Unsuspected sources of soybean exposure.
BACKGROUND
Hidden allergens in processed foods can provoke severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The presence of soy proteins in typical Spanish sausage products (chorizo, salchichón, mortadella, and boiled ham), doughnut and soup stock cubes has not been reported previously.


METHODS
The present article reports two examples of severe allergic reactions due to the ingestion of foods that unexpectedly contained soybean proteins. Allergollogic study included skin prick tests with the implicated foods and their components, serum specific IgE and bronchial and oral provocation tests.


RESULTS
Skin test, serum-specific IgE, and bronchial and oral challenge tests (the latter, in one patient) were positive against soy and the above mentioned processed foods in which the presence of soybean flour was confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
This report demonstrates the importance of hidden allergens in allergic reactions to foods and the need to scrutinize closely every food component.
Vidal
C
C
Division of Allergy, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Spain.
Pérez-Carral
C
C
Chomón
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005504:Food Analysis; D005511:Food Handling; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; D007073:Immunoglobulin E