Maize (Zea mays): allergen or toleragen? Participation of the cereal in allergic disease and positivity incidence in cutaneous tests.
BACKGROUND
The maize (zea mays) is considered one of the fundamental nutrients in the diet of the Mexican population. It can cause allergic reactions, according to reports from countries other than Mexico.


OBJECTIVE
To know the participation of maize in the etiology of allergic disease and the incidence of positivity to its antigens by cutaneous tests, in Mexican patients.


METHODS
Six hundred sixty-one patients were studied. There were obtained a complete clinical history and samples for laboratory tests, as well as the results of cutaneous tests.


RESULTS
Of 661 patients, 56 (8.5%) manifested allergic symptoms attributable to maize, which correlated (p < 0.0001) with a positive cutaneous response to its antigens. Fifty (88%) of them worked with maize and had a significant relative risk value (RR=102). The remaining six patients did not work with maize, four of them were included in the group who had a positive response for both allergens (n = 25), and two in that one with positive response for only one of these allergens (n = 100).


CONCLUSIONS
The low frequency (8.5%) to which the allergic disease was attributed to maize, and the strong association (88%) with workers of maize induce us to consider the influence of some differences concerning to the cereal, such as physical characteristics, years and frequency to contact with, and specially to its entrance route. In fact, it plays an important role in the development of either toleragenic or immunogenic response to an antigen.
Valencia Zavala
Martha Patricia
MP
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service, Mexican General Hospital, National Autonomous University of Mexico. mipsins@hotmail.com
Vega Robledo
Gloria Bertha
GB
Sánchez Olivas
Manuel A
MA
Duarte Diaz
Rosa Janet
RJ
Oviedo
Cristóbal León
CL
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D003296:Cooking; D002523:Edible Grain; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005433:Flour / Q000009:adverse effects; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D003313:Zea mays / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D007136:Immunoglobulins