A case presenting anaphylaxis shock after intake of capsule packing cedar pollen

Abstract

The prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis is high to 26.5%, and it is properly remarked as "national disease" in Japan. General therapy strategies are composed of self-care by using mask or glasses to avoid antigen, and medical-care by using second-generation antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid spray. Meanwhile, there are other so-called self-medication patients who utilize health foods but do not consult to any physician. Papilla®, commercial name of one kind of those health foods, is a capsular packed with cedar pollen. In February 2007, we experienced a 49-year-old female patient who presented anaphylaxis shock after intake of Papilla® capsular. In this case, her special-IgE antibody and histamine release test were both positive to cedar pollen. Although Cry j 1, the major allergen in the Papilla® capsular is a small amount, the cause of anaphylaxis can not be reasoned as anything except the pollen contents in this product. In conclusion, it is appropriate to consider it exercise induce anaphylaxis shock due to playing tennis after intake of the capsular. © 2009 Japanese Society of Allergology.