Abstract
Patients and methods A 26 year old female patient developed erythema, swelling of the ears and pruritus within 10 min after ingestion of pomegranate. She is allergic to birch pollen and apple. Prick and IgE tests revealed a positive reaction to mites, tree and grass pollen, ambrosia, mugwort and apple. Scratch test was positive for pomegranate, the seeds showing a stronger reaction than the juice. Oral provocation test with kiwi, peach and cherry was negative. The serum was analysed for IgE reactivity by Western blotting. As extracts served different sections of pomegranate (juice, extract and seed). IgE-reactive protein bands were analyzed and identified by protein sequencing and homology screening.
Highlights
Reports on anaphylactic reactions to exotic fruits, e.g. kiwi and dragon fruit, are increasing
The allergenic risk assessment and the identification of allergenic components are important. 9 cases of allergic reactions to pomegranate have already been reported, but the responsible allergens have so far not been characterized in detail
The 9 kDa allergen was identified as a lipid transfer protein (LTP), which revealed a 77% sequence identity to the LTP from peach
Summary
Reports on anaphylactic reactions to exotic fruits, e.g. kiwi and dragon fruit, are increasing. The allergenic risk assessment and the identification of allergenic components are important. 9 cases of allergic reactions to pomegranate have already been reported, but the responsible allergens have so far not been characterized in detail
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