Journal List > Allergy Asthma Respir Dis > v.4(6) > 1059227

Lee, Son, Sim, Park, Lee, and Park: Oral allergy syndrome associated with weed pollinosis

Abstract

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is caused by cross-reactivity between certain pollens and plant foods, including vegetables, nuts, or fruits. Here, we experienced 2 cases of OAS patients associated with mugwort pollinosis without sensitization to Fagales. A 54-year-old female repeatedly experienced skin rashes, perioral edema, nasal obstruction after eating fresh vegetables (celery, lettuce, chicory, radish sprouts, ginseng, etc.). She had suffered from allergic rhinitis worsening in autumn for 5 years. Specific IgE (sIgE) titers to ragweed and mugwort were elevated to 54.1 and 24.9 kU/L, respectively. With regard to the allergen component of pollens, sIgE to Art v 1 (mugwort) and Amb a 1 (ragweed) were elevated to 21.9 and 36.1 kU/L, respectively. Birch sIgE (including Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) was not detected. A 35-year-old male suffered from abdominal pain, skin rashes after eating mango and kiwi. In addition, systemic allergic reaction developed after consumption of tomato and ginseng. He had chronic rhinitis. The sIgE levels to ragweed, mugwort, and tomato were elevated to 0.55, 6.39, and 0.78 kU/L, respectively. The sIgE test results were all negative for Amb a 1, Bet v 1, and Bet v 2 sIgE. Specific IgE levels to Art v 1, Art v 2 sIgE were 3.51 and 4.46 kU/L, respectively. Based on the history and sIgE test results, 2 cases OAS were related to mugwort. We experienced 2 cases of weed pollinosis related to OAS. Culprit foods of OAS can vary depending on their cuisine cultures.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Clinical manifestations and sensitization profiles of the two patients

aard-4-458-i001
Manifestations and sensitization Patient 1 Patient 2
Culprit food Celery, lettuce, chicory, radish-sprouts, and ginseng Mango, kiwi, tomato, ginseng
Clinical manifestations Skin rash, edema of oral area, nasal obstruction after eating fresh vegetables Abdominal pain, skin rash after eating tomato
Skin rash and dyspnea after intake of ginseng
Perioral swelling and pruritis after ingestion of mango and kiwi
Specific IgE titers of allergen
 Tree
  Birch 0.01 kU/L 0.00 kU/L
   rBet v 1 (PR-10) 0.00 kU/L 0.00 kU/L
   rBet v 2 (Profilin) 0.01 kU/L 0.01 kU/L
  Oak 0.06 kU/L 0.07 kU/L
 Weed
  Ragweed 54.1 kU/L 0.55 kU/L
   nAmb a 1 36.1 kU/L 0.00 kU/L
  Mugwort 24.9 kU/L 6.39 kU/L
   nArt v 1 21.9 kU/L 3.51 kU/L
   nArt v 3 (LTP) 0.03 kU/L 4.46 kU/L

PR-10, pathogenesis-related protein10; LTP, lipid transfer protein.

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Jung-Won Park
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0249-8749

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