Immunologic Features of Infants with Milk or Egg Allergy Enrolled in an Observational Study (Consortium of Food Allergy Research) of Food Allergy
05/2010
Journal Article
Authors:
Sicherer, S.;
Wood, R.;
Stablein, D.;
Burks, A.;
Liu, A.;
Jones, S.;
Fleischer, D.;
Leung, D.;
Grishin, A.;
Mayer, L.;
Shreffler, W.;
Lindblad, R.;
Sampson, H.
Secondary:
J Allergy Clin Immunol
Volume:
125
Pagination:
1077-1083 e1078
URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20451041
Keywords:
allergens; Arachis hypogaea; Dermatitis; Egg Hypersensitivity; Female; Immunoglobulin E; Infant; Interleukin-4; Leukocytes; Male; Milk Hypersensitivity; Peanut Hypersensitivity; Research NIH Extramural; Risk Factors; Skin Tests
Abstract:
{BACKGROUND: Immune features of infants with food allergy have not been delineated. OBJECTIVES: We sought to explore the basic mechanisms responsible for food allergy and identify biomarkers, such as skin prick test (SPT) responses, food-specific IgE levels, and mononuclear cell responses, in a cohort of infants with likely milk/egg allergy at increased risk of peanut allergy. METHODS: Infants aged 3 to 15 months were enrolled with a positive SPT response to milk or egg and either a corresponding convincing clinical history of allergy to milk or egg or moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Infants with known peanut allergy were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, 512 infants (67% male) were studied, with 308 (60%) having a history of a clinical reaction. Skin test responses, detectable food-specific IgE, or both revealed sensitization as follows: milk, 78%; egg, 89%; and peanut, 69%. SPT responses and food-specific IgE levels were discrepant for peanut (15% for IgE > or = 0.35 kU(A)/L and negative SPT response vs 8% for positive SPT response and IgE <0.35 kU(A)/L
