Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.08.2002, Side 22

ABSTRACTS / 2 1 ST NORDIC CONGRESS OF ALLERGOLOGY
P 5 - An anthroposophic lifestyle and intestinal
microflora in infancy
Alm J, Swartz J, Björkstén B, Engstrand L, Engström J, Ktihn I,
Lilja G, Möllby R, Norin E, Pershagen G, Reinders C, Wreiber K,
Scheynius A
Sachs’ Children’s Clinic, Söder Hospital, S-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden
Email: Johan.Alm@sos.ki.se
The intestinal flora is supposed to have an impact on the immune
system. In the anthroposophic life style vegetables fermented by
lactobacilli, and a restrictive use of antibiotics, antipyretics and
vaccinations is typical. The aim of this study was to assess the gut
flora in infants in relation to certain life style characteristics
associated with anthroposophy.
Sixty-nine children below two years of age with an anthropo-
sophic life style and 59 similarly aged controls were clinically
examined and questionnaire replies assessed. Faecal samples were
analysed by bacterial enumeration, bacterial typing through
biochemical fingerprinting and by measuring microflora-associated
characteristics (MACs).
The numbers of colony forming units (Cfu) per g of faeces were
significantly higher for enterococci and lactic acid bacteria in
children who had never been exposed to antibiotics (5.5x107 vs
2.1x107; p<0.001) and (10x107 vs 4.1x107; p<0.01), respectively. The
number of enterococci was significantly higher in breastfed and
vegetarian infants (p<0.01). The diversity of lactobacilli, as deter-
mined by biochemical fingerprinting, was higher in infants born at
home, than in those born in hospital (p<0.01). Several MACs were
related to specific life style features, and infants with an anthropo-
sophic life style had a higher proportion of acetic acid and a lower
proportion of propionic acid in their stool, as compared to the
control children.
Life style factors related to the anthroposophic way of life
influenced the composition of the gut flora in the infants. These
differences may contribute to the lower prevalence of atopic
disease previously observed in children in anthroposophic families.
P 6 - Fish and crustacea allergy. Report of three cases
Ccirrapatoso /, Todo-Bom A, Loureiro C, Chieira C
Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
Email: isabel-carrapatoso@clix.pt
Fish and crustacean are relatively common food allergens and can
cause severe clinical reactions. We report the cases of three adults
referenced to our outpatient department with symptoms suggestive
of food allergy, after ingestion of fish or crustacean.
Patient 1: A 19 years old atopic female reported facial and
pharyngeal oedema and dyspnoea at age 2 after ingestion of
codfish. Controlled consumption of other fishes was allowed, until
two recent crises occurred, after ingestion of tambourine and tuna.
Patient 2: A 33 years old atopic female described generalised
urticaria and facial angioedema, at age 21, after contact with boiled
shrimp.
Patient 3: A 18 years old female with 2 episodes of urticaria, facial
angioedema and dyspnoea, after ingestion of codfish and sardine,
when she was 10 years old.
Besides a restrictive diet, patients 2 and 3 describe recurrent
episodes of urticaria, pharyngeal oedema and wheezing after
exposure to the cooking vapours of crustaceans or fish.
Skin prick tests (SPT) Leti ® and specific IgE determination (CAP
- System Pharmacia ®) were performed:
We discuss clinical evolution of fish and crustacean sensitisation
as well as cross-reactivity between food allergens and aeroallergens.
Patient SPT reactivity Specific IgE
i Dp,Df, codfish, tuna Dp - class 6; Df - class 5; codfish and tuna- class 3
2 Dp, Df, shrimp, prawn Dp - cl 5; Df - class 4; shrimp - class 5
3 Fish and seafood codfish, sardine - class 3
P 7 - Sensitization to rosaceae fruits and dried fruits. A
case report
Carrapatoso /, Tavares B, Pereira C, Chieira C
Immunoallergy Department. Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra Portugal
Email: isabel-carrapatoso@clix.pt
Allergy to peach and other fruits of the rosaceae family, have been
frequently reported in countries of Southern Europe. Clinical mani-
festations of food allergy can be quite severe and life threatening. We
report the case of a 30 years old female who complained of generalise
urticaria and angioedema, at age 14, after ingestion of apple. One
year later she describes facial and pharyngeal angioedema and
generalise urticaria, 15 minutes after eating peach. An identical
episode occurred, with ingestion of pear a few months later. At age
27 she had the same complaints, when eating peanuts. All episodes
were treated in emergency room with complete recover.
Hypersensitivity to rosaceae fruits was demonstrated by skin
prick tests, Leti “, and serum specific IgE determination, CAP -
System Pharmacia®. Skin prick tests were positive to peanut,
chestnul, hazelnut and walnut, but specific IgE detection by CAP -
System Pharmacia® was negative.
We discuss the occurrence of food allergy, to fruits of rosaceae
family, in a patient without pollinosis. Clinical sensitisation to dried
fruits could be related with cross-reacting allergens.
P 8 - Atopy in urban children of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Dimitroulis /'', Pedioti A2, Barrett S', Harris J', Bibakis I2, Bibaki-
Liakou V2, Newman Taylor A1, Cullinan P'
'Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College
School of Medicine (NHLI), London, United Kingdom and -’Anti-Tuberculosis
Unit, Venizelion-Pananion Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
Little is known about the prevalence of atopy rates in children of
Crete, in terms of skin prick test (SPT) sensitization.
Objectives: We investigated those rates with a spectrum of aero-
allergens which we felt are common in Crete.
Methods: The study population was school students aged 8-18
[n=853, girls=519(61%), boys=334(39%)]. We carried out a set of
SPTs shown in table. A wheal of 3mm or greater than the negative
control was regarded as a positive reaction. Body Mass Index
(BMI) was calculated using the formula W(kg)/H2(cm).
22 Læknablaðið/Fylgirit 46 2002/88