Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) has been reported in one-third of children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To identify factor associated with food allergy among preschool children with AD, and to compare AD resolution between preschool children with and without FA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using database registry and questionnaire interview was conducted at Siriraj Hospital(Bangkok, Thailand) during 2022, and physician-diagnosed AD children aged ≤ 6 years were enrolled...

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with different outcomes. For children with asthma at the age of 7 years, 67-75% are symptom-free as adults. Data on the important link between childhood and adult asthma are sparse. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate factors associated with persistence of childhood asthma over three years of follow-up by linking data between Korea childhood Asthma Study (KAS) and their matched claims data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA)...

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract is the primary target of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, nasal immune responses act as the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the immune responses of human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) upon stimulation with a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. This candidate named RBD-NPs is composed of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) encapsulated within the N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (TMC-NPs)...

BACKGROUND: Selecting optimal biologics based on type 2 biomarkers has been of interest in severe asthma treatment. However, few direct biomarker stratification-based comparisons have been made. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, benralizumab), omalizumab, and dupilumab in reducing the number of hospitalizations from asthma and exacerbations across all and eosinophil-stratified subgroups. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Organization database (2016-2020) was performed...

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction with rising incidence worldwide. Young children's limited ability to express symptoms adds unique diagnostic challenges. OBJECTIVE: To study on anaphylaxis in children, including triggers, symptoms, treatment, atopic status impact, and adrenaline injection time intervals. METHODS: In-patient medical records of children who were diagnosed with anaphylaxis during 2014-2021 were reviewed...

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) of the cannabinoid system is predominantly expressed on immune cells and involved in a diverse range of immune functions. However, the role of CB2 in immunoregulation is still controversial. One of the challenges in the detailed characterization and functional study of CB2 is the lack of CB2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to produce mAbs against a native form of human CB2 using human CB2 expressing mouse myeloma cells as immunogens...

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper; in Chinese) is used as a spice worldwide and is a potentially life-threatening allergenic food source, as first reported by our team in 2005. However, its allergen components are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aim to identify and characterize its major allergen and determine its cross-reactivities with citrus seeds, pistachios, and cashew seeds. METHODS: Ionic exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography were used to isolate the protein components from Sichuan pepper seed...

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is defined as an inflammatory disease of the nose. Nasal corticosteroids (NCS) are one of the most effective drugs used in AR treatment. OBJECTIVE: One of the most important issues in the treatment of AR is patient adherence to NCS. We aimed to evaluate the adherence and attitude of patients with AR to NCS treatment. METHODS: One hundred four patients who were prescribed NCS for AR at any time and who used NCS during the study period were included in the study...

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are a growing public health concern with increasing prevalence and severity. Allergens play significant roles in triggering immune responses and the development of allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the presence and clinical significance of dust mites, storage mites, and predatory mite Cheyletus eruditus(Ce) in household environments. METHODS: A survey of household dust was performed to determine mite occurrence and analyze influencing factors, an analysis of the correlation between mite species and allergic symptoms, and basophil activation triggered by mite allergens...

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in young children. As improved diagnostic tools, allergic tests are inconsistent and limited in predicting anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVE: To explore risk factors for anaphylaxis and to determine practical cut-offs for allergic tests in predicting anaphylaxis. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Children with IgE-mediated CMA were enrolled and divided into three groups (Group 1: non-anaphylaxis; Group 2: GRADE I anaphylaxis; Group 3: GRADE II-IV anaphylaxis that warranted epinephrine)...

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with wheat oral immunotherapy (OIT) difficulties in patients with IgE-mediated wheat allergy have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess factors associated with difficulties in wheat OIT. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from children under 18 years of age with history of IgE-mediated wheat allergy who underwent wheat OIT. The initial specific IgE (sIgE) of wheat and omega-5-gliadin, wheat skin prick test (SPT) sizes, eliciting doses, and adverse reactions during the OIT were evaluated...

BACKGROUND: Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical data regarding such conditions is still limited in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of SCARs in Thai pediatric patients. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 52 patients aged less than 18 years who were diagnosed with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or SJS/TEN overlap during January 2005 to August 2021 at Siriraj Hospital...

BACKGROUND: Food allergies pose serious health risks, including life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, increased morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Wheat allergy is a common concern in Asia. There is growing interest in understanding the potential association between dysregulation of the gut microbiome and the development of food allergies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the gut microbiome of Thai children with wheat allergy and its potential association with allergic responses...

Fish allergy is one of the "big nine" categories of food allergens worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing with the higher demand for this nutritious food source. Fish allergies are a significant health concern as it is a leading cause of food anaphylaxis, accounting for 9% of all deaths from anaphylaxis. The gaps in treating fish allergies at present are the incomplete identification of fish allergens, lack of component-resolved diagnosis of fish allergens in the clinical setting, and the variability in sensitization profiles based on different fish consumption practices...

BACKGROUND: Intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) has a beneficial effect on ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis (AR). To our knowledge, the cost-effectiveness of available INCS for AR with ocular symptoms is yet to be demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of INCSs including Budesonide (BANS), Mometasone furoate (MFNS), Triamcinolone (TANS), and Fluticasone furoate (FFNS) on ocular symptoms associated with AR in the Thai context. METHODS: The percentage of effectiveness in improving total ocular symptoms score (TOSS) was derived from the result of a meta-analysis that estimated the SMD of each INCS treatment compared to placebo as clinical input parameters...

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), the most typical kind of pediatric vasculitis, can also affect adults. Over the last 10 years, research has been increasing on improvements in HSP diagnosis, physiopathology, symptoms, and therapy. Joint involvement is highly frequent in this condition; however, it typically undergoes spontaneous resolution and does not lead to long-term complications. OBJECTIVE: To provide a deeper understanding of the constituting pathogenic mechanisms and clinical presentation of articular involvement, focusing on the effect of neutrophil activation on systemic small vessels...

BACKGROUND: Unintentional exposure is common in children with food allergies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefits of newly developed food allergy application. METHODS: Caregivers of children with confirmed immediate reactions to food were enrolled to use the "Kinchew" application for one month. Kinchew provides the detail of food allergens after typing the name of specific food in the chat box. Then, the app provides the product image and detail of food allergens...

BACKGROUND: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a non-pharmacological intervention in severe asthma with a well-known mechanism of reducing airway smooth muscle. However, its effect on airway inflammation remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of BT on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytokines and chemokines in severe asthma patients before BT, after the first BT, and 12 weeks after BT. METHODS: Ten severe asthma patients were recruited, and BALF was obtained from right lower lobe before BT, after the first BT, and 12 weeks after BT...

BACKGROUND: Food allergy affects the patient's quality of life (QoL) and leads to anxiety and depression. In addition to routine treatment, QoL evaluation should also be performed in patients with food allergies. The validated Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF) and Food Allergy Independent Measure - Adult Form (FAIM-AF) have been well accepted and available in many languages. OBJECTIVE: Translate FAQLQ-AF and FAIM-AF into Thai and perform reliability and validity tests in Thai adult patients with food allergies...

COVID-19 Vaccines, which include mRNA and inactivated vaccines, have been proven effective and safe for infants and children aged more than six months in reducing the severity of the disease, hospitalization, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and death. Nonetheless, the real-world effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing infection is generally lower than in clinical trials due to the emergence of variants of concern, especially the Omicron strains. Despite the availability of vaccines for children, their uptake remains low globally, particularly among parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children...