Prevalence of lysozyme sensitization in an egg-allergic population

Allergy. 1997 Feb;52(2):224-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1997.tb00980.x.

Abstract

An egg protein, lysozyme, is a still unlabeled additive currently used in cheese preparation. Furthermore, the WHO-FAO committee considers it innocuous. However, 31% of children and 8% of adults with food allergies are allergic to eggs. This work aimed to determine the percentage of patients sensitized to lysozyme from a population of egg-allergic patients. Specific IgE was determined with Cap RAST in 52 patients clinically allergic to egg. Thirty-five percent of egg-allergic patients had antilysozyme IgE. Given this high incidence of lysozyme sensitization, it seems that the presence of lysozyme should be indicated on food labels.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Egg Proteins, Dietary / administration & dosage
  • Egg Proteins, Dietary / adverse effects
  • Egg Proteins, Dietary / immunology*
  • Egg White / adverse effects
  • Food Additives / adverse effects*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / analysis
  • Infant
  • Lactalbumin / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Muramidase / immunology*
  • Prevalence
  • Radioallergosorbent Test
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Egg Proteins, Dietary
  • Food Additives
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Lactalbumin
  • Muramidase