Title:Fish Allergy and Related Conditions in Children: A Review
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Arianna Giannetti, Irene Bettini, Eleonora Alfieri, Amina De Bona, Giuliana Giannì, Giampaolo Ricci*Carlo Caffarelli
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Keywords:
Fish, allergy, children, IgE, FPIES, scombroid, poisoning, anisakis.
Abstract:
Fish allergy is the important food allergies in childhood, often persisting into adulthood.
It can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis; furthermore,
avoiding-fish diet has negative nutritional and psychological effects. Recent research studies focus
on epitope structures and aim to develop sensitive and specific diagnostic tools, which have a better
correlation with clinical reactions. Protocols with hypoallergenic parvalbumin or other recombinant
antigens are also under study and will likely lead to new immunotherapy protocols.
IgE-mediated fish allergy differs substantially from other forms of immunological adverse reactions
to fish, such as Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome and eosinophilic esophagitis.
In addition, fish ingestion can cause non-immunological adverse reactions, such as in the case of
scombroid poisoning, anisakiasis and toxic poisoning.
This review aims to summarize the characteristics of the main immunological and non-immunological
fish reactions, analyzing the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapy,
with a particular focus on clinical management.