Anaphylaxis following the ingestion of flour contaminated by house dust mites--a report of two cases from Singapore

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2008 Jun-Sep;26(2-3):165-70.

Abstract

This study presents two patients who developed anaphylaxis after eating mite-contaminated food, and also contains a survey of dust-mites contamination in flour samples from Singapore households. The clinical records of each patient was studied. Patient A developed anaphylaxis twenty minutes following the ingestion of home-made fried fish coated with Japanese flour, while Patient B developed similar life-threatening symptoms one hour after the ingestion of home baked scones. Both patients were NSAID-intolerant and had a history of allergic rhinitis. Skin prick tests showed a strong positive result for dust-mites and for extracts prepared from the ingested flour. Flour samples were also examined microscopically which revealed large numbers of live Dermatophagoides farinae dust-mites. A survey of 57 flour samples showed that 4 samples (7%) were contaminated with dust mites. The findings in the present study confirm that mite-contamination of flour exists in Singaporean households, and it may trigger anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anaphylaxis / etiology
  • Anaphylaxis / immunology*
  • Anaphylaxis / physiopathology
  • Angioedema
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Female
  • Flour
  • Food Contamination
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Pyroglyphidae / immunology*
  • Respiratory Sounds
  • Singapore
  • Skin Tests
  • Urticaria

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides