Beef allergy: a review of 12 cases.
BACKGROUND
Although beef allergy has long been considered a rare condition, the number of studies regarding the nature, epidemiology, and symptoms of beef allergy has been increasing. We aimed to describe the results of allergy work-up of 12 patients who have a convincing history of acute allergic symptoms following beef ingestion.


METHODS
Detailed histories of 10 children and two adult relatives were obtained and patients underwent skin prick tests with commercial beef extract, raw beef and cooked beef. Serum total and beef-specific IgE were measured. Labial, and in selected cases, open food challenges were undertaken.


RESULTS
Interestingly, the rate of family history of beef allergy was 67% (8/12). Three patients (two with commercial extract, and one with cooked beef) had positive skin test responses to beef. Ten (83%) patients had elevated serum IgE concentrations (median 316.5 kU/l, range 9-1321 kU/l) and the beef-specific IgE was positive in all patients (median 6.23 kUA/l, range 0.83-36.6 kUA/l). Labial food challenge was positive in four (30%) patients. Of the five patients who underwent open food challenges, three were positive and two tolerated the beef administered.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that skin prick tests do not accurately diagnose IgE-mediated sensitization to beef. Thus, patients with suspected beef allergy should be screened additionally for beef-specific IgE antibodies, and in selected cases oral food challenge should be carried out to verify the diagnosis.
Orhan
F
F
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Asthma, Ankara, Turkey.
Sekerel
B E
BE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000982:Antipruritics; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000420:Albuterol; D004837:Epinephrine