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Sesame Seed Food Allergy

  • FOOD ALLERGY (D ATKINS, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The number of reports regarding sesame seed food allergy (SFA) has increased significantly worldwide over the past two decades, either due to a genuine increase in SFA or merely an increase in its awareness. Its prevalence is difficult to estimate due to the lack of well designed prospective population-based studies. Based on the available data, we estimate that SFA affects 0.1–0.2 % of the population, in areas where the food is available. Albeit this prevalence appears to be relatively low, it is approximately one-half of that of persistent cow’s milk allergy. While only one fatality has been reported, the significant number of SFA patients presenting as anaphylaxis indicates the potential risk. Many reports based the diagnosis of SFA on sensitization criteria alone, particularly amongst atopic dermatitis patients. Elimination of sesame from the diet of these children utilizing such criteria is not justified, and may even increase the risk for developing SFA.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

DBPCFC:

Double blind placebo controlled food challenge

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

OC:

Oral challenge

SFA:

Sesame-seed food allergy

sIgE:

Specific immunoglobulin E

SPT:

Skin prick test

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Acknowledgment

Dr. Goldberg is funded by a Kamea grant from the Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, Israel.

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No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Allergy/Immunology Unit, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, POB 5, Holon, Israel, 58100

    Ilan Dalal

  2. The Institute of Allergy, Pulmonary and Immunology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, 70300, Israel

    Michael Goldberg & Yitzhak Katz

Authors
  1. Ilan Dalal
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  2. Michael Goldberg
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  3. Yitzhak Katz
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Correspondence to Yitzhak Katz.

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Dalal, I., Goldberg, M. & Katz, Y. Sesame Seed Food Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 12, 339–345 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0267-2

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