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Celiac.com 12/07/2024 - A 19-year-old college student from Wisconsin tragically died after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a gluten-free brownie. The cause of her reaction was traced to roasted peanut flour, which had been used in place of wheat flour in the treat. This heartbreaking incident not only underscores the life-threatening risks associated with peanut allergies but also highlights the importance of food safety and clear labeling, especially for individuals with severe allergies. Despite the tragedy, Hannah Glass’s family made the selfless decision to donate her organs, potentially saving several lives. The Incident Hannah Glass, a freshman at Maranatha Baptist University, consumed a gluten-free brownie on November 5, 2024, which had been prepared by a women's group for gluten-sensitive students on campus. Initially, the brownies were intended to provide a safe alternative to wheat-based desserts, but they unfortunately contained roasted peanut flour, a known allergen. When Hannah ate the brownie, she immediately experienced an allergic reaction. Her symptoms, including hives and vomiting, were not unusual to her; she had experienced similar reactions in the past due to her peanut allergy. However, this time the reaction escalated quickly. After taking some Benadryl and trying to rest, Hannah began to experience more severe symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and soon after, she collapsed. Despite administering her EpiPen and seeking medical help, Hannah’s situation continued to worsen, leading to a collapse of her lung, brain swelling, and eventual loss of consciousness. The Medical Response Hannah's parents rushed to the campus after being alerted to their daughter’s condition. They administered the EpiPen and called 911, seeking emergency medical assistance. Paramedics arrived and immediately began performing life-saving procedures. However, despite the swift response, Hannah’s condition continued to worsen. Once at the hospital, medical tests revealed that the severe allergic reaction had caused significant brain swelling, and her organs began to shut down. According to the family, Hannah's brain was critically damaged, and doctors confirmed that there was no hope for recovery. After several days of life support, her family made the heart-wrenching decision to take her off life support on November 10, 2024. A Selfless Gift: Organ Donation In the face of unimaginable loss, Hannah’s family chose to honor her memory by donating her organs to save the lives of others in need. On the day of the donation, hundreds of family members, friends, and medical staff gathered to pay their respects during an emotional "Honor Walk" at Froedtert Hospital. As the family walked alongside Hannah's gurney, they were reminded of the profound impact she had on others' lives, even in death. Her organs were successfully transplanted into patients in critical condition, offering hope to those who may have otherwise faced grim prospects. The decision to donate her organs was not easy for the Glass family, but they saw it as a way to turn their devastating loss into something that could help others avoid the pain they were feeling. “If we can save anybody else this depth of pain, at our expense, we must do it,” her father, David Glass, explained in a statement. Hannah’s mother, Janean, expressed her gratitude for the lives her daughter would continue to touch through this act of generosity. Peanut Allergy and the Dangers of Cross-Contamination This tragic incident brings attention to the severe dangers associated with peanut allergies, which can cause life-threatening reactions even with the smallest exposure. For individuals like Hannah, even trace amounts of peanuts or peanut products can trigger anaphylaxis, a rapid and severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical intervention. Unfortunately, in this case, the use of roasted peanut flour in a gluten-free product designed for people with dietary restrictions like gluten sensitivity was an oversight that led to disaster. The presence of peanuts in a gluten-free treat highlights a serious concern for individuals with food allergies: cross-contamination. In this case, the ingredient was not clearly labeled as a peanut product, and the substitution of peanut flour for wheat flour likely went unnoticed. This oversight emphasizes the need for clear and accurate food labeling to prevent allergic reactions, particularly in settings where individuals with known allergies may be consuming food prepared by others. The Importance of Awareness and Preventative Measures Hannah’s story serves as a tragic reminder of the critical importance of awareness and preventative measures in managing food allergies. For those with severe allergies, even seemingly benign ingredients in prepared foods can lead to devastating consequences. The use of peanuts in a seemingly gluten-free product demonstrates the risks involved with cross-contamination, especially when food is not properly labeled or prepared in a controlled environment. This incident also highlights the importance of clear communication about food allergies in school and community settings. While the gluten-free diet is essential for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s equally important to ensure that other allergens, like peanuts, are not inadvertently included in food products. Regular training for food preparers, accurate ingredient labeling, and increased awareness about cross-contamination can help mitigate these risks and prevent tragic outcomes like the one experienced by Hannah. A Life Cut Short, but a Legacy of Giving The tragic death of Hannah Glass, while devastating, serves as an important reminder of the dangers of severe food allergies, especially peanut allergies. It highlights the need for greater vigilance, better labeling, and education about food allergens, particularly in settings where individuals with known allergies may consume food prepared by others. Hannah’s selfless decision to donate her organs, even in the face of overwhelming grief, has given hope to others in need and left a legacy of life-saving generosity. Her parents' strength in the face of unimaginable loss stands as a testament to their love for their daughter and their desire to make a positive difference in the world despite their pain. While her life was tragically cut short, Hannah’s story will continue to touch lives through the organ donations that have already saved others. Read more at: nypost.com

Celiac.com 04/18/2022 - Several observational studies have indicated that celiac disease patients do not have higher susceptibility of COVID-19 and the risk of severe COVID-19. However, the the conclusions of such studies can be distorted by reverse causation and confounding, especially for newly-emerged diseases, such as COVID-19. A team of researchers recently set out to further clarify the picture using both observational and Mendelian Randomization analysis. The research team included Jiuling Li, Aowen Tian, Dandan Yang, Miaoran Zhang, Lanlan Chen, Jianping Wen, and Peng Chen. For their observational study, the team used data from the UK Biobank cohort. They conducted both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for both COVID-19 susceptibility and severe COVID-19. They also conducted a two-sample Mendelian Randomization analysis to delineate causality between celiac disease and COVID-19 susceptibility and severe COVID-19. The good news is that the team's UK Biobank data revealed that celiac disease patients had a slightly lower overall susceptibility to COVID-19, and that celiac patients did not have higher rates of severe COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Mendelian Randomization study showed that celiac patients had lower susceptibility to both COVID-19 and fewer cases of severe COVID-19, although the lower COVID-19 susceptibility is seen in only in the UK Biobank cohort. These results indicate that people with celiac disease do not face higher risk of getting COVID-19, or of developing severe COVID, than the non-celiac population, and they likely do not need to take any extra COVID-19 precautions. Read more in Clin Transl Gastroenterology The researchers in this study are variously affiliated with the Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin, China; the Experimental Center of Pathogenobiology, Immunology, Cytobiology and Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin, China; the Clinical Medicine of Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin, China; and the Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin, China.

Celiac.com 09/15/2016 - Some doctors and clinicians have reported cases of severe sprue-like enteropathy associated with olmesartan, but, until now, no clear demonstration of an increased risk has been documented by epidemiological studies. Now, a French nationwide observational cohort study has shown a connection between severe intestinal malabsorption and the drug olmesartan, according to results presented by a team of researchers. Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist which has been used for the treatment of high blood pressure. Olmesartan is also sold commercially under the name Benicar. The research team included Mickael Basson, Myriam Mezzarobba, Alain Weill, Philippe Ricordeau, Hubert Allemand, Francois Alla, and Franck Carbonnel. They are variously affiliated with the French National Health Insurance Fund, Paris, France, and the Université Paris-Sud, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Gastroenterology unit, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. The team set out to assess, in a nationwide patient cohort, the risk of hospitalization for intestinal malabsorption associated with olmesartan compared with other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and ACE inhibitors (ACEIs). From the French National Health Insurance claim database, they included all adult patients initiating ARB or ACEI between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2012, with no prior hospitalization for intestinal malabsorption, no serology testing for celiac disease, and no prescription for a gluten-free diet product. Their main endpoint was incidence of hospitalization with a discharge diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption. The team included 4,546,680 patients, for a total of 9,010,303 person-years, and observed 218 events. Compared with ACEI, the adjusted rate ratio of hospitalization with a discharge diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption was 2.49 (95% CI 1.73 to 3.57, p Average length of hospital stay for intestinal malabsorption was longer in the olmesartan group than in the other groups (p=0.02). Compared with ACEI, the adjusted rate ratio of hospitalization for celiac disease was 4.39 (95% CI 2.77 to 6.96, p<0.0001). These results show that olmesartan is assoc qiated with higher rates of hospitalization for intestinal malabsorption and celiac disease. Source: Gut. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309690

Celiac.com 01/27/2014 - A team of physicians presents the case of a patient who experienced remission of severe aphthous stomatitis of celiac disease with etanercept. The team included Adey Hasan, Hiren Patel, Hana Saleh, George Youngberg, John Litchfield, and Guha Krishnaswamy. They are variously affiliated with the The Department of Internal Medicine, the Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN, and with the Departments of Medicine and Pathology at Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, TN. The team presents a patient with celiac disease complicated by severe aphthous stomatitis that impairs swallowing, chewing and speaking, which have triggered weight loss, psychosocial problems, and impaired her work performance. The woman tried a variety of topical and systemic medications symptoms, but saw little or no improvement in her symptoms. She consented to treatment with etanercept, and experienced complete remission of aphthous stomatitis, decrease in arthralgia and fatigue and considerable improvement in her quality of life. The team points out that newer biological agents, such as etanercept, might be useful in treating certain celiac disease complications, and may even help to improve patient morbidity. They are calling for further study to determine long-term efficacy and safety of these drugs in the mucosal and/or systemic complications of this disease. Source: Clinical and Molecular Allergy 2013, 11:6. doi:10.1186/1476-7961-11-6