Soy - an Underestimated Pollen Associated Food Allergen!?d

Together with increased consumption of soy products there were increasing numbers of patients suffering from partly severe immediate type reactions, mainly after soy drinks, during the last years in Germany. Birch allergy has been identified as a special risk factor for developing such reactions. This is due to the high homology of the major allergens of birch (Bet v 1) and soy (Gly m 4), which may lead to immunological cross reactivity. There are no exact data upon the prevalence of this type of pollen associated food allergy. Birch pollinosis is estimated to affect about 5-10% (4-8 million) of the German population and up to 2.9 million might be at risk to suffer from a cross sensitization to soy. Allergen avoidance is complicated by the fact that soy may be a hidden food additive. A special warning of patients with birch pollinosis of consumption of non-fermented soy products with high protein content (i.e. drinks) seems to be justified. It is not known if specific immunotherapy against Bet v 1 may improve symptoms of birch associated soy allergy.