IgE Mediated Wheat Allergy Associated with Resistant and Severe Forms of Allergic Conjunctivitis

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and criteria of wheat allergy (WA) among patients with resistant allergic conjunctivitis (AC).

A prospective comparative study was conducted on 100 patients with resistant AC. Skin prick-tests (SPTs), total and sIgE against a panel of inhalant and food allergens were performed in all patients’ sera. They were divided into 2 groups according to skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) level, namely the wheat sensitive group (WSG) and wheat tolerant group (WTG). Total ocular symptom scores (TOSS) and 4-point sign scales were correlated for both groups.

Ten patients out of 100 with IgE-mediated resistant AC were wheat sensitive, and the other 90 were wheat tolerant patients. WSG included patients of significantly younger age. Positive family history of atopy was proven in 100% of WSG vs. 67% of WTG. A significantly higher frequency of multiorgan allergy was detected in 100% of WSG vs. 20% in WTG (P = 0.0001). Thirty (30%) of WSG had associated allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA). Another 30% had an associated AR only, 10% had an associated BA only, and another 20% had an associated skin allergy. TOSS, 4- point sign scale, and total IgE level were significantly higher in WSG.

This study provides novel evidence that wheat allergy is responsible for some severe forms of AC.