Goat's milk allergy.
BACKGROUND
Goat's milk (GM) allergy not associated with allergy to cow's milk (CM) is a rare disorder. Caseins have been implicated has the major allergens eliciting symptoms.


METHODS
We report the case of a 27 years-old female patient that experienced two episodes of urticaria related to ingestion of goat's cheese (GC). She tolerated CM, dairy products and sheep cheese. Skin prick tests were performed with GM, CM, bovine casein and alpha -lactalbumin and fresh milk and GC. Serum specific IgE to GM, CM and its fractions, and GM and CM immunobloting assays with inhibition were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Skin tests were positive to GM and GC and negative to CM. GM immunoblot showed an IgE-binding 14 kDa band that was totally inhibited after serum pre-incubation with GM.


CONCLUSIONS
Allergens other than casein can be involved in allergy to GM. Even small quantities of protein can elicit symptoms.
Tavares
B
B
Immunoallergology Department, Coimbra University Hospitals, Coimbra, Portugal. beatriztavares@net.sapo.pt
Pereira
C
C
Rodrigues
F
F
Loureiro
G
G
Chieira
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology; D002611:Cheese / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E