1. Maize food allergy: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
- Author
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Scibilia, J., Pastorello, E. A., Zisa, G., Ottolenghi, A., Ballmer-Weber, B., Pravettoni, V., Scovena, E., Robino, A., and Ortolani, C.
- Subjects
FOOD allergy ,CORN ,ANAPHYLAXIS ,PLACEBOS - Abstract
Background Maize allergy is not very common especially in Europe. The number of studies that address IgE mediated maize allergy is all too few. Objective Evaluate subjects with a history of maize allergy by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge; identify the spectrum of symptoms manifested during challenge; determine the lowest provocation dose (PD) during challenge; determine the performance characteristics of maize skin prick test and specific IgE. Methods Twenty-seven patients with a history of maize allergy were enrolled to be evaluated by skin test, specific IgE and double-blind placebo-controlled maize challenge. Results Forty-eight percent of the patients were challenge positive. PD range was 0.1–25 g. Fifty-four percent of the maize allergic subjects had a PD that was ⩽2.5 g; two subjects reacted to 100 mg of maize. Comparison of maize specific IgE levels and skin test results to the challenge results revealed the following (specific IgE level/skin testing): sensitivity 1.00/0.846, specificity 0.077/0.384, positive predictive value 0.520/0.579, and negative predictive value 1.00/0.714. Conclusion Maize is a cause of IgE-mediated allergic reactions to foods in adults and children. Nearly half of the subjects recruited were confirmed by challenge to be allergic to maize. Twenty-three percent of the positive challenge patients manifested symptoms that involved two organ systems, thus fulfilling the criteria for maize induced anaphylaxis. Maize is allergenic and can pose a risk for symptomatic food allergy at a dose of 100 mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
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