Clinical Relevance

Megrim, also called e.g. white sole or whiff, belongs to the order Pleuronectiformes and is one of the most frequently consumed fish in Spain.

In a study in children, the clinical symptoms induced by this fish allergy were urticaria and angioedema (92.4%) in 79 patients, followed by atopic dermatitis (17.7%) and inhalation-related asthma (13.9%). In an immunoblot study of specific IgE binding, Megrim bound the greatest amount compared with the related sole and witch.

IgE-mediated reactions

The most common symptoms in a group of megrim-allergic children were urticaria and angioedema. Asthma related to inhalation of cooking steam was reported.

Cross-Reactivity

Species within groups of fish, like Gadiformes (examples: codfish and hake) and Scombroid fishes (examples: mackerel and tuna) seem to share allergenic components. The overlap of allergen specificity between the groups seems to be moderate or even small