We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Octopus Group

Download Mobile App




Events

ATTENTION: Due to the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many events are being rescheduled for a later date, converted into virtual venues, or altogether cancelled. Please check with the event organizer or website prior to planning for any forthcoming event.

Macadamia Nut-Specific IgE Levels Predict Anaphylaxis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Oct 2022
Print article
Image: Macadamia Nut-Specific IgE Levels Predict Anaphylaxis (Photo courtesy of Healthians)
Image: Macadamia Nut-Specific IgE Levels Predict Anaphylaxis (Photo courtesy of Healthians)

Proteins residing in tree nuts are mistakenly treated as harmful by the immune system, which then releases antibodies to combat them. Chemical reaction triggers within protein substances, mast cells and histamines produced by immune system resulting in allergic symptoms.

Tree nut allergy symptoms typically occur within minutes of ingestion and can range from hives to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock. In terms of prevalence, less than 5% of people in the USA who are sensitized to tree nuts are allergic to macadamia nuts.

Allergists and immunologists from the Sagamihara National Hospital (Sagamihara, Japan) included in a study 41 children (71% boys; median age, 7.7 years) with suspected macadamia nut allergy who visited the hospital between April 2012 and July 2021. Patient interviews and a three-level stepwise oral food challenge (OFC) found that 21 of these children had an allergy and 20 did not. The study aimed to investigate macadamia nut-specific immunoglobulin E (Md-sIgE).

Eight of the allergic children (38%) had experienced anaphylaxis. Symptoms included generalized urticaria, cough, wheezing, throat pruritus, abdominal pain, lip swelling and recurrent emesis. Among the other 13 allergic children (62%) who did not experience anaphylaxis, symptoms included face swelling, localized or generalized urticaria, intermittent cough, lip swelling and throat pruritus. None of the allergic children experienced mild subjective symptoms that were localized to the oral cavity.

The investigators collected blood samples from all patients within 12 months of the OFC or the allergic reaction to macadamia nut. The median level of macadamia nut-specific IgE (Md-sIgE) for the full cohort was 2.23 kUA/L. The children with allergy and anaphylaxis had higher Md-sIgE levels (median, 7.97 kUA/L; interquartile range [IQR], 5.08-23.3) than the children with allergy who did not have anaphylaxis (median, 1.92 kUA/L; IQR, 0.83-6.04) and those who did not have allergy (median, 1.9 kUA/L; IQR, 0.56-2.78). The difference between the latter two groups did not reach significance.

Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis for predicting anaphylaxis using Md-sIgE levels, the researchers found that the area under the curve of Md-sIgE was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.83-1) with an optimal cutoff value of 3.76 kUA/L. Eight of the 16 children (50%) with Md-sIgE levels over this level and none of the children with levels under that benchmark developed anaphylaxis.

Also, positive predictive values for anaphylaxis included 5% for 1.8 kUA/L, 10% for 2.75 kUA/L, 20% for 4.36 kUA/L, 80% for 21.06 kUA/L, 90% for 33.38 kUA/L and 95% for 51.04 kUA/L, with a maximum value of 38.3 kUA/L. About one-third of the children with sIgE values under 3.76 kUA/L had a macadamia nut allergy with no anaphylaxis, indicating that OFC could be safe for them.

The authors concluded that Md-sIgE levels were useful in predicting anaphylaxis. Above the cut-off value, they emphasized paying careful attention to the risk of anaphylaxis. The study was first published on September 18, 2022 in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

Related Links:
Sagamihara National Hospital

Gold Supplier
Zika Virus Anitobody Test
Zika Virus IgM μ-capture
New
Radiotherapy Toxicity Measurement Assay
Radiotherapy Toxicity Measurement Assay
New
Hepatitis C ELISA Test
HCV ELISA
New
Fecal Bacterial Test
CLART EnteroBac

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chem.

view channel
Image: Brief schematic diagram of the detection principle and method (Photo courtesy of CAS)

Rapid, Non-Invasive Method Diagnoses Type 2 Diabetes by Sniffing Urinary Acetone

Over 90% of diabetes cases are attributed to Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a prevalent metabolic condition that is expected to impact 380 million individuals globally by 2025. Despite being highly accurate, the... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Researchers have identified the origin of subset of autoantibodies that worsen lupus (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Lupus Biomarker Testing Could Help Identify Patients That Need Early and Aggressive Treatment

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's antibodies, which usually protect against infections, attack healthy cells and proteins. These autoantibodies can... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Use of DBS samples can break barriers in hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment for populations at risk (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

DBS-Based Assay Effective in Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment for At Risk Populations

In a bid to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has put forth a proposed strategy. To this end, researchers at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: New research has opened a path for fast and accurate cancer diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Imagene)

AI-Based Image Analysis Software Profiles Cancer Biomarkers in Real Time

Lung cancer is the most widespread type of cancer worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.76 million fatalities annually. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Live view of non-fluorescent specimens using the glowscope frame (Photo courtesy of Winona State University)

Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50

Fluorescence microscopes are utilized to examine specimens labeled with fluorescent stains or expressing fluorescent proteins, like those tagged with green fluorescent protein. However, since these microscopes... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The global antimicrobial resistance diagnostics market size is expected to reach USD 5.7 billion by 2028 (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Global Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostics Market Driven by Increasing Hospital-Acquired Infections

Antimicrobial drugs are intended to counteract the harmful effects of microbes and promote a healthy life. However, their excessive use can result in the development of resistance, commonly referred to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.