In Europe, soy consumption has markedly increased over the last years. In parallel, there has been an increasing number of reports upon immediate-type allergy to soy proteins. This allergy may be the result of a primary, gastrointestinal sensitization. In adults, however, inhalative sensitization to birch and a secondary, associated soy allergy is more frequent. This allergy is due to
... [Show full abstract] cross-reaction between soy allergen Gly m 4 and the main birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. For diagnosis of soy allergy, standard test preparations may fail, so that prick-to-prick test with native products and assays for IgE to Gly m 4 should be included. Therapy should include avoidance of high-protein soy products. A multicenter study (BASALIT), that started in the beginning of 2010, will investigate, if immunotherapy to Bet v 1 can reduce symptoms of birch pollen-associated soy allergy.