Sensitization to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants in relation to alcohol consumption.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol consumption is associated with increased serum IgE of unknown specificity.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of specific IgE to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) in adults, and its relation to alcohol consumption.


METHODS
Population-based survey of 457 adults (218 abstainers, 195 light-to-moderate drinkers, 44 heavy drinkers). Specific IgE determinations included a CCD (MUXF(3), the N-glycan of bromelain), pollens (Lolium perenne and Olea europaea), Hymenoptera venoms (Apis mellifera and Vespula spp.), and a mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). We replicated these studies in an additional sample of alcoholics (n=138). Inhibition assays were performed in selected cases.


RESULTS
In the general population, 5.6% of individuals (95% confidence interval 3.5-7.6%) showed positive (>/=0.35 kU/L) CCD-specific IgE. The levels of CCD-specific IgE were particularly high in heavy drinkers, who also showed a high prevalence of positive IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms, doubling (at least) the prevalence found in alcohol abstainers and light-to-moderate drinkers. The presence of IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms was closely correlated with the presence of CCD-specific IgE. These features were confirmed in the additional sample of alcoholics. Inhibition studies indicated a role of CCD interference in IgE positivity to pollen and Hymenoptera allergens in alcoholics.


CONCLUSIONS
CCD-specific IgE is prevalent in heavy drinkers, and is associated with positive IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms. Specific IgE results should be interpreted with caution in heavy drinkers.
Gonzalez-Quintela
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Garrido
M
M
Gude
F
F
Campos
J
J
Linneberg
A
A
Lojo
S
S
Vidal
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000276:immunology; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D002241:Carbohydrates; D007073:Immunoglobulin E