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Case Report

 

Anaphylaxis Associated With the Ingestion of Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum)

 

S Monzón Ballarín,1 MA López-Matas,2 D Sáenz Abad,3 N Pérez-Cinto,1 J Carnés2

1Allergy Unit. Centro Cinco Villas. CASAR de SALUD. Ejea, Zaragoza, Spain
2R&D Department. Laboratorios LETI S.L. Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
3Emergency Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario “Lozano Blesa”, Zaragoza Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2011; Vol. 21(7): 567-570

 

 Abstract


Goji berry (wolfberry), a member of the Solanacea family, has been recently introduced in Western countries and its consumption has increased rapidly. The objectives of the study were to describe the cases of 2 patients who experienced allergic symptoms after Goji berry consumption, to identify the protein profile of the extract, to analyze the allergenic profi le of individuals, and to determine cross-reactivity with other members of the Solanaceae family (tomato).
We describe 2 cases of allergic reaction, 1 of which was an anaphylactic reaction, after Goji berry ingestion. A Goji berry extract was manufactured and immunochemically characterized. The patients were skin prick tested with a battery of common aeroallergens including mites, epithelia, and molds. Individuals were also skin prick tested with food allergens, including Goji berries. A positive skin prick test and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E to Goji berry was detected in both cases. Serum samples recognized a 9-kDa band, probably related to lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Cross-reactivity with tomato was analyzed by inhibition studies, which showed that the 9-kDa band was totally inhibited by the tomato extract. This study describes the first 2 cases of allergic reaction following Goji berry ingestion. LTPs seem to be involved in allergic sensitization to Goji berries, as evidenced by cross-reactivity with tomato.

Key words: Goji berries. Tomato. Solanaceae. Food allergy. LTP. Anaphylaxis.