title: IgE antibodies to omega-5 gliadin in children with wheat-induced anaphylaxis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wheat can cause severe immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated systemic reactions including anaphylaxis but knowledge on relevant wheat allergens at the molecular level is scanty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven children (aged from 6 months to 13 years) experiencing from 2 to 10 anaphylactic reactions in a year after eating food-containing wheat were examined. Purified omega-5 gliadin was used as an allergen in IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and in skin prick testing (SPT). Wheat CAP radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and SPT were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All seven anaphylactic children, but none of 15 control subjects had IgE antibodies to omega-5 gliadin in ELISA. Five of the six tested anaphylactic children showed positive SPT to omega-5 and crude gliadin, and all seven had positive wheat CAP RAST and SPT. One child was challenged with wheat, which caused anaphylaxis. After adherence to a wheat-free diet four children remained symptomless and three experienced one to two anaphylactic reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results show that wheat omega-5 gliadin is a major sensitizing allergen in children with wheat-induced anaphylaxis. They also suggest that omega-5 gliadin IgE ELISA could be used as a diagnostic test for this severe allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daengsuwan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palosuo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phankingthongkum
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Visitsunthorn
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jirapongsananuruk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alenius
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vichyanond
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reunala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests; D021182:Wheat Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C475180:omega-5 gliadin, wheat; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D005903:Gliadin