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Geographical differences in food allergy

Geographische Unterschiede bei Nahrungsmittelallergien

  • Leitthema
  • Published:
Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Food allergy represents a health problem worldwide and leads to life-threatening reactions and even impairs quality of life. Epidemiological data during the past decades is very heterogeneous because of the use of different diagnostic procedures, and most studies have only been performed in specific geographical areas.

Objectives

The aim of this article is to review the available data on the geographical distribution of food allergies at the food source and molecular level and to link food allergy patterns to the aeroallergen influence in each area.

Methods

Systematic reviews, meta-analysis, studies performed within the EuroPrevall Project and EAACI position papers regarding food allergy were analysed.

Conclusions

The prevalence of food allergy sensitization differs between geographical areas, probably as a consequence of differences among populations, their habits and the influence of the cross-reactivity of aeroallergens and other sources of allergens. Geographical differences in food allergy are clearly evident at the allergenic molecular level, which seems to be directly influenced by the aeroallergens of each region and associated with specific clinical patterns.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Nahrungsmittelallergien stellen ein weltweites Gesundheitsproblem dar, sie führen zu lebensbedrohlichen Reaktionen und selbst zur Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität. Die epidemiologischen Daten aus den vergangenen Jahrzehnten sind wegen des Einsatzes unterschiedlicher diagnostischer Verfahren sehr heterogen, außerdem sind die meisten Studien nur in spezifischen geographischen Regionen durchgeführt worden.

Ziel

Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist es, einen Überblick über die verfügbaren Daten zur geographischen Verteilung von Nahrungsmittelallergien auf der Ebene der Nahrungsquellen und auf molekularer Ebene zu geben und Muster von Nahrungsmittelallergien mit dem Einfluss von Aeroallergenen in der jeweiligen Region zu verknüpfen.

Methoden

Systematische Übersichtsarbeiten, Metaanalysen, innerhalb des EuroPrevall-Projekts durchgeführte Studien und Positionspapiere der EAACI (Europäische Akademie für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie) in Bezug auf Nahrungsmittelallergien wurden ausgewertet.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Prävalenz der Sensibilisierung bei Nahrungsmittelallergie ist zwischen geographischen Regionen unterschiedlich, wahrscheinlich als Folge von Unterschieden zwischen den jeweiligen Bevölkerungsgruppen, ihren Gewohnheiten und dem Einfluss der Kreuzreaktivität von Aeroallergenen und anderen Allergenquellen. Auf molekularer Ebene der Allergene sind geographische Unterschiede bei Nahrungsmittelallergien deutlich nachweisbar; dies scheint unmittelbar durch Aeroallergene der jeweiligen Region beeinflusst und mit spezifischen klinischen Mustern verknüpft zu sein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allergy Unit, Pneumology Department, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Esc 6 – Pl. 0, C/Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Joan Bartra & Alba García-Moral

  2. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain

    Joan Bartra & Alba García-Moral

  3. Red de Investigación de Reacciones Adversas a Alérgenos y Fármacos, Madrid, Spain

    Joan Bartra & Alba García-Moral

  4. Allergy Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Sagunto, Valencia, Spain

    Ernesto Enrique

Authors
  1. Joan Bartra
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  2. Alba García-Moral
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  3. Ernesto Enrique
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Correspondence to Joan Bartra.

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J. Bartra, A. García-Moral and E Enrique state that there are no conflicts of interest.

The accompanying manuscript does not include studies on humans or animals.

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Bartra, J., García-Moral, A. & Enrique, E. Geographical differences in food allergy. Bundesgesundheitsbl 59, 755–763 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-016-2357-0

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