Anisakis simplex-sensitized patients: should fish be excluded from their diet?

BACKGROUND: Anisakis simplex (A.s.) allergy is an emerging disease. The third-stage larvae of this nematode are a source of hidden allergens in fish. There are no clear guidelines concerning dietary restrictions for patients with serum-specific IgE to this parasite. OBJECTIVE: To follow up the clinical data and immunological parameters of patients sensitized to A.s. during 6 to 23 months. METHODS: The clinical symptoms and serologic status of 17 patients with specific IgE and positive skin prick test results to A.s. were studied prospectively. Six of these had anaphylaxis (ANA) attributed to A.s. and 11 patients experienced concomitant chronic urticaria (CU). All patients were advised not to eat fish for 6 months. RESULTS: Four patients from the ANA group excluded fish, and ANA did not recur. Two other patients with ANA refused to exclude fish; one remained free of symptoms and the other experienced several urticarial episodes. During this 6-month period total IgE levels decreased in all six ANA patients; specific IgE for A.s. decreased in four patients and increased in two. Two patients from the CU group did not exclude fish, and symptoms persisted in these two patients. Clinical improvement was observed in 78% of the patients with CU who excluded fish. Total and specific IgE levels decreased in all the patients with CU. CONCLUSIONS: Because ANA symptoms are very severe, patients should always be advised to exclude fish until specific food allergens are identified. However, in patients with CU and specific IgE to A.s., only the clinical response to fish ingestion will determine the need for strict fish avoidance

Analysis of the Costs Associated With the Elective Evaluation of Patients Labelled as Allergic to Beta-Lactams or Nonsteroidal Antiinflamatory Agents

Introduction: Being labelled as allergic to different drugs results in patients receiving other treatments, which are more toxic, less effective and more expensive. We aimed to analyze different studies of the costs of drug hypersensitivity assessment. Methods: A bibliographic search on studies regarding this issue was performed, including the available scientific evidence up to June 2020. We searched three databases with terms related to costs and allergy testing in drug hypersensitivity reactions. Results: Our search revealed 1,430 publications, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. In the manuscript, prospective studies evaluating the costs of the evaluation of patients with suspected allergy to beta-lactams or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are analyzed. Also, comment is made on the costs associated with incorrect labeling as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or penicillin hypersensitivity. Conclusions: Taking all costs into account, the study of drug hypersensitivity is not expensive, particularly considering the economic and clinical consequences of labeling a patient with hypersensitivity to drugs.Ye