J Liippo1, K Lammintausta2. 1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Unit, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Hämeentie 11, P.O. Box 52, 20520 Turku, Finland. Phone: +358-2-313 1644 E-mail:jussi.liippo@utu.fi. 2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Unit, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Positive skin prick test reactions to carmine red (E120) occur in approximately 3% of the patients studied for food allergy. Carmine ingestion associated systemic symptoms are occasionally suspected, but sufficient information of proven carmine allergy is not available. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To analyse carmine related symptoms in skin prick test positive patients a cohort of 23 patients with suspected allergy to carmine red was subjected to a single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge test with carmine red. RESULTS: Five patients developed clinical symptoms during the placebo-controlled oral challenge. As a result, the overall frequency of clinical carmine allergy is estimated to be 0.7% in general dermatology patients studied for food-associated symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Oral challenge test provides a valuable in vivo tool to better inform patients with positive skin prick tests to additives to avoid false allergy diets.
BACKGROUND: Positive skin prick test reactions to carmine red (E120) occur in approximately 3% of the patients studied for food allergy. Carmine ingestion associated systemic symptoms are occasionally suspected, but sufficient information of proven carmineallergy is not available. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To analyse carmine related symptoms in skin prick test positive patients a cohort of 23 patients with suspected allergy to carmine red was subjected to a single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge test with carmine red. RESULTS: Five patients developed clinical symptoms during the placebo-controlled oral challenge. As a result, the overall frequency of clinical carmineallergy is estimated to be 0.7% in general dermatology patients studied for food-associated symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Oral challenge test provides a valuable in vivo tool to better inform patients with positive skin prick tests to additives to avoid false allergy diets.
Entities:
Keywords:
Carmine red (E120); IgE-mediated allergy; food additive; single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge test; skin prick test