title: Clustered sensitivity to fungi: anaphylactic reactions caused by ingestive allergy to yeasts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory allergy to environmental molds is relatively common, and fungal allergen-specific reactivity seems to cluster in certain persons. However, generalized reactions caused by ingested fungi have seldom been described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a mold-sensitized patient who developed multiple anaphylactic reactions after ingesting a yeast preparation widely used by the food industry as flavoring in, for example, powdered and ready-made sauces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin prick tests and serum IgE tests were performed with inhalant and food allergens, including molds and yeasts, 2 pasta sauces consumed by the patient, individual sauce ingredients, and a food-quality yeast extract. Radioallergosorbent test inhibition was used for specificity studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin prick and serum IgE test results were positive to several molds (Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium notatum), baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Malassezia furfur, and champignon and to the 2 pasta sauces, the yeast ingredient, and a food-quality yeast extract. Radioallergosorbent test inhibition studies confirmed that the sauces contain cross-reacting yeast and mold allergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This patient has a clustered sensitization to fungi characterized by allergy to environmental fungal allergens and to yeast extracts used in the food industry. Yeasts should be considered as possible ingestive allergens in mold-allergic patients.
authors.affiliation: Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. kristiina.airola@hus.fi
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Airola
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petman
authors.forename: Soili
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mäkinen-Kiljunen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E