A case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis

A 15-year-old man with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis is reported. The patient had begun to run 4 hours after he had lunch on fried shrimps. When running about 2000 m, he suffered from general cutaneous erythema with itching, urticaria, angioedema of face and dyspnea. He had experienced the similar episodes associated with postprandial exercise before. Skin test and IgE-RAST were positive for shrimp. Exercise challenge test after having 20 g boiled shrimp was conducted, and the elevation of plasma histamine level was recognised. 25 cases with food-dependent exercised-induced anaphylaxis have reported in Japan. 13 of 25 cases were related with wheat, and 10 cases were related with shrimp. 14 of 25 cases had experienced the similar episodes. Exercise as part of planned health program has virtually mushroom world-wide. Therefore, the fact that anaphylaxis can be a complication of such exercise must be recognised if appropriate prevention and treatment are to be administered.