Introduction
According to Kay (2000), tree nuts and peanuts are capable of causing anaphylaxis. This condition can also result in unexpected death. Anaphylaxis is one of the most serious allergic reactions (Mukai et al. 2009). The allergic condition can cause several symptoms such as throat swelling, increased temperatures, fever, itching, and reduced blood pressure (Ebo et al. 2007). Some major causes of anaphylaxis include medications, snakebites, and foods.
According to Leon et al. (2005, p. 1057), ‘co-sensitization to tree nuts and peanuts remains a common clinical observation’. This is usually a common practice ‘because peanut-specific IgE antibodies are capable of cross-reacting with allergens obtained from various nuts’ (Ebo et al. 2007, p. 479). Although the researchers understood the above background information, they did not understand whether such IgE antibodies played any role in activating different effector-cells. That being the case, the researchers ‘wanted to establish whether cross-reactivity of peanut-specific IgE antibodies with tree nuts could cause effector-cell activation using an in viro basophil activation assay’ (Leon et al. 2005, p. 1056).
Aims of the Research
The researchers did not understand the mechanisms associated with the activation of effector cells. The researchers used a basophil bio-activation assay to understand the machine much better (Leon et al. 2005). The objective of the study was to establish whether cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies with various allergens could result in effector-cell activation (Leon et al. 2005).
Methods
The scholars used the most appropriate method for the study. The first step was to analyze two peanut allergens. These allergens contain specific IgE for tree nuts and peanuts respectively. The researchers used flow symmetry to assess using basophil activation to confirm the level of co-sensitization. The scholars used sera from the identified subjects to perform inhibition ELISA (Leon et al. 2005). The process detected peanut-specific IgE antibodies that reacted with proteins from different nuts (Leon et al. 2005). The authors ‘used affinity purification from the sera to establish whether cross-reactive allergens were capable of inducing effector-cell activation’ (Leon et al. 2005, p. 1060). This study method made it possible for the researchers to come up with the best results. Such results made it easier for the researchers to analyze their objectives.
Conclusions
After conducting the study, the researchers confirmed that peanut-specific IgE antibodies that can cross-react with nut allergens were capable of causing effector-cell activation (Leon et al. 2005). The results also explained ‘how such IgE antibodies promoted the manifestation of tree nut allergy in different allergic subjects (Ebo et al. 2007). The researchers used ‘inhibition ELISA to demonstrate how pre-incubation of the peanut-allergic subject sera with almond inhibited IgE binding to peanut’ (Leon et al. 2005 p. 1063).
These conclusions explain why individuals should undertake the necessary measures to protect themselves from these allergens. This is necessary because such allergens are associated with anaphylaxis (Ebo et al. 2007). This condition can cause death within a very short duration. The study did not identify some of the major cross-reacting allergens. The authors have concluded the article by encouraging more people to avoid tree nuts because they can result in anaphylaxis (Saleh et al. p. 2012). Similar studies are required to understand the effects of different tree nuts. The approach will protect more individuals from the effects of such allergens.
List of References
Ebo, D, Fisher, M, Hagendorens, M, Bridts, C & Stevens, W 2007, ‘Anaphylaxis during anesthesia: diagnostic approach’, Allergy, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 471-487.
Kay, A 2000, ‘Overview of Allergy and Allergic Diseases: With a View to the Future’, British Medical Bulletin, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 843-864.
Leon, M, Drew, A, Glaspole, N, Suphioglu, C, Rolland, M & O’Hehir, R 2005, ‘Functional analysis of cross-reactive immunoglobulin E antibodies: peanut-specific immunoglobulin E sensitizes basophils to tree nut allergens’, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 1056-1064.
Mukai, K, Obata, K, Tsujimura, Y & Karasuyama, H 2009, ‘New Insights into the Roles for Basophils in Acute and Chronic Allergy’, Allergology International, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 11-19.
Saleh, H, Embry, S, Nauli, A, Atyia, S & Krishnaswamy, G 2012, ‘Anaphylactic Reactions to Oligosaccharides in Red Meat: A Syndrome in Evolution’, Clinical and Molecular Allergy, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1-11.