Food allergy as defined by component resolved diagnosis.

The diagnosis of food allergy, as assessed by skin tests or in vitro tests with allergen extracts, has insufficient diagnostic performance and needs to be confirmed by food challenges. However, the availability of molecular allergens (recombinant or highly purified) for laboratory methods has profoundly changed the diagnostic approach to food allergy. In fact, the allergy diagnosis conducted at the molecular level, which is defined internationally as component resolved diagnosis (CRD), allows to characterize more precisely the sensitization profile of the individual patient, distinguishing the sensitizations to allergens that are strongly associated with a given source (genuine sensitizers) from those to molecules that are common to many sources (panallergens) or cross-react with other components from the same family or from other families. This review provides an update on the allergen molecules from foods, including plant foods and animal foods, and on the techniques to detect them, by means of a single reagent (singleplex) or an array of molecules tested at the same time (multiplex). Such testing offers detailed information on the sensitization profile of patients and enables the physician to suitably manage their allergy. Moreover, identifying the real causative allergens will be crucial when allergen immunotherapy for food allergy will be introduced in the near future. We also address patents concerning food allergens in this review.

Allergic reactions to henna-based temporary tattoos and their components.

Temporary henna-based tattoos, particularly popular among western tourists holidaying in exotic places, can expose to the risk to develop allergic reactions. Although hypersensitivity to henna is extremely rare, para-phenylenediamine, which is sometimes added to henna to obtain a dark, blackish color, is a frequent contact sensitizer. The purpose of this article is to review the literature about allergic reactions to temporary henna tattoos and outline the causes, clinical aspects and complications of this practice that should not be regarded as innocuous and risk-free.

Tolerance to etoricoxib in 37 patients with urticaria and angioedema induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND: The use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, a new class of analgesic drugs, is suggested in patients with hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tolerance to etoricoxib, a new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in NSAID-sensitive patients with urticaria-type adverse reactions. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with adverse reactions to NSAIDs. METHODS: Single-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenge with increasing doses of etoricoxib. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients tolerated etoricoxib treatment without adverse reactions, but a generalized urticarial rash developed in 3 patients (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib, like other cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, is a well-tolerated drug in most NSAID-sensitive patients. However, according to our experience, a previous challenge test in a safe environment may be necessary before prescribing the drug to such patients.