We characterized the fatty acid profiles in the erythrocyte membrane of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving highly concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation (Tridocosahexanoin-AOX® 70%) at 50 mg/kg/day (n = 11) or matching placebo (n = 11) for 12 months. The mean age was 11.7 years. The DHA group showed a statistically significant improvement in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which was observed as early as 6 months and further increased at 12 months. Among the n-3 PUFAs, there was a significant increase in DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in n-6 PUFAs was found, primarily due to a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) levels and elongase 5 activity. However, we did not observe any changes in linoleic acid levels. The long-term administration of DHA over one year was safe and well tolerated. In summary, the administration of a high-rich DHA supplement at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for one year can correct erythrocyte AA/DHA imbalance and reduce fatty acid inflammatory markers. However, it is important to note that essential fatty acid alterations cannot be fully normalized with this treatment. These data provide timely information of essential fatty acid profile for future comparative research.
Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising approach to cow’s milk and egg allergies, but reactions are frequent and some patients cannot be desensitized.
Objective: To evaluate long-term OIT outcomes with omalizumab (OMZ) in paediatric patients with severe egg and/or milk allergies.
Methods: This retrospective real-life study analysed findings in children with Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy to cow’s milk and/or hen eggs refractory to conventional OIT, who underwent OIT with OMZ in our department between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015.
Results: In all, 41 patients were included (median age: 7 years; interquartile range [IQR]: 5.5–9.5); 26/41 (63.4%) underwent OIT for milk, 8/41 (19.5%) for egg and 7/41 (17.1%) for both. The median time between initiation of OMZ and OIT was 27 weeks (IQR: 22–33). Forty (97.56%) patients reached the maintenance phase (200 mL of cow’s milk and 30 mL of raw egg or 1 cooked egg) in a median time of 27 weeks (IQR: 18–37). The median total time with OMZ was 117 weeks (IQR: 88–144). During the OMZ period, 2.44% (1/41) of patients presented anaphylaxis. After discontinuation of OMZ, 29.3% (12/41) presented anaphylaxis, 50% of them had a poor adherence to daily ingestion. One patient (2.44%) was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis after 2 years of discontinuation of OMZ. Currently, after a median time of 9 years (IQR: 7–10) since the initiation of OMZ, 75.6% (31/41) are desensitized (27/31 without OMZ).
Conclusions: Omalizumab allows desensitisation of children with severe allergies to cow’s milk and/or egg without developing severe reactions while receiving this treatment. However, discontinuation of OMZ leads to severe allergic reactions, and hence must be monitored carefully.
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