Mini review article deals with the most studied group of chemical compounds – polyphenols – predominantly flavonoids in relation to their allergic immune response. There is clarified and discussed their mechanism of action as well. We emphasized on the strongest inhibitors of allergic reactions - luteolin, fisetin and apigenin, but in the second part the currently studied flavonoids have been summarized as well.

The importance of diet and supplement intake in the onset and development of asthma has been advocated recently, and it may be important in the prevention and management of bronchial asthma. Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3PUFAs), vitamins (Vit), choline, and probiotics may be candidates to reduce medication use and provide some protection from risk. Experimental studies of diet in bronchial asthma have demonstrated modification of pulmonary function and the immune system through mechanisms involving antioxidant effect, T-helper (Th) 2 and Th17 inhibition, tolerogenic regulatory T cell (Treg) function promotion, nuclear transcription factors and epigenetic regulation. Although studies in animal models have provided evidence of supportive effects of diet in asthma, there have been few longitudinal studies of dietary or supplement intake and asthma, and the available epidemiological data remain controversial and inconclusive.

Introduction: We report a selective anaphylaxis to yuzu (Citrus junos). Case Presentation: A 42-year-old woman, with no atopic history, has experienced two anaphylactic reactions after consuming yuzu. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed with juice, peel and pulp of commercially available lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerine and yuzu, 2 cultivars of Citrus junos, 2 cultivars of Citrus reticulata, one Citrus ichangensis and food consumed during the culprit meal. Basophil activation test and immunoblot were also performed. Result: Skin prick test to juice and peel of yuzu and basophil activation test to juice of yuzu were positive. The protein recognized by IgE is a protein of 23 kDa. Conclusion: Our patient presents a selective food allergy to yuzu. She consumed other citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit, and tangerine) without any reaction.

This survey evaluated the impact of food allergy on the allergic person’s travel decision, trip organization and stay abroad. Hundred and two persons have participated. Results show that food allergy prevents 14% of respondents from travelling. Of the 81 travellers, 49% gets anxiety and 46% fear from food allergy. Difficulties related to food intake at restaurants were expressed by 67% of travellers. It is shown that allergic travellers adopt preventive behaviours and avoidance attitudes of allergenic products such as carrying their own food, reading labels, avoiding consumption of local foods, questioning about food composition. To prevent reaction after accidental ingestion, 69 travellers carry their emergency kit during travel. However, allergic accidents occurred to 30% of travellers. Food served in restaurants and homemade foods were the principal causes. This study shows the need to inform allergic patients about the regulation on the provision of food information to consumers and how to manage food allergy during travel, the need to establish a policy addressing training of restaurant staff about food allergy.

There seems to be no unanimity of opinion as to the mode of transmission of allergic disease. According to some, allergy is transmitted as a simple Mendelian dominant. In direct contrast, others maintain that the findings favor a recessive mechanism. Further- more, others suggest that the condition is inherited as a “partial dominant” disorder. An additional analysis of family studies as well as data already published, failed to support either the simple dominant or recessive theory. The dominant theory does not explain why in more than half of the pedigrees both parents are normal. The recessive theory is refuted by the existence of pedigrees in which both parents are affected, yet some of the children are normal. To put more order in this complex mess, we have decided to study the genetic risk of children with a family history (FH) of allergy, We have therefore formed this prospective study in 250 children that included: family (FH) and personal history, skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific IgE (RAST), who were admitted to the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Division of Rome University since they were affected with respiratory allergy. We have prepared a sheet with questions and possible answers. Consequently, we have studied the FH of these children asking whether their parents and brothers/sisters had atopic diseases, and specifying whether such disorders were respiratory or food allergies (FA). The parents of all children gave their informed consent. We analyzed data using the X2 method. 42.3% of their parents were atopic, as well as their 20 brothers/sisters. In total, 90.2% of fathers, 84% of mothers and 65% of brothers/sisters had asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR). We add that some parents had urticarial, further there were mothers and brothers/sisters experiencing atopic dermatitis (AD), and some mothers with food allergy (FA). In 23 children from these parents most had AD and respiratory allergy. In 250 children comparable for age and sex with no respiratory disorder supplied from our out­ patient clinic 40 parents, 14 mothers and 26 fathers and 9 brothers/sisters had asthma or AR (p = 0.0001), some fathers had also urticaria and two brothers AD. A major part of respiratory allergy is not transmitted by mothers: we stress that 42.3% of parents are atopic, and FH of their children was positive for respiratory allergy in 82-92% of cases. Thus respiratory allergy can have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, but considering the other atopic diseases, the transmission can be polygenic. The impact of genetic factors in these children is stressed by the relevant quote of asthmatic brothers/sisters.