Dictionary of Allergies .. red wine allergy

red wine allergy

Recent studies have reported a high prevalence of hypersensitivity symptoms after intake of alcoholic drinks in the general population.In Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark general population, self-reported hypersensitivity symptoms following the intake of alcoholic drinks are common.

These symptoms were markedly more prevalent in persons with AR and asthma. The underlying mechanisms and the clinical significance of these symptoms remain to be elucidated [1].The sulfite family of food additives has been implicated in the pathogenesis of wine-induced asthma. However, the evidence supporting this is weak, and because wines have many hundreds of components, nonsulfite-associated mechanisms may also play a role [2].  Red wine was the most common beverage implicated. Wine contains many contaminants.

Some of them come from Hymenoptera insects that fall into the wine when grapes are collected and pressed. Armentia A. [3]  found patients with allergic symptoms related to wine consumption who are sensitized to Hymenoptera venoms without previous stings. Challenges were negative with sulfites, other additives and aging wines, but positive with young wines. Sera from all the patients detected Hymenoptera venom antigens. He reported the first cases of sensitization to venom antigens by the oral route.

References
1. Linneberg A, Berg ND, Gonzalez-Quintela A, Vidal C, Elberling J. Prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity symptoms following intake of alcoholic drinks. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Jan;38(1):1-3.  Comment in: Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Jan;38(1):145-51. Epub 2007 Oct 10.
2. Vally H, Carr A, El-Saleh J, Thompson P. Wine-induced asthma: a placebo-controlled assessment of its pathogenesis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Jan;103(1 Pt 1):41-6.
Armentia A. Adverse reactions to wine: think outside the bottle. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Jun;8(3):266-9.