WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature: Providing a common language

A systematic nomenclature for allergens originated in the early 1980s, when few protein allergens had been described. A group of scientists led by Dr. David G. Marsh developed a nomenclature based on the Linnaean taxonomy, and further established the World Health Organization/International Union of Immunological Societies (WHO/IUIS) Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee in 1986. Its stated aim was to standardize the names given to the antigens (allergens) that caused IgE-mediated allergies in humans. The Sub-Committee first published a revised list of allergen names in 1986, which continued to grow with rare publications until 1994. Between 1994 and 2007 the database was a text table online, then converted to a more readily updated website. The allergen list became the Allergen Nomenclature database (www.allergen.org), which currently includes approximately 880 proteins from a wide variety of sources. The Sub-Committee includes experts on clinical and molecular allergology. They review submissions of allergen candidates, using evidence-based criteria developed by the Sub-Committee. The review process assesses the biochemical analysis and the proof of allergenicity submitted, and aims to assign allergen names prior to publication. The Sub-Committee maintains and revises the database, and addresses continuous challenges as new “omics” technologies provide increasing data about potential new allergens. Most journals publishing information on new allergens require an official allergen name, which involves submission of confidential data to the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee, sufficient to demonstrate binding of IgE from allergic subjects to the purified protein

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

ARIA digital anamorphosis: Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed

Grass pollen allergens

Pollens from diverse grass plants are main contributors to seasonal inhalant allergies worldwide. Grass group 1 and 5 allergens represent highly cross-reactive and potent major allergens, group 5 present only in temperate climate grasses (Pooideae). Depending on climate and region, global sensitization rates to grass pollen vary between 1% to 30% of the general population,. Strong evidence supports specific immunotherapy with grass pollen extracts

COVID-19 Vaccination of Patients with Allergies and Type-2 inflammatory Diseases with concurrent Antibody Therapy (Biologicals) A Position Paper of the German Society of Allergology and clinical Immunology (DGAKI) and the German Society for Applied Allergology (AeDA)

Pfaar O, Klimek L, Hamelmann E, et al. COVID-19-Impfungen von Patienten mit Allergien und Typ2-entzündlichen Erkrankungen bei gleichzeitiger Antikörpertherapie (Biologika): Ein Positionspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie (DGAKI) und dem Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen (AeDA) . Allergo Journal. 2021;30(5):24-30.Hintergrund: Nachdem sich weltweit die durch den "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2" (SARS-CoV-2) ausgelöste Pandemie eingestellt hatte, kam es und kommt es zu Verunsicherungen von Patienten mit allergischen und atopischen Erkrankungen. Derzeit sind in Deutschland vier Vakzine zur Impfung gegen SARS-CoV-2 durch das Paul-Ehrlich-Institut zugelassen worden und die Impfkampagnen sind bundesweit gestartet worden. Insofern ist es jetzt von hoher Bedeutung, Empfehlungen zu möglichen immunologischen Interaktionen und potenziellen Risiken von immunmodulierenden Substanzen (monoklonale Antikörper, Biologika) unter gleichzeitiger Vakzinierung mit den zugelassenen Impfkandidaten zu geben. Methodik: Dieses Positionspapier gibt konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen auf der Grundlage der aktuellen Literatur zum Einsatz dieser immunmodulierenden Medikamente im zeitlichen Zusammenhang mit einer SARS-CoV-2-Vakzination. Ergebnisse: Die vorliegenden Handlungsempfehlungen beziehen sich auf folgende Erkrankungen, bei denen Biologika zur Anwendung kommen: i) chronisch-entzündliche Hauterkrankungen (atopische Dermatitis, chronische spontane Urtikaria), ii) Asthma bronchiale und iii) chronische Rhinosinusitis mit Nasenpolypen (CRSwNP). Patienten mit atopischer Dermatitis oder chronischer spontaner Urtikaria haben kein erhöhtes Risiko für allergische Reaktionen bei der COVID-19-Vakzinierung. Dennoch kann es durch eine Impfung zu einer vorübergehenden Ekzemverschlechterung aufgrund der allgemeinen Immunstimulation kommen. Patienten, bei denen eine Systemtherapie mit einem Biologikum durchgeführt wird, können geimpft werden. Bei Patienten mit schwerem Asthma und gleichzeitiger Biologikagabe findet sich ebenfalls kein erhöhtes Risiko für eine allergische Reaktion nach einer COVID-19-Impfung und diese wird empfohlen. Auch bei Patienten mit CRSwNP ist kein erhöhtes Risiko für allergische Impfreaktionen bekannt und die Fortführung oder Neueinleitung einer Biologikatherapie werden auch bei einer geplanten COVID-19-Impfung empfohlen. Generell sollte die COVID-19-Vakzinierung zwischen zwei Injektionen der entsprechenden Biologika erfolgen, das heißt im Abstand von mindestens einer Woche nach der vorherigen beziehungsweise vor der nächsten Biologikagabe. Schlussfolgerung: Die Therapie mit Biologika zur Behandlung von atopischer Dermatitis, chronischer spontaner Urtikaria, Bronchialasthma und CRSwNP sollte während der jetzt durchgeführten COVID-19-Impfkampagnen unverändert fortgeführt werden, wobei eventuell die Therapieintervalle der Biologikatherapie geringfügig angepasst werden müssen (Empfehlung DGAKI/AeDA, 22. März 2021)