P41: A CASE REPORT OF MYCOPROTEIN ALLERGY

Abstract

Mycoprotein (‘Quorn’) is a food produced from the mould, Fusarium venenatum and is an ingredient used in vegetarian foods as a meat substitute. Mycoprotein shares multiple common allergenic determinants with environmental moulds including Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata. This case report describes a severe hypotensive anaphylaxis in a 17-year-old girl immediately after eating food containing mycoprotein – ‘vegetarian fajitas’. She required treatment with a fluid bolus, inhaled Ventolin, intramuscular Adrenaline and an Adrenaline infusion and intravenous steroids. Skin prick testing was subsequently strongly positive to mycoprotein. Our patient also had a history of previous allergic reactions to some mushrooms, perennial rhinitis with positive skin prick testing to Alternaria mould and pollens, asthma which was controlled with a combined preventer and mild eczema. Reports suggest that patients sensitised to environmental mould may be at risk of a severe allergic reaction, even after their first ingestion of mycoprotein. The consumption of products containing edible fungi or food ingredients derived from fungal fermentation continues to increase and patients with significant sensitisation to mould should be made aware of the risk of an allergic reaction. Consideration should be given to labelling these foods with ‘caution in individuals with mould allergy’.