Curry spice allergy associated with pollen-food allergy syndrome and latex fruit-syndrome

Abstract

We report a 22-year-old woman with urticaria, dyspnea and bronchial asthma-like attacks after eating curried rice. We found the symptoms to be due to an immediate-type allergy caused by spice antigens contained in curry spices by detailed questioning, skin test and measurement of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies. This case was complicated with pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) from melon and latex allergy (LA) to natural rubber latex (NRL) antigen and she had also had atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and pollinosis. Serum specific IgE antibodies to birch profilin (Bet v 2), latex profilin (Hev b 8), and timothy profilin (Phl p 12) were detected. She also showed positive reactions to several Apiaceae families, fruits and latex antigens in skin prick test. Based on these findings, we considered her symptoms to be involved with spice allergy, PFAS and latex-fruit syndrome.