Genome-wide association study identifies the SERPINB gene cluster as a susceptibility locus for food allergy

Genetic factors and mechanisms underlying food allergy are largely unknown. Due to heterogeneity of symptoms a reliable diagnosis is often difficult to make. Here, we report a genome-wide association study on food allergy diagnosed by oral food challenge in 497 cases and 2387 controls. We identify five loci at genome-wide significance, the clade B serpin (SERPINB) gene cluster at 18q21.3, the cytokine gene cluster at 5q31.1, the filaggrin gene, the C11orf30/LRRC32 locus, and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region. Stratifying the results for the causative food demonstrates that association of the HLA locus is peanut allergy-specific whereas the other four loci increase the risk for any food allergy. Variants in the SERPINB gene cluster are associated with SERPINB10 expression in leukocytes. Moreover, SERPINB genes are highly expressed in the esophagus. All identified loci are involved in immunological regulation or epithelial barrier function, emphasizing the role of both mechanisms in food allergy

Correction to: The impact of nasal aspiration with an automatic device on upper and lower respiratory symptoms in wheezing children: a pilot case-control study

The original article [1] contained a typesetting error in Table 5; this has now been corrected

The impact of nasal aspiration with an automatic device on upper and lower respiratory symptoms in wheezing children: a pilot case-control study

Abstract Background The impact of proper aspiration of nasal secretions during upper respiratory infection on the frequency and severity of symptoms of lower airways has never been investigated. The study was aimed at testing if cleaning the nasal cavities of children with recurrent wheezing using an automatic nasal aspirator improves the upper and lower respiratory symptoms during the cold season. Methods Parents of wheezing children (age 3-72 mo.) answered questionnaires and learned using a nebulizer equipped (cases) or not equipped (controls) with an automatic nasal aspirator (DuoBaby, OMRON, Japan). During a 90-days monitoring period parents filled an electronic diary (BreathMonitor, TPS, Rome, Italy) on their child’s symptoms of the upper and lower airways. Results Eighty-nine/91 patients (43 cases, 46 controls) completed the study. Less days with upper (25.0% vs 46.4%, p = 0.004) or lower (21.8% vs 32.8%, p = 0.022) airways symptoms and less days with salbutamol inhalation (12.2% vs 16.9%, p < 0.001) were reported by cases than by controls. The episodes of upper respiratory symptoms were shorter [4.3 days (95%CI:3.8–4.9) vs 5.7 days (95%CI:5.0–6.4), p = 0.007] but not less frequent [2.3 (95%CI: 1.8–2.8) vs 2.6 (95%CI:2.2–3.0), p = 0.122] among cases than among controls. Similarly, the episodes of lower respiratory symptoms tended to be shorter [3.8 days, (95%CI: 3.4–4.2) vs 4.4 days, (95%CI: 4.4–6.0), p = 0.067] but not less frequent [1.9 (95%CI:1.5–2.3) vs 2.1 (95%CI:1.7–2.4), p = 0.240] among the group using the nasal aspirator. Conclusions In our pilot study, the use of an automatic nasal aspirator in children with a history of recurrent wheezing was associated with an improved respiratory health during the cold season

Additional file 1: of The impact of nasal aspiration with an automatic device on upper and lower respiratory symptoms in wheezing children: a pilot case-control study

Figure S1. The DuoBaby nebulizer (a) and its functional scheme (b). Figure S2. Salbutamol consumption (expressed in percentage of days) among patients younger (cases n = 16, controls n = 16) or older (cases n = 27, controls n = 30) than 24 months and using a DuoBaby nebulizer equipped (cases) or not equipped (controls) with a nasal aspirator. Percentages are calculated considering the total days with symptoms over the total day of reported days (see method for definition). Chi-squared test was used to evaluate frequency differences between independent groups. Figure S3. Percentage of days with symptoms among patients using a DuoBaby nebulizer equipped (cases, n = 43) or not equipped (controls; n = 46) with an nasal aspirator. Percentage are calculated reporting the total days with symptoms on the total number of reported days. Chi-squared test was used to evaluate the association of categorical data between independent groups. Significant differences are highlighted as follows: *p < 0.05,** < 0.01, *** < 0.001. †Statistical significant differences after adjusting for multiple repeated measures through mixed-effects logistic regression. Table S1. List of the questions in the BreathMonitor APP (electronic Diary). Table S2. Questionnaire on the DuoBaby’s nebulizer unit. Table S3. Questionnaire on the use of the DuoBaby’s nasal aspirator. Table S4. Frequency of symptoms among patients using a DuoBaby nebulizer equipped (cases, n = 43) or not equipped (controls; n = 46) with a nasal aspirator stratified by age in months.* (DOCX 579 kb