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Nutrients Jun 2023Shellfish, including various species of mollusks (e.g., mussels, clams, and oysters) and crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, prawn, lobster, and crab), have been a keystone of... (Review)
Review
Shellfish, including various species of mollusks (e.g., mussels, clams, and oysters) and crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, prawn, lobster, and crab), have been a keystone of healthy dietary recommendations due to their valuable protein content. In parallel with their consumption, allergic reactions related to shellfish may be increasing. Adverse reactions to shellfish are classified into different groups: (1) Immunological reactions, including IgE and non-IgE allergic reactions; (2) non-immunological reactions, including toxic reactions and food intolerance. The IgE-mediated reactions occur within about two hours after ingestion of the shellfish and range from urticaria, angioedema, nausea, and vomiting to respiratory signs and symptoms such as bronchospasm, laryngeal oedema, and anaphylaxis. The most common allergenic proteins involved in IgE-mediated allergic reactions to shellfish include tropomyosin, arginine kinase, myosin light chain, sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, troponin c, and triosephosphate isomerase. Over the past decades, the knowledge gained on the identification of the molecular features of different shellfish allergens improved the diagnosis and the potential design of allergen immunotherapy for shellfish allergy. Unfortunately, immunotherapeutic studies and some diagnostic tools are still restricted in a research context and need to be validated before being implemented into clinical practice. However, they seem promising for improving management strategies for shellfish allergy. In this review, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of shellfish allergies in children are presented. The cross-reactivity among different forms of shellfish and immunotherapeutic approaches, including unmodified allergens, hypoallergens, peptide-based, and DNA-based vaccines, are also addressed.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Child; Shellfish Hypersensitivity; Food Hypersensitivity; Shellfish; Mollusca; Allergens
PubMed: 37375617
DOI: 10.3390/nu15122714 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Shellfish is a leading cause of food allergy and anaphylaxis worldwide. Recent advances in molecular characterization have led to a better understanding of the allergen... (Review)
Review
Shellfish is a leading cause of food allergy and anaphylaxis worldwide. Recent advances in molecular characterization have led to a better understanding of the allergen profile. High sequence homology between shellfish species and between shellfish and house dust mites leads to a high serological cross-reactivity, which does not accurately correlate with clinical cross-reactions. Clinical manifestations are immediate and the predominance of perioral symptoms is a typical feature of shellfish allergy. Diagnosis, as for other food allergies, is based on SPTs and specific IgE, while the gold standard is DBPCFC. Cross-reactivity between shellfish is common and therefore, it is mandatory to avoid all shellfish. New immunotherapeutic strategies based on hypoallergens and other innovative approaches represent the new frontiers for desensitization.
Topics: Humans; Child; Shellfish Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Shellfish; Food Hypersensitivity; Seafood; Allergens
PubMed: 37513530
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143112 -
Genes Nov 2023Allergy to shellfishes, including mollusks and crustaceans, is a growing health concern worldwide. Crustacean shellfish is one of the "Big Eight" allergens designated by... (Review)
Review
Allergy to shellfishes, including mollusks and crustaceans, is a growing health concern worldwide. Crustacean shellfish is one of the "Big Eight" allergens designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is the major cause of food-induced anaphylaxis. Shrimp is one of the most consumed crustaceans triggering immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Over the past decades, the allergen repertoire of shrimp has been unveiled based on conventional immunodetection methods. With the availability of genomic data for penaeid shrimp and other technological advancements like transcriptomic approaches, new shrimp allergens have been identified and directed new insights into their expression levels, cross-reactivity, and functional impact. In this review paper, we summarize the current knowledge on shrimp allergens, as well as allergens from other crustaceans and mollusks. Specific emphasis is put on the genomic information of the shrimp allergens, their protein characteristics, and cross-reactivity among shrimp and other organisms.
Topics: United States; Animals; Humans; Allergens; Shellfish; Mollusca; Hypersensitivity; Penaeidae; Genomics
PubMed: 38136967
DOI: 10.3390/genes14122145 -
Nutrients Jan 2024Food allergy represents a failure of oral tolerance mechanisms to dietary antigens. Over the past few years, food allergies have become a growing public health problem... (Review)
Review
Food allergy represents a failure of oral tolerance mechanisms to dietary antigens. Over the past few years, food allergies have become a growing public health problem worldwide. Gut microbiota is believed to have a significant impact on oral tolerance to food antigens and in initiation and maintenance of food allergies. Therefore, probiotics have also been proposed in this field as a possible strategy for modulating both the gut microbiota and the immune system. In recent years, results from preclinical and clinical studies suggest a promising role for probiotics in food allergy prevention and treatment. However, future studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of action of probiotics in food allergies and to design comparable study protocols using specific probiotic strains, defined doses and exposure times, and longer follow-up periods.
Topics: Child; Humans; Food Hypersensitivity; Cognition; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Probiotics; Public Health
PubMed: 38257190
DOI: 10.3390/nu16020297 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jul 2023Food is one of the most common elicitors of anaphylaxis, with an increasing incidence over recent years.
BACKGROUND
Food is one of the most common elicitors of anaphylaxis, with an increasing incidence over recent years.
OBJECTIVES
To characterize elicitor-specific phenotypes and identify factors enhancing the risk or severity of food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA).
METHODS
We analyzed data from the European Anaphylaxis Registry applying an age- and sex-matched analysis of associations (Cramer's V) for single food triggers and calculated odds ratios (ORs) for severe FIA.
RESULTS
We identified 3,427 cases of confirmed FIA showing an age-dependent elicitor ranking (for children: peanut, cow's milk, cashew, and hen's egg; and for adults: wheat flour, shellfish, hazelnut, and soy). The age- and sex-matched analysis revealed defined symptom patterns for wheat and cashew. Wheat-induced anaphylaxis was more frequently associated with cardiovascular symptoms (75.7%; Cramer's V = 0.28) and cashew-induced anaphylaxis with gastrointestinal symptoms (73.9%; Cramer's V = 0.20). Furthermore, concomitant atopic dermatitis was slightly associated with anaphylaxis to hen's egg (Cramer's V = 0.19) and exercise was strongly associated with anaphylaxis to wheat (Cramer's V = 0.56). Additional factors influencing the severity were alcohol intake in wheat anaphylaxis (OR = 3.23; CI, 1.31-8.83) and exercise in peanut anaphylaxis (OR = 1.78; CI, 1.09-2.95).
CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that FIA is age-dependent. In adults, the range of elicitors inducing FIA is broader. For some elicitors, the severity of FIA seems to be related to the elicitor. These data require confirmation in future studies considering a clear differentiation between augmentation and risk factors in FIA.
Topics: Cattle; Humans; Female; Animals; Anaphylaxis; Food Hypersensitivity; Chickens; Flour; Triticum; Allergens; Registries; Arachis
PubMed: 36990430
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.03.026 -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Oct 2023The prevalence of food allergies varies by country, as does each country's food allergen labeling. While labeling laws may vary by country, most follow the Codex... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of food allergies varies by country, as does each country's food allergen labeling. While labeling laws may vary by country, most follow the Codex Alimentarius. Even developing countries have some degree of labeling guidelines for food allergies, but it is highly developed countries that tend to implement stricter labeling regulations to protect their citizens and tourists. Different organizations, both domestic and international, such as Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), work to advance food allergen labeling laws around the globe. Eating out and traveling can be anxiety-provoking for people with food allergies, especially when traveling to international destinations. Furthermore, experiences that young children, teenagers, and parents have with food allergies can have psychosocial and social impacts. To evaluate food allergen labeling laws across the globe, official legal documents outlining the laws pertaining to foods and allergen food labeling were reviewed for each respective country or region. These were organized according to continent, then region or country. The majority of countries require that major food groups be listed on food labels, including milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, treenuts, fish, and shellfish. There are individual variations across regions depending on staples in respective diets. With increasing rates of food allergies worldwide, legislative action is needed to ensure that people living with food allergies can more safely purchase and consume foods. Until then, the work of avoiding accidental ingestions and anaphylaxis remains primarily with the individual, who must educate themselves on labeling laws and implement other protective measures.
PubMed: 37160543
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08960-6 -
The Plant Genome Dec 2023In addition to the challenge of meeting global demand for food production, there are increasing concerns about food safety and the need to protect consumer health from... (Review)
Review
In addition to the challenge of meeting global demand for food production, there are increasing concerns about food safety and the need to protect consumer health from the negative effects of foodborne allergies. Certain bio-molecules (usually proteins) present in food can act as allergens that trigger unusual immunological reactions, with potentially life-threatening consequences. The relentless working lifestyles of the modern era often incorporate poor eating habits that include readymade prepackaged and processed foods, which contain additives such as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy-based products, rather than traditional home cooking. Of the predominant allergenic foods (soybean, wheat, fish, peanut, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, and milk), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are the best characterized source of allergens, followed by tree nuts (Juglans regia, Prunus amygdalus, Corylus avellana, Carya illinoinensis, Anacardium occidentale, Pistacia vera, Bertholletia excels), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybeans (Glycine max), and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The prevalence of food allergies has risen significantly in recent years including chance of accidental exposure to such foods. In contrast, the standards of detection, diagnosis, and cure have not kept pace and unfortunately are often suboptimal. In this review, we mainly focus on the prevalence of allergies associated with peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soybean, and kidney bean, highlighting their physiological properties and functions as well as considering research directions for tailoring allergen gene expression. In particular, we discuss how recent advances in molecular breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing can be used to develop potential low allergen food crops that protect consumer health.
Topics: Animals; Food Hypersensitivity; Nuts; Arachis; Allergens; Glycine max; Crops, Agricultural
PubMed: 37641460
DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20375