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Adult onset grape hypersensitivity causing life threatening anaphylaxis
S K Vaswani1, B W Chang, R N Carey
1Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group & Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21244, USA.
Summary
Adults can develop a rare allergy to grapes, leading to severe anaphylaxis. This case highlights late-onset food hypersensitivity to Vitis vinifera, emphasizing the need for awareness.
Area of Science:
- Food allergy research
- Clinical immunology
- Adverse drug reactions
Background:
- Adverse food reactions are less common in adults compared to children.
- Adult-onset hypersensitivity to grapes (Vitis vinifera) is rare and previously unreported.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old woman presented with anaphylaxis after consuming white grapes.
- She experienced urticaria, angioedema, and dizziness, consistent with a severe allergic reaction.
- Previous similar episodes after grape ingestion were noted.
Findings:
- Positive grape prick skin tests with a pseudopod reaction.
- Elevated total serum IgE levels (1918 ng/mL).
- Weakly positive grape-specific IgE by modified RAST, negative by Cap System.
Implications:
- Hypersensitivity to common fruits like grapes can manifest later in life.
- Late-onset food allergies can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- This case underscores the importance of considering food allergies in adult-onset anaphylaxis.