A Case of Rice Induced Food Allergy in an Adult Patient Presenting Multiple Food Allergies

Abstract

Several reports have suggested a role of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in asthma and eczema which developed after rice ingestion. We experienced a case of rice-induced food allergy in a 20-year-old male patient. He had experienced itching, and swelling of the tongue and the throat after ingestion of rice. He also had experienced oral itching and swelling after ingestion of peach and nut since childhood. Laboratory findings showed a high serum level of total IgE (417 kU/L) and a high level of specific IgE to rice (4.89 kU/L) using the immuno-CAP system. Allergy skin tests showed positive results to house dust mite, tree, weed, grass pollens, and several plants including rye grain, nut, buckwheat, maize, and rice. A high serum level of specific IgE to raw and boiled rice was noted by ELISA. IgE immunoblot using raw rice extract demonstrated a 9-kDa IgE-binding component which remained after boiling and treatment with simulated gastric fluid. The ELISA inhibition test demonstrated specific, dose-dependent inhibition by boiled rice, maize, and buckwheat as well as raw rice. We report a rare case of rice-induced food allergy in an adult patient sensitized to 9-kDa, which may be associated with multiple food allergies.