Shrimp Allergy May Wane with Age: New FAI-Sponsored Study
Shellfish allergies are among the most common food allergies. Along with peanuts and tree nuts, shellfish are most likely to trigger an anaphylactic reaction. In fact, shellfish are responsible for the majority of emergency room department visits in food-allergic adults. This allergy has generally been thought to be life-long. But a new study, conducted by Rosalia Ayuso, MD, and colleagues at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY), has found that sufferers may build up a tolerance to shrimp as they grow older. Published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), this is the first study to show that sensitization to shrimp allergens is greater in children, and that it may decrease with age.
To date, researchers have identified four shrimp proteins. Two of these, which were discovered by Dr. Ayuso and her team, appear to be particularly important in the pediatric population. The researchers have been exploring the role of all four proteins in the immune response. The JACI study shows that shrimp-allergic adults tend to have less intense reactions to the shellfish than children who suffer from the allergy.
The researchers analyzed blood samples from 34 children and 19 adults with a history of allergic reactions to shrimp. Among other valuableinformation, they found that the blood levels of IgE antibodies against shrimp were usually four times higher in children than in adults. The antibodies also tended to bind to more shrimp proteins, and to bind more strongly, in children.
“These findings suggest that allergic reactions to shrimp may wane with age," said Dr. Ayuso, noting that it may be worthwhile for shrimp-allergic adults to undergo a food challenge to see if they have built up a tolerance.
FAI has been funding Dr. Ayuso's studies since 2007.