The purpose of this prospective study is twofold: 1) to establish oral tolerance to selected tree nuts and to examine potential predictors of oral tolerance and 2) to determine the usefulness of mixed tree nut allergen food challenges in more efficiently defining tree nut allergy and oral tolerance.
To evaluate the absence of tree nuts (TN) allergy, referred patients from one of the Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) Allergy Clinic physicians with current serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) to TNs that meet eligibility criteria will be invited to undergo a series of open mixed TN food challenges. A questionnaire pertaining to their TN allergy will be administered A brief physical exam will be performed. Skin prick tests using selected nut allergen extracts along with a positive (histamine) and a negative (salt-water) control will be performed at the first oral food challenge visit. Each food challenges will be performed to 1 to 3 TNs. Two telephone follow-up phone calls will evaluate inclusion/exclusion of tree nuts in the diet post food challenge.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Oral tolerance to selected tree nuts (TN) to determine potential predictors of oral tolerance.
This prospective, observational study uses serum IgE to specific TN, skin prick test to TN, and TN oral food challenges to establish oral tolerance.
Time frame: total -20 years
Use of tree nut (TN) IgE testing to assess the risk of positive food challenges based on grouped mixed TN food challenges
We postulate that by grouping TN that are mixed into one food challenge based on the individual's TN serum IgE will be more efficient in defining TN allergy and tolerance. One to three TNs will be in one food challenge based on TN IgE testing.
Time frame: total - 20 years
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