Allergy to goat's milk and sheep's milk without allergy to cow's milk

Allergy to goat's milk and sheep's milk without allergy to cow's milk is rare and was only reported recently. Here, we report observations on 18 children who were presented with a history of severe allergic symptoms after ingestion of goat cheese and sheep cheese but who were able to tolerate products made with cow's milk. A convincing clinical history and positive skin and serological test results confirmed the diagnosis of allergy to goat's milk and sheep's milk. Alpha s1 and beta caseins in both milks have been identified as the major allergens. Close structural homology of these caseins would explain the concomitant allergy to goat's milk and sheep's milk. On the other hand, the incomplete homology between these proteins. and their counterparts in cow's milk is the reason for the possible existence of allergy to goat's milk and sheep's milk without allergy to cow's milk. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.