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The article discusses research on the impact of environmental peanut exposure to peanut sensitization and allergy, in which discussions include increased peanut sensitization and allergy among children exposed to peanut antigen and the need for further research to delineate risks versus benefits of different routes of exposure.

Presents an abstract of the study `Evidence for a Disease-Promoting Effect of Staphylococcus Aureus-Derived Exotoxins in Atopic Dermatitis,' by R. Bunikowski, M.E.A. Mielke and H. Skarabis, published in a 2000 issue of the `Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.'

The article presents a research study which determines the connection between allergic rhinitis (AR) and wheezing cough in school-age children. Study shows the variation of acquiring wheezing cough in these children due to different stratification age and phenotypes of the said rhinitis. However, it cites the association of the two diseases in preschool children. Moreover, the benefits of this study for the early treatment of children is also reported.

Background: Prognostication of peanut allergy (PNA) is relevant for early interventions. We aimed to determine baseline parameters associated with the development of PNA in 3‐ to 15‐month‐olds with likely egg and/or milk allergy, and/or moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and a positive egg/milk skin prick test (SPT), but no known PNA. Methods: The primary endpoint was PNA [confirmed/convincing diagnosis or last classified as serologic PNA (<2 years, ≥5 kUA/L, otherwise ≥14 kUA/L, peanut IgE)] among 511 participants (median follow‐up, 7.3 years). Associations were explored with univariate logistic regression; factors with P < 0.15 were analyzed by stepwise multiple logistic regression, using data stratified by PNA status and randomly assigned to development and validation datasets. Results: 205/511 (40.1%) had PNA. Univariate factors associated with PNA (P < 0.01) included increased AD severity, larger egg and peanut SPT, greater egg, milk, peanut, Ara h1‐h3 IgE, higher peanut IgG and IgG4, and increased pregnancy peanut consumption. P‐values were between 0.01 and 0.05 for younger age, non‐white race, lack of breastfeeding, and increased lactation peanut consumption. Using a development dataset, the multivariate model identified younger age at enrollment, greater peanut and Ara h2 IgE, and lack of breastfeeding as prognosticators. The final model predicted 79% in the development and 75% in the validation dataset (AUC = 0.83 for both). Models using stricter or less strict PNA criteria both found Ara h2 as predictive. Conclusions: Key factors associated with PNA in this high‐risk population included lack of breastfeeding, age, and greater Ara h2 and peanut‐specific IgE, which can be used to prognosticate outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Secondary skin infection with Staphylococcus aureus is a significant problem in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Objective. This study evaluated antimicrobial resistance patterns of S aureus isolates from skin lesions in AD patients and empiric antimicrobial prescribing patterns. Methods. Resistance patterns from positive skin cultures obtained from AD patients in the Allergy/Immunology clinic from May 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008, were compared with all outpatient wound cultures over the same period. Results. Fifty-nine cultures were obtained from 38 AD patients. S aureus was the most common pathogen cultured from AD patients (53/59 cultures). S aureus resistance to clindamycin and methicillin differed significantly between the study group and the outpatient reference population (37.7% vs 9.4% and 45.3% vs 76.4%). Clindamycin was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial (59%). Overall, 31.4% of organisms showed resistance to the antimicrobial prescribed. Conclusions. Susceptibility profiles of S aureus isolates from AD patients vary significantly from that of the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue contains summaries of the best articles relevant to pediatric allergy and immunology, elected by members of the Section on Allergy and Immunology of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This information is from articles that appeared in the medical literature between December 1, 1996 and November 30, 1997. Among the articles are studies related to atopic dermatitis, food allergy, immunotherapy, pathophysiology, urticaria and angioedema and many more. Titles include: 'A Short-Term Trial of Tacrolimus Ointment for Atopic Dermatitis,' Allergenicity of Gourmet Nut Oils Processed by Different Methods, ' Treatment of Anaphylactic Sensitivity to Peanuts by Immunotherapy with Injections of Aqueous Peanut Extract,' 'Life-Threatening Fish Allerge Successfully Treated with Immunotherapy,' and many more.

Presents information on a study featured in the 2002 issue of the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology," which compared tacrolimus ointment with hydrocortisone acetate ointment in children 2 to 15 years of age with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Treatment; Baseline assessments made; Percentage of tacrolimus ointment and hydrocortisone acetate ointment used.