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Thursday, August 16, 2007Alcoholic drinks have been described as triggering or initiating anaphylactoid reactions. Although little is known about the pathogenesis of these reactions, wine contains many biologic and chemical components derived from grapevines, yeast, bacteria, and insects (including those of the order Hymenoptera) that might explain the observed symptoms. We report on five patients who presented with symptoms after drinking grape juice or newly pressed wines (both red and white). Three of the patients had an oral allergy syndrome and facial flushing, one had asthmatic symptoms, and one had anaphylaxis. Skin tests with conventional allergens, including commercial grape extract, egg white, and wines aged for up to 1 year, were negative. None of the patients had a history of ingesting drugs containing sulfites that was concomitant with these symptoms, nor had any of them been stung by Hymenoptera species. Yet all had positive skin tests for specific IgE antibodies (levels >0.35 kU per liter, CAP, Phadia) to Hymenoptera (Apis mellifera and vespula and polistes species) and to an extract of the wine or grape juice under suspicion for causing the symptoms. I'm not sure I'll ever feel the same about wine again. posted by Sydney on 8/16/2007 07:08:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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