title: The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide improves prediction of clinical allergic reaction to peanut challenge in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retrospective studies of childhood peanut allergy demonstrate serum-specific IgE (IgE) levels against the peanut allergen Ara h2 may help predict a clinical reaction at food challenge. Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive tool correlating to allergic airways inflammation and has been independently associated with increased food-specific IgE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the validity of serum-specific Ara h2 IgE measured prospectively to diagnose peanut allergy and explore the utility of FeNO as a non-invasive screening tool for childhood food challenge.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 53 participants from a cohort of consecutive children scheduled for an open-labelled peanut food challenge (OFC) by their paediatric allergist. Participants underwent skin prick test (SPT) measurement for sensitization to whole peanut extract, and serum was collected for Ara h2-specific IgE. FeNO was also measured in all cooperative children before the challenge. OFC and assessment of reaction were undertaken by clinicians blinded to test results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ara h2-specific IgE and FeNO each showed improved diagnostic accuracy when compared to SPT. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis gave an area under the curve (AUC) for Ara h2 sIgE of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.72-0.96). The AUC for FeNO, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71-0.95), was equivalent to that of Ara h2. Combined AUC for SPT, sIgE to Ara h2 and FeNO was 0.96 (95% CI 0.90-1.00). There was no correlation between FeNO and serum nitrite levels (rs = -0.13, P = 0.6, n = 18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prospectively measured Ara h2-specific IgE improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces unsuccessful challenge to peanut. FeNO levels may provide improved diagnostic accuracy in a paediatric population undergoing OFC. The proposed FeNO-based diagnostic algorithm requires further validation studies.
authors.affiliation: Experimental & Translational Respiratory Medicine Group, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Department of Paediatric Allergy & Immunology, Newcastle Children's Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Preece
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patchett
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McElduff
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collison
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mattes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology; D010367:Arachis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Ara h2; FeNO; diagnostic algorithm; objective screening; peanut allergy diagnosis