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Anaphylactic reaction to young garlic.
A J Pérez-Pimiento1, I Moneo, M Santaolalla
1Servicio de Alergia, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain.
Allergy
|August 6, 1999
Summary
This study details a rare case of young garlic allergy in a woman with existing pollen and dried fruit sensitivities. IgE-mediated reactions were confirmed, highlighting a potential trigger for anaphylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Food Science
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Garlic is a known contact irritant and allergen, but rarely implicated in food allergies.
- A 23-year-old woman with a history of pollen and dried fruit allergy experienced anaphylaxis after consuming young garlic.
Observation:
- The patient presented with anaphylaxis after eating young garlic.
- Diagnostic tests included skin prick tests, specific IgE immunoassay, and SDS-PAGE immunoblotting.
Findings:
- Skin prick tests and specific IgE confirmed sensitization to pollens (grass, plane tree, mugwort) and various foods (peanut, hazelnut, walnut, almond, mustard).
- Prick-prick tests with young garlic and garlic were positive.
- SDS-PAGE immunoblotting revealed IgE-binding bands at 12 kDa for young garlic, garlic, onion, and leek, with cross-reactivity to mugwort pollen and hazelnut extract.
Implications:
- This case highlights IgE-mediated young garlic allergy, a rare but significant finding.
- Cross-reactivity between garlic, other Liliaceae species, pollens, and nuts is suggested.
- Further research into garlic allergy and cross-reactivity is warranted for clinical management.