The presence of antibodies to Sesame is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Sesame allergy/intolerance is becoming more common as more people begin to seek a healthy protein-rich food. Special precaution must be taken by those in the baking industry, as occupational asthma stemming from the inhalation of Sesame flour has been reported.

Additionally, patients with immediate or delayed immune reactivities should not only avoid ingesting the food, but should also abstain from using topical products that contain Sesame.

What if your test result is "equivocal"?

An equivocal result on a test for sesame sensitivity in the context of gluten-associated cross-reactive foods means that the test result is uncertain or borderline. This could indicate a low level of sensitivity to sesame, but it's not definitive enough to confirm a true sensitivity or allergy.

Here’s what to consider or do next:

→ Consultation with a Healthcare Provider: It’s important to discuss the results with a healthcare professional who can provide guidance based on your overall health, symptoms, and medical history.

→ Further Testing: Your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing to clarify the results. This could include more specific allergy tests or a different type of sensitivity test.

→ Dietary Monitoring: You might be advised to monitor your symptoms when consuming sesame products. Keeping a food diary that tracks what you eat and any symptoms that follow can be helpful.

→ Elimination Diet: In some cases, an elimination diet might be suggested, where sesame is removed from your diet for a period to see if symptoms improve. This can be followed by a reintroduction phase to see if symptoms reoccur when sesame is added back.

→ Consider Other Factors: Since cross-reactivity can be complex, it’s also wise to consider other factors that might affect your symptoms, such as other food sensitivities or gastrointestinal conditions.

An equivocal result can be frustrating, but with careful management and professional guidance, you can determine the best approach for your health.

Setomelanomma/Helminthosporium almost always occurs seasonally and the spores are released on dry, hot days. Species of Helminthosporium are best known as parasites of cereals and grasses. It is frequently isolated from grains, grasses, sugar cane, soil and textiles.

- Found worldwide, most common in warm areas, especially in the southern U.S.

- Important in the Midwest as it grows on farm crops, especially corn. 

- Grain thrashing operations release large quantities. 

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Serum (Male) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to sex hormones, particularly testosterone and estrogen, and transports them in the blood. When SHBG levels are measured, it provides insight into the amount of testosterone available for the body's tissues to use. This is important because only a fraction of testosterone is free and biologically active, while the rest is bound to SHBG and other proteins. High levels of SHBG can reduce the amount of free testosterone, potentially leading to symptoms of low testosterone such as fatigue, decreased libido, and mood changes. Conversely, low SHBG levels might indicate conditions like obesity, hypothyroidism, or type 2 diabetes. By assessing SHBG levels, healthcare providers can better understand a patient's hormonal balance and tailor treatments for conditions related to hormonal imbalances, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to men's health.

The standard male reference range for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) typically varies depending on the laboratory and the specific testing methods used. However, a common reference range for adult males is approximately 10 to 57 nmol/L. It's important to note that reference ranges can differ slightly between labs, so it's always best to refer to the specific range provided by the testing laboratory, such as Labcorp, for the most accurate interpretation of results.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is a protein that binds primarily to testosterone, making it biologically unusable by our bodies. For this reason, an abnormal level of SHBG indicates that too much or too little testosterone is present in the tissues. In men, this can cause sexual issues like erectile dysfunction or infertility. In women, it can cause irregular menstruation or excess facial hair growth. A healthcare professional may order a SHBG test when total testosterone levels do not fit with one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms.

What are normal SHBG levels?
The normal ranges for SHBG concentrations in adults are:

Males: 10 to 57 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L)
Females (nonpregnant): 18 to 144 nmol/L

Men typically have lower SHBG levels than women. However, a man’s SHBG level will usually increase with age as his testosterone levels drop.

Pregnancy usually raises SHBG levels. They typically return to normal after childbirth.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant pathogen detected in GI tests that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. STEC infection often occurs through the consumption of contaminated food or water, particularly undercooked beef, raw milk, and fresh produce. Patients infected with STEC may experience symptoms such as severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, and occasionally fever. The presence of Shiga toxin in E. coli is particularly concerning because it can lead to serious complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can cause kidney failure, especially in young children and the elderly.

Epidemiology

- Fecal contamination of ingested foods (undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk, juice, and water)

Clinical Implications

- Symptoms may include severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea

- Toxins may elicit strong inflammatory response

E. coli are a diverse group of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Although most strains of these bacteria are harmless, some produce toxins that can make you sick and cause diarrhea (loose stool/poop) such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

Anyone can get STEC infection. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to develop serious infection, but healthy older children and young adults can also become seriously ill.

Shigella spp. are non-sporulating bacteria that belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Shigella infections account for 5% to 20% of all diarrheal episodes throughout the world, and although these infections are commonly seen in children younger than five years old, they can be found in adults of all ages. Shigellosis often begins with fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, and can progress to bloody diarrhea.