Egg yolk

Egg yolk Scientific Information
Type: Whole Allergen
Display Name: Egg yolk
Allergen code: f75
Family: Phasianidae
Species: Gallus gallus
Route of Exposure: Ingestion
Latin Name: Gallus spp.
Other Names: Egg yolk
WHO/ICD-11 code: XM9CD1

Summary

Hen’s egg (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a protein-rich food source and is usually consumed as raw, cooked, or processed. Egg yolk is rich in proteins and some of them are regarded as allergenic. The egg yolk has two clinically important allergens, which are Gal d 5 (alpha-livetin/chicken serum albumin) and Gal d 6 or YGP42 (a lipoprotein).The egg yolk proteins are found to be less allergenic compared to the proteins derived from egg white. Most egg allergy studies have therefore used specific IgE test to egg white and not to egg yolk when documenting egg sensitization. The egg has been considered one of the most common food allergy sources, particularly in infants and children. Around 0.5 – 2.5 % of young children within a normal population have been found to be allergic to eggs. However, the prevalence of egg allergy in adults is less than 0.25 %. Egg sensitization, having IgE antibodies to egg, is a prerequisite for egg allergy. Egg sensitization is more prevalent than egg allergy, and the prevalence rate has been reported to be up to 6 % depending on age. Most egg-allergic children can develop tolerance to egg proteins over time. A patient's highest recorded egg sIgE is significantly related to the persistence of egg allergy. A higher egg sIgE value denotes a more extended period to develop tolerance. Egg allergic patients might experience symptoms or reactions after consumption of egg that include gastrointestinal reactions (vomiting, abdominal pain), skin symptoms (localized or generalized urticaria, erythema, facial angioedema), and respiratory conditions (asthma and/or rhinitis). Therefore, egg allergic individuals are usually recommended to strictly avoid egg products. Moreover, egg allergic children are often falsely denied influenza or MMR vaccination as the vaccine might contain a small amount of egg protein. However, several studies and guidelines have claimed these vaccines to be safe for children with egg allergies.

An oral food challenge (OFC) is usually considered the gold standard for diagnosing egg allergy but challenges with egg yolk are very rare. Heated egg yolk OFCs has been found to rarely provoke severe symptoms and may be recommended for improving the quality of life (QOL) of hen’s egg allergic children. Egg sIgE testing can aid in diagnosing egg allergy and is predictive of allergy outcome; therefore, it should be utilized in counseling patients on prognosis. Furthermore, egg allergy and egg sensitization has been found to elevate the risk of developing sensitization to aeroallergens (such as grass pollens, house dust mites, cats, and dogs).

Bird-egg syndrome, a type 1 hypersensitivity-mediated respiratory disorder including asthma and/or rhinitis, has been reported to be associated with sensitization to Gal d 5. This condition usually manifests as primary sensitization towards airborne bird allergens (like bird blood serum, feathers, droppings, and dander) followed by secondary sensitization or cross-sensitization with Gal d 5 (egg yolk) post-consumption. Therefore, Gal d 5 sIgE testing has been claimed to be beneficial in diagnosing bird-egg syndrome.

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