Food allergy and IgE sensitization caused by spices: CICBAA data (based on 589 cases of food allergy).
BACKGROUND
Spices originate in various botanical families: Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Myristicaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, Solanaceae, Zingiberaceae....


METHODS
Prick-tests to native spices have been carried out in patients suspected of food allergies to spices. The CICBAA data bank includes 589 cases of food allergies, a part of which has benefited from investigations for spices. Data about the rate of sensitization and food allergy are available.


RESULTS
Frequent sensitization to Apiaceae is observed: coriander, caraway, fennel, celery: 32% of prick-tests in children, 23% of prick-tests in adults. Sensitization to Liliaceae: garlic, onion, chive, is observed in 4.6% of prick-tests in children, 7.7% of prick-tests in adults. Rare cases of sensitization to paprika and saffron are recorded. Prick-tests to nutmeg, ginger and clove are currently negative. 10 food allergies related to the mugwort-celery-spices syndrome are reported: coriander: 1, caraway: 2, fennel: 3, garlic: 3, onion: 1. Food allergy to spices is unfrequent: 2% of the totality of food allergies. However, only adults are allergic to spices and allergy to spices accounts for 6.4% of food allergies in adults. Tiny amount of proteins are usually ingested. Patients at risk of spice allergy are young adults sensitized to mugwort and birch allergens, sharing cross-sensitization with various food vegetal allergens. The clinical suspicion raises from frequent post-prandial systemic reactions. Other allergens of vegetal origin have to be cleared. Diagnosis can be established by DBPCFC using powdered spices in capsules.
Moneret-Vautrin
D A
DA
Service de Médecine Interne, Immunologie Clinique et Allergologie-Hôpital Central 29, avenue de Lattre de Tassigny, 54035 Nancy.
Morisset
M
M
Lemerdy
Ph
P
Croizier
A
A
Kanny
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D019306:Artemisia; D029662:Betula; D015897:Comorbidity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D017365:Spices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E