Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. The study included 25 adult patients with allergic reactions to food shellfish. Mean age: 37 (range 22-62 years). Six cases had occupational exposure, and one of them had food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. For each subject, a clinical and occupational history was compiled and skin testing was performed. Skin Prick Test (SPT) was performed with standardized allergen extracts (BIOCEN, Cuba) of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. siboney and Blomia tropicalis at 20 000 BU/mL.
Results: 100% subjects showed a positive response to Dermatophagoides mites by SPT. Twenty subjects had personal history of atopy (80%). Shrimp was the most common seafood involved. The most reported symptoms after food consumption were cutaneous (84%) followed by gastrointestinal (76 %) and respiratory symptoms (60 %), mostly, dyspnea. The largest mean wheal size was reported to Blomia tropicalis (5.82mm), followed by D. siboney (4.97mm). 100 % of patients that were occupationally exposed showed positive response to shrimp and lobster. A positive and strong correlation was found between reaction size to shrimp and lobster.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of sensitization to mites in adults with allergic reactions to shellfish. The co-existent atopic disease, sensitization to mites and occupational exposure are factors to consider in food allergy to shellfish.
To identify the sensitization to three domestic mites in adults with food allergy diagnosis caused by shellfish and to determine the allergic symptoms in these patients.