1
|
Wong GWK. Food allergies around the world. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1373110. [PMID: 38938666 PMCID: PMC11208673 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1373110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The increase in the prevalence of food allergy has been considered as the second wave in the allergy epidemic following the first wave of increase in asthma and allergic rhinitis. It is well known that the prevalence of allergic conditions would follow economic development and urbanization in many countries or regions. In developed countries, one in three children suffered from at least one allergic disorder and these conditions include food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Food allergy is very often the first allergic manifestation affecting infants and young children. The exact etiologies are not known. The clinical manifestations ranged from a simple rash or an itch around the mouth, to the more severe manifestations of angioedema and potentially fatal anaphylaxis. Among all cases of childhood anaphylaxis, food is the most common cause. The common allergens resulting in food allergies in developed countries include egg, milk, fish, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts. However, there are marked variations in the patterns of food allergens in developing countries. In line with the epidemiology of asthma, food allergy is also much less common in rural areas. Clear understanding of reasons explaining the disparity of food allergies between urban and rural population would pave the way to the development of effective primary prevention for food allergy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Wing-Kin Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xing Y, Tsang MSM, Yang Z, Wang MH, Pivniouk V, Leung ASY, Leung TF, Roponen M, Schaub B, Vercelli D, Wong CK, Li J, Wong GWK. Immune modulation by rural exposures and allergy protection. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2024; 35:e14086. [PMID: 38351891 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing up on traditional farms protects children from the development of asthma and allergies. However, we have identified distinct asthma-protective factors, such as poultry exposure. This study aims to examine the biological effect of rural exposure in China. METHODS We recruited 67 rural children (7.4 ± 0.9 years) and 79 urban children (6.8 ± 0.6 years). Depending on the personal history of exposure to domestic poultry (DP), rural children were further divided into those with DP exposure (DP+ , n = 30) and those without (DP- , n = 37). Blood samples were collected to assess differential cell counts and expression of immune-related genes. Dust samples were collected from poultry stables inside rural households. In vivo activities of nasal administration of DP dust extracts were tested in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model. RESULTS There was a stepwise increase in the percentage of eosinophils (%) from rural DP+ children (median = 1.65, IQR = [1.28, 3.75]) to rural DP- children (3.40, [1.70, 6.50]; DP+ vs. DP- , p = .087) and to the highest of their urban counterparts (4.00, [2.00, 7.25]; urban vs. DP+ , p = .017). Similarly, rural children exhibited reduced mRNA expression of immune markers, both at baseline and following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Whereas LPS stimulation induced increased secretion of Th1 and proinflammatory cytokines in rural DP+ children compared to rural DP- children and urban children. Bronchoalveolar lavage of mice with intranasal instillation of dust extracts from DP household showed a significant decrease in eosinophils as compared to those of control mice (p < .05). Furthermore, DP dust strongly inhibited gene expression of Th2 signature cytokines and induced IL-17 expression in the murine asthma model. CONCLUSIONS Immune responses of rural children were dampened compared to urban children and those exposed to DP had further downregulated immune responsiveness. DP dust extracts ameliorated Th2-driven allergic airway inflammation in mice. Determining active protective components in the rural environment may provide directions for the development of primary prevention of asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Xing
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhaowei Yang
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Maggie Haitian Wang
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vadim Pivniouk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Agnes Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ting-Fan Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Marjut Roponen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Bianca Schaub
- Pediatric Allergology, Department of Pediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Donata Vercelli
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Chun-Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gary Wing-Kin Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang Y, Li W, Zhu R. Allergen immunotherapy in China. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2024; 4:1324844. [PMID: 38260178 PMCID: PMC10801290 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2023.1324844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an etiological treatment strategy that involves administering escalating doses of clinically relevant allergens to desensitize the immune system. It has shown encouraging results in reducing allergy symptoms and enhancing patients' quality of life. In this review, we offer a thorough overview of AIT in China, examining its efficacy, safety, current practices, and prospects. We further underscore the progress made in AIT research and clinical applications, as well as the distinct challenges and opportunities that China faces in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Yang
- Department of Allergy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Allergy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rongfei Zhu
- Department of Allergy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu X, Liu X, Li J, Deng X, Dai T, Ji Q, Xiong D, Xie H. Environmental Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Biomarkers for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023; 65:188-205. [PMID: 37490237 PMCID: PMC10567804 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08964-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Many potential environmental risk factors, protective factors, and biomarkers of AR have been published, but so far, the strength and consistency of their evidence are unclear. We conducted a comprehensive review of environmental risk, protective factors, and biomarkers for AR to establish the evidence hierarchy. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science electronic database from inception to December 31, 2022. We calculated summary effect estimate (odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), hazard ratio (HR), and standardized mean difference (SMD)), 95% confidence interval, random effects p value, I2 statistic, 95% prediction interval, small study effects, and excess significance biases, and stratification of the level of evidence. Methodological quality was assessed by AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2). We retrieved 4478 articles, of which 43 met the inclusion criteria. The 43 eligible articles identified 31 potential environmental risk factors (10,806,206 total population, two study not reported), 11 potential environmental protective factors (823,883 total population), and 34 potential biomarkers (158,716 total population) for meta-analyses. The credibility of evidence was convincing (class I) for tic disorders (OR = 2.89, 95% CI 2.11-3.95); and highly suggestive (class II) for early-life antibiotic use (OR = 3.73, 95% CI 3.06-4.55), exposure to indoor dampness (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.27-1.75), acetaminophen exposure (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.41-1.69), childhood acid suppressant use (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.23-1.59), exposure to indoor mold (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.26-2.18), coronavirus disease 2019 (OR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.06-0.22), and prolonged breastfeeding (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.65-0.79). This study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022384320).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianpeng Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Xinghong Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Jiongke Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Xinxing Deng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Tianrong Dai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Qingjie Ji
- Department of Dermatology, Quzhou hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 324000, Quzhou, China
| | - Dajing Xiong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| |
Collapse
|