Update on eczema and food allergy Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga.

Update on eczema and food allergyAssociate Professor Rohan Ameratunga

Update on food allergy

• Food allergen update incl cross-reactivity

• Epidemiology

• Case history: diagnosis including testing

• Type 1 reactions incl anaphylaxis

• Prevention of food allergy

• FA studies in NZ

Adverse Reactions to Food

Toxic (eg. Ciguatera) Non Toxic

Immune Non Immune (Food Allergy) (Food Intolerance)

IgE Non-IgE Enzymatic Chemical Pharmacologic

Unknown Food Aversion(lactase) (histamine)(eg eczema) (eg celiac) (eg.salicylate)

Pathogenesis

IgE Non-IgE Anaphylaxis/angioedemaGastrointestinal anaphylaxisOral Allergy SyndromeEczema Allergic Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Gastritis & Gastroenteritis Dietary protein colitis, proctitis and enteropathy [Celiac Disease]

Food allergens

• When food allergy is confirmed, it usually proves to be restricted to 1 or 2 foods

• Young children: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, and wheat account for about 90% of cases

• Adolescents and adults: peanut, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts account for about 85%

• Cultural variation eg rice in Japan, increasing sesame allergy in NZ and Australia

• Newly recognized allergens incl Anisakis, Lupin

Multiple food allergy

• Food contamination

• Cross reactivity

• Food chemical sensitivity

• True multiple food allergy

Food cross-reactivity

Epidemiology of food allergy

• 20% to 25% of American public report being allergic to one or another food - most such beliefs are incorrect

• Careful studies, with oral challenge, demonstrate food allergy in 2% to 4.0% of the population

• Prevalence higher in children 6%-8%

• 2.3% adolescents in Isle of Wight (0.9% peanut)

• This is consistent with data from around the world.

• No studies conducted in NZ- see later in this talk

• ? Increase in food allergy over the last 20 years

• Patterns of food allergy changing with migration and changes in diet

The prevalence of food allergy: A meta-analysisRona et al JACI Sep 2007

• Papers selected from the literature

• Categorised according to methodology

• Cochrane methodology

• Stringent criteria for inclusion

• Divided according to age group

• Unselected population papers, not enriched populations such as clinic patients

The changing face of food hypersensitivity in an Asian community

Chiang et al Clin Exp Allergy 2007

• Very little data on food allergy in Asia• Different diets• Ethnic makeup Chinese, Indian, Malays, Eurasian• Melting pot: Rapidly changing lifestyle• Increasing westernisation of diet• Previous data indicates Chinese have major issues with fish

and shellfish


• Study centre Kerdang Kerbau children's Hospital outpatient centre

• Methods prospective data on children referred with suspected food allergy

• Spt data collected 2003-2006

• Inclusion compatible history and + spt

• Other allergies documented eczema and allergic rhinitis, asthma


• Spt positive results• Egg 40%• Shellfish 39%• Peanuts 27%• Fish 13%• Cow’s milk 12%• Sesame 9%• Wheat 6%• Soy 3%


• Food introduction• Egg 8.6mo• Fish 6.6mo• Shellfish 12.2mo• Fish introduced at the same time or earlier as

eggs in 83% of children


• Epidemiology






Case history (type 1 reaction)

• Emma aged 18 months• Chronic eczema• Ate peanut butter• Within 5 minutes developed hives, angioedema

and breathing difficulty• Treated appropriately-recovery

Case history (type 1 reaction)

• Managing anaphylaxis

• Useful diagnostic procedures• Long term management plan

• What is her long-term prognosis?

• How common is this problem?

• Is there any specific treatment?

• What is known about FA in NZ?

• Can this problem be prevented?

Pathogenesis

Spectrum of IgE mediated food allergy

• Anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema: classical anaphylactic reaction• Gastrointestinal anaphylaxis: no cutaneous symptoms• Food-dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis• Oral allergy syndrome: include itching of the mouth, and swelling of the

tongues and lips - associated with eating FRESH apple, carrots, hazelnut, bananas, melons

• Eczema: Up to 50% of young children with eczema may have a food allergy trigger

• Milk-allergy has been associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, early satiety, reflux, esophagitis, gastritis, malabsoption, abdominal pain, and bloody stool

Treatment of anaphylaxis

• Keep patient lying flat- risk of sudden death• Elevate legs to assist venous return• Risk of late reactions • Patients should be admitted/observed for at least 6 hours• Serum tryptase 1-2 h after reaction• Fill out ACC form

Adrenaline

• Dose Adults 0.3-0.5 mg Children 0.01 ml/kg 1:1000 ie 10 µg/Kg

• EPI-PEN 0.3 mg• EPI-PEN Jr 0.15mg (8-20Kg)• Syringe, needle and vial of adrenaline• Adrenaline Inhaler- potential problems• IV adrenaline only for cardiac arrest• Twinject- new device

Individuals at increased risk

• Patients with asthma

• Antihypertensives esp blockers

• MAO inhibitors

• Cardiovascular disease

• Pregnancy

Diagnostic procedures

• Short term elimination diets

• Food challenges

• Skin testing

• RAST testing

• Food patch testing

• Novel methods incl peptide microarrays

Diagnostic elimination diets

• Suspected food to be eliminated for 2-3wks

• If no response, consider more stringent diet

• Should be supervised paediatric dietician

• Foods gradually re-introduced

• Trial of Neocate

Skin testing

RAST testing

Food cut-off sensitivity specificity

Egg 6.0 U/ml 61% 92%Milk 15 U/ml 51% 98%Peanut 15.0 U/ml 73% 92%Fish 19.5 U/ml 40% 99%

Wheat > 100 U/ml PPV 60%Soy > 100 U/ml PPV < 50%

Determinants of the severity of a reaction

• Sensitivity (food specific IgE)

• Amount of food consumed

• Digestion: use of antacids

• Absorption rate (slowed by charcoal)

• Co-factors (aspirin, exercise, alcohol)

• Sensitivity can increase with subsequent exposures (memory)


• Epidemiology


• Diagnosis including testing




Food allergy management plan

• Education re foods and avoidance-dietician• Written action plan• MEDIC-ALERT emblem-velcro• Public Health nurses to visit school/daycare• Anaphylaxis video (Allergy NZ)• Follow up RAST testing 6-12 monthly• Food challenge if RAST becomes negative

Self-injectable adrenaline

Anaphylaxis action plan

Fatalities from food allergy

•Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis requiring ER visits - with twice the incidence, and three times the mortality, of anaphylactic reaction to bee stings

•Approx. 125 people die in USA each year

•In Canada 8 people died from food in 1998

•In Australia 5 recent deaths

•? In NZ 1-2 deaths every 1-2 yrs

Risk factors for fatal reactions

• Peanut or tree nut allergy• Previous severe food reaction• Asthmatic- most deaths result from asthma• Adolescent / teen-age• Adrenaline – unavailable or not used early• No Emergency “action plan”• Allergy Un-awareness / Un-educated• “Healthy degree” of anxiety is required

Natural History of food allergy

• Milk and egg allergy improve over time• Once remission occurs, no recurrence• Taste may be an issue• Recent data suggesting milk allergy may persist into adolescence• 20-30% of peanut allergy remits: serial RASTs• Up to 9% of children with tree nut allergy improve

Peanut allergy

• Commonest cause for food allergy death• In Isle of Wight prevalence of sensitization up from 1.3 to 3.2%

from ’89 to ’95• Similar results from random telephone survey in US• 75% of reactions occur on 1st known exposure• Sensitization could occur in utero, breast-feeding or skin contact

(creams with peanut oil)• Either isolated allergy or associated with multiple other food and

aero allergies• Use of peptide arrays• Recombinant RAST tests

Recent studies on peanut allergy

• ?Risk of sensitization by soy formula• ?Risk of sensitization with topical creams eg Caster oil• Small risk with airborne peanut allergen eg aircraft• Boiled peanuts less allergenic than roasted peanuts• Europeans and Americans may be reacting to different

peanut allergens• As little as 100ug can cause reactions eg kissing• Reduction in accidental exposure• Concern about management of peanut anaphylaxis


• Up to 20-30% of peanut allergic children remit• Remission more likely with lower peanut IgE levels• Higher risk of recurrence with infrequent peanut

ingestion• Cross-reactivity with other nuts (or co-sensitization)• Chinese herbal preparation: protection against murine

peanut anaphylaxis

Anti-IgE therapy

• Recent study with TNX 901 showed anti-IgE therapy can markedly improve peanut allergy

• Threshold doses increased from 1/2 peanut to 8 peanuts• Lawsuit- project discontinued• Currently phase 2 study of Omalizumab (Xolair)

Leung et al NEJM 2004


• Peanut desensitisation• Two studies Cambridge and Durham NC• ?


• Epidemiology






The changing epidemiology of food allergyProposed food allergy studies in NZ

Questions

• What is the burden of food allergy?• Can food allergy be prevented?• What services are utilised by patients• What are the gaps in services• What is the response of Gov’t agencies?• Are there any unusual food allergies in NZ?• What is the natural history of food allergy?

Agencies involved in food allergy

• Ministry of health• ARPHS• DHBNZ• Ministry of Education• PHARMAC• MEDSAFE• ACC• Ministry of Trade and Industry• FSANZ• NZFSA• IGA

Lack of food allergy data in New Zealand

• Currently little data specific to food allergy• May be similar to overseas??• However ethnic makeup different• Ethnic makeup rapidly changing• Role of genetics• Feeding practices may be different• Available foods are different eg shellfish

Lack of food allergy Research in New Zealand

• Lack of data is hindering medical services

• No public food allergy service in south Island for children

• Epipens unfunded


• Ad hoc approach in schools

• Issues with preschools


• Risk management issues for food industry and hospitality industry

• Important for food export industry

• Public not aware of the problem

• Impact on quality of life not appreciated

Is there an ideal method to determine food allergy prevalence?

• Large scale unselected cohort

• Regular clinical review and testing

• DBPCFC for patients with Sx or +ve tests

• But...

Is there an ideal method?

• Time dependent data• Risk of food challenges• Expense of studies• No data on adults• Change in demographics• Change in feeding practices• Changes in available foods• Likely to be different to others parts of NZ

Difficulties with food allergy Epidemiology

• Symptoms vary according to age• Symptoms not confined to one organ system• Delayed reactions• Patients may not be aware a food is triggering symptoms• The need for lab tests• Survey instruments are not well established• Therefore FA studies are expensive

Difficulties with FA studies in NZ

• Funding agencies

• Food industry unaware/ denial of risk

Study 1: Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandInterviewer assisted food allergy questionnaire

• Cross sectional study of FA symptoms in children attending Plunket clinics

• Clinics Manurewa, Tuakau, Sylvia Park• Participation rate 62% (68/102)• Total number of interviews 68• Total number of children 96• Naenae clinic- results awaited

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandFA symptoms

• Hives

• Swelling in the skin

• Itchy skin

• Eczema (skin inflammation)

• Stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, pain)

• Mouth and or throat swelling

• Eye and nose problems (hay-fever)

• Throat tightness

• Breathing difficulties (not wheeze)

• Wheeze (asthma)

• Life threatening reaction (anaphylaxis)

• Other symptom (please list)

Study 1: Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandInterviewer assisted food allergy questionnaire

• Which health professional made Dx?

• Type of testing undertaken

• Treatments given

• Demographic questions including ethnicity, education level etc

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandFA symptoms: hives

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandFA symptoms: eczema

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandEthnicities of participants

study 2006 census

• NZ European 62% (60.4%)• Maori 20.8% (14.3%)• Chinese 9.4% (3.7%)• Samoan 8.3% (3.3%)• Indian 11.5% (2.7%)• Cook Island 5.2% (1.5%)• Tongan 5.2% (1.3%)• Niuean 4%


• FA symptoms 11

• Males: females 4:7

• Diagnosed by specialist 3

• Diagnosed by GP (no testing) 2

• FA symptoms only 6

• Ethnicities: NZE, Maori, Indian, Chinese, Niuean


• FA symptoms - not investigated 8/11

• Anaphylaxis 2x patients admitted – not investigated

• Others: convincing history of Foods triggering symptoms

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandEczema

• Eczema 30%

• Treated by GP 17%

• NZ Health survey 14% with eczema

• Some mothers changed own diet while breast feeding and found eczema improved.

Pilot study of Plunket Clinics in AucklandPreliminary findings

• FA probably at least as common in NZ

• Eczema is a major issue

• Under recognised

• Under investigated

• Under treated

• Affects all ethnicities

• Mothers are running significant health risks with ad hoc diets

Study 2 Larger cross-sectional study of FA

• Larger study of FA symptoms in Auckland

• Practical issues

• Interview room ? Mobile office

• Languages

• Working with Plunket

• Funding

Study 3 Breast feeding and FA prevention

• Currently no data on the role of elimination diets and breast feeding

• Mothers are given conflicting advice on early vs delayed introduction of allergenic foods

• Nutritional risks in ad hoc diets

Study 3 Breast feeding and FA preventionEligibility

• Have an older child with proven FA

• Pregnant- 34/40+

• Regular FA questionnaire

• Regular dietary assessment

• RAST testing cord blood and 5 months

• Prelude to a longer cohort study

Funding: unrestricted grants

• ADHB Charitable trust

• Allergy New Zealand

• ASCIA

• Australian Laboratory Sciences

• Nutricia

• William and Lois Manchester trust

Food Allergy Research Group

• Christine Crooks (LabPlus)• Maia Brewerton (Wellington Hospital) Penny Jorgensen

(Allergy New Zealand)• Steve Buetow (University of Auckland)• Claire Wall (University of Auckland)• Shannon Brothers (Starship)• Allen Liang Allergy Specialist • Rohan Ameratunga (LabPlus, Chair)

Paediatric food allergy/ eczema clinic JHU

Prof Robert Wood

Prof Hugh Sampson

Prof Ken Schurberth

Update on eczema and food allergy Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga.

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Transcript of Update on eczema and food allergy Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga.