Food Allergies and Intolerance
Leben mit Nahrungsmittel-Allergie
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Food Allergies and Intolerance |
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Leben mit Nahrungsmittel-Allergie |
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| Allergen Data Collection - Update:
Bird-Egg Syndrome ........................................... |
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Authors in alphabetical order [contact
information]
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Abstract
An IgE-mediated hypersensitivity designated
"bird-egg syndrome" occurs occasionally in adults after repeated exposure
to birds (budgerigar, canary, parrot, etc.) mostly kept in the home. The
bird-egg syndrome consists primarily of respiratory symptoms following
exposure to bird, and secondarily of allergy symptoms after the ingestion
of eggs. This syndrome displays a cross- sensitization to egg yolk and
bird allergens (feathers, serum, droppings, and meat). This phenomenon
underlines the importance of the sensitization via the respiratory route
in food allergy. It could be distinguished from the common egg allergy
in children. The pathomechanism of IgE-mediated bird-egg syndrome is also
different from pigeon fancier's lung (a form of extrinsic allergic alveolitis),
which is not a subject of the present data collection.
There are some differences in the clinical
features of bird-egg syndrome and common egg allergy without sensitization
to bird proteins: patients with bird-egg syndrome are typical adult patients
with rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma due to bird allergy; the symptoms
associated with ingestion of eggs usually include several target organs
(digestive, cutaneous or respiratory); and the major allergens are the
alpha-livetins (serum albumin) from the egg yolk proteins.
Molecular biological and allergenic properties of egg yolk allergens
alpha-livetin (chicken serum albumin), apovitellenin I and VI are presented.
Alpha-livetin is also present in avian meat and serum.
It is assumed that livetins lead to the cross- sensitization between bird
antigens, egg yolk, and chicken meat. Thus, egg yolk allergic individuals
may have to avoid avian meat too. Up to now only little is known about
the properties of feather allergens.
The present data collection reviews detailed information on the prevalence
and symptoms of bird-egg syndrome as well as diagnostic features, sensitization
patterns, and the occurrence of cross- reactivities in tabular form.
Disclaimer
The reference lists of the Allergen Data Collections
are based mainly on searches of Medline and FSTA (Food Science & Technology
Abstracts) databases up to the related dates of publication. The scientific
rigor of the studies listed is variable and not subject of critique or
evaluation by the authors or the editor of the Allergen Data Collections.
The reader should be aware of considerable problems in comparing data from
different studies (eg. patient cohorts, diagnostic performances, possible
flaws in allergen preparations and methodologies for allergen characterization)
and is encouraged to review the original publications.
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