Anaphylactic reaction after the ingestion of chamomile tea: a study of cross-reactivity with other composite pollens.
We report a case of an 8-year-old atopic boy in whom ingestion of a chamomile-tea infusion precipitated a severe anaphylactic reaction. The patient suffers from hay fever and bronchial asthma caused by a variety of pollens (grass, olive, and mugwort). This severe reaction was developed after his first ingestion of chamomile tea. Studies revealed the presence of immediate skin test reactivity and a positive passive transfer test to chamomile-tea extract. Moreover, both specific antichamomile-tea extract and anti-Matricaria chamomilla-pollen extract IgE antibodies were detected by an ELISA technique. Cross-reactivity among chamomile-tea extract and the pollens of Matricaria chamomilla, Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed), and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort), was demonstrated by an ELISA-inhibition study. These findings suggest a type I IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as being responsible for the patient's anaphylactic symptoms and also suggest that the patient cross-reacted the pollens of Matricaria chamomilla contained in the chamomile tea because he was previously sensitized to Artemisia pollen.
Subiza
J
J
Centro de Alergia e Inmunologic Clínica, General Pardiñas, Madrid, Spain.
Subiza
J L
JL
Hinojosa
M
M
Garcia
R
R
Jerez
M
M
Valdivieso
R
R
Subiza
E
E
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E