Morten Osterballe

Standardization of food challenges in patients with immediate reactions to foods – position paper from the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology

At present, the double blind placebo controlled foodchallenge(DBPCFC)representstheonlywaytoestablishorruleoutanadversereactiontoafoodinolderchildrenand adults, whereas an open challenge controlled bytrained personnel is sufficient in infants and youngchildren (1). The challenge procedure is not, however,C.Bindslev-Jensen

The prevalence of food hypersensitivity in an unselected population of children and adults

A rising prevalence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) and severe allergic reactions to food has been reported the last decade. To estimate the prevalence of FHS to the most common allergenic foods in an unselected population of children and adults. We investigated a cohort of 111 children <3 yr of age, 486 children 3 yr of age, 301 children older than 3 yr of age and 936 adults by questionnaire, skin prick test, histamine release test and specific immunoglobulin E followed by oral challenge to the most common allergenic foods. In total, 698 cases of possible FHS were recorded in 304 (16.6%) participants. The prevalence of FHS confirmed by oral challenge was 2.3% in the children 3 yr of age, 1% in children older than 3 yr of age and 3.2% in adults. The most common allergenic foods were hens egg affecting 1.6% of the children 3 yr of age and peanut in 0.4% of the adults. Of the adults, 0.2% was allergic to codfish and 0.3% to shrimp, whereas no challenges with codfish and shrimp were positive in the children. The prevalence of clinical reactions to pollen‐related foods in pollen‐sensitized adults was estimated to 32%. This study demonstrates the prevalence of FHS confirmed by oral challenge to the most common allergenic foods in an unselected population of children and adults.

Can we determine a threshold level for allergenic foods by statistical analysis of published data in the literature

Background:  The aim of this paper was to investigate whether a statistical model could be developed to estimate a “threshold” dose for foods eliciting allergic reactions in susceptible patients. The threshold dose is defined to be one that elicits allergic reactions in a given (small) proportion of susceptible patients, using data from published studies.

The Prevalence of food hypersensitivity in young adults

A rising prevalence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) and severe allergic reactions to foods have been reported in the last decade. However, little is known on the prevalence in young adults. This study estimated the prevalence of FHS to the most common allergenic foods in an unselected population of young adults. We investigated a cohort of 1272 young adults 22 years of age by questionnaire, skin prick test (SPT) and histamin release (HR) followed by oral challenge to the most common allergenic foods. FHS was divided into primary and secondary FHS. Primary FHS was defined as being independent of pollen sensitization, whereas secondary FHS was defined as reactions to pollen related fruits and vegetables in pollen allergic patients. The questionnaire was returned by 77.1%. Primary FHS was reported by 19.6% and secondary FHS by 16.7% of the participants. Confirmed primary FHS by oral challenge was 1.7% [1.1% ‐ 2.95%]. In primary FHS, the most common allergenic food was peanut (0.6%) followed by additives (0.5%), shrimp (0.2%), codfish (0.1%), cow’s milk (0.1%), octopus (0.1%) and soy (0.1%). In secondary FHS, kiwi allergy was reported by 7.8% of the participants followed by hazelnut (6.6%), pineapple (4.4%), apple (4.3%), orange (4.2%), tomato (3.8%), peach (3.0%) and brazil nut (2.7%). This study found a 1.7% [1.1% ‐ 2.95%] prevalence of primary FHS confirmed by oral challenge to the most common allergenic foods in an unselected population of young adults.

The clinical relevance of sensitization to pollen-related fruits and vegetables in unselected pollen-sensitized adults

Background:  Previous studies have described cross‐reactivity between fresh fruits, vegetables and pollen. However, no data demonstrates the clinical relevance of sensitization to pollen‐related fruits and vegetables in unselected pollen‐sensitized adults with and without symptoms in the pollen season.

Diagnostic value of scratch-chamber test, skin prick test, histamine release and specific IgE in birch-allergic patients with oral allergy syndrome to apple

Background: The aim of the study was to examine the diagnostic value of skin prick test (SPT), scratch‐chamber test (SCT), histamine release (HR) and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in birch‐allergic patients with oral allergy syndrome to apple.

Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers: an analysis of patch test data from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group, 2002 - 2011

Occupational contact dermatitis among hairdressers is frequent, owing to daily exposure to irritants and allergens.

Occupational contact dermatitis in blue-collar workers: results from a multicentre study from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (2003–2012)

Blue‐collar workers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis, but epidemiological studies are scarce.

Positive nickel patch tests in infants are of low clinical relevance and rarely reproducible

We have previously reported patch test reactivity to nickel sulphate in a cohort of unselected infants tested repeatedly at 3–18 months of age. A reproducible positive reaction at 12 and 18 months was selected as a sign of nickel sensitivity provided a patch test with an empty Finn chamber was negative. A reproducible positive reaction was seen in 8.6% of the infants. The objective of this study is to follow‐up on infants with alleged nickel sensitivity.

Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers

Occupational contact dermatitis among hairdressers is frequent, owing to daily exposure to irritants and allergens.