A paediatric case of exercise-augmented anaphylaxis following bee pollen ingestion in Western Australia

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Food Science and Technology
• Paediatric Medicine

Background:

• Bee pollen is a widely consumed health supplement with reported therapeutic benefits.
• Anaphylaxis cases linked to bee pollen are rare, with Compositae family pollens often implicated.
• Previous cases predominantly involved adults with a history of allergic rhinitis.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old Australian boy experienced anaphylaxis after consuming bee pollen.
• The patient exhibited a strongly positive skin prick test to the consumed bee pollen.
• Exercise was identified as a potential co-factor in the anaphylactic reaction.

Findings:

• This is the first reported paediatric case of bee pollen anaphylaxis in Australia.
• The patient showed cross-reactivity to overseas-sourced bee pollen without a travel history.
• Allergic rhinitis was a pre-existing condition, consistent with previous reports.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering bee pollen and other supplements in anaphylaxis assessments.
• Cross-allergenicity between different bee pollens due to common plant pollens is likely.
• Healthcare providers should inquire about supplement intake during dietary history evaluations for allergic reactions.