Division of Allergy and Immunology News

Peanuts represent one of the most common causes of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated, or anaphylactic, food allergies in children, yet a landmark study found that early introduction of peanut to infants may lower their risk of developing this allergy.

Researchers found that certain lipids, or fats, in obesity-causing foods also cause asthma-like lung inflammation. The findings suggest that in addition to modifying dietary choices, certain existing drugs could be repurposed to help treat this type of asthma.

Researchers found that complement factor I (CFI) deficiency, an ultra-rare genetic disorder that can cause debilitating neuroinflammation, is more than 4500 times more likely to be found in individuals of Old Order Amish ancestry than the rest of the global population.

In a landmark translational study, collaborators identified the specific milk protein that triggered a patient’s case of eosinophilic esophagitis

The findings show how more rapid results can improve practice and lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses

Results led to expanded FDA approval in January 2024.

The large study also confirmed known risk factors for COVID-19 associated with asthma in children.

The first patient with this specific autoimmunity disorder was identified at CHOP.

A 16-week course could increase the threshold of peanut, tree nuts, egg, milk and wheat that would trigger an allergic reaction.

In the largest study of its kind, CHOP researchers have validated a population-level pattern of pediatric allergy development known as the “allergic march.”