Revista Alergia México (Apr 2018)

Plantago psyllium-secondary anaphylaxis. Case report

  • Rodrigo Collado-Chagoya,
  • Javier Hernández-Romero,
  • Gumaro Alejandro Eliosa-Alvarado,
  • Ana del Carmen García-González,
  • Rosa Isela Campos-Gutiérrez,
  • Andrea Velasco-Medina,
  • Guillermo Velázquez-Sámano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.29262/ram.v65i1.282
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 65, no. 1
pp. 103 – 107

Abstract

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Background: Psyllium is a derivative of Plantago ovata ground seed and husk that is used as bulk-forming laxatives owing to its hydrocolloid properties. Case report: 43-year-old female nurse with previous diagnosis of drug allergy and allergic rhinitis who, after the preparation and administration of a laxative, developed rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, urticarial syndrome, angioedema and bronchospasm, which led to conclude that she had an anaphylactic reaction. She was treated with adrenaline, corticosteroids and antihistamines. After symptom resolution, with in vivo tests by means of the skin prick technique and by in vitro assay (specific IgE), hypersensitivity to plantago psyllium was determined. Discussion: Most cases of anaphylaxis have been reported with psyllium ingestion, since, through that route, antigenic burden is higher. It should be noted that, even when exposure in the described patient was only by inhalation, manifestations were life-threatening.

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