Premium
Short communication: Lupin allergy in peanut‐allergic children and teenagers
Author(s) -
Shaw J.,
Roberts G.,
Grimshaw K.,
White S.,
Hourihane J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01568.x
Subject(s) - peanut allergy , allergy , medicine , food allergy , oral allergy syndrome , immunoglobulin e , sensitization , atopy , atopic dermatitis , immunology , milk allergy , confidence interval , asthma , arachis , biology , antibody , agronomy
Background: Lupin has now been introduced into food production in the UK. There is a concern that, on account of cross‐reactivity, peanut‐allergic children are at high risk for lupin allergy. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of lupin sensitization and allergy in children with peanut allergy compared with atopic controls. Methods: Children (<18 years) were recruited. Peanut‐allergic subjects either had a convincing history of peanut allergy with diagnostic peanut skin prick test (SPT) or specific‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) results or a positive food challenge. Control subjects were atopic but not peanut‐allergic. All subjects had SPT to peanut and lupin. Sensitized subjects were offered a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled lupin challenge. Lupin allergy was defined as objective immediate hypersensitivity reaction at food challenge. Results: Forty‐seven peanut‐allergic children and 46 atopic controls were recruited. Sixteen peanut‐allergic children were sensitized to lupin [34%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 21–49%]. Nine were challenged to lupin. Two reacted (itchy mouth and urticaria; itchy mouth and 20% drop in peak expiratory flow rate) giving a minimum prevalence of lupin allergy in peanut‐allergic children of 4.0% (95% CI: 1–15%). Atopic controls were significantly ( P = 0.001) less likely to be sensitized to lupin (4%, 95% CI: 1–15%) and had smaller wheals and serum‐specific IgE results. None of the atopic controls reacted on lupin challenge, giving a rate of allergy in the atopic controls of 0% (95% CI: 0–8%). Conclusions: A small but significant number of children with peanut allergy are allergic to lupin. Sensitization to lupin is much rarer in nonpeanut‐allergic atopic subjects.