[A case of food-dependent anaphylaxis induced by alcohol]

A 35-year-old male doctor experienced an anaphylactic reaction of urticaria, unconsciousness and hypotension one hour after taking a meal including crab meat and alcohol (beer 350 ml+Japanese sake 100 ml). He recovered within several hours after emergency treatment. Another attack occurred 6 months later after taking a meal including crab meat and alcohol. Serum IgE showed 3073 IU/ml. IgE-RAST and skin tests were positive for crab. A crab meat plus alcohol challenge test revealed a slight increase in plasma histamine level. This is a rare case of food (crab meat)-dependent anaphylaxis possibly induced by alcohol.