Ingestive and inhalative allergy to the mushroom Boletus edulis

Abstract

This is the first report on inhalative and ingestive allergy to the common edible mushroom Boletus edulis (Be) (English, edible boletus; German, Steinpilz; French, bolet; Italian, porcino or boleto) belonging to the class Basidiomycetes. Four cases observed in our allergy unit are presented, showing different clinical manifestations of this rare allergy: as an occupational problem or life-threatening anaphylactic reactions after eating Be. In all cases, skin prick-to-prick tests with raw Be were strongly positive: in three cases, specific IgE against Be could be found. The symptoms were reproducible after an inhalation challenge test. It is noteworthy that not only can Basidiomycetes cause airborne allergy but also that edible mushrooms from this class can cause inhalative and intestinal allergy. The two patients with strong anaphylactic reactions demonstrate that Be may have great allergenic potential.