Accueil / Information / Aller plus loin... / Aériens / Environnement intérieur / Les oiseaux

Les oiseaux

vendredi 27 mars 2009, par Allerdata

Allergie aux plumes d’oiseaux

L’hypersensibilité aux plumes d’oiseaux peut prendre la forme d’une alvéolite allergique avec composantes cellulaire et humorale (IgG et complément). On rencontre cette alvéolite parmi les éleveurs d’oiseaux, par exemple de pigeons .

Il a été décrit aussi une allergie respiratoire IgE-médiée, au contact des oiseaux, notamment de volière, ou en présence de plumes garnissant des objets domestiques, principalement de la literie.

Les plumes de literie ont longtemps été considérées comme un facteur significatif d’allergie respiratoire indoor. En fait, l’allergie à ces plumes est très rare et une grande partie des tests diagnostiques positifs était due à la contamination par des acariens des plumes servant à la préparation des extraits : la majorité des tests cutanés positifs pour des plumes se rencontrait chez des patients allergiques aux acariens . Pteronyssinus veut d’ailleurs dire "qui aime les plumes".

A l’heure actuelle, plusieurs études ont montré que les objets de literie garnis en plumes entraînaient un risque d’allergie respiratoire égal ou plus faible que le garnissage avec des matériaux synthétiques . Le traitement thermique moderne des plumes et un maillage encore plus serré pour les housses d’objets en plumes contribuent probablement à ce résultat.

Pour les éleveurs d’oiseaux (ex. pigeons), les acariens des plumes pourraient participer à la pathologie respiratoire. La réactivité croisée entre ces acariens et D. pteronyssinus a en effet montré des résultats disparates .

Allergie associée œuf - oiseaux

Un syndrome associant une allergie respiratoire au contact des oiseaux et une allergie alimentaire à l’œuf a été décrite sous le terme de syndrome œuf-oiseaux .

L’allergie respiratoire liée à la présence indoor d’oiseaux de compagnie a pour origine un mélange complexe d’allergènes aéroportés :

  • certains proviennent des déjections, et l’entretien des cages volières en est un mode d’exposition ;
  • d’autres proviennent du plumage, soit sous la forme d’une poussière poudreuse (pulviplumes des perroquets, cacatoès, perruches), soit à partir de sécrétions glandulaires dont les oiseaux se servent pour entretenir leur plumage (glandes uropygiales).
    • Ces protéines glandulaires ont une origine en partie sérique et l’on retrouvera dans les poussières de volière des allergènes trouvés aussi dans le sérum des oiseaux. Il s’agit en premier lieu d’albumines aviaires connues sous le nom de livétines. Une réactivité croisée entre sérum et plumes du même oiseau est possible
    • Des livétines sont également allergéniques dans le jaune d’œuf (cf. Œufs) et le syndrome œuf-oiseau s’explique par une réactivité croisée entre livétines inhalées (oiseaux de compagnie) et livétines ingérées (œufs).

Plusieurs différences existent entre la classique allergie alimentaire aux œufs et celle s’inscrivant dans un syndrome œuf-oiseaux :

  • la symptomatologie alimentaire est plus volontiers respiratoire et/ou gastro-intestinale en cas de syndrome œuf-oiseaux
  • ce syndrome est avant tout rencontré chez l’adulte . Rares sont les observations pédiatriques
  • à de rares exceptions près , le syndrome débute par une sensibilisation respiratoire aux oiseaux, l’allergie alimentaire survenant après . Parfois le délai d’apparition de l’allergie à l’œuf n’est que de quelques semaines . Les perroquets, cités dans plusieurs cas de syndrome œuf-oiseaux, semblent particulièrement allergisants .

A noter que la réactivité croisée s’effectue indépendamment des espèces : une allergie à l’œuf de poule avec une allergie aux perruches par exemple.

Le rôle des livétines a été confirmé tant in vitro qu’en tests cutanés .

Certains auteurs ont indiqué que d’autres allergènes étaient probablement en cause aussi , l’ovotransferrine, Gal d 3, par exemple .

Une réactivité cutanée pour le blanc d’œuf accompagne fréquemment celle pour le jaune d’œuf .

Sachant que les albumines sériques sont identiques aux livétines de l’œuf, on a pu noter des cas de syndrome œuf-oiseaux s’accompagnant d’une réactivité clinique avec la viande de volaille.

Bausela rapporte 3 cas d’allergie au poulet parmi 8 patients avec syndrome œuf-oiseaux . Mais d’autres auteurs n’observent pas d’allergie pour les viandes de volaille , et il est probable que cela soit en relation avec le niveau de cuisson de l’aliment (donc des albumines/livétines), le poulet étant fréquemment cuit à des températures > 100°C.

Toutes les sensibilisations respiratoires aux allergènes d’oiseaux de compagnie ne dérivent pas en un syndrome œuf-oiseaux  : Bausela rapporte 8 cas d’allergie à l’œuf parmi 25 adultes avec allergie aux oiseaux .

De même, une allergie à l’œuf, même apparue chez l’adulte, peut ne pas s’accompagner d’une sensibilisation aux allergènes d’oiseaux présents dans l’environnement du patient : cela peut consister en une réactivité infra-clinique pour les plumes et/ou déjections ou ne toucher que certains sujets (7/27 dans la série d’Anibarro ).

On a donc un continuum clinique allant d’une allergie respiratoire isolée vis à vis des oiseaux à une allergie alimentaire isolée pour l’œuf, en passant par le syndrome œuf-oiseaux. La durée d’exposition aux oiseaux semble moins jouer qu’une susceptibilité particulière du patient .

Et un cas pédiatrique d’allergie respiratoire aux oiseaux à distance de l’établissement de la tolérance pour l’œuf montre que la dissociation œuf/plumes est aussi due à 2 modes très différents de contact avec les allergènes et donc d’établissement des processus de sensibilisation/tolérance.

D’ailleurs on connaît de même des patients allergiques à la viande de poulet ou de dinde qui ne développent pas d’allergie respiratoire vis à vis des oiseaux .

Il ne faut pas oublier par ailleurs qu’une allergie respiratoire en présence d’oiseaux peut résulter d’une sensibilisation aux graines données aux oiseaux (ex. millet , ou tournesol), laquelle peut s’ajouter à un véritable syndrome œuf-oiseaux .

[2] - Kilpio K, Makinen-Kiljunen S, Haahtela T, Hannuksela M. Allergy to feathers. Allergy 1998;53:159-164
Skin prick test reactivity to commercial and self-made feather-allergen extracts was examined in 269 consecutive adult patients with suspected allergic cutaneous or respiratory symptoms who had been referred to a university clinic. Some 177 subjects reacted to any inhalant allergen. Twenty-four (9% of the whole group and 14% of those positive to any inhalant allergen) reacted to commercial feather extracts from ALK (Horsholm, Denmark), and 51 to any of the seven feather extracts used. Feather-mix RAST (Pharmacia, Sweden) was positive in three cases only. Skin prick test or CAP-RAST or both to house-dust mite were positive in 16 of those 24 subjects positive to the commercial feather extracts, but in only 23 of the 150 other atopic subjects (P < 0.001). A nasal challenge with a feather extract was made in 20 cases, always with negative result. In immunospot studies, concomitant allergy to feather-allergen extracts and house-dust mite could be demonstrated. Mite allergens in feather extracts were verified in RAST-inhibition studies. A clinically significant feather allergy was found in one patient only. The results suggest that true feather allergy is very rare, and most of the positive reactions seen in skin prick tests to feather extracts are probably caused by mite allergens present in feathers.
[6] - Nafstad P, Nystad W, Jaakkola JJK. The use of a feather quilt, childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis: a prospective cohort study. Clin Exp Allergy 2002;32:1150-1154
Background Feather bedding has long been considered as a potential source of allergen exposure and thus a potential risk factor for allergic diseases. However, recent cross-sectional studies have reported a higher risk of allergic diseases among users of synthetic bedding compared with feather-bedding users. Objective To explore associations between early life exposure to feather bedding and the risk of developing asthma allergic rhinitis in childhood. Methods We assessed the association between early life exposure to feather quilts and the risk of bronchial obstruction during the first 2 years of life and asthma and allergic rhinitis in a prospective 4-year cohort study of 2531 Norwegian children. Results At the age of 6 months, 24% of the children had a quilt with feathers, decreasing to 20% at the age of 2 years. The adjusted odds ratio for bronchial obstruction 0 to 2 years by exposure to a feather quilt at the age of 6 months was 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.86, for asthma at the age of 4 years 0.38, 0.23 to 0.64 and for allergic rhinitis at the age of 4 years 0.73, 0.43 to 1.18. Conclusion The use of a feather quilt in early life does not seem to increase the risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis later in childhood.
[8] - Colloff MJ, Merrett TG, Merrett J, McSharry C, Boyd G. Feather mites are potentially an important source of allergens for pigeon and budgerigar keepers. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27:60-67
BACKGROUND: Previous studies on allergy to feathers have not addressed whether organisms living on feathers (mites, lice, moulds) are a source of allergens. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether feather mites produced allergens of clinical relevance to bird keepers. METHODS: We examined serum IgE responses of 96 pigeon breeders to an extract of feather mites from pigeons (predominantly Diplaegidia columbae), using Western blotting, specific IgE assay using AlaSTAT EIA and RAST inhibition. RESULTS: Feather mites are a major source of soluble proteins derived from feathers, accounting for up to 10% of the total weight of the feather. Forty-three sera had a negative score (0) for anti-feather mite IgE, 27 were weakly positive (1-2) and 26 had strongly positive scores (3-4). Fewer pigeon breeders with scores > or = 3 were asymptomatic than those with negative scores (12 versus 40%), more had late onset symptoms (with or without early onset symptoms: 77% versus 44%) and had IgE antibody against house dust mite (89% versus 23%). Western blotting of eight sera against the extract of Diplaegidia columbae revealed 20 IgE-binding components ranging from 22 to 200 kDa. A high diversity of components was recognized by each serum: arithmetic mean 7 (range 2-14). RAST inhibition indicated feather mites had species-specific epitopes as well as ones that cross-reacted with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. CONCLUSION: Strongly-positive AlaSTAT scores to pigeon feather mite were associated with allergic symptoms of late onset in pigeon breeders. We conclude that feather mites are a major source of clinically-relevant allergens for pigeon breeders.
[10] - de Maat-Bleeker F, van Dijk AG, Berrens L. Allergy to egg yolk possibly induced by sensitization to bird serum antigens. Ann Allergy 1985;54:245-248
Hypersensitivity to ingested hen's egg yolk is described in a 65-year-old female patient. The patient's symptoms started in adult life and coincided with the acquisition of a parrot as a household pet. The bird's presence caused complaints of allergic rhinitis, while the ingestion of eggs caused urticaria and angioedema. Analysis of sequential blood serum samples revealed high levels of IgE antibodies to egg yolk and to various bird sera, but no precipitins. RAST-inhibition experiments indicated that the primary sensitization may have been to antigens from the parrot.
[11] - Tauer-Reich I, Fruhmann G, Czuppon AB, Baur X. Allergens causing bird fancier's asthma. Allergy 1994;49:448-453
The study investigates to what extent bird feathers contain relevant allergens/antigens involved in bird fancier's asthma. The study group consisted of two budgerigar fanciers, two parrot fanciers and one canary fancier. All subjects complained of asthmatic symptoms, caused by contact with their birds, and they showed a significant bronchial hyperreactivity to acetylcholine. Positive IgE antibody reactions to bird sera as well as to extracts of feathers were observed in RAST. Well-defined major allergenic bands could be detected and identified in the IgE immunoblots with feather extracts as well as with serum proteins of budgerigar, parrot, pigeon, canary, and hen (mol. mass 20-30 kDa and 67 kDa). The most pronounced bands appeared with the extracts of species to which an exposure had taken place. Weaker IgG-binding patterns were also observed. Our results show that inhalable feather dust contains several allergenic components which cross-react with serum allergens/antigens of the same as well as of other bird species. This emphasizes the significance of bird feathers for immediate-type allergic reactions.
[13] - García-González MC, García-Balda A, Diéguez-Pastor MC, González-Mendiola MR, Prieto-Montaño P, Carnés J, et al. Livetins as Inhaled Allergens in the Bird-Egg Syndrome. AAAAI 59th Annual Meeting, Denver, 7-12 March, 2003, Poster n°1033
RATIONALE: The Bird-egg syndrome is characterized by the development of egg yolk allergy, generally after having a previous contact with birds. The main allergen involved seems to be Gal d 5. The aims of this study were to confirm sensitization to livetins in 3 patients sensitized to egg yolk and to investigate whether livetins are airborne allergens. METHODS: Three adult patients (2 males and 1 female) referring specific IgE mediated allergic symptoms after egg ingestion and wheezy dyspnea when exposed to birds were studied after informed consent was obtained. Prick tests (prick by prick) were performed with raw and boiled egg white and yolk and chicken meat. Other extracts included feather mix (duck and chicken), livetins, chicken serum, chicken albumin, ovalbumin and ovomucoid. Other tests included specific IgE determinations and bronchial provocation with livetins in one patient. SDS-PAGE immunoblot with livetins was performed. Patients were also skin tested with 3 air filter extracts collected in a home housing 6 canary birds. RESULTS: All patients had a positive skin prick test with raw yolk, livetin, feathers and air filter extracts. They showed specific IgE against yolk and livetin. Bronchial provocation with livetins was positive. SDS-PAGE immunoblot with livetins showed several IgE binding bands including one of 66.2 KDa (Gal d 5). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that livetins induce positive bronchial challenges in patients with bird-egg syndrome and that these allergens seem to be airborne in homes with birds.
[14] - Quirce S, Marañón F, Umpierrez A, De las Heras M, Fernández-Caldas E, Sastre J. Chicken serum albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile inhalant and food allergen implicated in the bird-egg syndrome. Allergy 2001;56:754-762
BACKGROUND: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. However, the clinical relevance of sensitization to this allergen has not been confirmed by specific challenge tests and environmental sampling. We investigated whether chicken albumin can be detected in air samples collected in a home with birds, and whether sensitization to this protein may cause respiratory and food allergy symptoms. The heat resistance of chicken albumin and the possible cross-reactivity with conalbumin were also investigated . METHODS: We studied eight patients with food allergy to egg yolk who also suffered from respiratory symptoms (rhinitis and/or asthma) caused by exposure to birds. Sensitization to egg yolk and bird antigens was investigated by skin and serologic tests. Hypersensitivity to chicken albumin was confirmed by specific bronchial, conjunctival, and oral provocation tests . RESULTS: All patients had positive skin tests and serum IgE against egg yolk, chicken serum, chicken meat, bird feathers, and chicken albumin. The presence of airborne chicken albumin in the domestic environment was confirmed. Specific bronchial challenge to chicken albumin elicited early asthmatic responses in six patients with asthma. An oral challenge with chicken albumin provoked digestive and systemic allergic symptoms in the two patients challenged. IgE reactivity to chicken albumin was reduced by 88% after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 min. ELISA inhibition demonstrated only partial cross-reactivity between chicken albumin and conalbumin . CONCLUSION: Chicken albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile allergen that may cause both respiratory and food-allergy symptoms in patients with the bird-egg syndrome.
[15] - Quirce S, Diez-Gomez ML, Eiras P, Cuevas M, Baz G, Losada E. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:478-485
Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.
[17] - de Blay F, Hoyet C, Candolfi E, Thierry R, Pauli G. Identification of alpha livetin as a cross reacting allergen in a bird-egg syndrome. Allergy Proc 1994;15:77-78
We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg allergy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any egg allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, and mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk, egg white, livetin, hen 2 serum proteins, and feathers. Western blotting showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, livetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.
[18] - Mandallaz MM, de Weck AL, Dahinden CA. Bird-egg syndrome. Cross-reactivity between bird antigens and egg-yolk livetins in IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1988;87:143-150
87 adult patients from our allergy clinic were skin tested with budgerigar and canary feathers, hen's egg white and egg yolk and common inhalant allergens. Of 59 patients found to be atopic, 17 (29%) were concomitantly sensitized to bird dander and egg proteins, 10 of them being symptomatic to bird dander and/or egg exposure. All but 1 of the egg-symptomatic patients were exposed to pet birds. The patients with strong serological reactivity to bird antigens were also exclusively sensitized to egg proteins, in particular to livetins (water-soluble fractions of egg-yolk proteins). Extensive RAST-inhibition studies demonstrated identical patterns of cross-reactivity between bird dander and hen's egg proteins, livetins being the major cross-reacting antigens. This peculiar IgE-mediated allergy is designated as 'bird-egg syndrome'. It is suggested that egg intolerance in adults is mainly due to sensitization to egg-yolk livetins and can be provoked by inhalation of pet bird dander. Thus, it must be distinguished from the common egg-white allergy of atopic children. Our study further underlines the importance of respiratory sensitization in adult food allergy. On the other hand, exposure to cross-reacting antigens by ingestion might also influence the allergic manifestations to inhalant allergens
[19] - Tavares B, Rodrigues F, Carrapatoso I, Faria E, Murta R, Chieira C. Bird-egg syndrome. Which cross-reactive allergens are involved ? EAACI 22th Congress, Paris, 7-11 June, 2003, Poster n°692
Background: A relationship between bird aeroallergens hypersensitivity and food allergy to egg has been described since the mid eighties. It is a rare disorder beginning most frequently in adulthood. The a-livetin from egg yolk (chicken serum albumin), a protein with 67 KDa, has been implicated as the major cross-reactive allergen responsible for this syndrome. Objective: We studied three adult female patients (63, 42 and 66 years old respectively) with food allergy to egg, who also suffered from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis when exposed to birds. Two of them began symptoms in childhood and the other one in adulthood. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify allergens from these sources that could be responsible for cross-reactivity reactions. Methods: Sensitisation to egg yolk, egg white, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, chicken meat and bird feathers antigens was investigated by skin prick tests (SPT) with commercial extracts (ALK Abello) and serologic tests - specific IgE (sIgE) levels determination (UniCAP˙). IgE immunoblots (AlaBLOT˙) to egg, egg white, chicken meat and chicken feathers were performed and blots to egg, egg white and feathers were inhibited with egg yolk and chicken feathers commercial extracts (IPI). Results: All three patients had positive SPT to avian feathers. Patients 2 and 3 had positive SPT to hen's egg, egg white, egg yolk, ovalbumin, ovomucoid and chicken meat. Patient 1 refused to undergo skin prick testing to egg and it's fractions and chicken meat. All three patients had sIgE to egg white, ovalbumin and ovomucoid “ class 2 and were positive for feathers mix. Patients 1 and 3 had sIgE to egg yolk “ class 3. Patient 1 had class 3 to chicken meat. Patient 2 had no sIgE to egg yolk and chicken meat detectable, wich was also the case for patient 3 to chicken meat. Immunoblots revealed IgE binding to several proteins with similar molecular weights (MW), comparing feathers to egg, egg white and meat (see table 1). Feathers - egg MW (KDa) Feathers - egg white MW (KDa) Feathers - meat MW (KDa) Patient 1 7-8, 26-27, 60-62, 68-71, 119-120, 152-153 26-27, 29-30, 68, 90-91 41-42, 53-54 Patient 2 41-42,28-30 7, 59-60, 28-29, 32 24 Patient 3 28-29, 63-62,89-90 32, 35, 63 - IgE binding was almost completely inhibited by pre-incubation of serum from patient 1 with egg yolk extract. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that sensitisation to epitopes from different sources with similar molecular weights, probably cross-reactive allergens other than a- livetin, is responsible for this syndrome.
[20] - Añibarro Bausela B, Martín Esteban M, Martínez Alzamora F, Pascual Marcos C, Ojeda Casas JA. Egg protein sensitization in patients with bird feather allergy. Allergy 1991;46:614-618
We have studied the hypersensitivity to hen's egg protein and chicken meat in 25 adults with a previous diagnosis of bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to bird feather sensitization. Seventeen of the 25 reported good tolerance to the ingestion of egg and chicken meat. The skin tests were negative to both antigens in 15 of them, and positive for egg in two. All 17 patients had negative RAST to chicken meat and egg protein. The remaining eight patients had intolerance to egg, and three of them also to chicken meat ingestion; in seven of the eight cases allergic to egg, the alimentary intolerance began after the clinical symptoms of bird feather sensitization. In all eight cases the skin tests were positive to egg yolk, and in five of them also to egg white and chicken meat. These patients evidenced specific serum IgE antibodies to egg yolk, four of them to egg white, and seven to chicken meat. These results demonstrate the high frequency (32%) of the association of sensitization to egg proteins, particularly egg yolk, in a selected population of patients with known allergy to bird feathers, thus suggesting that in some patients feather sensitization could trigger or somehow facilitate the later sensitization to egg yolk proteins.
[21] - de Valdés B, Gonzalez E, Diéguez M, Carnés J, De la Hoz B, Terrados S. Egg-bird Syndrome In A Five Year Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We described a patient with history of allergy to egg who developed progressive increase of specific IgE levels against egg proteins and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds (canaries). METHODS: Prick-testing with egg and their different antigenic protein fractions, alpha-livetin, feathers and chicken meat was performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dyalized, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, feathers and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk and white egg. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated the recognition of several bands in all the extracts with a molecular weight range between 14 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds in a five year old patient previously sensitized to egg. A high recognition in the patient's serum against yolk, white egg and alpha-livetins was found. We propose that exposure to birds could be the cause of the persisting sensitization to egg and also of the increase of specific serum IgE levels.
[22] - de Valdés B, Gonzalez E, Diéguez M, Carnés J, De la Hoz B, Terrados S. Egg-bird Syndrome In A Five Year Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We described a patient with history of allergy to egg who developed progressive increase of specific IgE levels against egg proteins and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds (canaries). METHODS: Prick-testing with egg and their different antigenic protein fractions, alpha-livetin, feathers and chicken meat was performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dyalized, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, feathers and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk and white egg. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated the recognition of several bands in all the extracts with a molecular weight range between 14 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds in a five year old patient previously sensitized to egg. A high recognition in the patient's serum against yolk, white egg and alpha-livetins was found. We propose that exposure to birds could be the cause of the persisting sensitization to egg and also of the increase of specific serum IgE levels.
[23] - Añibarro Bausela B, Martín Esteban M, Martínez Alzamora F, Pascual Marcos C, Ojeda Casas JA. Egg protein sensitization in patients with bird feather allergy. Allergy 1991;46:614-618
We have studied the hypersensitivity to hen's egg protein and chicken meat in 25 adults with a previous diagnosis of bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to bird feather sensitization. Seventeen of the 25 reported good tolerance to the ingestion of egg and chicken meat. The skin tests were negative to both antigens in 15 of them, and positive for egg in two. All 17 patients had negative RAST to chicken meat and egg protein. The remaining eight patients had intolerance to egg, and three of them also to chicken meat ingestion; in seven of the eight cases allergic to egg, the alimentary intolerance began after the clinical symptoms of bird feather sensitization. In all eight cases the skin tests were positive to egg yolk, and in five of them also to egg white and chicken meat. These patients evidenced specific serum IgE antibodies to egg yolk, four of them to egg white, and seven to chicken meat. These results demonstrate the high frequency (32%) of the association of sensitization to egg proteins, particularly egg yolk, in a selected population of patients with known allergy to bird feathers, thus suggesting that in some patients feather sensitization could trigger or somehow facilitate the later sensitization to egg yolk proteins.
[24] - de Blay F, Hoyet C, Candolfi E, Thierry R, Pauli G. Identification of alpha livetin as a cross reacting allergen in a bird-egg syndrome. Allergy Proc 1994;15:77-78
We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg allergy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any egg allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, and mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk, egg white, livetin, hen 2 serum proteins, and feathers. Western blotting showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, livetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.
[26] - Quirce S, Marañón F, Umpierrez A, De las Heras M, Fernández-Caldas E, Sastre J. Chicken serum albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile inhalant and food allergen implicated in the bird-egg syndrome. Allergy 2001;56:754-762
BACKGROUND: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. However, the clinical relevance of sensitization to this allergen has not been confirmed by specific challenge tests and environmental sampling. We investigated whether chicken albumin can be detected in air samples collected in a home with birds, and whether sensitization to this protein may cause respiratory and food allergy symptoms. The heat resistance of chicken albumin and the possible cross-reactivity with conalbumin were also investigated . METHODS: We studied eight patients with food allergy to egg yolk who also suffered from respiratory symptoms (rhinitis and/or asthma) caused by exposure to birds. Sensitization to egg yolk and bird antigens was investigated by skin and serologic tests. Hypersensitivity to chicken albumin was confirmed by specific bronchial, conjunctival, and oral provocation tests . RESULTS: All patients had positive skin tests and serum IgE against egg yolk, chicken serum, chicken meat, bird feathers, and chicken albumin. The presence of airborne chicken albumin in the domestic environment was confirmed. Specific bronchial challenge to chicken albumin elicited early asthmatic responses in six patients with asthma. An oral challenge with chicken albumin provoked digestive and systemic allergic symptoms in the two patients challenged. IgE reactivity to chicken albumin was reduced by 88% after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 min. ELISA inhibition demonstrated only partial cross-reactivity between chicken albumin and conalbumin . CONCLUSION: Chicken albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile allergen that may cause both respiratory and food-allergy symptoms in patients with the bird-egg syndrome.
[27] - Quirce S, Diez-Gomez ML, Eiras P, Cuevas M, Baz G, Losada E. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:478-485
Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.
[29] - de Blay F, Hoyet C, Candolfi E, Thierry R, Pauli G. Identification of alpha livetin as a cross reacting allergen in a bird-egg syndrome. Allergy Proc 1994;15:77-78
We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg allergy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any egg allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, and mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk, egg white, livetin, hen 2 serum proteins, and feathers. Western blotting showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, livetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.
[30] - de Maat-Bleeker F, van Dijk AG, Berrens L. Allergy to egg yolk possibly induced by sensitization to bird serum antigens. Ann Allergy 1985;54:245-248
Hypersensitivity to ingested hen's egg yolk is described in a 65-year-old female patient. The patient's symptoms started in adult life and coincided with the acquisition of a parrot as a household pet. The bird's presence caused complaints of allergic rhinitis, while the ingestion of eggs caused urticaria and angioedema. Analysis of sequential blood serum samples revealed high levels of IgE antibodies to egg yolk and to various bird sera, but no precipitins. RAST-inhibition experiments indicated that the primary sensitization may have been to antigens from the parrot.
[31] - Quirce S, Diez-Gomez ML, Eiras P, Cuevas M, Baz G, Losada E. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:478-485
Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.
[32] - van Toorenenbergen AW, Huijskes-Heins MI, Gerth van Wijk R. Different pattern of IgE binding to chicken egg yolk between patients with inhalant allergy to birds and food-allergic children. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1994;104:199-203
IgE binding antigens in budgerigar, canary and parrot serum were analyzed by immunoblotting. With 4 sera from patients with a respiratory allergy to birds, a closely related pattern of IgE binding to SDS-PAGE separated sera of the 3 birds was found. In all 3 bird sera a major IgE binding structure was present with a MW of about 60 kD. The pattern of IgE binding to SDS-PAGE separated egg yolk in sera from the patients allergic to birds, was different from sera of food-allergic children. Whereas in the bird-allergic patients major IgE binding occurred to a 60 kD component in egg yolk, IgE from food-allergic children was preferentially bound to a 35-kD structure in egg yolk.
[33] - de Valdés B, Gonzalez E, Diéguez M, Carnés J, De la Hoz B, Terrados S. Egg-bird Syndrome In A Five Year Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We described a patient with history of allergy to egg who developed progressive increase of specific IgE levels against egg proteins and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds (canaries). METHODS: Prick-testing with egg and their different antigenic protein fractions, alpha-livetin, feathers and chicken meat was performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dyalized, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, feathers and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk and white egg. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated the recognition of several bands in all the extracts with a molecular weight range between 14 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds in a five year old patient previously sensitized to egg. A high recognition in the patient's serum against yolk, white egg and alpha-livetins was found. We propose that exposure to birds could be the cause of the persisting sensitization to egg and also of the increase of specific serum IgE levels.
[34] - García-González MC, García-Balda A, Diéguez-Pastor MC, González-Mendiola MR, Prieto-Montaño P, Carnés J, et al. Livetins as Inhaled Allergens in the Bird-Egg Syndrome. AAAAI 59th Annual Meeting, Denver, 7-12 March, 2003, Poster n°1033
RATIONALE: The Bird-egg syndrome is characterized by the development of egg yolk allergy, generally after having a previous contact with birds. The main allergen involved seems to be Gal d 5. The aims of this study were to confirm sensitization to livetins in 3 patients sensitized to egg yolk and to investigate whether livetins are airborne allergens. METHODS: Three adult patients (2 males and 1 female) referring specific IgE mediated allergic symptoms after egg ingestion and wheezy dyspnea when exposed to birds were studied after informed consent was obtained. Prick tests (prick by prick) were performed with raw and boiled egg white and yolk and chicken meat. Other extracts included feather mix (duck and chicken), livetins, chicken serum, chicken albumin, ovalbumin and ovomucoid. Other tests included specific IgE determinations and bronchial provocation with livetins in one patient. SDS-PAGE immunoblot with livetins was performed. Patients were also skin tested with 3 air filter extracts collected in a home housing 6 canary birds. RESULTS: All patients had a positive skin prick test with raw yolk, livetin, feathers and air filter extracts. They showed specific IgE against yolk and livetin. Bronchial provocation with livetins was positive. SDS-PAGE immunoblot with livetins showed several IgE binding bands including one of 66.2 KDa (Gal d 5). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that livetins induce positive bronchial challenges in patients with bird-egg syndrome and that these allergens seem to be airborne in homes with birds.
[35] - Quirce S, Diez-Gomez ML, Eiras P, Cuevas M, Baz G, Losada E. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:478-485
Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.
[36] - de Blay F, Hoyet C, Candolfi E, Thierry R, Pauli G. Identification of alpha livetin as a cross reacting allergen in a bird-egg syndrome. Allergy Proc 1994;15:77-78
We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg allergy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any egg allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, and mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk, egg white, livetin, hen 2 serum proteins, and feathers. Western blotting showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, livetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.
[37] - Villas F, Compes E, Fernandez-Nieto M, Muñoz M, De las Heras M, Bartolomé B. Bird-egg syndrome caused by Agapornis sp. (Lovebirds). Allergy 2008;63(suppl. 88):258
Background: The bird-egg syndrome design the association between respiratory type I hypersensitivity to birds antigens and food allergy to egg yolk, which are caused by sensitisation to chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin). We have found no reported cases of bird-egg syndrome due to sensitisation to proteins of Agapornis (lovebirds). Material and methods: A 38-year-old woman, had experienced perennial rhinitis and several episodes of nocturnal dry cough, dysnea and wheezing during the previous two years and for the previous five months she referred abdominal pain when she ate fried chicken egg. Furthermore 10 min after eating 5 sunflower seeds, she suffered from an episode of anaphylaxis. She had kept 2 lovebirds for the previous 6 years, which she had been feeding with sunflower seeds and birdseeds.We performed skin prick tests with common aeroallergens and food allergens; bronchial challenge tests, serum specific IgE determinations, SDS-PAGE, Immunoblotting and Immunoblotting inhibition studies. Results: Skin prick tests were positive to feathers (canary, budgerigar, chicken), chicken egg (yolk, white) and sunflower seeds. Prick-by-prick tests were positive to lovebird feathers and droppings. Specific inhalation challenge with an aqueous extract of lovebird feathers elicited a dual asthmatic response. At 24 h post-challenge the methacholine and exhaled nitric oxide tests became poitive, and the induced sputum showed an increase in eosinophils of up to 25%. Determinations of specific IgE were positive to chicken egg (yolk 19.4 KU/L, white 6.7 KU/L), bird feathers (lovebird>100 kU/L, chicken 54.7 kU/L), chicken alpha-livetin (54 kU/L) and sunflower seed (35 kU/L). SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting with lovebird feather extract revealed IgE binding bands of 132, 81 and 66 kDa and with sunflower seeds of 14 kDa. Immunoblotting inhibition studies were carried out with chicken feathers as the solid fase. All the IgE-binding bands were inhibited by agapornis feathers and alpha-livetin extract. Conclusion: Our patient developed IgEmediated rhinitis and asthma due to sensitisation to lovebird antigens contained in the feathers. Furthermore, this sensitisation led to food allergy symptoms after the ingestion of slightly cooked chicken egg. The immunological results point to alphalivetin as the culprit allergen. In addition, our patient developed allergy to sunflower seeds, an ingredient of lovebird food, which she was probably sensitised via the inhalation route.
[38] - Losada A, Dieguez M, González E, de Valdés B, Carnes J, Díez M. Bird-egg Syndrom In A 80 Years Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We report a 80 years old patient with history of pharingeous pruritus after egg intake and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds. He was birds caretaker in his youth. METHODS: Prick-test with egg and their different protein fractions, mixture of pens, alpha-livetin and chicken meat were performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dialyzed, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, pens, and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific-IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk (42.50 Ku/l), white egg (9.89 KU/l), chicken meat (38.50 KU/l) and canary pen (23.30 KU/l). Specific-IgE values performed by direct ELISA (1/16 dilution) were positive to alpha-livetin (2.47 OD), chicken serum (2.58 OD), chicken albumin (2,31 OD), and chicken meat (0,71 OD). The immunoblot demonstrated the recognition of several bands in chicken albumin, chicken serum and alpha livetin extracts with a molecular weight range between 15 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We present a bird-egg syndrome case with primary sensitisation in relation to bird exposure. Egg and bird shared allergens seems to be responsible of this cross reactivity.
[39] - Tavares B, Rodrigues F, Carrapatoso I, Faria E, Murta R, Chieira C. Bird-egg syndrome. Which cross-reactive allergens are involved ? EAACI 22th Congress, Paris, 7-11 June, 2003, Poster n°692
Background: A relationship between bird aeroallergens hypersensitivity and food allergy to egg has been described since the mid eighties. It is a rare disorder beginning most frequently in adulthood. The a-livetin from egg yolk (chicken serum albumin), a protein with 67 KDa, has been implicated as the major cross-reactive allergen responsible for this syndrome. Objective: We studied three adult female patients (63, 42 and 66 years old respectively) with food allergy to egg, who also suffered from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis when exposed to birds. Two of them began symptoms in childhood and the other one in adulthood. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify allergens from these sources that could be responsible for cross-reactivity reactions. Methods: Sensitisation to egg yolk, egg white, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, chicken meat and bird feathers antigens was investigated by skin prick tests (SPT) with commercial extracts (ALK Abello) and serologic tests - specific IgE (sIgE) levels determination (UniCAP˙). IgE immunoblots (AlaBLOT˙) to egg, egg white, chicken meat and chicken feathers were performed and blots to egg, egg white and feathers were inhibited with egg yolk and chicken feathers commercial extracts (IPI). Results: All three patients had positive SPT to avian feathers. Patients 2 and 3 had positive SPT to hen's egg, egg white, egg yolk, ovalbumin, ovomucoid and chicken meat. Patient 1 refused to undergo skin prick testing to egg and it's fractions and chicken meat. All three patients had sIgE to egg white, ovalbumin and ovomucoid “ class 2 and were positive for feathers mix. Patients 1 and 3 had sIgE to egg yolk “ class 3. Patient 1 had class 3 to chicken meat. Patient 2 had no sIgE to egg yolk and chicken meat detectable, wich was also the case for patient 3 to chicken meat. Immunoblots revealed IgE binding to several proteins with similar molecular weights (MW), comparing feathers to egg, egg white and meat (see table 1). Feathers - egg MW (KDa) Feathers - egg white MW (KDa) Feathers - meat MW (KDa) Patient 1 7-8, 26-27, 60-62, 68-71, 119-120, 152-153 26-27, 29-30, 68, 90-91 41-42, 53-54 Patient 2 41-42,28-30 7, 59-60, 28-29, 32 24 Patient 3 28-29, 63-62,89-90 32, 35, 63 - IgE binding was almost completely inhibited by pre-incubation of serum from patient 1 with egg yolk extract. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that sensitisation to epitopes from different sources with similar molecular weights, probably cross-reactive allergens other than a- livetin, is responsible for this syndrome.
[42] - Quirce S, Diez-Gomez ML, Eiras P, Cuevas M, Baz G, Losada E. Inhalant allergy to egg yolk and egg white proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:478-485
Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg. OBJECTIVE: We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions. RESULTS: Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme. CONCLUSION: Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.
[43] - Añibarro Bausela B, Martín Esteban M, Martínez Alzamora F, Pascual Marcos C, Ojeda Casas JA. Egg protein sensitization in patients with bird feather allergy. Allergy 1991;46:614-618
We have studied the hypersensitivity to hen's egg protein and chicken meat in 25 adults with a previous diagnosis of bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to bird feather sensitization. Seventeen of the 25 reported good tolerance to the ingestion of egg and chicken meat. The skin tests were negative to both antigens in 15 of them, and positive for egg in two. All 17 patients had negative RAST to chicken meat and egg protein. The remaining eight patients had intolerance to egg, and three of them also to chicken meat ingestion; in seven of the eight cases allergic to egg, the alimentary intolerance began after the clinical symptoms of bird feather sensitization. In all eight cases the skin tests were positive to egg yolk, and in five of them also to egg white and chicken meat. These patients evidenced specific serum IgE antibodies to egg yolk, four of them to egg white, and seven to chicken meat. These results demonstrate the high frequency (32%) of the association of sensitization to egg proteins, particularly egg yolk, in a selected population of patients with known allergy to bird feathers, thus suggesting that in some patients feather sensitization could trigger or somehow facilitate the later sensitization to egg yolk proteins.
[44] - Villas F, Compes E, Fernandez-Nieto M, Muñoz M, De las Heras M, Bartolomé B. Bird-egg syndrome caused by Agapornis sp. (Lovebirds). Allergy 2008;63(suppl. 88):258
Background: The bird-egg syndrome design the association between respiratory type I hypersensitivity to birds antigens and food allergy to egg yolk, which are caused by sensitisation to chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin). We have found no reported cases of bird-egg syndrome due to sensitisation to proteins of Agapornis (lovebirds). Material and methods: A 38-year-old woman, had experienced perennial rhinitis and several episodes of nocturnal dry cough, dysnea and wheezing during the previous two years and for the previous five months she referred abdominal pain when she ate fried chicken egg. Furthermore 10 min after eating 5 sunflower seeds, she suffered from an episode of anaphylaxis. She had kept 2 lovebirds for the previous 6 years, which she had been feeding with sunflower seeds and birdseeds.We performed skin prick tests with common aeroallergens and food allergens; bronchial challenge tests, serum specific IgE determinations, SDS-PAGE, Immunoblotting and Immunoblotting inhibition studies. Results: Skin prick tests were positive to feathers (canary, budgerigar, chicken), chicken egg (yolk, white) and sunflower seeds. Prick-by-prick tests were positive to lovebird feathers and droppings. Specific inhalation challenge with an aqueous extract of lovebird feathers elicited a dual asthmatic response. At 24 h post-challenge the methacholine and exhaled nitric oxide tests became poitive, and the induced sputum showed an increase in eosinophils of up to 25%. Determinations of specific IgE were positive to chicken egg (yolk 19.4 KU/L, white 6.7 KU/L), bird feathers (lovebird>100 kU/L, chicken 54.7 kU/L), chicken alpha-livetin (54 kU/L) and sunflower seed (35 kU/L). SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting with lovebird feather extract revealed IgE binding bands of 132, 81 and 66 kDa and with sunflower seeds of 14 kDa. Immunoblotting inhibition studies were carried out with chicken feathers as the solid fase. All the IgE-binding bands were inhibited by agapornis feathers and alpha-livetin extract. Conclusion: Our patient developed IgEmediated rhinitis and asthma due to sensitisation to lovebird antigens contained in the feathers. Furthermore, this sensitisation led to food allergy symptoms after the ingestion of slightly cooked chicken egg. The immunological results point to alphalivetin as the culprit allergen. In addition, our patient developed allergy to sunflower seeds, an ingredient of lovebird food, which she was probably sensitised via the inhalation route.
[45] - Losada A, Dieguez M, González E, de Valdés B, Carnes J, Díez M. Bird-egg Syndrom In A 80 Years Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We report a 80 years old patient with history of pharingeous pruritus after egg intake and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds. He was birds caretaker in his youth. METHODS: Prick-test with egg and their different protein fractions, mixture of pens, alpha-livetin and chicken meat were performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dialyzed, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, pens, and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific-IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk (42.50 Ku/l), white egg (9.89 KU/l), chicken meat (38.50 KU/l) and canary pen (23.30 KU/l). Specific-IgE values performed by direct ELISA (1/16 dilution) were positive to alpha-livetin (2.47 OD), chicken serum (2.58 OD), chicken albumin (2,31 OD), and chicken meat (0,71 OD). The immunoblot demonstrated the recognition of several bands in chicken albumin, chicken serum and alpha livetin extracts with a molecular weight range between 15 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We present a bird-egg syndrome case with primary sensitisation in relation to bird exposure. Egg and bird shared allergens seems to be responsible of this cross reactivity.
[46] - de Valdés B, Gonzalez E, Diéguez M, Carnés J, De la Hoz B, Terrados S. Egg-bird Syndrome In A Five Year Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We described a patient with history of allergy to egg who developed progressive increase of specific IgE levels against egg proteins and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds (canaries). METHODS: Prick-testing with egg and their different antigenic protein fractions, alpha-livetin, feathers and chicken meat was performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dyalized, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, feathers and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk and white egg. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated the recognition of several bands in all the extracts with a molecular weight range between 14 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds in a five year old patient previously sensitized to egg. A high recognition in the patient's serum against yolk, white egg and alpha-livetins was found. We propose that exposure to birds could be the cause of the persisting sensitization to egg and also of the increase of specific serum IgE levels.
[47] - Añibarro Bausela B, Martín Esteban M, Martínez Alzamora F, Pascual Marcos C, Ojeda Casas JA. Egg protein sensitization in patients with bird feather allergy. Allergy 1991;46:614-618
We have studied the hypersensitivity to hen's egg protein and chicken meat in 25 adults with a previous diagnosis of bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to bird feather sensitization. Seventeen of the 25 reported good tolerance to the ingestion of egg and chicken meat. The skin tests were negative to both antigens in 15 of them, and positive for egg in two. All 17 patients had negative RAST to chicken meat and egg protein. The remaining eight patients had intolerance to egg, and three of them also to chicken meat ingestion; in seven of the eight cases allergic to egg, the alimentary intolerance began after the clinical symptoms of bird feather sensitization. In all eight cases the skin tests were positive to egg yolk, and in five of them also to egg white and chicken meat. These patients evidenced specific serum IgE antibodies to egg yolk, four of them to egg white, and seven to chicken meat. These results demonstrate the high frequency (32%) of the association of sensitization to egg proteins, particularly egg yolk, in a selected population of patients with known allergy to bird feathers, thus suggesting that in some patients feather sensitization could trigger or somehow facilitate the later sensitization to egg yolk proteins.
[48] - Quirce S, Marañón F, Umpierrez A, De las Heras M, Fernández-Caldas E, Sastre J. Chicken serum albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile inhalant and food allergen implicated in the bird-egg syndrome. Allergy 2001;56:754-762
BACKGROUND: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. However, the clinical relevance of sensitization to this allergen has not been confirmed by specific challenge tests and environmental sampling. We investigated whether chicken albumin can be detected in air samples collected in a home with birds, and whether sensitization to this protein may cause respiratory and food allergy symptoms. The heat resistance of chicken albumin and the possible cross-reactivity with conalbumin were also investigated . METHODS: We studied eight patients with food allergy to egg yolk who also suffered from respiratory symptoms (rhinitis and/or asthma) caused by exposure to birds. Sensitization to egg yolk and bird antigens was investigated by skin and serologic tests. Hypersensitivity to chicken albumin was confirmed by specific bronchial, conjunctival, and oral provocation tests . RESULTS: All patients had positive skin tests and serum IgE against egg yolk, chicken serum, chicken meat, bird feathers, and chicken albumin. The presence of airborne chicken albumin in the domestic environment was confirmed. Specific bronchial challenge to chicken albumin elicited early asthmatic responses in six patients with asthma. An oral challenge with chicken albumin provoked digestive and systemic allergic symptoms in the two patients challenged. IgE reactivity to chicken albumin was reduced by 88% after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 min. ELISA inhibition demonstrated only partial cross-reactivity between chicken albumin and conalbumin . CONCLUSION: Chicken albumin (Gal d 5) is a partially heat-labile allergen that may cause both respiratory and food-allergy symptoms in patients with the bird-egg syndrome.
[50] - van Toorenenbergen AW, Huijskes-Heins MI, Gerth van Wijk R. Different pattern of IgE binding to chicken egg yolk between patients with inhalant allergy to birds and food-allergic children. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1994;104:199-203
IgE binding antigens in budgerigar, canary and parrot serum were analyzed by immunoblotting. With 4 sera from patients with a respiratory allergy to birds, a closely related pattern of IgE binding to SDS-PAGE separated sera of the 3 birds was found. In all 3 bird sera a major IgE binding structure was present with a MW of about 60 kD. The pattern of IgE binding to SDS-PAGE separated egg yolk in sera from the patients allergic to birds, was different from sera of food-allergic children. Whereas in the bird-allergic patients major IgE binding occurred to a 60 kD component in egg yolk, IgE from food-allergic children was preferentially bound to a 35-kD structure in egg yolk.
[51] - Añibarro Bausela B, Martín Esteban M, Martínez Alzamora F, Pascual Marcos C, Ojeda Casas JA. Egg protein sensitization in patients with bird feather allergy. Allergy 1991;46:614-618
We have studied the hypersensitivity to hen's egg protein and chicken meat in 25 adults with a previous diagnosis of bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to bird feather sensitization. Seventeen of the 25 reported good tolerance to the ingestion of egg and chicken meat. The skin tests were negative to both antigens in 15 of them, and positive for egg in two. All 17 patients had negative RAST to chicken meat and egg protein. The remaining eight patients had intolerance to egg, and three of them also to chicken meat ingestion; in seven of the eight cases allergic to egg, the alimentary intolerance began after the clinical symptoms of bird feather sensitization. In all eight cases the skin tests were positive to egg yolk, and in five of them also to egg white and chicken meat. These patients evidenced specific serum IgE antibodies to egg yolk, four of them to egg white, and seven to chicken meat. These results demonstrate the high frequency (32%) of the association of sensitization to egg proteins, particularly egg yolk, in a selected population of patients with known allergy to bird feathers, thus suggesting that in some patients feather sensitization could trigger or somehow facilitate the later sensitization to egg yolk proteins.
[52] - Blanc A, Kraemer JP, de Blay F, Pauli G. Syndrome œuf-oiseau sans manifestation clinique respiratoire. Rev Fr Allergol Immunol Clin 2004;44:519-522
Le syndrome oeuf-oiseau est l'induction d'une allergie alimentaire à l'oeuf par sensibilisation respiratoire aux protéines aviaires. Ce syndrome, décrit pour la première fois en 1985, a fait l'objet de nombreuses publications. Le cas clinique rapporté a pour originalité : l'absence de traduction clinique respiratoire de la sensibilisation aux protéines aviaires, la gravité des manifestations cliniques révélant l'allergie à l'oeuf, la tolérance partielle à l'oeuf cuit. Dans le cas décrit, des tests de provocation orale au blanc puis au jaune d'oeuf cuit ont été réalisés en se référant aux données de la littérature qui font état d'une thermolabilité partielle de l'alpha livétine, protéine allergénique croisante impliquée dans le syndrome oeuf-oiseau.
[53] - Velasco M, Bartolomé B, Longo N, Uriel O, Esnal S, Audícana M, et al. Allergy to quail-egg: Bird-egg syndrome. EAACI 25th Congress, Vienna, 10-14 June, 2006, Poster n°585
Background: Egg allergy arising in adulthood typically manifests itself as what is called bird-egg syndrome. We report a 39-year-old male with a history of household bird contact from infancy (canaries and goldfinches). One-half years ago, he started with itchy eyes, tongue, angioedema and eruptions behind the ears and neck, following ingestion of fried quail egg. Since then, he has reported similar symptoms after the ingestion of hen eggs, chicken meat and processed turkey meat, all of them previously well-tolerated. Methods: Skin prick tests were carried out to hen-egg extracts and their fractions, bird feathers and meats, pig, rabbit, parakeet and quail egg (white and yolk) (prick-prick). Serum specific IgE was measured by EAST (Enzyme AllergoSorbent Test) technique. Allergen molecular mass were determined by SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting. Cross reactivity studies were carried out by Immunobloting-inhibition assay. Results: Skin tests were positive to quail egg, hen egg (white and yolk), chicken meat, turkey meat and duckling. Serum specific IgE were positive to quail egg-yolk (1,9 kU/L), duck egg-yolk (1,8 kU/L), hen egg-yolk (1 kU/L), duck egg-white (1,8 kU/L), canary feathers 5,5 (kU/L), parakeet feathers (0,9 kU/L), raw turkey meat (0,8 kU/L), raw duck meat (0,4 kU/L). SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting with egg-yolk extracts from quail, hen and duck , pigeon serum and canary feathers revealed an IgE-binding band of approximately 60 kDa. A doubled IgE-binding band, 49-56 kDa, were found when various avian meat: quail, chicken, turkey, duck, were blotted. Blott inhibition assay showed the existence of cross-reactivity between quail egg-yolk extract and extracts from canary feathers or parakeet serum. Conclusion: The patient remained free of respiratory symptom despite the existence of exposure to avian aeroallergens during childhood, developing only food allergy in adulthood. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate the existence of serum specific IgE against not only quail-egg components, but also to others types of egg and various avian meat, including some with which there has been no previous contact. Molecular mass of the IgE binding proteins were found within a range of between 52 and 66 kDa, some of which could correspond to alpha-livetin. Inhibition tests confirm the existence of a common protein among quail egg-yolk, canary feathers and parrot serum, which would explain the clinical condition of the patient.
[54] - Anibarro Bausela B, Garcia-Ara MC, Martin Esteban M, Boyano Martinez TB, Diaz Pena JM, Ojeda Casas JA. Peculiarities of egg allergy in children with bird protein sensitization. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1997;78:213-216
BACKGROUND: Hen's egg is frequently implicated in food allergy in children. Sometimes this allergy is associated with bird protein sensitization. OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to establish the possible role of bird protein sensitization in the clinical picture and evolution of egg allergy in patients with both egg and bird sensitization. METHODS: Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics and the results of allergic study of 27 patients with both egg and bird allergy were compared with those of a control group of 19 egg-allergic patients without bird protein sensitization. All patients were evaluated clinically each year during the 4 years subsequent to the beginning of the study or until clinical tolerance to egg was achieved. RESULTS: Patients with bird sensitization had more frequent digestive and respiratory symptoms related to egg ingestion compared with the control group. At the end of follow-up. 15% of the bird sensitized patients and 58% of the controls tolerated egg. Egg yolk sensitization was the major sensitization in bird-sensitized patients. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to exclude sensitization to bird proteins in egg-allergic patients, mainly when they show respiratory or digestive symptoms after egg ingestion, the egg allergy persists over a long period of time or egg yolk sensitization is strong.
[55] - Blanc A, Kraemer JP, de Blay F, Pauli G. Syndrome œuf-oiseau sans manifestation clinique respiratoire. Rev Fr Allergol Immunol Clin 2004;44:519-522
Le syndrome oeuf-oiseau est l'induction d'une allergie alimentaire à l'oeuf par sensibilisation respiratoire aux protéines aviaires. Ce syndrome, décrit pour la première fois en 1985, a fait l'objet de nombreuses publications. Le cas clinique rapporté a pour originalité : l'absence de traduction clinique respiratoire de la sensibilisation aux protéines aviaires, la gravité des manifestations cliniques révélant l'allergie à l'oeuf, la tolérance partielle à l'oeuf cuit. Dans le cas décrit, des tests de provocation orale au blanc puis au jaune d'oeuf cuit ont été réalisés en se référant aux données de la littérature qui font état d'une thermolabilité partielle de l'alpha livétine, protéine allergénique croisante impliquée dans le syndrome oeuf-oiseau.
[56] - Velasco M, Bartolomé B, Longo N, Uriel O, Esnal S, Audícana M, et al. Allergy to quail-egg: Bird-egg syndrome. EAACI 25th Congress, Vienna, 10-14 June, 2006, Poster n°585
Background: Egg allergy arising in adulthood typically manifests itself as what is called bird-egg syndrome. We report a 39-year-old male with a history of household bird contact from infancy (canaries and goldfinches). One-half years ago, he started with itchy eyes, tongue, angioedema and eruptions behind the ears and neck, following ingestion of fried quail egg. Since then, he has reported similar symptoms after the ingestion of hen eggs, chicken meat and processed turkey meat, all of them previously well-tolerated. Methods: Skin prick tests were carried out to hen-egg extracts and their fractions, bird feathers and meats, pig, rabbit, parakeet and quail egg (white and yolk) (prick-prick). Serum specific IgE was measured by EAST (Enzyme AllergoSorbent Test) technique. Allergen molecular mass were determined by SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting. Cross reactivity studies were carried out by Immunobloting-inhibition assay. Results: Skin tests were positive to quail egg, hen egg (white and yolk), chicken meat, turkey meat and duckling. Serum specific IgE were positive to quail egg-yolk (1,9 kU/L), duck egg-yolk (1,8 kU/L), hen egg-yolk (1 kU/L), duck egg-white (1,8 kU/L), canary feathers 5,5 (kU/L), parakeet feathers (0,9 kU/L), raw turkey meat (0,8 kU/L), raw duck meat (0,4 kU/L). SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting with egg-yolk extracts from quail, hen and duck , pigeon serum and canary feathers revealed an IgE-binding band of approximately 60 kDa. A doubled IgE-binding band, 49-56 kDa, were found when various avian meat: quail, chicken, turkey, duck, were blotted. Blott inhibition assay showed the existence of cross-reactivity between quail egg-yolk extract and extracts from canary feathers or parakeet serum. Conclusion: The patient remained free of respiratory symptom despite the existence of exposure to avian aeroallergens during childhood, developing only food allergy in adulthood. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate the existence of serum specific IgE against not only quail-egg components, but also to others types of egg and various avian meat, including some with which there has been no previous contact. Molecular mass of the IgE binding proteins were found within a range of between 52 and 66 kDa, some of which could correspond to alpha-livetin. Inhibition tests confirm the existence of a common protein among quail egg-yolk, canary feathers and parrot serum, which would explain the clinical condition of the patient.
[57] - de Valdés B, Gonzalez E, Diéguez M, Carnés J, De la Hoz B, Terrados S. Egg-bird Syndrome In A Five Year Old Patient. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(1 suppl):S122
RATIONALE: Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) has been implicated as the causative allergen of the bird-egg syndrome. We described a patient with history of allergy to egg who developed progressive increase of specific IgE levels against egg proteins and respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds (canaries). METHODS: Prick-testing with egg and their different antigenic protein fractions, alpha-livetin, feathers and chicken meat was performed. Yolk and white egg were separated and individually extracted. Yolk egg was previously precipitated in acetone. After extraction, both extracts were dyalized, filtered, frozen and freeze-dried. Extracts from chicken meat, egg albumin, chicken albumin and chicken serum were also included in the study. The antigenic and allergenic profile of the extracts was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. Specific IgE was determined by direct ELISA. RESULTS: Prick-test was positive with egg proteins, feathers and alpha-livetin. High levels of specific IgE were detected in the patient's serum against yolk and white egg. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated the recognition of several bands in all the extracts with a molecular weight range between 14 and 100 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of respiratory symptoms in relation to exposure to birds in a five year old patient previously sensitized to egg. A high recognition in the patient's serum against yolk, white egg and alpha-livetins was found. We propose that exposure to birds could be the cause of the persisting sensitization to egg and also of the increase of specific serum IgE levels.
[59] - Cahen YD, Fritsch R, Wüthrich B. Food allergy with monovalent sensitivity to poultry meat. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:1026-1030
BACKGROUND: Allergy to poultry meat is only rarely covered in science. The few reports are usually related to patients allergic to eggs or bird feathers. OBJECTIVE: Two patients with a clear history of monovalent, ingestive allergy to chicken and turkey meat, without other food allergies, were analysed. The relevant allergens were to be identified by immunoblotting. METHODS: Both patients were evaluated with skin tests and specific IgE determination (CAP). Allergens were identified by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Cross-reactivity of chicken and turkey meat was examined by IgE inhibition experiments. RESULTS: Skin tests and specific IgE were positive for chicken and turkey in both patients. Cross-reactivities to other poultry meats were documented for duck and goose meat. No sensitization to egg components or poultry feathers could be found. Allergenic proteins of poultry meat were detected at molecular weights of 21, 23 and 50 kDa (distinct bands) and 13, 27 and 33kDa (faint bands). An additional band at 91 kDa for turkey, can probably not be considered a distinct allergenic epitope. Immunoblot inhibition confirmed cross-reactivity of chicken and turkey meat allergens. CONCLUSION: Food allergy to poultry meat is a distinct disorder with crossreactivity among chicken, turkey and other poultries. The relevant allergens were identified by immunoblotting. Associated food allergy to egg-components is unlikely as the patients were able to tolerate egg and eggs products.
[60] - Rombold S, Ollert M, Sbornik M, Rakoski J, Darsow U, Ring J. Immediate-Type respiratory allergy to millet-containing seed mixture of bird food. WAO J 2008;1:135-137
A 21-year-old patient experienced asthmatic attacks when cleaning the cage of his budgerigar. Skin tests and radioallergosorbent test were positive to grass pollen and negative for budgerigar feathers and feces. When the food of the bird, a mixture of grain, was tested, a positive reaction to millet was found. Nasal provocation test with millet was positive. Specific IgE against millet were detected and antibodies were detected against a 60-kd protein in millet of birdseed and against a 60- and 36-kd protein in common millet. Immediate-type allergy to millet is rare and occurs mostly as anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of millet but may also occur as asthmatic attack after inhalation of millet.
[61] - Villas F, Compes E, Fernandez-Nieto M, Muñoz M, De las Heras M, Bartolomé B. Bird-egg syndrome caused by Agapornis sp. (Lovebirds). Allergy 2008;63(suppl. 88):258
Background: The bird-egg syndrome design the association between respiratory type I hypersensitivity to birds antigens and food allergy to egg yolk, which are caused by sensitisation to chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin). We have found no reported cases of bird-egg syndrome due to sensitisation to proteins of Agapornis (lovebirds). Material and methods: A 38-year-old woman, had experienced perennial rhinitis and several episodes of nocturnal dry cough, dysnea and wheezing during the previous two years and for the previous five months she referred abdominal pain when she ate fried chicken egg. Furthermore 10 min after eating 5 sunflower seeds, she suffered from an episode of anaphylaxis. She had kept 2 lovebirds for the previous 6 years, which she had been feeding with sunflower seeds and birdseeds.We performed skin prick tests with common aeroallergens and food allergens; bronchial challenge tests, serum specific IgE determinations, SDS-PAGE, Immunoblotting and Immunoblotting inhibition studies. Results: Skin prick tests were positive to feathers (canary, budgerigar, chicken), chicken egg (yolk, white) and sunflower seeds. Prick-by-prick tests were positive to lovebird feathers and droppings. Specific inhalation challenge with an aqueous extract of lovebird feathers elicited a dual asthmatic response. At 24 h post-challenge the methacholine and exhaled nitric oxide tests became poitive, and the induced sputum showed an increase in eosinophils of up to 25%. Determinations of specific IgE were positive to chicken egg (yolk 19.4 KU/L, white 6.7 KU/L), bird feathers (lovebird>100 kU/L, chicken 54.7 kU/L), chicken alpha-livetin (54 kU/L) and sunflower seed (35 kU/L). SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting with lovebird feather extract revealed IgE binding bands of 132, 81 and 66 kDa and with sunflower seeds of 14 kDa. Immunoblotting inhibition studies were carried out with chicken feathers as the solid fase. All the IgE-binding bands were inhibited by agapornis feathers and alpha-livetin extract. Conclusion: Our patient developed IgEmediated rhinitis and asthma due to sensitisation to lovebird antigens contained in the feathers. Furthermore, this sensitisation led to food allergy symptoms after the ingestion of slightly cooked chicken egg. The immunological results point to alphalivetin as the culprit allergen. In addition, our patient developed allergy to sunflower seeds, an ingredient of lovebird food, which she was probably sensitised via the inhalation route.
Imprimer la bibliographie