Fish allergy is one of the most common food allergies in populations where fish is a major part of the diet. Most fi h-allergic patients react to the panallergen parvalbumin present in multiple fi sh species. Our aim was to investigate the clinical case of a patient with oral allergy syndrome to pangasius and Nile tilapia but tolerance of other fish and seafood. The temporal relationship between fish consumption and allergic symptoms, the positive skin prick tests, and the basophil activation test results for both fish species strongly supported the diagnosis of an immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated allergy. This was confirmed by the detection of specifi c IgE to 18-kDa and 45-kDa proteins in immunoblot analysis. Notably, the patient was not sensitized to parvalbumin, as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using purified allergens.
Cross-reactivity between fish species can result from sensitization to allergens other than parvalbumin. This case report emphasizes the applications of flow cytometry–assisted analysis in the diagnosis of food allergy.

Key words: BAT assay. Fish allergy. Monosensitivity. Pangasius. Tilapia.