Treatment of egg allergy in children through oral desensitization

Abstract

Rationale This study aims to determine if children with egg allergy can be orally desensitized to egg protein and if this desensitization will both protect them from reaction on accidental exposure to egg and help them outgrow their allergy faster. Methods Children diagnosed with egg allergy with serum CAP-FEIA to egg protein >2 kU/L, no history of anaphylactic reaction to egg and who have eaten egg in their diet prior to diagnosis are being enrolled into treatment or control groups. The treatment group undergoes an oral desensitization protocol to egg protein in the research unit and then consumes a daily dose of egg protein at home. Blood draws occur at enrollment and follow-up to study effects of desensitization on the immune system. Two years after enrollment, both groups will undergo a double-blind-placebo-controlled food challenge to egg. Results To date, 6 subjects (mean age 38 months, range 14 months-6 years) have been enrolled (5 treatment, 1 control). The subjects have been in the study for a mean of 7 months (range 4-9 months). CAP-FEIA to egg at baseline ranged from 2.5->100 Ku/L. The daily desensitization doses range from 100-250 mg/day. All patients on home oral desensitization have tolerated it well with no accidental reactions to egg since enrollment. Six month follow-up data is only available in 2 patients so far, both with an increase in their CAP-FEIA from their baseline (2.5-4.39 and 12-14.2 kU/L). Conclusion Oral desensitization to egg protein seems to be safe and well tolerated.