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Housewives with raw potato-induced bronchial asthma
S Quirce1, M L Díez Gómez, M Hinojosa
1Servicios de Alergia e Inmunología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
Allergy
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Rarely described white potato allergy can cause allergic reactions like asthma and hives. This study confirms a Type I hypersensitivity to raw potato in two patients, identifying heat-labile allergens.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Immunology
- Occupational Allergy
- Food Allergy
Background:
- Allergies to white potato are infrequently reported in medical literature.
- Occupational exposure to raw potato antigens can trigger allergic responses in sensitized individuals.
Observation:
- Two housewives developed rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma upon peeling raw potatoes.
- One patient also experienced contact urticaria, indicating a broader allergic reaction.
- Symptoms were specifically linked to handling raw, not cooked, potatoes.
Findings:
- Type I hypersensitivity to raw potato was confirmed through skin prick tests, specific IgE (RAST), basophil degranulation, and histamine release.
- Positive bronchial provocation tests with raw potato extract demonstrated immediate asthmatic responses.
- Control subjects showed no allergic reactions to potato extracts.
Implications:
- Identifies specific allergens in raw potatoes responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions.
- Suggests that potato allergens are heat-labile and have a molecular weight exceeding 10 kDa.
- Highlights the importance of considering raw potato allergy in individuals with occupational exposure and atopic conditions.