Odyssey of a patient with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA)

Cofactor-dependent food allergies can lead to severe anaphylactic reactions. Often, a long time passes until the correct diagnosis is made. We report on a 28-year-old female patient who suffered about 35 anaphylactic reactions over four years, leading to resuscitation in three episodes. Over the years, numerous and cost-intensive medical visits did not lead to any diagnosis. The reactions led to a heavy physical and especially psychological burden for the patient, who increasingly socially isolated, changed her study course and developed post-traumatic stress disorder. In a comprehensive allergological examination (exact anamnesis, detection of a sensitisation against omega-5-gliadin, positive skin prick test against gluten and other wheat allergen fractions) including a positive challenge test, the diagnosis of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) could finally be made. With the help of individual dietary counselling, the patient was able to avoid further reactions. In the future, the possibility of sublingual immunotherapy could represent a novel outlook for WDEIA patients.     «

Cofactor-dependent food allergies can lead to severe anaphylactic reactions. Often, a long time passes until the correct diagnosis is made. We report on a 28-year-old female patient who suffered about 35 anaphylactic reactions over four years, leading to resuscitation in three episodes. Over the years, numerous and cost-intensive medical visits did not lead to any diagnosis. The reactions led to a heavy physical and especially psychological burden for the patient, who increasingly socially isola...     »