Surfing as a risk factor for sensitization to poly(γ-glutamic acid) in fermented soybeans, natto, allergy

• Published in: Allergology International Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 341 - 346
• Main Authors: Inomata, Naoko, Miyakawa, Mami, Aihara, Michiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.07.2018; JAPANESE SOCIETY OF ALLERGOLOGY; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Bites and Stings - immunology; Cnidarian Venoms - chemistry; Cnidarian Venoms - immunology; Epicutaneous sensitization; Female; Fermented soybeans (natto); Food allergy; Food Hypersensitivity - etiology; Food Hypersensitivity - immunology; Glycine max - chemistry; Glycine max - immunology; Humans; Jellyfish; Male; Middle Aged; Poly(γ-glutamic acid); Polyglutamic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Polyglutamic Acid - immunology; Risk Factors; Scyphozoa; Soy Foods - adverse effects; Water Sports; Food allergy; Jellyfish; OR; Epicutaneous sensitization; Fermented soybeans (natto); SPT; CI; PGA; Poly(γ-glutamic acid)
• ISSN: 1323-8930; 1440-1592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2017.11.001

Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) is an allergen in natto, fermented soybeans, which causes late-onset anaphylaxis. We hypothesized that jellyfish stings sensitize adults to PGA because a surfer had allergies to both natto and jellyfish, whose sting contains PGA. The aim of the study was to identify behavioral factors, such as marine sports, associated with PGA sensitization. Outpatients diagnosed with food allergies based on relevant clinical history, positive skin test and/or food challenge test answered a questionnaire during a regular visit in 2016. Questionnaire data from 140 outpatients were analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups: natto allergy group (13 patients, M:F = 10:3, mean age 40.6 years) and non-natto allergy group (127 patients, M:F = 46:81, mean age 44.5 years). All patients with natto allergy had positive results in skin prick test and basophil activation test with PGA. Of these, 92.3% had a marine sport hobby, especially surfing (84.6%). PGA sensitization was independently associated with marine sports (odds ratio, 278.0, 95 percent confidence interval, 36.9–6315.9, p < 0.001) adjusted for male sex and sea bathing, but not with male sex or sea bathing. In addition, although there was no significant difference in the experience of marine sports between natto and non-natto allergy groups, the natto allergy group participated significantly more frequently in marine sports than the non-natto allergy group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between natto consumption amount and PGA sensitization. Surfing is a risk factor for PGA sensitization in those with allergy to natto. [Display omitted]