Food allergy as a cause of rhinitis and/or asthma

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 1992 Mar-Apr;2(2):78-83.

Abstract

We studied the histories of patients who had visited our Department during the last 5 years, presenting food allergy with exclusively respiratory symptoms (18.5%). We studied the correlation between IgE levels and the histamine release test and the type of food implicated. Seventy-seven percent of patients presented sensitization to one food, and 23% presented polysensitization. We found that foods such as snails and eggs have a strong predilection for the bronchial tree as the shock organ. High total IgE was found in 85.2% of patients. The histamine release test was positive in 66% of cases. We conclude that this is a highly sensitive method for the in vitro diagnosis of food allergy.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Female
  • Food
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Histamine Release
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunologic Tests
  • Male
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / etiology*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin E