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Cross-reactivity to eel, eelpout and ocean pout in codfish-allergic patients
E Sten1, T K Hansen, P Stahl Skov
1Allergy Clinic, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Allergy
|October 6, 2004
Summary
Patients allergic to codfish often react to other fish species, indicating cross-reactivity. This study confirms that codfish allergy frequently extends to ocean pout, eelpout, and eel, impacting dietary advice for allergic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Food Science
Background:
- Fish allergy is a common food allergy in children and adults.
- Patients allergic to one fish species are often advised to avoid all fish without further evaluation.
- Cross-reactivity between different fish species is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the serological and biological cross-reactivity of ocean pout, eelpout, and eel in codfish-allergic patients.
- To investigate the potential for increased consumption of underutilized fish species in the Scandinavian diet.
Main Methods:
- Utilized double-blind, placebo-controlled challenges in codfish-allergic patients.
- Employed ImmunoCAP, Maxisorp-radio allergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition, western blot, skin prick tests (SPT), and histamine release (HR) assays.
- Assessed specific IgE levels and biological responses to various fish species.
Main Results:
- All 18 codfish-allergic patients showed specific IgE to ocean pout, eelpout, and eel.
- Basophil histamine release was induced by all four fish species in 16 out of 18 patients.
- All tested patients exhibited positive skin prick test reactions to the evaluated fish species.
Conclusions:
- Patients with verified codfish allergy frequently exhibit biological cross-reactivity to other fish species.
- RAST inhibition confirmed that the observed cross-reactivity is genuine.
- Findings suggest a need for re-evaluation of broad avoidance advice for fish-allergic individuals.