الفهرس 
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Abstract
Egg allergy can lead to any clinical form of allergy up to anaphylaxis. We sought to screen for egg allergy in a group of Egyptian infants and children with different allergic manifestations in order to evaluate the impact of egg sensitization/allergy on their allergic disease. We consecutively enrolled 80 subjects from the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University during the period from October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. An informed consent was obtained from the parents or care-givers prior to enrollment.
Detailed history was taken for the duration and severity of symptoms, possible precipitating factors, response to treatment and family history of allergy. A clinical examination was conducted to verify the diagnosis and exclude other chronic illness. The study measurements included skin prick testing with a commercial egg extract and serum egg white specific IgE. Children with suspected egg allergy (positive history of exacerbation or positive results in one of the tests) were subjected to an open oral challenge test in the Children’s Hospital under close observation taking all the necessary precautions.
The study revealed that egg white allergy is 28.75% (n=23) by positive history, positive skin prick test and/or elevated serum egg IgE among the studied sample. 12 patients had suspected egg allergy of whom 6 underwent open oral egg challenge. One out of the 6 patients had positive oral challenge results giving an overall estimation of egg allergy about 30% (n=24). None of our patients had history of peanuts or chicken meat intolerance.
Both skin prick test and serum specific IgE to egg white results to egg white did not vary significantly with sex, family history of allergy and different allergic diseases. Younger age of the studied children had higher frequency of positive SPT to egg white when compared to older ones while the results of serum specific IgE to egg white did not vary with age. Also patients with positive SPT and specific IgE results to egg white had higher frequency of allergic exacerbation on exposure to egg white versus those negative results.
In conclusion, egg allergy in Egypt is not uncommon. The combination of history of allergy following egg ingestion, positive SPT/ specific IgE is a good tool for diagnosis. However, oral food challenge remains the gold standard in suspected cases. So, diagnosis of egg allergy needs meticulous evaluation. Further wide-scale studies are needed to be able to outline the real extent of the problem in our country. We also need to raise the awareness of the health care workers and the public to the fact that egg sensitization (positive SPT/specific IgE and negative history) should not indicate egg avoidance but rather follow up and patient education about symptoms of food allergy.