Cross-Sensitization between Poppy Seed and Buckwheat in a Food-Allergic Patient with Poppy Seed Anaphylaxis

Vol. 140, No. 2, 2006

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 214 KB)

Case Report

Cross-Sensitization between Poppy Seed and Buckwheat in a Food-Allergic Patient with Poppy Seed Anaphylaxis
Tilmann Oppel, Peter Thomas, Andreas Wollenberg

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2006;140:170-173 (DOI: 10.1159/000092557)

Key Words

Cross-sensitization
Food allergy
Immunoblot inhibition
Opium
Challenge test, oral food

Abstract

The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum L., is the source of both poppy seeds and opium. The commercially available seeds are widely used as ingredients for various kinds of food. IgE-mediated sensitization to poppy seeds is rare, but, if present, clinical symptoms are usually severe. Cross-sensitizations between poppy seeds and other food allergens have been described with sesame, hazelnut, rye grain and kiwi fruit. We report the case of a 17-year-old female with an apparently food-allergic reaction after ingestion of a poppy seed cake. Allergological workup revealed a poppy seed anaphylaxis and led to the identification of a novel cross-sensitization with buckwheat.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. med. Tilmann Oppel, Klinik und Poliklinik für
Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, DE-80337 München (Germany)
Tel. +49 89 5160 6010, Fax +49 89 5160 6312
E-Mail tilmann.oppel@med.uni-muenchen.de

Article Information

Received: June 8, 2005
Accepted after revision: December 19, 2005
Published online: April 5, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 18

Medline Abstract (ID 16601355)

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