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Diagnosis and Management of Shellfish Allergy: Current Approach and Future Needs

  • Food Allergy (M Fernández-Rivas, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of review

Shellfish allergy is an increasing health concern worldwide with over 2% of the population affected and higher rates in countries with high consumption. Shellfish includes both crustaceans and mollusks and constitutes one of the major food groups triggering allergic reactions.

Recent findings

Shrimp is the best-studied crustacean, in which the major shellfish allergen, tropomyosin, was initially characterized. Nevertheless, several other allergens have been identified and should be considered despite prevalence of sensitization being lower than tropomyosin (e.g., arginine kinase, myosin light chain, and sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein).

Summary

Diagnosis is not always straightforward; due to the conserved nature of most allergens, there is extensive cross-reactivity between different species which hampers proper diagnosis and management. Clinical symptoms can range from mild local ones to life-threatening anaphylaxis, sometimes with cofactor involvement. Currently, there is no available curative treatment besides diet avoidance and treatment of symptoms in case of accidental exposure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, CDB, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona. Spanish Network for Allergy ARADyAL., Barcelona, Spain

    Mariona Pascal PhD

  2. Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

    Sandip D. Kamath PhD

  3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Immunology, Allergology, Rheumatology, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium

    Margaretha Faber MD PhD

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  1. Mariona Pascal PhD
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  2. Sandip D. Kamath PhD
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  3. Margaretha Faber MD PhD
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Correspondence to Mariona Pascal PhD.

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Pascal, M., Kamath, S.D. & Faber, M. Diagnosis and Management of Shellfish Allergy: Current Approach and Future Needs. Curr Treat Options Allergy 5, 470–486 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-018-0186-0

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