‘Diagnosis, characterization and management of food allergy: a tough (wal)nut to crack’, a dissertation by Mark Blankestijn, MD. Abstract Walnut (Juglans regia) is a known food allergen, able to elicit potentially severe allergic reactions. Threshold data from walnut challenged and allergic adults demonstrated that walnut is a potent allergen, with eliciting doses similar to hazelnut. … Read more

‘Allergenic risks of mealworm and other insects’, a dissertation by Henrike Hustinx-Broekman, MD. Abstract Assessment of cross-reactivity and primary sensitization and allergy by new food proteins: the goal and contents of this thesis. Allergies to new food proteins can result from cross-reactivity in existing sensitized or allergic individuals and thereby thus immediately manifest themselves in … Read more

‘Peanut allergy diagnosis and management; the role of allergen components’, a dissertation by Rob Klemans, MD. Abstract Peanut and soy are both legumes and therefore phylogenetically related. Both peanut and soy should be addressed in the diagnostic work-up of a suspected allergy to either of these foods because of possible cross-reactivity. Allergic symptoms to both foods … Read more

‘Hazelnut allergy in children and adults: diagnosis and underlying mechanisms’, a disseration by Laury Masthoff, MD. Abstract Hazelnut is a frequently consumed tree nut. This thesis shows that allergic symptoms to hazelnut are common but highly variable in severity, and they differ between children and adults. Hazelnut allergy in adults is generally limited to mild … Read more