The prevalence, cost and basis of food allergy across Europe

Abstract

The development of effective management strategies to optimize the quality of life for allergic patients is currently hampered by a lack of good quality information. Estimates of how many individuals suffer from food allergy and the major foods involved vary widely and inadequacies of in vitro diagnostics make food challenges the only reliable means of diagnosis in many instances. The EuroPrevall project brings together a multidisciplinary partnership to address these issues. Cohorts spanning the main climatic regions of Europe are being developed in infants through a birth cohort, community surveys in school-age children and adults and an outpatient clinic study. Confirmatory double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge diagnosis is being undertaken using foods as they are eaten with titrated doses to allow no-effect and lowest-observable effect levels for allergenic foods to be determined. The cohorts will also facilitate validation of novel in vitro diagnostics through the development of the EuroPrevall Serum Bank. Complementary studies in Ghana, western Siberia, India and China will allow us to gain insights into how different dietary patterns and exposure to microorganisms affect food allergies. New instruments to assess the socioeconomic impact of food allergy are being developed in the project and their application in the clinical cohorts will allow, for the first time, an assessment to be made of the burden this disease places on allergy sufferers and their communities.

Specific sublingual immunotherapy with peach LTP (Pru p 3). One year treatment: a case report

“…At the moment, only nuts and particularly pepper induce SAO symptoms. It is still unknown if pepper has large amounts of LTP, besides the ability to induce specific IgE mechanism [1]. The decreasing SPT results to Pru p 3 are in agreement with the clinical response.…”

“…Food allergy is an increasing problem in the western countries, confirmed by several studies in children and adult patients [1]. In adult population the prevalence of food allergy varies among geographical areas, possibly in relation to local dietary habits and pollen exposures [2].…”

Potential risk factors of food allergy in children: EuroPrevall project results in Vilnius, Lithuania

“…The prevalence of food allergies in children, especially in younger age, is a major interest, since different studies show that it is higher in adults. Along with all the social and economic implications for public health, the prevention and treatment of adverse reactions to food are becoming a challenge to scientists, doctors, policy makers, and the public [3].…”

Foods that cause adverse reactions and ailments: the EuroPrevall survey results in Vilnius (Lithuania)

“…The prevalence of food allergies in children, especially of younger age, at primary school, is also a major interest, since the studies show it is higher than in adults. Along with all the social and economic implications to public health, prevention and treatment of allergic reactions to foods are becoming a challenge to scientists, doctors, politicians, and the public (5).…”