Spirulina allergy: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods

Research on spirulina was relevant because this microalga was widely used as a dietary supplement due to its high content of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The aim of the study was to investigate allergic reactions to spirulina and to identify possible causes of their occurrence using clinical symptom analysis, skin tests, and laboratory investigations. The methodology included collection of medical history, performance of skin allergy tests, determination of specific immunoglobulin E antibody levels, and analysis of clinical cases of patients with suspected allergy. Elevated levels of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies were detected in 65% of patients, indicating an allergic reaction. The most common symptoms were skin manifestations (45%), respiratory symptoms (25%), and gastrointestinal disorders (20%), while anaphylaxis occurred in 10% of cases. Increased interleukin-4 levels were observed in 68% of patients, and interleukin-13 levels were 50% higher than baseline values. Elevated C-reactive protein levels were detected in 58% of patients, indicating a systemic inflammatory response. Treatment consisted of elimination of spirulina from the diet, antihistamines (87% effectiveness), corticosteroids (90% effectiveness), and epinephrine administration in 5% of cases with anaphylaxis. The findings emphasized the importance of quality control of spirulina products and preliminary assessment of allergenicity. The results contributed to improved diagnosis and prevention of spirulina-induced allergic reactions.