Genetic engineering offers great potential for developing peanut cultivars resistant to a broad spectrum of pathogens that pose a recurring threat to peanut health. In an effort to improve the disease resistance of peanuts, three transgenic peanut lines were developed. Somatic embryos of the peanut cultivar Okrun were transformed by inserting a chitinase gene from rice and/or a β-1-3-glucanase ...

BACKGROUND Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a widely cross-reacting plant pan-allergen, and sensitized patients may react to many foods. Although peanut allergy is frequently reported by LTP-allergic patients, the evidence of the presence of an allergen homologous to LTP in peanuts is limited. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of peanut allergy in patients sensitized to LTP, detect any allerg...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of peanut allergy has increased in developed countries, but little is known about developing countries with high peanut consumption and widespread parasitic infections. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate peanut allergy in Ghana. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey among Ghanaian schoolchildren (n = 1604), data were collected on reported adverse reactions to peanut,...

Peanut allergy affects 1-2% of the world's population. It is dangerous, and usually lifelong, and it greatly decreases the life quality of peanut-allergic individuals and their families. In a word, peanut allergy has become a major health concern worldwide. Thirteen peanut allergens are identified, and they are briefly introduced in this paper. Although there is no feasible solution to peanut a...

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...