BACKGROUND Many children develop a sensitization to peanut in early infancy, even before peanut is introduced in their diet. Sensitization is particularly common in young children with eczema. There have been scant data available to date on the sensitization pattern for specific peanut allergens in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate the allergen profile of infants and ...

BACKGROUND Peanut allergy is a major public health problem that affects 1% of the population and has no effective therapy. OBJECTIVE To examine the safety and efficacy of oral desensitization in peanut-allergic children in combination with a brief course of anti-IgE mAb (omalizumab [Xolair]). METHODS We performed oral peanut desensitization in peanut-allergic children at high risk for devel...

BACKGROUND We tested the hypothesis that specific molecular sensitization patterns correlate with the clinical data/manifestation in a European peanut-allergic population characterized under a common protocol. METHODS Sixty-eight peanut-allergic subjects and 82 tolerant controls from 11 European countries were included. Allergy to peanut and lowest symptom-eliciting dose was established by do...

household cleaning agents (such as Formula 409 or even plain water) were used; however, dishwashing liquid left Ara h1 on 4 of 12 tables (possibly by leaving a film). Six schools were assessed without special prior preparation (2 used peanut-free tables/preparation areas, and 1 was totally peanut-free). Of the 6 preschools and schools evaluated, Ara h1 was found on 1 of 13 water fountains (130 ...

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of severe peanut allergy is difficult and delays in making an accurate diagnosis may place the patient at risk. Adults with a history of anaphylaxis must strictly avoid any contact with peanuts or products that may contain traces of peanuts. For these persons, conventional evaluations with skin prick testing (SPT) and IgE tests may not be sufficient to assess the risk of an...

BACKGROUND Peanut allergy is an important public health problem in western countries. However, the risk factors associated with this allergy remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the consumption of peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a risk factor for peanut allergy in infants. METHODS We enrolled 403 infants in a case-control study. The cases were infants aged 18 month...

The physicochemical and sensory properties of peanut spreads fortified with soy flour were studied. Peanut spreads were replaced by whole soybean flour and soy nut flour at 0, 5, 15, 20 and 30% (w/w). All samples were analyzed for fat, protein, sugar, moisture content, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, hardness and sensory characteristics. Replacing peanut spread with soy flour had significant effect...

Peanut allergy is one of the commonest food hypersensitivities causing fatal or near-fatal reactions. There is, currently, no preventive treatment and the incidence of severe allergic reactions during peanut desensitisation has limited its clinical use. Anti-immunoglobulin E therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing peanut-induced reactions but it does not result in long-term toleran...

The host suitability to Ditylenchus destructor of seven common weed species in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) fields in South Africa was determined. Based on the number of nematodes per root unit, white goosefoot (Chenopodium album), feathertop chloris (Chloris virgata), purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), jimson weed (Datura stramonium), goose grass (Eleusine indica), khaki weed (Tagetes minuta), a...

Water and reusable medical device surfaces can be contaminated by natural toxins such as ricin either accidentally or intentionally. This report focuses on the removal of peanut lectin (PL), a ricin surrogate, from water and reusable medical devices and materials. An ELISA assay was used to determine if commercially available water filters could remove peanut lectin from water, and if commercia...