Meat allergy.
OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes the scientific evidence on meat allergy, an unusual disorder, whose prevalence in some European countries (such as Italy) may be increasing.


RESULTS
Data reported in this review underline some interesting points: in meats rarely consumed, such as kangaroo, whale and seal, the main allergens are only partially correlated to those detected in beef or other usually consumed meats; cross-reactivity and cross-contamination are critical aspects, which should be seriously considered by allergologists.


CONCLUSIONS
Meat allergy is normally outgrown during the first years of life, so that it is rare in adults. Beef among mammals and chicken among birds are most frequently involved. The major allergens are serum albumins and immunoglobulins, but there are a few reports of allergies to muscle proteins (actin, myosin and tropomyosin). As meat allergenicity can be reduced by various treatments (heat, homogenization and freeze-drying), the consumption of meat derivatives by children allergic to meat proteins is often permitted. Cross-reactivity has been described between different meats, between meat and milk or eggs and between meat and animal dander. There are some reports of cross-contamination associated with the inadequate cleaning of industrial or butchers' equipment. All these aspects may have serious implications for clinical practice.
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, State University of Milan, Milan, Italy. patrizia.restani@unimi.it
Patrizia
P
Restani
Cinzia
C
Ballabio
Salvatore
S
Tripodi
Alessandro
A
Fiocchi
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005506:Food Contamination; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000009:adverse effects; D007614:Macropodidae; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D011200:Poultry; D046048:Seals, Earless; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000009:adverse effects; D014907:Whales
D000485:Allergens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin