Evaluation and standardisation of different matrices used for double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges to fish.
BACKGROUND
Fish allergens represent one of the most common causes of adverse reactions to food worldwide. Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) are the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis. However, no standardised recipes are available for common food allergens such as fish, and a well trained dietitian is essential for creating and standardising them. The present study aimed to create and standardise recipes for use in DBPCFCs to fish.


METHODS
Three recipes were prepared. Employing a standardised procedure, a total of 35 panelists evaluated the different matrices using an evaluation form. A paired comparison test was used to estimate total evaluation's outcome. Fish allergic patients were challenged with different fish species blinded with the selected matrix and evaluated the recipe using the same form.


RESULTS
From a base recipe and step-by-step modifications, a low fat recipe was selected among other recipes tested, which proved to be appropriate for fish blinding, in terms of taste, odour, appearance and blinding. Patients challenged with the final matrix found it acceptable, no matter which fish type was used.


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, a recipe with satisfactory organoleptic characteristics was developed and validated for DBPCFC to fish.
Vassilopoulou
E
E
Allergy Department, Second Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. evassil@allergy.gr
Douladiris
N
N
Sakellariou
A
A
Cortes
S V
SV
Sinaniotis
A
A
Rivas
M F
MF
Papadopoulos
N G
NG
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D055927:Cookbooks as Topic; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005399:Fishes; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012677:Sensation; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D004041:Dietary Fats; D029941:Fish Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E