Asthma Allergy Immunology

Asthma Allergy Immunology

2019, Vol 17, Num, 2     (Pages: 097-102)

Comparison of Cross Reactions Between Cow`s Milk and Other Mammals` Milk Using Skin Prick Test and Atopy Patch Test in Children with Atopic Dermatitis and Cow`s Milk Allergy

Özlem SANCAKLI 1, Ayşe YENIGÜN 2, Tuba TUNCEL 3,

1 Department of Pediatric Allergy Immunology, Başkent University, Zübeyde Hanım Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
2 Department of Pediatric Allergy, Izmir Kent Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
3 Department of Children’s Health and Diseases, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Tepecik Education and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

DOI: 10.21911/aai.441
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Objective: The use of other mammals` milk as an alternative treatment of cow`s milk allergy is controversial due to their similar protein structures. In the present study, we aimed to investigate cross reactions with sheep`s, goat, and camel`s milks using skin prick test and atopy patch test in children with cow`s milk allergy.

Materials and Methods: Our study group was composed of patients with atopic dermatitis who were diagnosed with cow`s milk allergy in our former study where we investigated the sensitivity of different diagnostic tests commonly used to determine cow`s milk allergy. In all patients, cow`s milk, sheep`s milk, goat`s milk and camel`s milk were used for skin prick test and atopy patch test. The study data were analyzed with SPSS 20.0 for Windows.

Results: Among the patients with cow`s milk allergy, 15 (63%) had early-onset and 9 (37%) late-onset reactions with provocation tests. Seven (70%) of 10 children who were found skin prick test positive with cow`s milk were shown to have a cross reaction against goat`s and sheep`s milk with skin prick test; 8 (88.8%) of 9 children who were found to be atopy patch test positive with cow`s milk had a cross reaction against goat`s milk, and 7 (66.6%) against sheep`s milk. No patient with cow`s milk allergy had a cross reaction with camel`s milk with either skin prick test or atopy patch test.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that a cross reaction occurs at a quite high rate between cow`s milk, sheep`s milk and goat`s milk as revealed by both skin prick testing and atopy patch test, whereas there was no demonstrable cross reaction between cow`s milk and camel`s milk by either method.

Keywords : Atopic dermatitis, cow`s milk allergy, children, cross reactions