Cow's milk protein allergy; new knowledge from a multidisciplinary perspective

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pediatric Allergy

Background:

• Increasing prevalence, persistence, and severity of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) observed.
• Hypotheses suggest microbiota's role in immune tolerance induction and maintenance.
• Early life factors like breastfeeding and diet influence gut microbiota health.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review immune mechanisms in CMPA.
• Elucidate the role of the gut microbiota in CMPA.
• Explore future treatment strategies for CMPA.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current research on CMPA.
• Analysis of studies on microbiota and immune tolerance.
• Evaluation of evidence for probiotics and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT).

Main Results:

• Microbiota plays a key role in developing immune tolerance.
• Breastfeeding, vaginal delivery, and early food introduction support healthy microbiota.
• Probiotics and AIT demonstrate potential for inducing tolerance in CMPA.

Conclusions:

• Modulating the early-life microbiota is critical for preventing and managing CMPA.
• Further research into microbiota-targeted therapies is warranted.
• Probiotics and AIT represent promising avenues for CMPA treatment.