Extensively hydrolyzed formula (MA-mi) induced exacerbation of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in a male infant.

BACKGROUND: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a severe, cell-mediated food allergy in which digestive symptoms such as severe vomiting and diarrhea are induced by cow's milk and/or soy protein in infants. Generally, a food-specific IgE is not detected, and FPIES may be caused by inadvertent exposure to allergenic foods. CASE SUMMARY: The patient in our case was a male infant in whom vomiting had been induced by ingestion of a cow's milk-based formula and bloody diarrhea had been caused by ingestion of breast milk during the neonatal period. Accidental ingestion of a new and extensively hydrolyzed casein/whey formula, MA-mi, caused watery diarrhea at 8 months of age, and FPIES was diagnosed based on these symptoms. In antigen-specific lymphocyte stimulation tests, New MA-1 was negative, but MA-mi and cow's milk antigens were positive. The only causative antigens were derived from cow's milk, and the symptoms were not induced by another extensively hydrolyzed casein formula, New MA-1. The patient grew and developed normally thereafter, and no symptoms were induced by solid food during the course of the condition. DISCUSSION: MA-mi is likely to be used increasingly for allergic infants, but it is not necessarily a substitute for other hydrolyzed milk formulae in all cases, and care should be taken regarding its use and possible misuse.     

Partially hydrolysed 100% whey-based infant formula and the prevention of atopic dermatitis: comparative pharmacoeconomic analyses

Clinical trials have demonstrated that the risk of developing atopic dermatitis is reduced when using hydrolysed formulas to feed infants with a documented risk of atopy (i.e. an affected parent and/or sibling)when breastfeeding is not practised. However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of using hydrolysed formulas. Consequently, economic analyses in 5 European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland) have evaluated the costs and cost-effectiveness of a specific brand of 100% whey-based partially hydrolysed infant formula, NAN-HA? (PHF-W) compared with a cow's milk standard formula (SF) in the prevention of atopic dermatitis in at-risk children. This review synthesises the findings of these studies. Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) used a decision-analytic model to determine treatment pathways, resource utilisation and costs associated with the management of atopic dermatitis in healthy at-risk newborns who were not exclusively breastfed. The model had a 12-month horizon and applied reimbursement rates of 60-100% depending on the country. Outcomes were considered from the perspective of the public healthcare system (e.g. the Ministry of Health; MOH), family and society. The final outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per avoided case of atopic dermatitis (ICER) for PHF-W versus SF. A cost-minimisation analysis was also performed to compare PHF-W with extensively hydrolysed formulas (EHF). The base-case CEA produced ICERs per avoided case for PHF-W versus SF of EUR 982-1,343 (MOH perspective), EUR -2,202 to -624 (family perspective) indicating savings, and EUR -1,220 to 719 from the societal perspective. The main costs related to formula (MOH and society) and time loss (family). In the cost-minimisation analysis, PHF-W yielded savings of between EUR 4.3 and 120 million compared with EHF-whey when the latter was used in prevention. In conclusion, PHF-W was cost-effective versus SF in the prevention of atopic dermatitis and cost saving compared with EHF when used in prevention.     

Hypereosinophilia, hyper-IgE syndrome, and atopic dermatitis in a toddler with food hypersensitivity.

We describe a 20-month-old girl with hypereosinophilia, hyper-immunoglobulin (Ig) E syndrome, and atopic dermatitis. Her peripheral eosinophil count and IgE plasma levels were 2.65 x 10(9)/L and 6702 IU/mL, respectively. Specific IgE levels for a variety of foods and inhalants were high and single-blind food challenges were positive for cow's milk, hen's egg, oat, wheat, and soy. When the patient received an extensively hydrolyzed milk formula, an exclusion diet, and 2 mg/kg of prednisone daily, the atopic dermatitis partially improved. Further improvement was observed with 1 mg/kg of azathioprine daily. Long-term clinical response was satisfactory.We suggest that food hypersensitivity should be ruled out in patients with hypereosinophilia, hyper-IgE syndrome, and atopic dermatitis. Azathioprine may be a good therapeutic alternative for treatment in such cases.     

Immunogenicity of hydrolysate formulas in children (part 1). Analysis of 202 reactions.

Cow's milk protein hydrolyzed formulas appeared in the 1940s with the aim of decreasing or eliminating the allergenicity of cow's milk proteins, in addition to reducing the risk of sensitization. In recent years, the so-called "hypoallergenic" formulas have been developed. The use of such hydrolyzed formulas is based on the premise that predigested proteins, when fed as amino acids and peptides, provide nutrients in a nonantigenic form. Thus, protein hydrolyzed formulas have been classified as hypoallergenic. These formulas are processed by heat and enzymatic hydrolysis, and the conformational and sequential structures are more or less changed. The formulas contain peptides of lower molecular weight than the native protein source, which are thought to be less immunogenic. Hydrolyzed formulas appear to be nutritionally adequate and infants generally gain weight until they refuse the formula because of its bad taste. However, caution should be taken when such formulas are given for prolonged periods since no data are available on nutritional assessment of infants exclusively fed hydrolyzed formulas for several months. In this paper we report and discuss more than 202 reactions to different hydrolyzed formulas, including cases of anaphylactic shock and apparent life-threatening events. The cross-reactivity between different hydrolyzed formulas and cow's milk proteins, and the potential immunogenicity of such formulas are discussed. We conclude that none of the hydrolyzed formulas are nonallergenic, both for allergic children and for high-risk babies. Moreover, we suggest that double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge studies in larger cohorts of babies evaluated with well-defined and well-validated diagnostic methods may establish a more reliable prevalence of allergy to hydrolyzed formulas.     

The growing genetic links and the early onset of atopic diseases in children stress the unique role of the atopic march: a meta-analysis.

Allergic asthma and rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and food allergy are genetic diseases present in infants and children. Several investigators have provided evidence for a genetic localization for atopy. Babies of atopic parents are at high risk of developing atopic diseases; however, the phenotypic expression of such diseases varies widely in that it can be very mild in some infants and children, severe and frustrating in many, even life-threatening in others, as well as also being common, disabling and chronic. A meta-analysis of all available studies on the age of onset of atopic march was carried out by selecting what appeared to be the most relevant articles in the literature rather than aiming for a comprehensive selection. It was found that in the first year of life, there is the onset of atopic dermatitis in 79.8% (60.2-100%) of babies, of cow's milk allergy in 72.7%, egg allergy in 71%, and fish allergy in 51.3%. Asthma starts in the first year of life in 41.8%, in the second in 49.3%, and within the eighth year in 92.5% of children. Allergic rhinitis begins in 35% of babies in the first year of life, and in 59% or 13-19% in those aged 2-5 years. It seems therefore that up until now the role of pediatric allergy and immunology has been somewhat obscured, as can be witnessed by atopic march. Instead, pediatric allergy and immunology have a substantial, unmatched role, focusing on the early and often very early onset of atopy, which requires strategic intervention in the very first months of life or even before birth. As the main goal of modern medicine is prevention of chronic and severe diseases, the possibility of preventing such disorders in predisposed children has stimulated the imagination of researchers since the beginning of the century, when atopic diseases were not as common as they are now.     

Phenotypes of IgE-mediated food allergy in Turkish children

Data on food allergy-related comorbid diseases and the knowledge on factors associating specific food types with specific allergic outcomes are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical spectrum of IgE-dependent food allergy and the specific food-related phenotypes in a group of children with IgE-mediated food allergy. Children diagnosed with IgE-mediated food allergy were included in a cross-sectional study. IgE-mediated food allergy was diagnosed in the presence of specific IgE or skin-prick test and a consistent and clear-cut history of food-related symptoms or positive open provocation test. Egg (57.8%), cow's milk (55.9%), hazelnut (21.9%), peanut (11.7%), walnut (7.6%), lentil (7.0%), wheat (5.7%), and beef (5.7%) were the most common food allergies in children with food allergy. The respiratory symptoms and pollen sensitization were more frequent in children with isolated tree nuts-peanut allergy compared with those with egg or milk allergy (p < 0.001); whereas atopic dermatitis was more frequent in children with isolated egg allergy compared with those with isolated cow's milk and tree nuts-peanut allergy (p < 0.001). Children with food allergy were 3.1 (p = 0.003) and 2.3 (p = 0.003) times more likely to have asthma in the presence of allergic rhinitis and tree nuts-peanut allergy, respectively. Interestingly, children with atopic dermatitis were 0.5 (p = 0.005) times less likely to have asthma. Asthma (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; p = 0.002) and having multiple food allergies (OR, 5.4; p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for anaphylaxis. The phenotypes of IgE-mediated food allergy are highly heterogeneous and some clinical phenotypes may be associated with the specific type of food and the number of food allergies.     

Use of an amino-acid-based formula in the treatment of cow's milk protein allergy and multiple food allergy syndrome

Food allergy to cow's milk proteins (APLV) is frequently found in young infants. Treatment is by starting an elimination diet. Different substitution products have been proposed: soya milk, partial hydrolysate of the proteins of lactoserum, powdered casein hydrolysate, hydrolysed soya and pork collagen. Allergic reactions to soya milk, hydrolysates of lactoserum proteins, powdered casein hydrolysates and hydrolysates of soya have been described. The study that we present evaluates the effect on the natural development of these allergies of a formula based on amino-acids (Neocate) in 26 patients who presented a syndrome of multiple allergies one of which was a food allergy to milk. Twenty-five of them had a severe atopic dermatitis, isolated (14 cases), or associated with gastro-intestinal troubles (6) break in the growth curve (5), anaphylactic reactions (2), one asthma (1). One child had a chronic diarrhoea associated with a weight plateau. Evaluation 2 or 3 months later showed a significant improvement of the atopic dermatitis. Return of the stature-weight growth was noted in 4 children from 5, the check in one was reported as due to a initially unrecognised allergy to gluten. The recovery of the APLV was shown by double-blind oral provocation test in 20/23 children between 11 and 37 months (22 +/- 9). Duration of administration of Neonate was between 6 to 19 months (12 + 5) months. This study confirmed the beneficial effect of the amino-acid formula on weight gain, gastro-intestinal troubles and development of atopic dermatitis. The level of recovery of APLV of 86% at the age of 2 years is better than that reported in the syndrome of multiple food allergies of 22%. The influence of this diet on the development of other food allergies remains to be evaluated.     

Etiologic implication of foods in atopic dermatitis: evidence against

Atopic dermatitis is a typical chronic inflammatory skin disease that usually occurs in individuals with a personal or family history of atopy. Children with atopic dermatitis frequently present IgE-mediated food sensitization, the most commonly involved foods being egg and cow's milk. However, controversy currently surrounds whether food allergy is an etiological factor in atopic dermatitis or whether it is simply an associated factor, accompanying this disease as one more expression of the patient's atopic predisposition. Approximately 40 % of neonates and small children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis present food allergy confirmed by double-blind provocation tests but this allergy does not seem to be the cause of dermatitis since in many cases onset occurs before the food responsible for allergic sensitization is introduced into the newborn's diet.Studies of double-blind provocation tests with food in patients with atopic dermatitis demonstrate mainly immediate reactions compatible with an IgE-mediated allergy. These reactions occur between 5 minutes and 2 hours and present mainly cutaneous symptoms (pruritus, erythema, morbilliform exanthema, wheals) and to a lesser extent, digestive manifestations (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), as well as respiratory symptoms (wheezing, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing). However, these reactions do not indicate the development of dermatitis.Some authors believe that responses to the food in provocation tests may also be delayed, appearing mainly in the following 48 hours, and clinically manifested as exacerbation of dermatitis. However, delayed symptoms are difficult to diagnose and attributing these symptoms to a particular foodstuff may not be possible.Delayed reactions have been attributed to a non-IgE-mediated immunological mechanism and patch tests with food have been proposed for their diagnosis. In our experience and in that of other authors, the results of patch tests with cow's milk do not seem very specific and could be due, at least in part, to the irritant effect of these patches on the reactive skin of children with atopic dermatitis.The involvement of foods in atopic dermatitis will always be difficult to demonstrate given that an exclusion diet is not usually required for its resolution. Food is just one among several possible exacerbating factors and consequently identification of its precise role in the course of the disease is difficult. Further double-blind prospective studies are required to demonstrate the effectiveness of exclusion diets in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.Apart from the controversy surrounding the etiological role of foods, the most important point in atopic dermatitis is to understand that the child is atopic, that is, predisposed to developing sensitivity to environmental allergens; in the first few years of life to foods and subsequently to aeroallergens. Consequently, possible allergic sensitization to foods should be evaluated in children with atopic dermatitis to avoid allergic reactions and to prevent the possible development of allergic respiratory disease later in life.     

Effect of breast-feeding on the development of atopic dermatitis

Atopy can be defined as the genetically determined risk to develop allergic disease. Avoidance of one specific allergen may decrease the risk for sensitization against this allergen, but it will not affect atopy. Our aim was to investigate if exclusive breast-feeding is associated with atopic dermatitis during the first 5 years of life. Data on 200 children were taken from parental-administered questionnaires from a case control study in Birjand - Iran (recruited 2003) comprised of a case (100 children with atopic dermatitis) and a control (100 normal children) subgroup. Outcomes were physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis (AD) and itchy rash. Data were analyzed by using SPSS package, Chi square and Exact Fisher tests.Thirty-four of the case and 50 of control group were exclusively breast-fed, whereas 6 of the case and 2 of control group were exclusively cow milk-fed. These differences were statistically significant. (P less than 0.05). Duration of breast-feeding in case and control group was different. These differences were statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Duration of cow's milk formula feeding in case and control group was different, but these differences were not statistically significant. (P=0.6) Positive family history of allergy in case and control group was 63% and 23% respectively and this difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.001). These findings support the hypothesis that exclusive breast-feeding is a protective factor for development of atopic dermatitis if compared with conventional cow's milk formula.     

Aliments et dermatite atopique

Food allergy plays a pathogenetic role in subset of patient with atopic dermatitis, as proven over the past decade by laboratory and clinical investigations. Likely 40% of infants and young children may present with food allergy, whatever the severity of atopic dermatitis. The identification of the subset of patient with relevant food allergy requires a thorough a clinical history, the appropriate laboratory tests, food allergy being proven in all cases by elimination diets followed by provocation tests. Atopic dermatitis may be cured or largely improved by elimination diets, but the latter need a peculiar education of patient and physicians because the common causal foods involved (egg, milk, wheat, soil, peanut) are ubiquitous in industrial foods and since elimination diets are at risk of nutritional imbalances. Most food allergies resolve following early childhood and atopic dermatitis in older children and adults is largely less related to food allergy.     

Specific IgE to Common Food Allergens in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a major public health problem, often starting in early childhood and sometimes followed by other allergic diseases. Although hypersensitivity to foods is assumed to play an essential role in the development of atopic dermatitis in some patients, little is known about common food allergens in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis. Objectives: This study was designed to identify probable food allergens in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis and find the relationship between food sensitization and the severity of atopic dermatitis. Methods: This study included 90 children aged 2-48 months with atopic dermatitis. Skin prick tests for cow's milk, hen's egg, almond, potato and soybean were done. Serum specific IgE to 20 food allergens was also screened. Results: Among children with atopic dermatitis, the frequency of food sensitization was 40% by skin prick test and 51% by food-specific IgE. Children with atopic dermatitis were most commonly sensitized to cow's milk (31%), hen's egg (17.7%), tree nuts (17.7%), wheat (12.2%), potato (11.1%), tomato (8.8%) and peanut (8.8%). In 42 children with moderate to severe eczema, sensitivity to food allergens was 78.5% by skin prick test and 88% by serum specific IgE evaluation. Conclusion: Our results showed that cow's milk, hen's egg and tree nuts were the most common food allergens in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis. Sensitization to foods was much higher in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Determining specific IgE in children with atopic dermatitis can be helpful in managing these patients.     

Genetic and environmental influences on atopic immune response in early life.

The purpose of our study was to carry out a prospective follow-up of 114 newborns at term (including three pairs of twins), regarding clinical manifestations for atopy during the first year of life. Their IgE levels in cord blood samples, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were measured and the influence of race, sex, breast-feeding, maternal smoking, family income, month of birth, family history and personal manifestations of atopic disease were evaluated. Total serum immunoglobulin E was quantified by microparticle enzyme immuno-assay (MEIA). The study group consisted of 60 (53%) male neonates, 67 (59%) Caucasians and 47 (41%) blacks. In the clinical follow-up, 32 (28.1%) infants developed obvious atopic disease: 29 infants presented recurrent wheezing, two had cow's milk allergy and one had atopic dermatitis. Probable atopic disease developed in 12 (10.5%) infants, whereas 70 (61.4%) infants showed no manifestations. Cord blood IgE levels in infants with obvious atopic disease was higher when compared to those without (p = 0.024), with 70.97% sensitivity and 46.2% specificity. IgE levels were also significantly different up to 12 months in these groups (p = 0.0001), when the sensitivity was 82.1% and the specificity 54.1%. At this age, the IgE levels were higher in infants with obvious atopy than nonatopic disease in relation to male sex (p = 0.015), black race (p = 0.009), breast-feeding for less than 6 months (p = 0.011) and when the family income was less than three times the minimum wage (about US $300) (p = 0.006). There was no association between IgE levels and family history of atopy. We concluded that immune response for atopy was in a large degree influenced by environmental factors and serum IgE at 12 months was a good marker for identifying infants with risk of atopic disease in early life.     

Risk of allergy to food proteins in topical medicinal agents and cosmetics

The risk of allergy to food proteins in cosmetics and topical medicinal agents is poorly evaluated. IgE dependent contact urticaria and contact dermatitis are observed. Eleven cases (7 infants and 4 women) are reported. Wheat, egg, oats, milk, peanut proteins are incriminated by prick-tests or atopy patch-tests. Cases are related to a previous food allergy and other ones may indicate primary sensitization to topical creams mainly used for skin care of atopic dermatitis. A consecutive exercise induced anaphylaxis to wheat and a long lasting sensitization to wheat have been observed. A clear and accurate identification of food allergens in cosmetics and topical agents is necessary. Given the hyper-permeability of infant skin, topical products containing food proteins of known allergenicity are contra-indicated for neonates, and for infants with atopic dermatitis, which may be associated with skin hyper-permeability.     

Breastfeeding and allergy: the evidence

Whether breastfeeding protects against the development of allergic disease has been a frequent subject of study and debate for 75 years. This paper summarizes the published evidence concerning the risks of atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, positive allergen skin tests, and food allergy associated with infant feeding. The summary is based largely on systematic reviews and meta-analyses carried out by other authors. In addition, I also incorporate the evidence from our long-term follow-up of Belarusian children participating in a cluster-randomized trial of a breastfeeding promotion intervention.     

Patch tests in the diagnosis of food allergies in the nursing infant

The atopy patch-test has been shown to be useful in diagnosis of delayed reactions in infants with atopic dermatitis or digestive symptoms. The combination of skin prick testing and patch testing can significantly enhance the accuracy in diagnosis of specific food allergy in infants with atopic dermatitis or digestive symptoms.     

Food Allergy and Atopic Dermatitis: How Are They Connected?

Food allergy predominantly affects children rather than adults with atopic dermatitis (AD). Early food sensitization has been found to be significantly associated with AD. Three different patterns of clinical reactions to food allergens in AD patients have been identified: 1) immediate-type symptoms, 2) isolated eczematous late-type reactions, and 3) combined reactions. Whereas in children, allergens from cow’s milk, hen’s egg, soy, wheat, fish, peanut, or tree nuts are primarily responsible for allergic reactions, birch pollen–related food allergens seem to play a major role in adolescent and adults with AD in Central and Northern Europe. Defects in the epidermal barrier function seem to facilitate the development of sensitization to allergens following epicutaneous exposure. The relevance of defects in the gut barrier as well as genetic characteristics associated with an increased risk of food allergy remain to be further investigated. Many studies focus on sufficient strategies of prevention, which actually include breastfeeding or feeding with hydrolyzed formula during the first 4 months of life.     

Molecularly defined adult-type hypolactasia in school-aged children with a previous history of cow＇s milk allergy

AIM: To assess the role of lactase non-persistence/persistence in school-aged children and their milk-related symptoms. METHODS: The genotypes for the C/T-13910 variant associated with lactase non-persistence/ persistence were determined using PCR-minisequencing in a group of 172 children with a mean age of 8.6 years (SE = 0.02, 93 boys) participating in a follow-up study for cow's milk allergy. The parents were asked to assess their children's milk consumption and abdominal symptoms. RESULTS: The presence of allergy to cow's milk was not associated with the C/C-13910 genotype related with a decline of lactase enzyme activity during childhood (lactase non-persistence). The frequency of the C/C-13910 genotype (16%) was similar to published figures for the prevalence of adult-type hypolactasia in Finland. The majority of the children (90%) in this series consumed milk but 26% of their families suspected that their children had milk-related symptoms. Forty-eight percent of the children with the C/C-13910 genotype did not drink milk at all or consumed a low lactose containing diet prior to the genotyping (P< 0.004 when compared to the other genotypes). CONCLUSION: Analysis of the C/T-13910 polymorphism is an easy and reliable method for excluding adult-type hypolactasia in children with milk-related symptoms. Genotyping for this variant can be used to advise diets for children with a previous history of cow's milk allergy.     

Sesame Seed Food Allergy

The number of reports regarding sesame seed food allergy (SFA) has increased significantly worldwide over the past two decades, either due to a genuine increase in SFA or merely an increase in its awareness. Its prevalence is difficult to estimate due to the lack of well designed prospective population-based studies. Based on the available data, we estimate that SFA affects 0.1-0.2 % of the population, in areas where the food is available. Albeit this prevalence appears to be relatively low, it is approximately one-half of that of persistent cow's milk allergy. While only one fatality has been reported, the significant number of SFA patients presenting as anaphylaxis indicates the potential risk. Many reports based the diagnosis of SFA on sensitization criteria alone, particularly amongst atopic dermatitis patients. Elimination of sesame from the diet of these children utilizing such criteria is not justified, and may even increase the risk for developing SFA.     

Intestinal blood loss as an aggravating factor of iron deficiency in infants aged 9 to 12 months fed whole cow's milk

GOALS: To verify the occurrence of occult intestinal blood loss and iron deficiency in infants aged 9 to 12 months. STUDY: A consecutive sample of 98 infants of the Pediatric Public Health Primary Care Unit in the town of Arapongas, Parana State, Brazil was involved in this cross-sectional study. Dietary history, hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and an occult fecal blood loss investigation, by the immune chromatographic method specific for human hemoglobin were performed. RESULTS: Presence of occult intestinal blood occurred in 8/23 of the breast-fed (plus complementary feed) infants and in 30/64 of the infants who were fed with cow's milk (plus complementary feed) (P=0.449). The comparison of body iron indicators in accordance to positive or negative occult fecal blood, did not show any significant difference in the 23 breast-fed infants. Serum ferritin (median=4.2 ng/mL) was significantly lower (P=0.004) in infants who received whole cow's milk and had positive occult fecal blood, than in those infants who received whole cow's milk but were without occult fecal blood (median=12.1 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: In breast-fed infants with negative occult fecal blood, iron deficiency severity is not greater than in those with positive results. In infants fed whole cow's milk, occult fecal blood loss is an aggravating factor of iron deficiency.     

Reaginic hypersensitivity in ulcerative colitis

Reaginic hypersensitivity in ulcerative colitis has been investigated in respect of a hypersensitivity to the cow's milk proteins and the frequency of atopic asthma, hay fever, and eczema. Intradermal tests were frequently positive, especially to casein, but the results did not differ from those found in healthy individuals and in groups of patients with Crohn's disease, hypolactasia, and the irritable colon syndrome. No circulating IgE-specific antibodies to the milk proteins were found. An increased frequency of atopic diseases was found in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (15.7%) and Crohn's disease (13.3%) compared with the findings in a control group (1.2%).It is concluded that, if an allergy to milk proteins is a factor in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, it is not mediated by reaginic antibodies. It is possible, however, that the frequent occurrence of atopy indicates a susceptibility to develop reaginic responses even though this mechanism does not apply to the milk proteins.