Eliciting doses of lupin in peanut-allergic children

Monday, 16 March 2009 20:52

Several reports over the past few years have drawn attention to the allergic cross-reactivity potential between peanut and lupin. A study conducted in Italy has assessed lupin tolerance in a group of children allergic to peanut using lupin enriched-pasta to identify the eliciting doses of lupin seed protein by using double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges.

Of the twelve peanut-allergic children participating in the trial, positive reactions were observed in two children, with the eliciting doses corresponding to 50 mg and 1.6 g of lupin seed proteins, respectively.

The study authors concluded that while most subjects suffering from peanut allergy can tolerate lupin protein, a significant number can develop potentially dangerous clinical reactions. Therefore they recommend that to protect consumers at risk, information about possible reactions to lupin by peanut-allergic individuals must be included in the labelling of products containing lupin.

Reference: Fiocchi et al. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 2009 Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print]