title: Anaphylaxis induced by ingestion of a pollen compound.
abstract: We report on the case of a 32-year-old atopic patient who showed a severe anaphylactic reaction due to the ingestion of a pollen compound prepared in an herbalist's. A few minutes after ingestion, generalized pruritus, difuse erythema, facial edema, cough, hoarseness and dysphonia appeared, and the emergency administration of subcutaneous epinephrine and intravenous methylprednisolone was necessary. Skin tests with a battery of inhalants and food allergens were performed. The patient only showed sensitization to Artemisia vulgaris, Taraxacum officinalis and Salix alba. Specific IgE levels were evaluated by FEIA-CAP giving a seric level of CAP class 3 to Artemisia vulgaris and class 2 to Taraxacum officinalis and Salix alba. Samples of the pollen compound were shown in the microscopical analysis to be 93% pollens and 6% fungi. In the qualitative study Taraxacum officinalis (15%), Artemisia vulgaris (5%) and Salix alba (15%) were the main elements identified. In summary, this case study describes a food-induced systemic reaction due to a pollen compound in an atopic patient with a history of allergic rhinitis. Pollinic patients must be informed on the risks that the consumption of these compounds might cause.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Inmunología y Alergia, Hospital del Aire, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chivato
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montoro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laguna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*