Anaphylaxis following the ingestion of flour contaminated by house dust mites--a report of two cases from Singapore.
This study presents two patients who developed anaphylaxis after eating mite-contaminated food, and also contains a survey of dust-mites contamination in flour samples from Singapore households. The clinical records of each patient was studied. Patient A developed anaphylaxis twenty minutes following the ingestion of home-made fried fish coated with Japanese flour, while Patient B developed similar life-threatening symptoms one hour after the ingestion of home baked scones. Both patients were NSAID-intolerant and had a history of allergic rhinitis. Skin prick tests showed a strong positive result for dust-mites and for extracts prepared from the ingested flour. Flour samples were also examined microscopically which revealed large numbers of live Dermatophagoides farinae dust-mites. A survey of 57 flour samples showed that 4 samples (7%) were contaminated with dust mites. The findings in the present study confirm that mite-contamination of flour exists in Singaporean households, and it may trigger anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals.
Tay
S Y
SY
Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Yan
Tay Sok
TS
Tham
E
E
Elizabeth
Tham
T
Yeo
C T
CT
Tzien
Yeo Chor
YC
Yi
F C
FC
Cheng
Yi Fong
YF
Chen
J Y
JY
Jiayi
Chen
C
Cheong
N
N
Nge
Cheong
C
Chua
K Y
KY
Yan
Chua Kaw
CK
Lee
B W
BW
Wah
Lee Bee
LB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000799:Angioedema; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005433:Flour; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012846:Singapore; D012882:Skin Tests; D014581:Urticaria
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides