Causative allergens and sensitization spectrum in children with the history of food-induced anaphylaxis

Aim: to assess the spectrum of sensitization and reveal causative allergens in Ekaterinburg children with the clinical history of food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA) for reducing the number of life-threatening food allergy (FA) episodes in these children. Patients and Methods: the study included 60 children — 36 (60.0%) boys and 24 (40.0%) girls aged from 4 months to 16 years who lived in Yekaterinburg. All children had (FIA) episodes in their clinical histories. The children underwent physical examination, and their allergy- focused clinical history was taken. Also, the ISAC-112 ImmunoCAP assay, a multiplex test with allergen components, was used. Results: the sensitization was assessed, and the causative allergens were identified in 100% of cases. In 31 children (51.67%) FIA was initiated by milk proteins (Bos d4, Bos d5, Bos d8); in 10 (16.67%) – chicken egg (Gal d2, Gal d1); in 10 (16.67%) – walnut (Jug r1, Jug r2, Jug r3); in 9 (15.00%) – fish (Gad c1); in 7 (11.67%) – kiwi (Act d1); in 7 (11.67%) – peanut (Ara h1, Ara h2, Ara h3, Ara h6); and in 20 (33%) – by different nuts (Ber e1, Ana o2, Cora 9, Cora 8). Elevated specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels for birch tree allergens (Bet v1) were found in 39 (65.00%) patients, cat allergens (Fel d1, Fel d2, Fel d4) – in 41 (68.33%), dog allergens (Can f1, Can f2, Can f3, Can f5) – in 24 (40.0%), timothy allergens (Phl p1, Phl p4, Phl p5) – in 10 (16.6%), artemisia allergens (Art v1) – in 8 (13.3%), and house dust mites in 2 (3.33%). Respiratory symptoms in sensitized children with FIA developed in 4 of 5 cases. Conclusion: to reduce the number of life-threatening FA episodes in children with FIA it is necessary to reveal and assess the entire spectrum of sensitization, identify the causative allergens and triggers of potential anaphylactic reaction for the further development of an elimination diet and individualized patient management plan. KEYWORDS: food allergy, food-induced anaphylaxis, children, allergens, sensitization. FOR CITATION: Lepeshkova T.S. Causative allergens and sensitization spectrum in children with the history of food-induced anaphylaxis. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(2):75–80 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-2-75-80.