Efficacy in allergen control and air permeability of different materials used for bed encasement

Evaluation of Der p 10 in a Cohort of European Children: Role of Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Features

Background

Allergy toward the dust mite is steadily increasing on the European continent. This sensitization may be a risk factor for developing sensitization to other mite molecules such as tropomyosin Der p 10. This molecule often correlates with food allergy and the risk of anaphylaxis after ingesting mollusks and shrimps.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed the sensitization profiles by ImmunoCAP ISAC of pediatric patients from 2017 to 2021. The patients under investigation were being followed for atopic disorders such as allergic asthma and food allergies. The study aimed to analyze the prevalence of sensitization toward Der p 10 in our pediatric population and assess the related clinical symptoms and reactions after ingestion of foods containing tropomyosins.

Results

This study included 253 patients; 53% were sensitized toward Der p 1 and Der p 2; 10.4% were also sensitized to Der p 10. Assessing patients sensitized to Der p 1 or Der p 2, and Der p 10, we observed that 78.6% were affected by asthma (p < 0.005) and had a history of prior anaphylaxis after ingestion of shrimp or shellfish (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The component-resolved diagnosis gave us a deeper understanding of patients' molecular sensitization profiles. Our study showed that a fair proportion of children sensitive to Der p 1 or Der p 2 are also sensitive to Der p 10. However, many patients sensitized to all three molecules had a high risk of asthma and anaphylaxis. Therefore, the assessment of Der p 10 sensitization should be considered in atopic patients with sensitization to Der p 1 and Der p 2 to avoid encountering possible adverse reactions after ingesting foods containing tropomyosins.

Human allergy to environmental pet danders: a public health perspective

The prevalence of human allergy to pet danders has increased rapidly over the past six decades, as a consequence of lifestyle changes that have enhanced ambient exposure to pet allergens. This is a problem of global public health importance, as the morbidity associated with allergic diseases disproportionately affects socio-economically disadvantaged populations, particularly children. Although the public often seeks advice from veterinary health-care professionals regarding healthy pet ownership practices, including strategies for reducing residential pet dander exposure, many misconceptions persist in the public domain regarding pet dander allergy, such as the belief that certain dog and cat breeds are 'hypoallergenic' due to their hair/coat type. This review considers the epidemiology of human exposure to the major cat and dog dander allergens, Fel d 1 and Can f 1 respectively, and the sensitization mechanisms to them, including the hygiene hypothesis and the putative role of bacterial endotoxin. The literature regarding primary and secondary exposures in different ambient environments is explored including threshold effects that influence allergen sensitization and elicitation of symptoms, and environmental intervention strategies that seek to reduce allergen exposure. Pet-specific factors, including the aetiopathogenesis of the several cat and dog allergens that have been characterized to the molecular level, individual animal characteristics that influence Fel d 1 and Can f 1 shedding, and pet-directed interventions intended to reduce allergen dispersal, are discussed.