Aniseed-induced nocturnal tongue angioedema.
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2007;
17:406-408. [PMID:
18088024]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aniseed is a spice native to the eastern Mediterranean region. Cases of simultaneous hypersensitivity to celery, mugwort pollen, and spices of the Umbelliferae family have been described as the celery-mugwort-spices syndrome. We report a case of aniseed-induced tongue angioedema. Skin prick tests to foods proved positive only to aniseed. Serum-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E determination by enzyme allergosorbent test was 0.4 kU/L to aniseed extract and 0.6 kU/L to tare and cumin seeds. The molecular mass of the IgE-binding proteins studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) immunoblotting revealed a broad IgE-binding band of 12.9-13.7 kd in aniseed and tare extract assays and a broad band of 15-17.5 kd in cumin extract. This is the first case of type I hypersensitivity due to aniseed liqueur ingestion reported. SDS-PAGE immunoblotting study showed a broad specific IgE-binding band of 12.9-13.7 kd when aniseed extract was incubated with the patient's serum; this band might correspond to the protein responsible for the described symptoms.
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