Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research最新文献

Purpose: Studies on the longitudinal clinical features of asthma or allergic comorbidities in children are limited. We aimed to examine the trajectories of asthma and allergic comorbidities and determine whether these trajectories differ according to clinical asthma phenotypes from birth to adolescence.

Methods: We enrolled 958 children with physician-diagnosed asthma from the Korean childhood Asthma Study (KAS) cohort. Children with asthma were classified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Information on the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases before cohort entry was collected through linkage with national claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

Results: In the KAS cohort, approximately half had a history of atopic dermatitis (AD) before infancy, with its prevalence gradually decreasing during adolescence. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) increased with age. The prevalence of asthma increased during early childhood and decreased during adolescence. According to the natural progression of asthma, AD, and AR trajectories, 4 distinctive phenotypes were identified using latent class analysis: "almost controlled," "early-onset asthma with AD and late-onset AR," "early-onset asthma only," and "intermediate-onset asthma and late-onset AR." Four distinct clinical trajectory patterns of asthma, AD, and AR were identified among the 4 cluster phenotypes based on baseline characteristics. Cluster 1 comprised male-dominant, atopic asthma with early-onset AD and late-onset AR. Cluster 2 included early-onset, atopic asthma with AD" persistent into adolescence. Cluster 3 encompassed "puberty-onset, female-dominant atopic asthma" with early-onset and low remission rates. Cluster 4 comprised "early-onset asthma with less atopic features" and the lowest comorbidities of AD and AR.

Conclusions: The longitudinal trajectories of asthma and allergic comorbidities in Korean children can be classified into distinct clusters. Most phenotypes exhibited early-onset asthma with a varying prevalence of comorbidities. The persistence of AD, rather than its onset age, determines the phenotype.

Purpose: Crustacean shellfish is one of the eight most common food allergens, and crayfish is a highly valued shellfish species for consumption in China. However, the detailed allergen profile of crayfish remains unknown, with only four allergen groups reported in the WHO/IUIS allergen nomenclature database. In this study we aimed to identify novel allergens based on the Procambarus clarkii genome and to reveal its allergen profile for developing better diagnostic tools and treatments.

Methods: We assembled the crayfish genome using both long-read and short-read sequencing data and identified putative allergens using the BLAST algorithm based on sequence homology. We employed bioinformatics tools to investigate the expression levels, gene structure, and synteny of these putative allergens. We also applied indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using patients' sera to determine allergenicity and utilized proteomic methods to identify novel allergens.

Results: We identified a total of 11 putative allergen groups, including all isoforms or homologs for each allergen group based on the genome and three putative allergens by using 2-dimensional (2D) mass spectrometry. We identified 2 novel allergens, pPro c 3.0301 and pPro c 6.0201, with immunoglobulin E reactivity of 33.3% and 20%, respectively.

Conclusions: By providing a comprehensive understanding of the complete allergen profile, our study presents a foundation for comprehending P. clarkii-associated allergy. The knowledge could facilitate the implementation of a components-resolved diagnostic test and preventive immunotherapy based on molecular allergens for crayfish allergy.

This review focuses on the skin barrier function in neonates and infants, emphasizing the structural and functional differences compared to adult skin. Neonatal and infant skin is thinner, more permeable, and less developed, which makes it more vulnerable to irritants, infections, and dehydration. Additionally, the critical role of skin pH in maintaining barrier function is discussed, noting significant changes in pH levels during early life. This review also examines the relationship between the onset of atopic dermatitis and skin barrier function, underscoring the importance of maintaining skin barrier integrity from birth to reduce the risk of atopic diseases. Finally, recommendations are offered for skincare practices in neonates and infants, emphasizing the use of mild, fragrance-free products and the importance of tailoring skincare regimens to meet the specific needs of each neonate or infant.

Purpose: Metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, have been linked to an increased risk of asthma. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), a metric indicating metabolic dysfunction, exhibits correlations with metabolic syndrome and IR. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between TyG and asthma in the pediatric population. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between TyG and asthma among adolescents.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2012 was analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The association between TyG and asthma was evaluated using various statistical methods, including multivariate logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, threshold effects analysis, and subgroup analysis.

Results: A total of 1,629 adolescent participants were enrolled in the study, consisting of 878 (53.9%) males and 751 females (46.1%), with a mean age of 15.5 years. After adjusting for all covariates in the multivariate logistic regression, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for TyG and asthma in the highest quintile (Q5, > 8.65) was 4.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54, 11.81; P = 0.005) compared to the TyG in the second quintile (Q2, 7.68-7.96). Additionally, the multivariate RCS analysis revealed a non-linear relationship between TyG and asthma (P = 0.003). In the threshold analysis, the adjusted OR of asthma was 0.001 (95% CI, 0, 0.145; P = 0.007) in participants with a TyG < 7.78, and the adjusted OR of asthma was 3.685 (95% CI, 1.499, 9.058; P = 0.004) in participants with a TyG ≥ 7.78. Subgroup analysis did not show any interactive role for TyG and asthma.

Conclusions: In US adolescents, a U-shaped association was observed between asthma and the TyG, with a critical turning point identified at around 7.78.

Purpose: The combination therapy of leukotriene receptor antagonists and antihistamines may alleviate allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms better than monotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Monterizine^®, a fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine, compared to montelukast monotherapy in pediatric patients with AR.

Methods: One hundred seventy-six children aged 6 to 14 years with perennial AR symptoms were recruited. One hundred forty-seven subjects were randomized into 1 of 2 groups: the mont+levo group (fixed-dose combination of montelukast [5 mg] + levocetirizine [5 mg]) or the mont group (montelukast single agent [5 mg]). Study subjects took the treatment every evening for 4 weeks and recorded their daytime nasal symptom score (DNSS) and nighttime nasal symptom score (NNSS) in a diary every day. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded, and patients were surveyed as to their overall satisfaction with the therapeutic product they received.

Results: When DNSS and NNSS were assessed individually, daytime nasal congestion symptom scores decreased more in the mont+levo group during the 4-week treatment period than in the mont group (P = 0.0341). The daytime rhinorrhea symptom scores also decreased more in the mont+levo group (P = 0.0469). The nighttime nasal congestion score (severity when awake) decreased more in the mont+levo group than in the mont group (P = 0.0381). Study subjects in the mont+levo group experienced a greater improvement in quality of life than subjects in the mont group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The combination therapy of montelukast and levocetirizine was more effective in reducing both daytime nasal symptoms (nasal congestion and rhinorrhea) and nighttime nasal symptoms (severity of nasal congestion when awake). With fewer AEs and higher overall satisfaction, combination therapy is recommended for pediatric patients with perennial AR.

A growing number of individuals are developing allergic diseases due to pollen exposure. Seasonal variations and increased pollen concentrations have occurred with the increased rates of allergic sensitization among both children and adults. Temperature significantly influences pollination, particularly in spring- and early summer-flowering plants, with weather conditions affecting pollen allergen levels. Human activities, including agriculture and deforestation, increase carbon emissions, leading to higher atmospheric CO₂ levels that may enhance allergenic plant productivity. Climate change affects the range of allergenic plant species and length of pollen season. Studies indicate that higher CO₂ and temperature levels are linked to increased pollen concentrations and allergenicity, whereas atmospheric fungal concentrations have declined annually over the past 25 years. Despite more intense precipitation in summer and autumn, the number of rainy days has decreased across all seasons. This concentration of rainfall over shorter periods likely prolongs the dry season and shortens the period of fungal sporulation. Future climate changes, including atmospheric dryness, drought, and desertification could further decrease allergenic fungal sporulation. It remains unclear whether the inverse relationship between pollen and fungal concentrations and distributions directly results from climate change. It is crucial to evaluate the patterns of aeroallergens and their associated health risks.

A variety of immune cells in the nasal tissue are involved in the immunopathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. T cells play a pivotal role in orchestrating immune dysregulation in CRS by producing key cytokines. Recent studies have expanded the understanding of T cell biology across the inflammatory endotypes of CRS. This review summarizes current knowledge on the multifaceted roles of T cells in the pathophysiology of CRS. Particularly, we highlight the alterations in phenotypes and functions of various T cell subsets in CRS. Additionally, as functional studies of effector and regulatory T cell populations have revealed potential translational targets, we suggest perspectives for future research into T cell-oriented therapeutic strategies for CRS.

Purpose: The etiology and pathophysiology of vaccine-associated chronic urticaria (CU) remain unclear, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the global burden and long-term trends of vaccine-associated CU, with a focus on the associated vaccines and the distribution of cases across different age groups and sexes.

Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization international pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase), which encompasses reports from 156 countries and territories between 1968 and 2023, we systematically analyzed the global burden and long-term trends in vaccine-associated CU reports (total individual case safety reports = 131,255,418). We estimated the global and regional reports, information component (IC) with IC_0.25 using disproportionality analyses, and reporting odds ratio (ROR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to investigate the potential associations between 27 vaccines and CU.

Results: Among the 3,474 reports of all-cause CU, 1,898 vaccine-associated CU reports were identified between 2010 and 2023. A dramatic surge in vaccine-associated CU reports has been observed since 2020, primarily driven by the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were associated with the most CU reports (ROR, 26.52 [95% CI, 24.33-28.90]; IC, 3.18 [IC_0.25, 3.10]), followed by papillomavirus (ROR, 4.23 [95% CI, 2.55-7.03]; IC, 1.93 [IC_0.25, 1.06]), influenza (ROR, 3.09 [95% CI, 2.16-4.43]; IC, 1.57 [IC_0.25, 0.96]), Ad5-vectored COVID-19 (ROR, 2.82 [95% CI, 2.40-3.31]; IC, 1.42 [IC_0.25, 1.16]), and zoster vaccines (ROR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.32-3.93]; IC, 1.12 [IC_0.25, 0.18]). These increased risks were particularly pronounced for males and older adults. No fatal outcomes have been reported in vaccine-associated CU.

Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of clinicians considering the potential risk factors associated with vaccine-associated CU, especially in the context of COVID-19-related vaccines. Ongoing pharmacovigilance efforts facilitated by robust reporting systems are required to further validate our findings.