Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis triggered by co-incidence of culprit food, physical effort and a very high dose of ibuprofen or menstruation: a case report

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is defined as anaphylaxis resulting from co-incidence of ingestion of sensitizing food and physical activity, while any of those factors alone does not cause any adverse reactions [1–4]. A pathophysiological mechanism of FDEIA still remains not fully elucidated. An IgE-dependent mechanism triggered by ingestion of culprit food and confirmed by positive skin prick tests and/or specific IgE antibodies seems to be unquestionable. The role of physical exercise is not so obvious. It is considered that exercising increases absorption of nutrients from gastrointestinal mucosa into the systemic circulation [3, 4]. This assumption is supported by the fact that alcohol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are able to amplify an exercise-induced effect [5, 6]. In some individuals NSAIDs are able either to independently substitute exercise [7] or act as an ultimate third co-factor for exercise and food allergen in triggering FDEIA [5]. It has been also demonstrated that in some patients FDEIA symptoms occurr only during menstruation [8, 9]. We describe a patient in whom FDEIA symptoms occur only if exercising and ingestion of culprit food are accompanied by either a very high dose of NSAIDs or menstruation.
A 30-year-old female patient with no history of significant diseases (including allergy) reported three episodes of anaphylaxis within past 5 years (Table 1). Allergy diagnostics showed a total IgE concentration elevated to 170 IU/ml (n < 100 IU/ml) in the ELISA assay. Serum concentrations of C3-, C4-complement proteins and C1-esterase inhibitor were within normal limits. Skin prick-tests with common inhalant and food allergens (Allergopharma, Reinbek, Germany) were positive for grass, oak, rye, birch, beech, alder, hazel, mugwort and plantain pollens, as well as for house dust mites, cat and dog fur and mold spores of Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Alternaria. Food prick-tests were positive for hen egg, tomato, hazelnut, celery and chamomile. An intradermal test with autologous serum was negative. Physical tests: a rub test for dermographism, compression test and thermal test with ice cube were also negative. A standard exercise test [10] produced neither signs of anaphylaxis nor changes in spirometric values. Oral provocation tests with acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen up to the total cumulative doses of 1200 mg and 600 mg, respectively, were both negative and this excluded non-allergic hyperreactivity to NSAIDs as well as a selective allergy to ibuprofen. Double provocation with ibuprofen 200 mg orally together with muesli and banana did not produce anaphylaxis, either. Challenge with food allergens, NSAIDs and exercise together was not performed due to a high risk of severe anaphylaxis.
Despite a negative history of allergy, the patient is highly hyper-responsive to common allergens, as shown in inhalant and food prick-tests. Noteworthy, a prick test with birch was 7 × 7 mm and this allergen demonstrates potent cross-reactions with banana and plum. The first episode occurred when food allergens and exercise were accompanied by an unusually high daily dose of NSAID (ibuprofen, 1600 mg). The second and third episodes took place during menstruation. The most severe episode was induced with a very intensive exercise of long-distance race running. The patient reported to the race ambulance but the symptoms were misdiagnosed by paramedics and only oral antihistamines were administered. Consequently, the third event which occurred only 2 days later was triggered by a very little effort while the patient was not fully recovered from the previous episode and was still menstruating.
There is a notable feature in her FDEIA that “a classic combination” of sensitizing food and exercise does not produce anaphylactic symptoms. The patient regularly takes strenuous exercises (running, judo, fitness) after eating muesli with banana with no symptoms of FDEIA and this is coherent with negative outcomes of the provocations in vivo. All three FDEIAs occurred when ingestion of the culprit food and exercising was accompanied by either an unusually high dose of NSAID or menstruation. Thus, we assume that her third potent cofactor is an ultimate condition for triggering FDEIA. This case emphasizes that a carefully and thoroughly taken medical history is of crucial importance, otherwise FDEIA can easily be unrecognized.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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