1/7. food allergy masquerading as foreign body obstruction.BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions to peanut and tree nuts can present as upper airway obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To increase awareness that food allergy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper airway obstruction in children. methods: We report an allergic reaction to cashew that was initially misdiagnosed as foreign body aspiration. RESULTS: When the presenting signs and symptoms of food allergy are limited to upper airway obstruction, they can be confused with foreign body aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: As peanuts and tree nuts are common causes of both food allergy and foreign body aspiration in children, both of these diagnoses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of airway obstruction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. Immediate systemic hypersensitivity reaction associated with topical application of Australian tea tree oil.Australian tea tree oil has been used as a veterinary antiseptic for many years and, more recently, has been extended into human use. There have been many reports of allergic contact dermatitis and toxicity reactions, but it has never been implicated in immediate systemic hypersensitivity reactions. A 38-year-old man experienced immediate flushing, pruritus, throat constriction, and lightheadedness after topical application of tea tree oil. Our purpose was to determine whether this represented an immunoglobulin e (IgE)--mediated reaction. skin-prick and intradermal testing was performed, as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for specific IgG and IgE against tea tree oil. The patient had a positive wheal and flare reaction on intradermal testing with tea tree oil. All five patient controls were negative on skin testing. No specific IgG or IgE was detected. We present the first reported case of an immediate systemic hypersensitivity reaction occurring after topical application of Australian tea tree oil, confirmed by positive wheal and flare reaction on skin testing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4.5keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. life-threatening facial edema due to pine caterpillar mimicking an allergic event.BACKGROUND: Approximately 150 species of lepidoptera have been described as causing damage to human skin. One of these species is the pine processionary caterpillar, which is responsible for dermatitis, contact urticaria, ocular lesions and rarely respiratory signs and anaphylactic reactions through IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. We report a pediatric case of severe orofacial edema mimicking an allergic reaction after ingestion of a pine processionary caterpillar; urgent airway intubation was required. CASE REPORT: A 15-month-old boy was sleeping under a pine tree when his mother noted a pine caterpillar on his tongue. Because of rapidly developing facial swelling and respiratory distress, the infant was first taken to a local hospital where he received intravenous dexamethasone and pheniramine hydrogen maleate. On arrival at our emergency department, diffuse swelling and edema involving the tongue, perioral, nasal and perimandibular regions, and neck was noted, requiring urgent orotracheal intubation. There were no findings of anaphylaxis. The results of skin prick tests and specific IgE to common aero- and food allergens were negative. A skin prick test with extract of pine caterpillar was also negative. prednisolone and pheniramine hydrogen maleate were administered for 7 days. The child gradually improved and was successfully extubated 4 days later. CONCLUSION: Although oral contact with a pine processionary caterpillar in the form of ingestion is rare, it may cause significant local reaction and airway compromise mimicking an allergic event. In this situation, early intubation to maintain airway patency is a life-saving measure.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Occupational wood-dust sensitivity from euonymus europaeus (spindle tree) and investigation of cross reactivity between E.e. wood and artemisia vulgaris pollen (mugwort).A 44-year-old goldsmith suffered from rhinitis and conjunctivitis after having worked with wood dust from euonymus europaeus (E.e.) for 15 years. The material was used for drying pieces of jewelry. Very strong reactions could be seen after friction test, scratch test and nasal challenge using wood dust of E.e. RAST-class 3 could be measured with the serum of this patient using E.e. wood and artemisia vulgaris (A.v. pollen) allergen disks. RAST-inhibition, western-blot (WB) and immunoprint (IP) indicated common allergens in extracts of E.e. wood and A.v. pollen of different degree. In addition this study indicated that subjects suffering from A.v. pollen allergy also show sensitization to E.e. wood since in 22 of 37 A.v. pollen allergies A.v. (RAST class 2-4) IgE-antibodies could be seen. The present case probably demonstrates for the first time an IgE-mediated type I allergy to E.e. wood.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. hypersensitivity to carrot associated with specific IgE to grass and tree pollens.This study deals with a 34-year-old female cook with no previous history of atopy, who was studied because of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and contact urticaria in both hands associated with severe itching when she handled raw carrot. The patient had had anaphylactic episodes after accidental ingestion of raw carrots, but she tolerated cooked carrots. skin prick tests with carrot, celery, and olive, and birch, grass, and mugwort pollens were positive. Total IgE was 411 UI/ml. Specific IgE to olive, grass, and weed pollens were 10.92, 6.17, and 2.4 AU/ml, respectively. The histamine release test was positive for carrot, celery, celeriac, and olive pollen up to a dilution of 1/10(6). Immunoblot of raw carrot showed a single IgE-binding 18-kDa band. IgE reactivity for raw carrot immunoblot was completely inhibited by carrot and by celery, but not by olive or grass pollens. Specific IgE to olive pollen was not inhibited by carrot. The existence of monosensitization to an 18-kDa protein in carrot and specific IgE to olive pollen has not been reported in the celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. Oral allergy syndrome to a jackfruit (artocarpus integrifolia).A 30-year-old man from the philippines with pollen allergy noted the appearance of oral allergy syndrome (OAS) after eating raw apple, raw peach, raw celery, and recently, jackfruit (artocarpus integrifolia), a tropical fruit which belongs to the moraceae family (mulberry) and to the genus artocarpus (breadfruit tree). Despite the patient's multiple sensitization in skin prick tests and in the Pharmacia CAP System to birch, grass, mugwort pollen, related fruits and vegetables, and jackfruit, in RAST-inhibition studies neither rBet v 1 nor rBet v 2 (profilin), the well-known cross-reacting allergenic components in OAS, could inhibit the specific IgE response to jackfruit. Whether the reaction to jackfruit is specific or whether other pollen-related, cross-reacting allergenic components exist should be investigated further.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. latex allergy.Natural latex from the rubber tree hevea brasiliensis is an allergen in persons with significant cumulative latex exposure, such as those in the health care and rubber industries, as well as those undergoing repeated surgeries, especially if they undergo surgeries early in life. Symptoms of latex allergy may progress rapidly and unpredictably to anaphylaxis. The prevalence of latex allergy has increased as the use of rubber gloves in health care settings has increased. Airborne latex particles that adhere to the cornstarch used to powder gloves are a significant cause of respiratory symptoms and a source of sensitization. Once an individual has become sensitized, he or she may experience allergic symptoms when exposed to any product containing latex. diagnosis is made initially by the history. latex-specific IgE testing and skin prick testing may confirm the suspicion. The most effective strategy in the treatment of latex allergy is avoidance; however, there is a large group of sensitized people who have not been identified and who do not recognize that their symptoms are caused by latex allergy. physicians caring for latex-sensitive persons must act as their advocates in building awareness of the problem and developing protocols for their safe care. latex-sensitized persons should be educated about the latex content of common objects.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = tree (Clic here for more details about this article) |