintain dietary modifications often with expensive specialized diets, which are difficult to access. This may lead to limited dietary options, malnutrition, increased financial burden, and social isolation. While there are available resources and support systems that can assist individuals with food allergies in managing food insecurity, there is an increasing need for advocacy and inclusivity in policy frameworks involving multiple stakeholders. Multi-sector efforts involving healthcare providers and advocacy and government agencies are necessary to support policy changes that protect the rights and well-being of individuals affected by food allergy and food insecurity. By increasing awareness, improving access to safe, affordable, allergen-free food, and advocating for policy change, we can work toward ensuring universal access to safe, nutritious food for all individuals, regardless of their food allergy status or socioeconomic background.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"155-160"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139991951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan Laubach, Edwin H Kim, Matthew Greenhawt, Sally Bailey, Aikaterini Anagnostou
{"title":"A Review of Shared Decision-Making, Published Protocols, and Post-desensitization Strategies in Oral Immunotherapy (OIT).","authors":"Susan Laubach, Edwin H Kim, Matthew Greenhawt, Sally Bailey, Aikaterini Anagnostou","doi":"10.1007/s11882-024-01132-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11882-024-01132-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The aim of this review is to highlight key published oral immunotherapy (OIT) protocols and post-desensitization strategies for the major food allergens and to cover important concepts to consider when evaluating OIT for food-allergic patients. Shared decision-making should help identify patient and family values which will help influence the type of evidence-based protocol and maintenance strategy to use.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>With food OIT emerging as a treatment option, there is a pressing need for patients, physicians, and other providers to have a nuanced understanding of the management choices available to them. There are now randomized controlled trials (RCT) of OIT for peanut, egg, milk, and wheat, and reports of cohorts of patients who have undergone OIT for tree nuts and sesame clinically. The current published protocols contain significant diversity in terms of starting dose, build-up schedule, maintenance dose, and even the product used for desensitization. Emerging data can help direct the long-term maintenance strategy for patients on OIT. Based on patient and family values elicited through the shared decision-making process, an OIT protocol may be selected that balances the level of desensitization, potential side effects, frequency of clinic visits, and potential to induce sustained unresponsiveness, among other factors. Once maintenance dosing is reached, most patients will need to maintain regular exposure to the food allergen to remain desensitized. The option to transition to commercial food products with equivalent amounts of food protein as the OIT maintenance dose would simplify the dosing process and perhaps improve palatability as well. Less frequent or decreased OIT dosing can provide practical benefits but may affect the level of desensitization and safety for some patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":55198,"journal":{"name":"Current Allergy and Asthma Reports","volume":" ","pages":"173-197"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11008063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140029629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}