An IgE-Mediated Allergic Reaction Caused by Mulberry Fruit.
Mulberry (Morus spp.) is a widespread deciduous tree and its fruit is commonly eaten in Korea and eastern Asia. Some reports demonstrate that mulberry fruit is a food allergen in the Mediterranean area. However, there has been no report of systemic allergic reactions after ingesting mulberry fruit in Korea. An 18-year-old boy with a mulberry fruit allergy visited our allergy clinic. He had experienced generalized urticaria, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, and abdominal cramping after ingesting mulberry fruit. The patient had a positive skin reaction to mulberry fruit extract (mean wheal size, 5 mm). We performed an ELISA to detect specific IgE antibody (Ab) to mulberry fruit extract in the patient's serum compared to those of non-atopic healthy controls and birch-sensitized individuals. Specific IgE Ab to mulberry fruit extract was detected in the patient's serum, as compared to non-atopic healthy controls. Another subject, who was strongly sensitized to birch pollen, also had a positive serum-specific IgE Ab to mulberry fruit. We performed IgE immunoblot analysis using the patient's and the other subject's sera, who had serum-specific IgE to mulberry fruit, to identify the IgE-binding component. An identical IgE-binding component to mulberry extract was detected in the two subjects at around 17 kDa, and which might be PR 10 of Bet v 1. In conclusion, mulberry fruit could induce a systemic allergic reaction through an IgE-mediated mechanism, and cross-reactivity might occur between mulberry fruit and birch pollen.
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jong Hyun
JH
Choi
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Kyoem
JK
Sim
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jee Youn
JY
Oh
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Gyu-Young
0000-0001-5039-0199
GY
Hur
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Hoon
KH
Min
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Yong
SY
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Jeong
JJ
Shim
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Ho
KH
Kang
IgE; Mulberry; allergen; food allergy