Abstract
Background: Maize allergy is not very common especially in Europe. The number of studies that address IgE mediated maize allergy is all too few. Objective: Evaluate subjects with a history of maize allergy by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge; identify the spectrum of symptoms manifested during challenge; determine the lowest provocation dose (PD) during challenge; determine the performance characteristics of maize skin prick test and specific IgE. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with a history of maize allergy were enrolled to be evaluated by skin test, specific IgE and double-blind placebo-controlled maize challenge. Results Forty-eight percent of the patients were challenge positive. PD range was 0.1-25 g. Fifty-four percent of the maize allergic subjects had a PD that was ≤2.5 g; two subjects reacted to 100 mg of maize. Comparison of maize specific IgE levels and skin test results to the challenge results revealed the following (specific IgE level/skin testing): sensitivity 1.00/0.846, specificity 0.077/0.384, positive predictive value 0.520/0.579, and negative predictive value 1.00/0.714. Conclusion: Maize is a cause of IgE-mediated allergic reactions to foods in adults and children. Nearly half of the subjects recruited were confirmed by challenge to be allergic to maize. Twenty-three percent of the positive challenge patients manifested symptoms that involved two organ systems, thus fulfilling the criteria for maize induced anaphylaxis. Maize is allergenic and can pose a risk for symptomatic food allergy at a dose of 100 mg.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1943-1949 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Clinical and Experimental Allergy |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2008 |
Keywords
- Allergy symptoms
- Anaphylaxis
- Corn allergy
- Double-blind
- Food allergy
- Hypersensitivity
- Maize allergy
- Performance characteristics
- Placebo-controlled food challenge
- Provocation dose
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy