New therapy for peanut allergy

Berlin researchers have developed a new therapy that can help with peanut allergy.

(19.08.2010) Scientists of the Berlin Charité have apparently succeeded in developing a suitable therapy against peanut allergy. Around one percent of children in Germany suffer from a peanut allergy, and the trend is rising. It is estimated that around 1.5 million people in the US are affected by a peanut allergy. And even up to 100 people die each year as a result of an allergic shock.

The peanut is considered the main trigger for food allergies. The fatal thing for the affected patients is that traces of nuts are found again and again in numerous finished foods. In everyday life, therefore, those affected must read the packaging instructions very carefully so as not to risk an allergy boost. Often the nut tracks are not listed and allergy risk such an unwanted uptake of the nuts. Breakfast cereals and cornflakes are still particularly dangerous.

Scientists of the Berlin Charité have now succeeded in developing immunotherapy in children with peanut allergy. The research findings were published in the medical journal "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology".

The team led by study leader Dr. Ing. Kirsten Beyer from the clinic developed a special immunotherapy for children with peanut allergy. In total, the pilot project involved 23 children aged 3 to 14 years. For several months, the children received minimal peanut supplements mixed in their daily diet. In the first period, subjects were given ten milligrams of peanuts. If the children tolerated the dose, the dose was increased under medical supervision for months to 500 milligrams. 500 milligrams is a whole peanut.

The results are impressive: over half of the children (60 percent) were desensitized after seven months and developed tolerance to the targeted peanut dose. Since then, the children eat a peanut every day. "If allergy sufferers can tolerate a small amount of peanuts, they are far better protected against allergic shock from accidental ingestion," explains Dr. flowers.

Peanut allergy is the most dangerous of all food allergies. So far, a desensitization, as it is used for example in hay fever, not feasible. For even the smallest amounts of peanut protein, which had to be injected, could cause severe allergic reactions in those affected. An allergic reaction to peanuts does not just cause skin rashes or mild asthma. In an allergic shock, the blood pressure drops dangerously, the airways are narrowed, so that breathing is extremely difficult for patients. The reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can also be fatal. Patients with peanut allergies therefore usually carry an injectable form of „epinephrine“ with himself. Patients have to go to hospital immediately in case of shock because the drug „epinephrine“ only 20 minutes the respiratory tract widens. (Sb)

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Lizzy Tewordt