Food allergy and chronic urticaria: the value and limits of in vitro testing for IgE antibodies specific for food allergens
El-Rab, M.Osman.Gad.
Saudi Medical Journal 19(2): 162-165
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5284 PMID: 27701578 Document Number: 490659
Objective: The intent of this study is to evaluate chronic urticaria patients in view of the observation that multiple food allergies could be a causative factor. The CAP Radioallergosorbent (RAST) Fluoroimmunoassay (FEIA) test will be utilized for measuring specific IgE antibodies. The value, interpretation and limits of the test, being a new sensitive assay, will be evaluated. Design: Patients suffering from chronic urticaria, who gave clinical history suspecting foods as causing their complaints, were selected, for this investigation. Subjects: The study included 112 patients suffering from chronic urticaria. The sex distribution was 61 female and 51 male. Their ages ranged between 19 to 65 years. Serum samples were obtained and tested against the suspected food allergens. These included 16 foods which consisted of egg (white), egg (yolk), milk, fish, meat, peanut, wheat, tomato, strawberry, cacao, chicken meat, shrimp, cheese, yeast, banana and orange. Results: Specific IgE antibodies, to one or more food, were detected in 42 (37.5%) of the patients. These included reactions in all CAP RAST classes, class 1 to class 4. Out of these, only six patients (5.4%) showed multiple food allergies with significant CAP RAST values. These were further evaluated for possible food allergy. suspect foods as causing their complaints. As the assay is sensitive, results should be interpreted carefully. Because the Conclusion: Detection of IgE antibodies, specific for food allergens, is worthwhile in chronic urticaria patients who possible number.