Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2010 Jul;2(3):206-208. 10.4168/aair.2010.2.3.206.

Beef-Induced Anaphylaxis Confirmed by the Basophil Activation Test

• Kim JH
• An S
• Kim JE
• Choi GS
• Ye YM
• Park HS

• KMID: 2133810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2010.2.3.206

Abstract

Beef allergies are relatively rare, especially in adults. However, clinical manifestations can vary from urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis to gastrointestinal symptoms. Currently available tests, such as skin testing or in vitro determination of beef-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), do not provide an accurate diagnosis of beef allergy. The recent development of the basophil activation test (BAT) presents a new opportunity for the diagnosis of food allergies. Here, we report a 37-year-old woman with a history of recurrent generalised urticaria, nausea, vomiting and hypotension after ingestion of beef, suggesting a beef allergy. Although the skin prick test and serum specific IgE to beef, pork and milk allergens showed negative results using commercial kits, the BAT showed significant upregulation of CD203c in a dose-dependent manner compared to both non-atopic and atopic controls. To our knowledge, this is the first case study of beef allergy consisting of a non-IgE-mediated reaction. The detection of food allergies using direct basophil activation is suggested to complement conventional diagnostic tests.

Keyword

Beef allergy; basophil activation test; CD203c, human

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergens
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Basophils
Complement System Proteins
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Eating
Female
Food Hypersensitivity
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Hypotension
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Milk
Nausea
Skin
Skin Tests
Up-Regulation
Urticaria
Vomiting
Allergens
Complement System Proteins
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins

Figure

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  Figure Expression of CD203c in basophils induced by beef extract in the patient and control individuals. Controls consist of one healthy subject and one atopic subject suffering from inhalant allergen.

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