Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41466461›Full record

ReviewTropical diseases, travel medicine and vaccines2025

Characteristics of food-related allergic reactions during travel: a scoping literature review.

Sakarn Charoensakulchai, Chirat Sukme, Pat Chantapinya, Panita Looareesuwan, Suda Punrin, Gerard Flaherty, Manasvin Onwan

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Tropical diseases, travel medicine and vaccines, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sakarn CharoensakulchaiThai Travel Clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8991-0163
Chirat SukmeTravel Medicine Clinic, Pattaya Bhattamakun Hospital, Chonburi, 20150, Thailand.
Pat ChantapinyaInstitute of Preventive Medicine, Department of Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand.
Panita LooareesuwanThai Travel Clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5973-328X
Suda PunrinQueen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Gerard FlahertySchool of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5987-1658
Manasvin OnwanClinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon-Nayok, 26120, Thailand. manasvin@g.swu.ac.th.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9994-1112

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA substantial number of travelers have pre-existing food allergies, which can put them at risk of exposure to allergens during transportation, e.g. on aircraft, and at travel destinations. This review aims to identify the characteristics of food-related allergic reactions among travelers.

methodsA literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase and Scopus using keywords related to food allergies and travelers. Eligible studies were grouped into cohort/cross-sectional studies and case series/case reports. Data were extracted on prevalence (for cohort/cross-sectional studies), common allergens, locations where reactions occurred, and impact on travelers.

resultsTwenty-four articles were included. The prevalence of in-flight food-related allergic reactions ranged from 1.7-3.0%, while reactions during travel ranged from 6.9-10.0%. Peanuts and tree nuts were the most frequent allergens, accounting for up to 75.0% of reported cases. Other common allergens included cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soybean. During international travel, most reactions occurred in non-English speaking countries and in Europe. Case reports highlighted exposure to exotic foods such as tropical fruits and insects. Consequences ranged from mild reactions to severe anaphylaxis, hospitalization, and flight diversion. Some travelers reported avoiding future travel after reactions. Two fatalities were described in case reports.

conclusionFood-related allergic reactions in travelers are likely underestimated, with only severe cases typically reported. There is sparse information regarding the common food allergens, the profiles of allergic travelers and risk factors for allergic reactions. These findings underscore the need for improved counseling and prevention strategies among travelers, travel medicine practitioners, and travel agencies.

Indexed as

AllergenAllergyAnaphylaxisExotic foodFlightLocal foodNutPeanutTravelerVacation

Identifiers

PMID41466461
PMCPMC12860081

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.