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News Release
Individuals with Severe Peanut Allergy Needed for UCD Study
DENVER (Oct. 25, 2004) — The University of Colorado Denver is seeking 40 individuals with severe, life-threatening peanut allergy, 20 patients with other severe food allergies and 20 patients who are markedly allergic to cats to participate in a study to learn more about the specific proteins in peanuts that are responsible for severe allergic reactions.
Individuals with severe peanut allergies can often have life-threatening reactions. Dr. Stephen Dreskin, professor of medicine at UCD and an allergy specialist, is principal investigator of the study, which is funded by a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
"There is evidence that proteins in peanuts act differently among people with severe peanut allergies, and we would like to determine the extent of these variations," Dreskin said. "These studies are important for future efforts to evaluate and treat food allergies."
The study will include testing to document food allergy and a blood draw. Blood cells, serum and plasma will be studied in the laboratory. This study does not include food challenges and does not include any treatment for food allergy.
Study participants must be between the ages of 4 and 70 with a severe peanut allergy or other food allergy who are otherwise healthy. Interested participants should leave a voice message at 303-315-6985. Dreskin or Dr. Robert McDermott, co-investigator, will respond within a few days.
The University of Colorado Denver is one of three campuses in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver and Aurora, Colo., the center includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, a graduate school and a teaching hospital. For more information, visit the Web site at www.uchsc.edu.