Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 2006
Practice GuidelineFood allergy and the introduction of solid foods to infants: a consensus document. Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
To make recommendations based on a critical review of the evidence for the timing of the introduction of solid foods and its possible role in the development of food allergy. ⋯ Pediatricians and allergists should cautiously individualize the introduction of solids into the infants' diet. With assessed risk of allergy, the optimal age for the introduction of selected supplemental foods should be 6 months, dairy products 12 months, hen's egg 24 months, and peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood at least 36 months. For all infants, complementary feeding can be introduced from the sixth month, and egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood introduction require caution. Foods should be introduced one at a time in small amounts. Mixed foods containing various food allergens should not be given unless tolerance to every ingredient has been assessed.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 2006
Comparative StudyAllergenic contribution of the IgE-reactive domains of the 1,3-beta-glucanase Ole e 9: diagnostic value in olive pollen allergy.
Designing of methods for an accurate diagnosis is a main goal of allergy research. Olive pollen allergy is currently diagnosed using commercially available pollen extracts that do not allow identification of the molecules that elicit the disease. ⋯ Because sensitization to NtD or CtD of Ole e 9 could be correlated to vegetable food-latex-pollen cross-reactivity processes or to the exacerbation and persistence of asthma, respectively, these molecules could be used in vitro as markers of disease to classify patients and to design a patient-tailored immunotherapy approach.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRandomized trial of a comprehensive asthma education program after an emergency department visit.
Patients with asthma who visit the emergency department (ED) may benefit from education that optimizes self-management and treatment. ⋯ Delivery of a comprehensive AE program after an ED visit was ineffective in adult patients; however, it may be effective in children. Further research on alternative AE delivery strategies appears warranted to reduce the burden of asthma visits to the ED.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 2006
Relationship between childhood atopy and wheeze: what mediates wheezing in atopic phenotypes?
The nature of the relationship between childhood wheeze and atopy remains uncertain. ⋯ In many respects, chronic childhood atopy is the atopic phenotype associated with the most significant forms of childhood wheezing. In such children, heritable drive, allergens, and synergy with other environmental triggers seem to be crucial determinants of wheeze onset. Where such sensitization is absent, numerous environmental factors plus genetic predisposition may assume importance for wheezing.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jul 2006
Dose counting and the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers: running on empty.
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are the cornerstone of asthma treatment. The pMDI is an economic and portable medication delivery system, but the device does not indicate how much medicine remains in the canister once a patient starts using it. ⋯ Patients do not have a reliable means of monitoring the contents of their metered-dose inhalers, which is causing serious problems that need to be addressed. Given the necessity of a reliable dose counting method, it is clear that manufacturers should include dose counters as a standard feature of every metered-dose inhaler.