title: Anaphylactic reactions to ingested carmine (E120).
abstract: We report five cases of anaphylactic reaction to carmine (cochineal, E120) after patients drank an alcoholic beverage. By means of positive skin prick tests (SPT) and positive RAST to carmine. IgE-mediated sensitization could be established. One nonatopic patient showed also a great amount of serum IgE antibodies to the carmine acid-albumin conjugate. Due to its widespread use in the food and cosmetic industry, carmine should be tested in the allergy work-up in case of allergic reactions after a drink or a meal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kägi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stücker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology*; D002329:Carmine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002329:Carmine