Prevalence of IgE-mediated sensitization in patients with suspected food allergic reactions in Jordan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Despite the recognition of food allergies as a significant cause of morbidity and a growing public health burden worldwide, there are no epidemiological studies addressing food sensitization and allergy in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct an epidemiological study that retrospectively analyzes sensitization data from 3463 patients with suspected immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergic reactions who performed specific IgE tests in our laboratories in Jordan.

METHODS:

Specific IgE (s-IgE) tests were analyzed for patients who performed enzyme allegro-sorbent testing based on either self-reported food allergy or upon physician's request.

RESULTS:

2.3% of the analyzed samples were cross-reactive to carbohydrate determinants. A quarter of the patients were sensitized to one or more food allergens, with males having higher odds of being s-IgE positive. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of sensitization was seen in infants and children compared with adults. s-IgE was most frequently found against cow milk (11.2%), pistachio (4.9%), soybean (4.6%), cherry (4.4%), and orange (4.4%). Interestingly, the s-IgE class distribution profile of pistachio differed from the rest of the top hits being skewed away from the weak class 1 leaning more towards higher IgE classes. Food allergen sensitization was age group-dependent: milk, tree nuts, and eggs were the main food groups causing sensitization in infants, while it was fruits followed by milk in children and adults.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our work represents the first epidemiological study addressing food sensitization in Jordan. This study lays a solid foundation for future studies that can help better guide food allergy diagnosis, patient dietary modifications, and food elimination plans, as well as assist decision-makers in the region to develop national strategies for an efficient and sustainable healthcare system.

• Authors: Issa Abu-Dayyeh, Jumana Abu-Kwaik, Alf Weimann, Amid Abdelnour
• Journal: Immunity, inflammation and disease (Immun Inflamm Dis) Vol. 8 Issue 3 Pg. 384-392 (09 2020) ISSN: 2050-4527 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32542909 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Flour
• Food Hypersensitivity
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E
• Jordan
• Male
• Prevalence
• Retrospective Studies
• Triticum