Adverse reaction to pomegranate ingestion.

We present a non-atopic 85-year-old woman, with a late-onset recidivant tongue angio-edema due to pomegranate intake, as proven by a double blind oral challenge test. This is the first case ever reported about adverse reaction to pomegranate. We have been unable to demonstrate an IgE-mediated mechanism (prick test, histamine release test and RAST with pomegranate were all negative). We emphasize the importance of clinical history and oral challenge test in the diagnosis of food allergy.

Severe anaphylactic reaction to thymostimulin.

Thymostimulin is a partially purified extract of calf thymus, consisting of a group of polypeptides with a total molecular weight of approximately 12,000 D. It is used as an immunologic response modifier in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. We report a patient who had a severe anaphylactic reaction with the first injection of thymostimulin. Type I hypersensitivity to thymostimulin was suggested by an immediate skin test response, specific IgE determination by indirect ELISA and a positive histamine release test. This patient also reacted to bovine serum albumin (BSA), fetal calf serum (FCS) and cow hair and dander. The controls did not react to any of these tests. Clinicians need to be aware that the use of medical products of xenogeneic origin may lead to severe allergic reactions.

IgG subclass response to Aspergillus fumigatus.

The exact clinical meaning of the IgG subclass antibodies remains obscure. In order to contribute to the study of the IgG subclass response, specific IgGtotal and IgG subclass antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three groups of patients: 30 asthmatics due to an IgG-mediated hypersensitivity to Af, 30 atopic and 30 nonatopic controls. The results demonstrated that Af-specific IgGtotal, IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies are increased in Af-sensitive patients, although detectable levels of each specific IgG subclass could be found in all the three groups. No differences between atopic and non-atopic controls could be demonstrated.

Anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine.

Ranitidine is a well-tolerated H2-receptor antagonist with a furan ring as nucleus. Anaphylactic reactions are seldom reported despite the wide use of the drug. We report a patient who presented an anaphylactic reaction with ranitidine (Zantac). The positive skin prick test and oral challenge suggest type I hypersensitivity. Specific IgE determination by RAST technique and histamine release test with ranitidine were negative. The patient did not react to other H2-receptor antagonists or to another furan-derivative (nitrofurantoin).

Delayed allergic reaction to cefonicid.

We report a case of delayed cutaneous reaction to intramuscular treatment with cefonicid, a second generation cephalosporin. An isolated late skin test response was observed to cefonicid only and not to other beta-lactams. A patch test with cefonicid 1% was positive after 48 and 96 hours.

Bronchial asthma induced by chick pea and lentil.

Allergic reactions to legumes through inhalation have rarely been described. We report the case of a 20-year-old man who experienced asthmatic attacks when exposed to the steam from cooking either chick pea or lentil. Type I hypersensitivity to the antigens in these legumes was demonstrated by means of immediate skin reactivity, histamine release tests, RAST and RAST inhibition. Specific bronchial challenges with the heated (75 degrees for 30 min) extracts of chick pea and lentil elicited isolated immediate responses.