An Updated Overview of Almond Allergens

Tree nuts are considered an important food in healthy diets. However, for part of the world’s population, they are one of the most common sources of food allergens causing acute allergic reactions that can become life-threatening. They are part of the Big Eight food groups which are responsible for more than 90% of food allergy cases in the United States, and within this group, almond allergies are persistent and normally severe and life-threatening. Almond is generally consumed raw, toasted or as an integral part of other foods. Its dietary consumption is generally associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several almond proteins have been recognized as allergens. Six of them, namely Pru du 3, Pru du 4, Pru du 5, Pru du 6, Pru du 8 and Pru du 10, have been included in the WHO-IUIS list of allergens. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in relation to the accurate characterization of the already known almond allergens or putative ones and in relation to the IgE-binding properties of these allergens to avoid misidentifications. In this context, this work aims to critically review the almond allergy problematic and, specifically, to perform an extensive overview regarding known and novel putative almond allergens.

Shellfish Allergy: Unmet Needs in Diagnosis and Treatment

Seafood is a major cause of food allergy and anaphylaxis worldwide. Shellfish is included among the “big eight” food groups, which are responsible for more than 90% of all cases of food allergy. Approximately 2.5% of the world’s population has experienced an adverse reaction to seafood. Seafood allergy is one of the most frequent and lethal allergies that exist. The several allergenic proteins involved in allergic reactions that have been described in recent years include tropomyosin, arginine kinase, myosin light chain, and sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein. Despite all the data reported in the last few years, shellfish allergy is still diagnosed and treated as it was 50 years ago. The only effective treatment to prevent allergic reactions to shellfish is avoidance. This review aims to update recently published data on shellfish allergy and to highlight those areas that have yet to be resolved.

The Gut Microbiome and the Big Eight

Food allergies are increasing at an alarming rate, with 6.5% of the general population affected. It has been hypothesized that the increase in allergies stems from the “hygiene hypothesis”. The gut microbiome, a collection of microbiota and their genetic contents from the gastrointestinal tract, has been shown to play a part in the development of food allergies. The Food and Drug Administration requires all regulated food companies to clearly state an inclusion of the major, or “big eight” food allergens on packaging. This review is to provide information on the significant advancements related to the gut microbiome and each of the eight major food allergies individually. Establishment of causal connection between the microbiome and food allergies has uncovered novel mechanisms. New strategies are discussed to prevent future sensitization and reaction through novel treatments involving functional additives and dietary changes that target the microbiome.

ALERGIA ALIMENTAR E O CENÁRIO REGULATÓRIO NO BRASIL

A alergia alimentar é uma hipersensibilidade do organismo humano a determinadas proteínas que são reconhecidas erroneamente como antígenos, sendo o principal tratamento a eliminação do alimento alergênico, cujos principais responsáveis denominados Big Eight. O objetivo foi esclarecer as causas, mecanismos fisiológicos e consequências da alergia alimentar, além de estabelecer uma comparação das atitudes em termos de legislação no Brasil e de outros países do mundo, bem como elucidar sua epidemiologia e a fisiopatologia e evidenciar os alimentos envolvidos e principais tratamentos. Trata-se de um artigo de revisão cuja coleta se baseou em publicações nacionais e internacionais do Portal CAPES e Google Acadêmico, por meio da utilização das palavras-chave relacionadas, bem como livros e documentos oficiais. O Brasil, apesar de pioneiro na América do Sul, somente tornou obrigatória a declaração de alérgenos em 2016, diferentemente de outras regiões do mundo, cujas legislações já existem desde 2003. Observa-se que a maior expectativa das legislações visando os produtos industrializados é disponibilizar informações adequadas aos consumidores e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos alérgicos alimentares, sendo que é de obrigação comum a todos declarar os Big Eight.