Oyster
Route Of Exposure
Main
Ingestion.
Other topics
Undeclared oyster sauce in various dishes
Clinical Relevance
IgE-mediated reactions
In a study, IgE antibody reactivity to oyster extracts in oyster-tolerant and oyster-sensitive subjects. Specific IgE determinations correlated weakly with skin prick tests. RAST® inhibition showed common antigenic structures in oyster and crustacea extracts. Oysters may eat crustacea larvae.
Other Topics
Oyster is a bivalve mollusk. The edible oysters belong to two genera, Ostrea and Crassostrea. Oysters in warm seas may take 18 months to reach market size, while in cooler seas, up to 5 years. Oyster has been reported as both an ingested and occupational allergen. Oysters are eaten fresh and canned, but also smoked. The Japanese have extensive off-bottom culture, especially in protected bays. The Chinese have all over the world exported a pungent sauce made from oyster extract and used for flavoring.
Oyster shell dust has been identified as an inhalant allergen in occupational asthma. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis has been reported after ingestion of smoked oysters.
One of the largest cultivations has taken place in Hiroshima Bay, Japan, since the 16th century. An early study from Japan identified oyster shell as an inhalant allergen in occupational bronchial asthma in workers at processing plants.
Cross-Reactivity
Oyster and crustacea extracts show common antigenic structures. Some cross reactivity to blue mussel can be expected.
References
- Lehrer, SB; McCants, ML. Reactivity of IgE antibodies with crustacea and oyster allergens: Evidence for common antigenic structures. J Allergy Clin Immunol; 1987; 80: 133-139.
- Maulitz, RM; Pratt, DS; Schocket, AL. Exercise-induced anaphylactic reaction to shellfish. J Allergy Clin Immunol; 1979; 63: 433-434.
- Wada, S; Nishimoto, Y; Nakashima, T; Shigenobu, T; Onari, K; Awaya, M. Clinical observation of bronchial asthma in culture-oyster workers. Hiroshima J Med Sci; 1967; 16: 255-266.