Bronchial asthma caused by two unrelated vegetables

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Pulmonology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Occupational and environmental exposures can trigger allergic respiratory diseases.
• Vegetable-induced asthma is an uncommon but significant clinical presentation.

Observation:

• A case of an atopic housewife presenting with rhinoconjunctivitis and acute asthma is described.
• Symptoms were temporally associated with exposure to Swiss chard (Chenopodiaceae family) and green beans (legume family).

Findings:

• Type I hypersensitivity to Swiss chard and green beans was confirmed via skin prick tests, histamine release assays, and specific IgE measurement (RAST).
• Specific bronchial challenge tests demonstrated that these vegetables were likely causative agents for the acute asthmatic episodes.

Implications:

• Highlights the potential for diverse food allergens, including common vegetables, to induce respiratory symptoms.
• Emphasizes the importance of considering food-related triggers in the diagnosis of occupational or environmental asthma.
• Suggests further investigation into the prevalence and mechanisms of vegetable-induced allergic respiratory conditions.