Allergy News

Scientists have identified a new gene in peanuts that codes for a protein with no apparent allergic effects, research that opens up the possibility of allergen-free GM nuts.

The identification of the new gene, called ara h 3-im, by researchers from the University of Florida offers some hope for estimated 2.5 million people in Europe and the US now vulnerable to the food allergy.

"If it is true that Ara h 3-im has lower allergenic properties than other Ara h 3 proteins, this study may provide the information necessary to produce a hypoallergenic peanut through silencing of the major allergens and selecting for the reduced allergenic polypeptides via mutational breeding and/or genetic engineering," wrote authors I-H Kang and M. Gallo.

Continue reading "Peanut gene breakthrough may lead to allergen free nuts" »

The Tokyo metropolitan government proposed to the Tokyo High Court on Tuesday that it will create a new system to help all residents suffering from asthma as a reconciliation plan with 96 plaintiffs who filed a damages suit against the central and Tokyo governments, the former public expressway corporation and others asking for compensation of about 2 billion yen.

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara visited the high court on Tuesday afternoon to explain the reconciliation plan. The high court will show the plan to other defendants, including the central government, and the plaintiffs, and urge them to reach an out-of-court settlement.

Continue reading "Tokyo offers asthma lifeline" »

New Delhi, Nov. 28 (ANI) - A concoction of herbal drugs used in Unani Medicine has shown encouraging results in the treatment of chronic lung diseases, such as asthma.

The coded combination Asthma-5 has shown good response in chronic patients of bronchial asthma. In mild and moderate asthma the drug has shown significant symptomatic relief.

The drug took about 15 days to reach the optimum level, the study said. It was also noted that the maximum effect was seen after 90 days of treatment.

Continue reading "Unani drug found effective in bronchial asthma" »

LONDON (Reuters) - A new clinical tool to help doctors identify asthma patients most likely to need hospital treatment could improve the care of patients and reduce costs, researchers said on Tuesday.

The TENOR Risk Score determines the most difficult-to-treat cases by assessing factors such as the patient's age, weight, smoking status, medical history, medications and breathing and exercise tests.

In a three year study published in the European Respiratory Journal, patients with the highest score were 10 times more likely to need emergency treatment or be admitted to hospital than other asthma sufferers.

"The risk score derived is a clinically useful tool for assessing the likelihood of asthma-related hospitalization or emergency department visits," said Mary Miller of Genentech Inc who is a co-author of the study.

Continue reading "New risk score helps identify severe asthma cases" »

As Christmas draws closer, winter allergies are once again on the rise. According to a recent survey, (3 out of 4) adults experience an increase of allergy attacks including headaches, eye irritation and sinus congestion from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

The survey was conducted by SiCap Industries, makers of the world's first hot pepper nasal spray known as "Sinus Buster". With more than 500,000 regular customers, Sinus Buster has become a strong leader in the natural health industry.

"We sent questionnaires to several thousand customers randomly. About 1200 surveys were returned. Each survey concentrated specifically on allergies during the holiday season. We couldn't believe how many of our customers had Christmas allergies," says Wayne Perry, president of SiCap Industries.

Continue reading "Christmas Allergies Can Make The Holidays Anything But Fun" »

On Saturday, October 7, 2006, the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology sponsored a session reviewing recent publications in the fields of asthma, eczema, and urticaria.

Asthma Diagnosis and Management

The first speaker was Dr. Paul Williams, Northwest Asthma and Allergy Center in Seattle, Washington, who was Chairman of the Section on Allergy and Immunology at AAP. He highlighted recent articles on the prevention of and care for patients with asthma. He reviewed studies covering the epidemiology of asthma, identification of severity and proper severity classification, and variation in symptom severity.^[1]

Continue reading "AAP 2006: New Research in Asthma, Eczema, and Urticaria" »

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The use of beta-agonist inhalers, which include drugs such as Proventil (albuterol), for asthma appears to promote the accumulation of immune cells called type 2 T cells, according to a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The results reinforce the importance of including anti-inflammatory steroids, note the authors.

"Our findings that suggest beta-agonists promote preferential type 2 T-cell accumulation are consistent with clinical findings that continuous beta-agonist therapy leads to deterioration of control in some asthmatics," Dr. Raymond B. Penn from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina told Reuters Health. "Why this deterioration occurs is not clear, but the fact that deterioration is less likely to occur when...steroids are used in conjunction suggests a failure to control inflammation."

Continue reading "Asthma drugs cause immune cell build-up" »

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 122,283 Americans in 2003. It is a term used to describe the obstruction of airflow associated primarily with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated.

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. About 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Other risk factors include air pollution, secondhand smoke, history of childhood respiratory infections, and heredity. This is the fourth consecutive year in which women have exceeded men in the number of deaths attributed to COPD. In 2003, approximately 63,062 females died compared to 59,321 males.

We need to expand the awareness of a quiet killer. Early detection and the development of new therapies can improve health outcomes and help millions of people with COPD live longer, healthier lives.

Continue reading "COPD - Statement Of Dr. Norman H. Edelman, Chief Medical Officer, American Lung Association" »