June 12, 2002 WASHINGTON (AAAAI) -- Congress should devote more funding to research that looks at allergic reactions-sometimes fatal-to food and drugs, two national medical experts said during a standing-room-only Congressional staff briefing Monday. The briefing was hosted by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Penicillin allergy alone causes 400 deaths each year in this country, while anaphylactic reactions to food lead to 150 to 200 deaths annually. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction, affecting multiple organ systems. Symptoms can include chest tightness, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, cramping, hives and swelling of the lips and joints. The most dangerous symptoms are low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, shock and loss of consciousness, all of which can be fatal.
The most immediate funding needs are for clinical research involving human subjects, according to Rebecca Gruchalla, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, and Hugh A. Sampson, MD, Director, The Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who spoke at the briefing.
Several diagnostic tools and treatments have been tested in animal models, but researchers aren't able to proceed to human tests without funding. Human testing allows these treatments and tests to move toward FDA approval and prevent further deaths from food and drug allergies.
- Allergic drug reactions account for 5 to 10 percent of all adverse drug reactions, with skin reaction being the most common form. Allergic drug reactions account for more than 100,000 hospital admissions, with total annual costs nearing $1 billion. Little is known about drug allergies and few diagnostic tests are available.
- Between 6 and 7 million Americans are estimated to suffer from food allergy. Many of those with food allergies are children-up to 4% of children under the age of six experience life-threatening reactions. Currently, no treatment for food allergy exists.
