Antigen Made From:
Packaged finely-ground Tapioca flour/starch
Associated With:
- Anaphylaxis
- Latex-fruit syndrome
Known Cross-Reactions:
Avocado, Banana, Chestnut, Kiwi; Insulin; Triiodothyronine (T3)
Clinical Significance:
The presence of antibodies to Tapioca is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Adverse reactions to Tapioca have been reported, especially in patients with known latex allergies.
With the globalization of the food market, Tapioca is now being sold and consumed in new markets of North American and European countries, where an increase in reported adverse reactions have been seen.
References:
1. Ibero et al. Allergy to cassava: a new allergenic food with cross-reactivity to latex. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol,
2007; 17(6):409-412.
2. Brehler et al. “Latex-fruit syndrome”: frequency of cross-reacting IgE antibodies. Allergy, 1997; 52:404-410.
3. Mikkola et al. Hevein-like protein domains as a possible cause for allergen cross-reactivity between latex and banana.
J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1998; 102:1005-1012.
4. Beezhold et al. Latex allergy can induce clinical reactions to specific foods. Clin Exp Allergy, 1996; 26(4):416-422.
5. Kharrazian, et al. Detection of islet cell immune reactivity with low glycemic index foods: is this a concern for type 1 diabetes?
J Diabetes Res, 2017; 2017:4124967.
6. Kharrazian, et al. Immunological reactivity using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies of autoimmune thyroid target sites with
dietary proteins. J Thyroid Res, 2017; 2017:4354723.
Tapioca
Every lab result you’ve ever had, charted and explained.
Healthmatters is a tracker for your lab results. Upload a report from any lab, any country — every marker charted and explained.
Start with my report →
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We’re committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.